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.
Transfer case bearing broke while driving, causing excessive shimmering and shaking, driver lost control and the vehicle went off the road immediately. After repairs, main driveshaft bearing failed with same result.
While driving steering was stiff, and consumer could hear a grinding noise in front end of vehicle. When making a turn felt like wheels were going to lock up. Vehicle was towed to a Ford dealer, and they stated that front and rear sensor in transfer case had gone bad. Consumer stated that on May 4th problem reoccurred.
My vehicle developed a clunk in the rear end which I assumed was a problem with the rear differential. When I took it to my mechanic he found there was a problem in the transfer case. After repairing the transfer case he then found that the problem originated in the transmission and that it was a costly repair. I would not have thought much about this except for the fact that he had another Ford Explorer with the same problem in his shop at the same time. I contacted Ford Motor Company about this problem but they deny ever having this problem or having any dealerships reporting this type of defect.
Vehicle would make a "grinding" noise while accelerating and stopping. A dealership and independent mechanic concluded that noise was coming from transfer case, V8 engine, automatic transmission, all-wheel drive. Please provide any additional information / documentation.
- Marietta, GA, USA
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Transfer case failed with no reason. The 4 wheel drive is never used. When being fixed they found chuncks of metal in the transfer case. It appeared to be defective. Ford is is denying this.
I was driving down the road and when going down a hill the veh. Stared to make a grinding noise. I had to get up out of the hole to pull off and I noted that when I steped back on the gas it stoped. It only does this when coasting or braking. I took it to the shop and they said it was a failure in the transfer case. I started looking for a new one on the net and found alot of other people describing the same problem to a T. one guy stated that his mechanic said that the GEM control module had failed or partially failed and commanded the tranfer case to disengage causing damage to the case. It appeared to be a Ford electronic defect not having a fail safe mode but instead ordering the tranfer case to self destruct. The oxygen senors I replace them and they go right back out.
I was driving down the road and when going down a hill the veh. Stared to make a grinding noise. I had to get up out of the hole to pull off and I noted that when I steped back on the gas it stoped. It only does this when coasting or braking. I took it to the shop and they said it was a failure in the transfer case. I started looking for a new one on the net and found alot of other people describing the same problem to a T. one guy stated that his mechanic said that the GEM control module had failed or partially failed and commanded the tranfer case to disengage causing damage to the case. It appeared to be a Ford electronic defect not having a fail safe mode but instead ordering the tranfer case to self destruct. The oxygen senors I replace them and they go right back out.
The 4-wheel drive lites (4-wheel dr-low & 4-wheel dr) and the cruise control lite began flashing on the dash. I stopped at a Ford dealership, pocatello, Idaho. They put on computer, but said they could find nothing in the GEM memory, so advised me to drive on to salt lake city, but do not put in cruise control, and this would not harm the car's equipment or be unsafe. I returned from my trip and stopped at a retirement home's parking lot in Idaho falls on July 1, 2000 and the car made "banging" noises when reversed out of the parking slot. The dash lites that had been flashing previously were not showing. I called the broadway Ford dealership that services the car to haul it in for repair. They found the sensors were not working properly. Then they test drove the car and said it had a noise in the transfer case and thought they should investigate. They found shavings in the fluid, and have parts on order. I am alarmed at what might have happened while driving on the interstate to and from salt lake city at 75 mph, as the car lurched and banged in reverse and forward gear when I tried to drive out of the parking lot at the retirement home. It seemed to have the gears locked up, or the two 4-wheel drive transmissions not working together. They cannot assure me that the transmission might also be damaged from these sensors not working.
Vehicle has been taken in 4 times - some parts replaced -dealer can not find problem. Ford Motor Company contacted not resolved. Vehicle 4- wheel drive low and high lights blink while driving then the vehicle will not go into 4 wheel drive. After you turn off car and restart the system resets and 4 wheel drive works. This problem could be dangerious and could cause an accident if 4 wheel drive does not work and this would also probably include auto 4 wheel drive mode for slippery conditions.
4 wheel drive stuck in low. If switched out of low the transmission disengages from both the front and rear axel so the vehicle just stops. Even though the lights on dash indicate the vehicle is in 4 wheel high the vehicle remains in 4 wheel low. We have had the vehicle for 2 1/2 years and never once used 4 wheel low. With the snow this week I used 4 wheel low to get out of the driveway. I did not go more then 3 feet forward when the transmission became stuck. Nothing I did would fix the problem. When I contacted Ford all they told me was my vehicle was out of warrenty so I had to pay for it. I know from other Explorer owners that this is a common problem. The fear here is that the 4 wheel drive system completely disengages and my vehicle with my family is put at risk as others come up on us at speed. Thanks for the site. Kevin
While traveling 55 mph with snow on pavement consumer heard noise under vehicle. All 4 wheels locked up, causing truck to rollover. Manufacturer has been notified.
While driving vehicle would automatically go into 4- wheel drive. Cannot drive on dry payment when in 4- wheel drive. Vheicle is heavy going for steering. Dealer reset computer & could not find anything wrong.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Olyphant, PA, USA