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.
When moving the interior lights come on. Went to Ford dealer where purchased recently to see if there was recall for ignition switch problems. Test drove with a tech to show problem of ignition switch causing the interior lights to come on while car is being driven. While test driving and moving the ignition switch, the interior lights did come on. On the third example, the car cut off. The car did not lock up, but the car had to be shifted into neutral and restarted. The lights coming on is a problem when driving at night and all of a sudden the interior is lighted and exterior and roads are dark. My brother had a 2008 Explorer that he had recently traded in on a new car. When talking with him, he said he had a similar problem with the lights, but only had 80,000 miles on his 2008 Explorer. Before someone gets hurt as in other car types recently, I think this should be investigated. The dealership did not take the problem seriously and recommended I get the switch changed as it had not happened to any of their other customers. I will get the switch changed, but it does not sound like the switches last that long.
The eddie bauer edition of this vehicle is equipped with a moving seat to allow you to enter and exit. In either 2012 or 2013 I reported it to the dana motors Ford dealer that while driving the drivers seat moves back while on the expressways that are slightly bumpy and while on major streets within the city. The last occurrence was this past weekend in front of my home while exiting my driveway, again during a right hand turn, and again on the interstate 278 headed West bound toward brooklyn, NY. It does reset when you tap on the key while it is in the ignition but recurs after driving over slightly rough roadway and changing lanes.
While after going over a bump or uneven ground, key fob will rock back and forth slightly, which is normal, but the ignition on this vehicle is malfunctioning. This fob motion triggers the courtesy features of the seat, which flies back and lowers at the same time( because it senses the ignition is being turned off). The interior lights also come on, because it senses the ignition is being turned off. This is a huge hazard to the driver and occupants and either action ca cause a loss of control. As a former Ford technician, I was able to pinpoint the source of the problem, and promptly called Ford Motor Company and reported the issue. I let them know I was a former Ford technician as well. The woman on the other end of the line said shes " never heard of that problem being reported " this issue is all oer the internet in the Ford forums......not impressed with Ford response to this obvious and serious safety issue.
Vehicle was dropped off repair on 6/16/2014 for electrical driver seat moving forward and backwards during travel, dome light operating on and off randomly? driver seat movement during travel is hazardous.. colonial Ford 126 federal road danbury ct 06811 was the location of drop off-- 203-748-3503.
When driving over a bump in the road my seats go back, the lights come on and the key comes partly out of the ignition. This has been going on for months now and luckily I haven't had an accident. I have to push the key back into the ignition while trying to keep my foot on the pedal because of the seat going back I am too far from the pedal.
- Randolph, MA, USA
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4/1- a couple days before 4/1, the check engine light came on. On 4/1, I was driving the car on a side street and it shut off on me, without warning. I got it towed to a dealer near by and was told it was a faulty alternator. Dealer changed it... 4/10 - the wrench and the check engine lights came on the dashboard. I took it back to the dealer to have it checked. The dealer was very passive of the situation - but ultimately, he said they were old codes that needed to be cleared from the computer. He cleared them and all was suppose to be well. 4/17 - my husband and I were out running errands, when again the wrench and the check engine light came on at the same time. Moments later, the car shut off on us while we were driving in the middle on the street. Luckily we were able to get it out of the middle of the road. We called the dealer and arranged to have them check it out. We managed to get the car started and drove it to the dealer. 4/24 - the dealer told us that the PCM was busted - and that alot of 2008 Explorer were having this issue. Unfortunately, Ford did not have the part available anywhere and we would have to wait until August 2014 in order to get the part fixed. Right now, our car is sitting at the dealer - not working. Ford has done nothing to compensate or to alleviate the mental and financial stress of not having car has done.
