This discrepancy applies to a Explorer Sport Trac new from a dealership in Sept 2001. The vehicle "check engine" light illuminated just before the vehicle reached 15,000 miles. The owners manual stated that if the light did not go out after 3 consecutive cold starts to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was in the window for servicing at its 15,000 mile check-up anyway, so I took it to the dealer and showed them the "check engine" light. I expected the vehicle would be finished with its regular maintenance and the check engine light problem fixed in a day or two. I was wrong, and from reading similar problems reported by other owners, it appears this could be a trend for the Sport Trac model- if not for the entire Explorer genre. The dealer informed me that the fuel pump was leaking and it was what was causing the check engine light to illuminate. Then I remembered that I had often noticed drops of fluid on the driveway each time I backed out. At the time I thought it was condensation from the air conditioning system. I didn't care what it took to fix it because it was covered by the warranty. The dealer had to order a whole new gas tank, because as it was explained to me, the fuel pump was integral to the fuel tank. The fuel tank and pump assembly was not in stock and had to be ordered from the factory. The dealer supplied a rental car while the Sport Trac was being repaired. It took 2 weeks for the dealer to receive the fuel tank and pump. After they received it, it only took took a couple of hours for the technician to install it and check it out. The vehicle was properly repaired and I no longer see any droplets on the driveway, nor is the check engine light illuminated. Most of the two weeks the vehicle was at the dealership was due to awaiting parts. Any fuel leak should be considered critical for obvious reasons. I asked the dealer's representative if the tank/pump problem was a common problem for the model and they denied it.

- Lubbock, TX, USA

The problem is with the design of the fuel tank/vapor recovery system. I was told by the dealer that when the fuel tank is full fuel splashes into the vapor recovery canister and causes the car to stall. There is no fix for the problem. Ford engineers have been contacted and are working on the problem. I was told it would be 60-90 days for a solution. In the meantime I was told to keep the tank 3/4 full or less. The problem is that I was not told of this design problem when I purchased the vehicle. If it is a design problem then every Sport Trac should be effected. It is a safety problem because the 4 times the vehicle stalled on me three of them were in the middle of a turn. All of a sudden I had no power steering or brakes. Even for myself, a large male, I had trouble completing the turn. I shudder to think bout what would have happened if my 105 pound daughter had been driving the car and it had stalled during a turn. If this is a design problem, then people need to be warned when they purchase the vehicle. Not filling the gas tank completely does work, no stalls occur. Thank you. Tim cole. **dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*768014

- Kailua, HI, USA

I have experienced the same problem with gas spewing out of tank when refueling. This is my second Sport Trac. Ford bought back my first one because they couldn't fix ongoing engine problems that started off as a rough idle problem. They even replaced the engine, and surprisingly that made things worse. I have had my new vehicle since the end of July and have experienced similar rough idle problems recently.

- Olive Branch, MS, USA