10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
11 / 9
Average Mileage:
28,940 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #14

May 012012

Explorer

  • 139,161 miles
Noticed that the recliner handle was bent on the drivers side. The next time I went to recline the seat the handle broke off at the rivet point. Common problem according to the dealer. The part can only be bought from Ford and the cost is $100. There was a service bulletin for this problem for a later year Explorer. Dealer said the new part is more heavy duty and made to replace the stock version that was light duty. No recall was issued and they have stopped making the part.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #13

Aug 032006

Explorer

  • 160,000 miles
Gas pedal mounting bracket separated from firewall.

- Lakewood, CA, USA

problem #12

Aug 072006

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
1996 Ford Explorer rolled over in and accident. Consumer requesting information on risks for Ford Explorer. The consumers daughter was driving when the vehicle rolled over. After the accident, the consumer learned of problems with the Ford Explorer's roof strength and unstable wheel base. Updated

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #11

Aug 082004

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Sudden tread separation on left rear tire of Ford Explorer caused loss of control and on-road rollover. Tire was a cooper eldorado radial ZR1, size P23575R15, dot# 3dhlekn2900.

- Addison, TX, USA

problem #10

Feb 102003

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,000 miles
While traveling at 50 mph 10:30P.M., without cause vehicle slid across highway to the left, rolled and flipped, and collided with a tree - vehicle landed on its side with roof in to the steering wheel: All windows broken and windshield shattered. Roof actually caved in on teenage driver -fatality from multiple brain injuries.

- Covington, LA, USA

problem #9

May 301999

Explorer

  • miles
The driver lost control of the vehicle and proceeded to skid into the southside of the roadway into a ditch and collided with a utility pole, there were 2 fatalities(Texas officers accident report, Bridgestone/Firestone, P235/75R15, radial ATX M/S, vdhl1pm435, left rear). Nlm

- Edinburg, TX, USA

problem #8

May 301999

Explorer

  • miles
The driver lost control of the vehicle and proceeded to skid into the southside of the roadway into a ditch and collided with a utility pole, there were 2 fatalities(Texas officers accident report, Bridgestone/Firestone, P235/75R15, radial ATX M/S, vdhl1pm435, left rear). Nlm

- Edinburg, TX, USA

problem #7

May 301999

Explorer

  • miles
The driver lost control of the vehicle and proceeded to skid into the southside of the roadway into a ditch and collided with a utility pole, there were 2 fatalities(Texas officers accident report, Bridgestone/Firestone, P235/75R15, radial ATX M/S, vdhl1pm435, left rear). Nlm

- Edinburg, TX, USA

problem #6

Feb 062001

(reported on)

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Front bolts and/or rivits in the front frame may be loose causing squeaks, clicks and movement of the frame, it is felt through the steering wheel when making tight turns. Nlm

- Manvel, TX, USA

problem #5

Nov 021999

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer started experiencing difficulty controlling the vehicle, the ABS light came on and the vehicle caught fire, one person was injured while putting out the fire, the axle had broken and melted, but no one knows exactly what caused the fire.

- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #4

Nov 021999

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer started experiencing difficulty controlling the vehicle, the ABS light came on and the vehicle caught fire, one person was injured while putting out the fire, the axle had broken and melted, but no one knows exactly what caused the fire.

- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #3

Jul 311996

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer applied the brakes for an upcoming turn when the vehicle rolled over and went down an embankment, the rollover resulted in 3 people sustaining injuries.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #2

Mar 021999

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Ice build up on rear quarter panel.

- Middletown, NY, USA

problem #1

Mar 021999

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Ice builds up on running board due to design, making it unsafe to exit vehicle.

- Middletown, NY, USA