Consumer has complained to dealer that steering wheel shakes out of control. Steering makes dashboard rumble like front end has hydraulics. Turning vehicle right or left, steering shutters hard. Consumer would have to add a quart of power steering once a week. Dealer found power steering leaking, and replaced rack and pinion and realigned vehicle. On 6-29-01, vehicle was taken back to dealer for still having the problem. Dealer found nothing wrong with vehicle. Problem has not been remedied. The brake light switch was inoperative causing the brake lights to be inoperative, the brakes squeak and the dealer treated the pads with an anti squeak solution, the A/C blows out warm air due to a leaky compressor and O-ring, the torque converter failed causing the transmission to lock up, passenger side Goodyear tire blewout while driving, the window on the right side shakes when going up or down. Nlm

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

Brake lights do not stay on when brakes are applied. Lights come on, but go back out while brakes are still being applied. Dealer has seen vehicle, and said that it is normal. Brake switch has been replaced 6 times and power booster has been replaced with no remedies, brake pedal makes a popping noise when released. Message center, miles per gallon, is inaccurate and has been replaced, however consumer states it still does not work. Rear suspension squeaks and groans over bumps, consumer states there is too much roll stiffness built into suspension, alignment checked and toe set due to vehicle wandering. Water leaks inside door frames. Automatic transmission is reluctant to downshift unless the accelerator is pressed flat to the floor. Inside rear view mirrow mounted too low. Consumer states squeaks and rattles show up all the time in the interior of the vehicle, rattles in dash, drivers door area, and B pillar. Cd changer jammed twice. Limited emblem replaced twice. Speedometer reads too fast.

- Kent, WA, USA

Brake lights are unreliable and could lead to a collision. In particular, the brake lights may not work during gentle braking or when stopped with foot still on brake pedal. Free pedal height is 4.75 inches, brake lights come on at 4.625 inches, go off when any pressure is released above 4 inches. As you can see, anytime the brake pedal comes up between 4 and 4.625 inches, such as when letting up slightly to make a smooth stop, the brake lights are off. I often find myself sitting at stops with my foot on the brake and no brake lights, a very hazardous condition. Dealer has replaced switch twice, all three switches exhibit same behavior. On last replacement, dealer said they checked several other Explorer, they all do the same.

- Kent, WA, USA

The location of the third brake light is too high, and does not have the same visual impact as a more eye level location would have.

- Boca Ration, FL, USA