Parked my SUV in the driveway after a short trip and the horn began to blow. As I investigated the noise I opened my door to find smoke rolling out uncontrollably. I ran inside to call 911, by the time I hung up the phone my entire truck was engulfed with flames. This just happened today, so I do not know what will be done about it. But this was caused by some defect in the vehicle.

- Perry, MI, USA

Progressively worse, starting in June 08. Door ajar light comes on randomly when driving, plus the interior lights come on and off (flicker, dangerous if driving at night), bells go on/off, and the doors lock and unlock (never sure which they are). If not driving, the alarm goes off randomly.

- Enumclaw, WA, USA

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer XLT, a couple weeks ago I went to open the back lift glass, and the window fell, and combustion in thousands of little pieces, right in my face! I have pictures, anyway I proceeded to take my vehicle to Ford Motor Company in horseheads, NY, they replaced the window due to the explosion, and I have had my truck back there 4 times because they wired it wrong, and they refuse to fix this problem, if my wiring from the back windshield to the dash of my truck does not get fixed I am sorry to say that I will be forced to obtain an attorney for Ford! please help!!!!!!

- Elmira Heights, NY, USA

Bought the car used in Sept. 2007. A month and a half later, had to replace rear passenger wheel bearing. A month after that, we had to replace the driver side rear wheel bearing. Driver door window motor went a week after the wheel bearings. ABS light is on. Also had to replace two coils in the electrical unit. Put approximately $3,000 into car since purchase in less than eight months.

- Elderton, PA, USA

Door ajar light stays on and causes dome lights to flash on and off and chime while driving. Car alarm goes off randomly for no apparent reason. Have talk to Ford they tell me I need to bring it in while this is all happening so they can figure out what's going on. Car never seems to do it at a time I can take it in.

- Puyallup, WA, USA

At 110,000 miles both rear passenger windows stopped working. A trip to the dealer said both windows needed new cables and it would cost $1,000. Windows won't go up or down.

- San Diego, CA, USA

2002 Ford Explorer caught fire. Consumer stated that the vehicle caught fire while his mother was visiting his sister in a different state. No attempt was made to repair her vehicle and rental cost them $600 out of pocket. Prior to the fire, the consumer asked the mechanic to inspect the vehicle, because warning lights were coming on and going off intermittently. The consumer had a list of documentation relating to electrical issues. The vehicle had to get a jump several times, the vehicle would hesitate when first starting up. The brake lights were stuck, the dealer replaced the brake pedal switch. The cruise control was inoperable so the dealer replaced the brake light switch. The alternator and wheel bearings were replaced.

- Canandaigua, NY, USA

This 2002 Ford Explorer eddie bauer abruptly stops while driving at any speed without any notice or indication that the ignition will fail to keep the car running. This car has been to two Ford dealerships and one reputable and established independent automotive repair shop. This car was at a Toyota dealership for almost 30 days and this car was returned to me with this potentially fatal defect still undiagnosed. None of the aforementioned dealerships could determine the true underlying problem. At the Toyota dealership a brand new starter was installed because of a no start condition showing no power to the starter and blown fuses for the injectors, fuel pump, and the computer. The same defect showed itself one day later after traveling over 70 miles with no sign of failure.

- Portage, IN, USA

On 11/22/2007 my 2002 Ford Explorer burned, it is a total loss. The fire originated inside the center console. Vehicle was running when smoke first appeared, engine was immediately shut off. Flames erupted within 3-5 minutes from the time smoke first appeared.

- Wayzata, MN, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle alarm sounds throughout the night while the vehicle is parked and shut off. While driving, the doors lock and unlock, the ceiling lights flicker on and off, and the door ajar buzzer chimes intermittently. The dealer has not been notified. The current mileage was approximately 150,000 and failure mileage was approximately 147,0000.

- Tampa, FL, USA

After owning for a week and a half, had to have the G ears in the rear end replaced. Later informed that the tires were not evenly worn which was causing the rear end to pop. After replacing the tires, the four wheel drive would not work. The 4 X 4 module and the wiring need to be replaced, costing $1000. That is not including the driver window switch needing to be replaced as well as the window regulator. Now there is an electrical problem coming from the dash. Unable to figure out what it is yet.

- Garfield Heights, OH, USA

At 74000 miles our transmission went out completely while we were on vacation! the dealership where we bought the vehicle, said that "we were the only one's who have had this problem" (yeah right!) it cost us $6000 out of our pocket to fix. At 86000 miles the rear window cracked right below the window. Ford and the dealership refuses to fix it. Again, stayton Ford told us that, "we were the only people who have had this particular issue." At around 85000, 95000 and 105000 miles, the rear seals leaked. We were promised each time that they would last "for at least 50000 miles." We were always a few miles away from getting them replaced for free since they're limited warranty is only good for 10000 miles. At 111000 miles the electrical system went "haywire." Even when all of the door and hatch are closed, the dome light continues to go on and off (making it hard to drive at night) because it senses that a "door is a jar." Sometimes, the key pad that's located on the drivers side window sets off the alarm when we push the first number on the key. Totally unreliable vehicle that I'm afraid to drive!

