1996 FORD EXPLORER Complaints

WHILE PULLING VEHICLE INTO DRIVEWAY REAR WINDOW EXPLODED FOR NO REASON. CAUSE OF PROBLEM UNKNOWN. *AK

REAR DOORS WILL NOT OPEN . ONE HANDLE HAS BEEN SPRUNG AND THE OTHER BROKE OFF. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK

BOTH INSIDE REAR DOORS DO NOT OPEN WHEN HANDLES ARE USED. DEALER HAS REPLACED BOTH HANDLES AND CONDITION REOCCURS. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. *AK

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF FOR UNKNOWN REASON. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS AND THEY CANNOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

IN 1996 FORD IMPLEMENTED NEW SEALED HUB ASSEMBLIES TO REPLACE STANDARD WHEEL BEARINGS. AT APPROXIMATELY 3000 MILES A CONSTANT SQUEAKING DEVELOPED IN MY FRONT WHEELS. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSIS WAS BRAKE NOISE ANNOYING BUT HARMLESS. AT 40,000 MILES THE SQUEAK TURNED SUDDENLY INTO THE SOUND OF GRAVEL IN THE WHEELS. THE VEHICLE LOST STABILITY IN HANDLING AND I IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT IT INTO THE CLOSEST GARAGE. THEY REPORTED THAT THE BEARINGS WERE BAD AND FURTHER DIAGNOSIS THEY DISCOVERED THE EXISTENCE OF THE SEALED HUB ASSEMBLIES. THE ASSEMBLIES ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE BAD. ACCORDING TO THE SHOP FORD HAS A NATIONAL BACKORDER ON THE PARTS DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF PROBLEMS. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER WILL NOT DISCUSS THE ISSUE WITH AND HAS SENT ME DIRECTLY TO FORD. (I ASSUME THAT THIS IS DUE TO THEIR FAMILIARITY WITH THE PROBLEM AND INABILITY TO ASSIST.) FORD REFUSES TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE AS I AM CURRENTLY OUT OF WARRANTY. THEY CAN NOT EVEN TELL ME WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. I HAVE NO COURSE OF ACTION.

THE ASSEMLBY OF BOTH FRONT WHEEL HUBS WAS BAD. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE'S WHEELS TO SQUEAK AND FINALLY LOOSE STABILITY IN HANDLING.

BOLT ON THE STEERING COLUMN CAME OFF CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL, RESULTING IN A COLLISION.

WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH, DAY-TIME, SUNNY, DRY, WITHOUT CAUSE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY - ABOUT 50 YARDS, THEN VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THREE AND ONE HALF TIMES, SLID DOWN HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET, ON ITS TOP. VEHICLE END ON ITS SIDE WITH ROOF IN TO THE STEERING WHEEL, ALL WINDOWS BROKEN, AND WINDSHIELD SHATTERED.

VEHICLE TRAVELS TOO FAR AFTER THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED AND VIBRATES DURING BRAKING.

ONE OF THE FIRESTONE FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT DUE TO TREAD PORTION SEPARATING FROM BOTH SIDEWALLS.