The exterior and interior dome lights turn on and off while driving. First few incidents were spread apart however the problem has progressed now to almost every other minute while driving. Driving over bumps, dips in road, etc. Triggers the event. I have narrowed it down to any "jiggle" of the key causes the lights to go on and off. Ford wants $250-$500 to fix. Google the problem and you will find hundreds of others with this same problem, ignition switch is faulty. This is extremely unsafe especially when the lights come on at night, it can be startling and prevents me from seeing out of my mirrors because the light reflects off of it. Also I have seen cars swerve on occasion when they are beside my car as the exterior lights under the mirrors turn on and I assume catching them off guard. I am always afraid I might get pulled over as it looks like I am sending out an S.O.S. distress call with my lights flashing on an off constantly. I have never had more than just the key and fob on the key ring same as it was the day I bought it new, I cannot stand a ring full of keys so to say that excessive weight caused the problem is not true in my case and of course this problem surfaced only a couple thousand miles out of the warranty. Ford also has a tsb out on this issue as it is a common complaint.
When in drive and moving and going over a bump, the power seat goes into the position it would be as if no key in ignition (goes all the way back) and the overhead light goes on. Situation is exacerbated if there are items on the ignition key chain. Situation can be initiated by simply jiggling the key in the ignition. My wife cannot drive the vehicle, because if occurs, moves her so that she does not reach gas or brake pedal while vehicle in motion. Informed tasca Ford in cranston, ri of situation and they said no recall or tsb. Many reports of exactly the same on the internet, and problem appears to be faulty ignition switch.
While driving along at a medium speed in March 2013, the dashboard lit up like a christmas tree with all the warning lights blinking from the low gas to the check engine and everything in between. Luckily I was not in heavy traffic or bad weather because this scared the heck out of me when it occurred. The engine was not laboring and appeared to be operating correctly except for the light show and audible alarms going off in the dashboard. The alarms continued going off as I tried to get the car back home. When I started the car the next morning to take it to my mechanic, no alarms were active. The mechanic took a couple of hours before they finally were able to replicate the problem. In the end, they replaced my alternator and battery at a cost of about $700. Everything has been find until yesterday when then warning light show/alarms recurred. It's only been 3 months since the first incident. It will go back to my mechanic tomorrow. Luckily its still under their warranty.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 55 mph, the front driver's side seat moved backward independently as the interior dome light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the key cylinder would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but did not remedy the failure. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000. Updated 3/1/13 updated 3/29/2013
Vehicle check charging system light came on, shortly after the vehicle stall while in motion driving at a speed of approximately 25mph and eventually loss power, steering control and braking capabilities. Currently at the mechanic, it appears it may have been an alternator malfunction that caused the loss of power.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 5 mph, the driver side seat began to slide backward abnormally, it difficult for the contact to reach the pedals with her feet. The seat automatically adjusted when the key was placed in the ignition so the contact believed there was a failure with the ignition. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics or repairs. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.
We have a 2008 eddie bauer Ford Explorer that we purchased from the dealership in 2008. Earlier this year when we went over a bump, the electronic drivers seat moved back and the interior lights turned on. It took a moment for the lights to turn off, but the seats did not move back in to place. I mentioned it to the dealership during an oil change and they couldn't replicate the problem. Now the problem is so frequent that it happens several times while driving, even on the highway. It does not matter if there are bumps or not. At night it is very dangerous because the interior light impairs your vision until your eyes adjust. I called the manufacturer who told me that since my car is out of warranty now we would have to pay to fix it, if they can isolate the problem. I believe that this problem can seriously endanger other's lives. I am lucky because I am tall, so when the seat goes back I can reach the pedals, but my wife sometimes has issues when this happens. We finally got fed up today because it happened 5 times during a 20 minute drive down the highway.
While driving along, all of a sudden the interior lights come on, seat moves all the way back, I assume the problem is in the ignition switch area as I wiggle the keyswitch, the problem will come and go.
Our Ford Explorer bought new in 2008 which is still on warranty ( has 22500 est. Miles ) driver's side seat retracts and dome light comes on while driving down the road as if it had a mind of its own, making it difficult to see if driving at night and my wife can't reach brake or gas pedal causing a lot of undo stress on her and her passengers. We have had the car taken to the original dealership and they cannot find out what's wrong. This will be the third time taking the car back to dealership for them to try to repair. This problem has happened to other guest drivers of our vehicle. It is definitely a safety issue and I feel some action ought to be taken to correct this before we accidentally hurt someone. Dealership is claremont Ford, Lincoln, Mercury New Hampshire has a lemon law 3 strikes your out.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Coppell, TX, USA