10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,513 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 #15

Nov 132017

Explorer

  • 130,000 miles
The gearshift on the column is loose and does not line up properly with the gear indicator. When its in park it still drifts forward unless the gear shift is pushed up pass park. This is a safety hazard which I was told this problem has existed for some time in these year Ford Explorer.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #14

May 142016

Explorer

  • 186,200 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. While driving at various speeds with the driver side turn signal engaged, a puff of smoke emitted from the steering wheel without warning. The contact stated that the failure recurred five times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control). The failure mileage was 186,200.

- Elmore, OH, USA

problem #13

Dec 012007

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle veered into the left lane then the vehicle rolled over. The road conditions were wet. The tow truck towed the vehicle home because the crash destroyed the vehicle. As of December 5, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. There was a previous roll over crash however, the vehicle had been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 150,000.

- Lipan , TX, USA

problem #12

Jan 011999

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1 miles
The steering ratio is much too quick on my 1999 Ford Explorer. Other owners of this vehicle have voiced the same concern to me. Ie: on the the hiway just a very slight movement in the steering wheel translates into a lurch of the vehicle in that direction. Very dangerous!

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #11

Jan 152004

(reported on)

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Steering very unstable".......have to struggle to keep vehicle on the road when there are pavement problems such as cracks and crevices, etc..... have never driven a vehicle with this problem before and have driven quite a few cars..didnt notice it until after the mileage meter got to 54,000 mark...... also have read the death rating in 40 mph crashes was much higher than usual at crash test. Com......why?????"

- Walton, KY, USA

problem #10

Feb 262004

Explorer

  • 70,000 miles
While driving 30 mph steering wheel swayed away from the consumer. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Cornwall, NY, USA

problem #9

Sep 172003

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,500 miles
When the consumer made a left turn, smoke started to come from the steering wheel. The consumer continued to drive to her destination. Ford recalled two components in the steering column.

- Fenton, MI, USA

problem #8

Sep 252003

Explorer

  • miles
While driving 70 mph the driver lost control of the steering wheel and the vehicle rolled over. Don't know if the air bags deployed. Please provide further information and police report.

- Kent, WA, USA

problem #7

Aug 142001

Explorer

  • miles
While driving 60mph consumer made a sudden move with steering wheel and almost lost control of vehicle.also, vehicle almost turned over when turning steering wheel 1 to 11/2 inch. Contacted dealer, nothing could be done about problem.

- Lincoln, CA, USA

problem #6

Jan 082001

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Automatic transmission is slipping in any gear. It doesn't shift gears correctly when accelerating. Transmission only shifts correctly into 1st gear, and double shifts into 2nd and 3rd gears after letting off gas. Transmission shifts sometimes from high to low, causing vehicle to pull. Overdrive light intermittently would go on and off. Was repaired at dealer. On 1-18-2001. Dealer replaced multiple parts in transmission 02-15-2001, transmission locked up and wouldn't move.torque converter and pump with housing were replaced. On 6-29-2001, transmission was still pulling. Dealer replaced a stuck evr valve and replaced it. Front and rear rotors warped, dealer replaced, ABS light illumianted, dealer replaced rear speed sensor, brakes are noisy. Passenger window shakes, dealer lubed tracks. Motor makes rattling noise when being driven steadily. Steering gets stiff and makes a whining noise. Air conidtioner was repaired. Goodyear tire blewout, this tire was a replacement for Firestone recall 00T005.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #5

May 162001

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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

problem #4

Sep 012000

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Steering is unstable traveling. Excessive sway, poor control. Dealership is aware of the problem.

- Manlius, NY, USA

problem #3

Jun 012000

Explorer

  • miles
While driving on highway, steering became wobbly & I pulled over. The tire collapsed just as I reached side of highway. Wife and infant were passengers. Called aaa & assisted by passing patrol car. Brought the tire to Firestone dealer in natick, MA who *refused* to replace the tire for free and told me I must have driven over something. I traded in the Ford six months later for a Lexus.( dot number: )

- Natick, MA, USA

problem #2

Feb 012000

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
PE00020, orginial equipment with 1999 Ford Explorer, tire size P23575R15. While driving the front end shakes very hard, and on all tires there are lumps forming and making a whistling noise. There was a constant noise in the front of the vehicle, dealer has replaced the following to remedy the problem: Drivesahft, lower control arms, left upper ball joint, lower steering shaft on two occasions, front shaft, lower ball joints, outer tie rod ends, power steering pump and rack, left upper ball joint and finally the arm bushing that was hitting the frame. Brakes were pulsating, dealer machined the front rotors. There was a delay in starting the vehicle, dealer stated this was normal. Radio had no display lights, dealer installed a new radio. The rear brake light burnt out, dealer replaced the bulb. The parking brake sometimes would not release, dealer could not duplicate the problem. The check engine light illuminated. The rear wiper was not cleaning, dealer replaced the wiper arm and blade.

- Salem, MA, USA

problem #1

Mar 262000

Explorer

  • miles
Car crashed steering disabled, immediately went into flames.

- River Ridge, LA, USA