1994 FORD EXPLORER Complaints

THE TAILGATE LIFT ARM FELL OFF. THE OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK

WINDOW BINDS AND MAKES NOISE GOING UP, ALIGNED WINDOW AND LUBRICATED HOWEVER EXPERIENCED PROBLEM AGAIN. MJS

4-WHEEL DRIVE MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL, AND VEHICLE ROLLED OVER WHICH RESULTED IN INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

HYDRAULIC LIFT SUPPORT BRACKET ON RIGHT SIDE OF THE REAR HATCHBACK DOOR BROKE, CAUSING DOOR TO DROP DOWN SUDDENLY. NO ONE WAS INJURED. DEALER/MANUFACTURER ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK

PURCHASED USED VEHICLE 01/99 FROM FORD DEALERSHIP. WITHIN WEEKS OF PURCHASE, HEARD RATTLING FROM REAR HATCH. UPON INSPECTION, DISCOVERED LIFT BRACKET PULLING AWAY FROM LIFTGATE. RESEARCHED AND FOUND SAFETY CAMPAIGN #95I007000, HOWEVER, FORD APPARENTLY ONLY COVERED REPAIRS THROUGH 60K MILES. (THE VEHICLE HAD MORE THAN 60K MILES WHEN I BOUGHT IT.) THIS IS A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, AND I FIND IT VERY DISTURBING THAT THE FORD DEALERSHIP DID NOT CHECK INTO THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND REPAIR IT PRIOR TO RE-SELLING THE VEHICLE, NOR DID THEY MAKE MENTION OF THE POTENTIAL ISSUE WHEN THEY SOLD ME THE VEHICLE. THIS MIGHT HAVE DEVELOPED INTO A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH PERSONAL INJURY HAD I NOT NOTICED THE DEFECT MYSELF. ADDITIONALLY, THE COST TO MAKE THIS REPAIR IS ESTIMATED AROUND $200. FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE THIS TYPE OF INFORMATION UPON RE-SALE OF A VEHICLE IF THEY DECLINE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CORRECTING THE PROBLEM AFTER 60K MILES. WHAT SIGNIFICANCE DOES 60K MILES HAVE IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS? IS FORD SAYING THAT IF THE BRACKET FAILS AFTER 60K MILES, THAT WOULD BE NORMAL WEAR & TEAR AND NOT A MFG. DEFECT? IF THIS IS THE MESSAGE THEY ARE SENDING WHERE CUSTOMERS' PERSONAL SAFETY IS AT STAKE, AND THEY CONSIDER 60,000 MILES AN APPROPRIATE TIME TO CONSIDER A SAFETY DEFECT THE VEHICLE OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY - I DOUBT THAT I WILL PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT.

WHILE DRIVING BACKWARDS SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM AIR CONDITIONER VENTS. COULD NOT FIND FLAME. WENT OUT BY ITSELF. DEALER CONTACTED AND WAS NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. IN THE PROCESS OF DOING THAT WE DISCOVERED THAT BOTH THE OUTER LOCK NUT AND INNER LOCK NUT WERE SO LOOSE THEY WERE REMOVED BY HAND WITHOUT THE NEED OF A SOCKET. NO PRIOR SERVICE HAD BEEN DONE TO THE WHEEL / HUB ASSEMBLIES.

THIS IS THE SECOND INSTANCE OF A "FIRE" IN THE HEATER/AIRCONDITIONER DUCTS. *AK

PARKING BRAKE GOES TO FLOOR WHEN PUSHING PEDAL. THEN I RELEASE IT, AND REAPPLIED IT UNTIL IT WORKS. BUT IT HAS DISENGAGED BY ITSELF MANY TIMES NOW, SO I DON'T TRUST IT ANYMORE. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A DEFECT THAT FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT, AND HAS RELEASED A FIX, BUT THE DEALER ACTED LIKE THEY KNEW NOTHING, AND WANTED TO CHARGE ME FOR A REPLACEMENT BRAKE ASSEMBLY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A FEW OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT THE FIX DOESN'T LAST MORE THAN A FEW MONTHS BEFORE IT THE PROBLEM STARTS AGAIN. SO THEY GIVE UP ON IT AND JUST DON'T TRUST IT TO HOLD THE TRUCK. I GET MY THIRD PARTY INFO FROM THE EXPLORER FORUM ON THE INTERNET. IT IS A NEWS GROUP WITH MANY MEMBERS AND IT CAN BE FOUND AT "REC.AUTO.MAKERS.FORD.EXPLORER" - THANKS. *AK

THE CONSUMER SET CRUISE CONTROL AT 60 MPH AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. CONSUMER HAD TO SLAM ON THE GAS PEDAL IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN. *AK