This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The broken interior door handle may have been broken for a long time but, because of the child safety lock feature being activated it wasn't noticed until the child safety lock was deactiveted only to find that the door handle would not open the door. Upon disassembly, I found the plastic cam that unlocks the latch of the door to be cracked off rendering the handle useless. As for the transmission, the premature and expensive failure should become a recall item for Ford as I have found that many owners of this type vehicle are experiencing problems of great financial consequence and possible tragic health consequence.. I'd say a disporportionate number of Explorer owners are encountering similar transmission failures. The life threatening condition of a bad transimission could have led to a lock-up or unexpected rapid deceleration at highway speeds which could have rolled the truck. Internal components were badly scarred and irrepairebly damaged. Initial symptons were hesitation on accelleration at shift points Ford issued several service bulletins to address these symptoms but never recalled the defective product.
Vehicle experienced problem with transmisson. After shifting into four- wheel drive. Transmission lost low gears. Dealer and manufacturer notified. Common problem.
- Harrells, NC, USA
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Noticed gas was being splattered on the wheel wells, and on the back of the car. Called Ford, and was not able to help. While driving on local street stopped in the middle of traffic. Could not get the vehicle out of neutral. Vehicle was towed home.
Problem started at 23115 miles. While going at 25 or 60 mph vehicle will drop out of gear. This may happen while trying to change lanes, vehicle will just drop out of gear. Consumer feels this is very unsafe, especially with children aboard. Also, when changing lanes there is just no control.
While driving vehicle at approximately 20-25mph, forward drum broke on the transmission. Vehicle kept trying to downshift on its own. Vehicle would work fine in reverse, but not in forward. Had vehicle towed to dealer to correct problem.
On 4-27-99 the truck was brought to the dealership because I felt the transmission was not shifting properly. After driving it, the mechanic said that the transmission was "burnt".it was then rebuilt by dealer. 2-3 weeks later returned because too much delay when put into reverse. Fixed. Mid July 99 odometer stopped turning. 8-12-99 was told did not have 4WD. Dealer said nothing to do with trans overhaul and part was $500 + install. My feeling is that these things are all related, and should not be going bad this early in life of truck. Ford says too bad.
While backing out vehicle started to roll. Shifted into drive, but vehicle kept rolling. Shifted into park & vehicle still failed to stop. Had to use the emergency brakes. After several attempts, it finally stopped. Dealer is having vehicle towed to be checked by the mechanic.
Speed control failed to disengage when braking or using off button, throttle cable hung up shifted to neutral, but transmission shifted between neutral and reverse and destroyed transmission.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Detroit, MI, USA