- Salem, OR, USA

Ongoing shifting and slipping within the transmission. Also a loud shrill at the end of the acceleration. The transmission converter has been replaced multiple times and the transmission leaked out fluid at highway speed. After the repair of a stripped transmission line connector and a pile of glue to fix a broken electrical connector the vehicle was returned to service by the dealership and the warranty company. The converters are "remanufactured" which have been known to fail. The glob of glue on the electrical connector will be reviewed by the state as to the proper repair procedure. A law suit may follow due to separate repairs including a tire with a nail, where a new tire was purchased and a used on was installed (bf goodrich). The tire was also not balanced and was off by 1.5 oz. There was also a gasket removed from the cooling system that caused antifreeze to spill out onto the engine. The cooling system had been serviced two months prior and was never leaking until the day the vehicle was returned. There was also the discovery of the positive electrical harness to the starter having exposed wires due to the oil filter drain housing made of plastic rubbing against the wires. There are three wires exposed and there may be the potential for fire.

- Howell, MI, USA

Experts determined that the right side of the left front drivers seat suffered an electrical fault, resulting in a fire which totaled the vehicle. However, the interior cabin fire was extinguished, preserving the remainder of the seat and adjacent center console burn area. Occupants were able to escape the vehicle and avoid personal injury. A year and a half later, Ford still refuses to accept responsibility for the malfunction, and the case is in litigation.

- Gettysburg, PA, USA

Bought my 2002 Ford Explorer new. At 90000 miles, the mileage gauge went out and Ford dealership told me it would cost $600 to repair. My local repair shop told me that this problem is common with Ford Explorer and Expedition of the same year.

- Austin, TX, USA

: the contact stated while attempting to roll down the driver's side front window, the window would not go down and the smell of smoke appeared. The smoke was coming from the console area on the driver's side door. The vehicle was pulled off of the road until the smoke subsided. The dealership has not been notified.

- Lithonia, GA, USA

Automatic door lock system.

- Miami, FL, USA

On or about November 3, 2005, I purchased a break model used Ford Explorer XLT 2002 from norm reeves Honda car dealer in cerritos, ca. The car had 78,000 miles on it at the time of purchase. I signed the papers and took the possession of the car. It has not been more than 2 months that the car started giving me trouble on the pick up of the speed, transmission, gear adjustment, over use of the gas, difficult high altitude driving even after change of gears, air suction into the engine and transmission, accelerator and signs like service engine soon on the front panel, although I have been getting regular lube and tune on the car after every 3000 miles. While driving the, occasionally, the car gives a thundering noise on the tires as if it is dragging itself and running on the road. This makes me fear that my car is not safe for me to drive! the norm reeves Honda super store car dealer knew that the car is defective and they simply wanted to get rid of a used 2002 Ford Explorer XLT vehicle from the fleet as they primarily sell Honda cars and similar vehicles. Despite repeated requests, the norm reeves Honda super store and their sister company Ford of cerritos refused to provide service on the car since I stopped payments on the car loan. Other Ford car dealers have test driven this car and observed the same defects as I have mentioned. My purpose of writing this complaint with the NHTSA is to request the intervention of NHTSA immediately as the questioned vehicle is likely to endanger my life on the local roads and/or on highway/freeways. Due to major defects in the car, I can meet with a serious accident and can be crippled or suffer such pecuniary losses that are irreplaceable and/or I can die also with out any fault of mine. Please recall Firestone tires V. Ford Motor Company case law. Criminal charges against norm reeves Honda, Ford of cerritos and their ceos to follow. Please contact me and the dealers asap. Respectfully submitted, amardeep singh gill.

- Cypress, CA, USA

2002 Ford Explorer. Failed transmission, starter, rear wheel bearings, airbag, pinion, electric window. Now loud sounds from rear of car.

- Eden Prairie, MN, USA

: the contact stated the air bag light intermittently illuminates. The vehicle was seen by a dealer. The service department determined both front seat belts needed to be replaced due to the integrated air bag/seat belt system. The entire front seat belts were replaced accordingly but the air bag light later illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The service department suggested replacing the seat belts again. Updated 3/3/2006 - the consumer has also had to replace the rear washer motor, odometer and has had problems with the automatic door locks.

- Cheshire, CT, USA