1993 Ford Explorer Suspension Problems

THE WHOLE '!@#$% FRONT END OF MY 93 EXPLORER KEEPS FALLING APART AFTER FIXING IT TWICE AND IT IS STARTING TO DO IT AGAIN. I CANT KEEP TIRES ON IT AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10235208

Incident

Jan 27, 2008

MULTIPLE FAILURES, CONTINUALLY BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE ALSO OVERHEATED, THERMOSTAT REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. A/C COMPRESSOR MALFUNCTION, ETC. *BF A BLOWOUT RIPPED THE RUNNING BOARD ASSEMBLY, THE ABS LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHY, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP ON THE VEHICLE AND VIOLENTLY SKIDDED TO A STOP, THE EXHAUST WAS REPLACED TWICE, THERE WAS A NOISE THAT LINGERED ON IN THE FRONT END AND A LOUD CREAKING SOUND. *SC

NHTSA ID

10101884

Incident

Nov 1, 2004

THE VEHICLE HAD SEVERELY RUSTED POWER STEERING HOSES WHICH WERE REPLACED WHEN CONSUMER NOTICED SEEPAGE OF FLUID THROUGH THE STEEL LINES.*JB

NHTSA ID

786464

I HAVE HAD 3 BLOWOUTS AT 60-70 MPH ALL ON THE RIGHT REAR, 2 WITH FIRESTONE AND 1 WITH GOODYEAR, ALSO PREMATURE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE THAT I FEEL HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY VIBRATION AT HIWAY SPEEDS. FORD HAS A TSB 96-04-16 THAT REPAIRS THIS VIBRATION AT A COST OF $1600. WITH THE EXPLORER THESE FAILURES ARE A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE MADE A SAFETY RECALL MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL 90-94 EXPLORER OWNERS AT NO COST . THANK YOU.*JB

NHTSA ID

761444

BALL JOINTS ARE COMPLETELY SHOT. CONSUMER FEELS WHEEL COULD FALL OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID

8000930

Incident

Nov 19, 2001

ON ICEY ROAD THE VEHICLE STARTED SLIDING SIDEWAYS AND ENTER INTO A DITCH AND TIPPED OVER. VEHICLE TIPPED OVER ONE OTHER TIME IN THE DRIVEWAY AFTER MAKING AN SHARP TURN.

NHTSA ID

9004678

Incident

Dec 24, 2000

THE CAR SHAKES AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 65 MPH. IT SHAKE SOO MUCH I BELIEVE WE ARE DAMAGING PARTS OF THE CAR THAT COULD LEAD TO AND ACCIDENT OR PREMATURE DETERIORATION AND WEAR AND TEAR. I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THE DEALERS RESPONSE SIGHTING NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I BELEIVE THERE TO BE A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR MORE THAN NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. OTHER PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR INCLUDE 3 FRONT END WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENTS WHICH IN HINDSIGHT MIGHT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THIS VIBRATION BEFORE IT BECAME SO NOTICEABLE. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ENGINE MOUNTS. THEY ARE A BASIC AND INTEGRAL PART OF THE CAR THA SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT. I AM CONCERNED ENOUGH THAT THIS SEVERE VIBRATION COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND WARRANTS CONSIDERATION FROM NHTSA AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY.

NHTSA ID

748617

Incident

Jan 15, 2000

THE PROBLEM FIRST DISPLAYED ITSELF AT 8000 MILES, I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT IN. ON 7/14/93 THEY DID A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. WHEN I PICKED IT UP I QUESTIONED THE UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR ON THE FRONT, THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, ABOUT THIS. THIS CONDITION PERSISTED AND I AGAIN CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT IN ON 10/19/193. THEY PERFORMED ANOTHER FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND ROTATED THE TIRES DUE TO THE EXTERME WEAR. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED I AGAIN CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED TO BRING IT IN ON 2/11/94 AT WHICH TIME ANOTHER REALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED AND A PART REPLACED. THE PROBLEM ONLY BECAME WORSE I AGAIN CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS STALLED REPEATEDLY. IN DESPERATION I CONTACTED THE FORD REP IN ATLANTA (MATT DARNELL) AND REQUESTED HIS ASSISTANCE. AGAIN I WAS STALLED ALMOST IGNORED, THE PROBLEM BECAME SO BAD WHILE WAITING FOR MR. DARNELL THAT I WAS FORCED TO TAKE IT TO FIRESTONE WHO PERFORMED ANOTHER FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND REBALANCED THE TIRES. THE TIRES WERE WORN SO BADLY BY THIS TIME , THE DAMAGE HAD BEEN DONE. THERE WERE OTHER REPAIRS MADE TO THIS VEHICLE BY CLAXTON LAWRENCE FORD WHO AT ONE POINT REFUSED TO REPAIR IT BECAUSE WE DID NOT PURCHASE IT THERE. AT THIS POINT WE HAD TO CONTACT FORD DIRECTLY AND THREATEN LEGAL ACTION IN ORDER TO EFFECT REPAIRS. AT THIS TIME THE EXPLORER WAS NEW ON THE MARKET AND INFORMATION THAT IS NOW WIDELY AVAILABLE WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO US OR OTHERS. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY KNOWINGLY KNEW THEY HAD PROBLEMS AND NOW THAT I REFLECT BACK ON IT MR. DARNELL ALLUDED TO ME IN ONE CONVERSATION TO THAT EFFECT, BUT AT THE TIME I DID NOT PUT IT TOGETHER. I TOO WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLL OVER WITH MY EXPLORER AND IT WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED ALONG WITH MY LIFE AND CAREER. HAD FORD BEEN MORE FORTHCOMING WITH INFORMATION THAT THEY HAD THINGS MAY HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT FOR MYSELF AND MANY OTHERS. I HAVE CONTACTED AN ATTORNEY WHO TOLD ME TO MUCH TIME HAD PASSED FOR ME TO TAKE MY CASE TO COURT. *AK

NHTSA ID

740312

FAULTY SUSPENSION CAUSED SHIMMY/VIBRATION IN VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HAS BALANCED AND ROTATED THE TIRES 4 TIMES, REPLACED RADIUS ARM BUSHING, ALIGNMENT, REPLACED INNER AND OUTER BEARINGS, REPLACED SHOCKS AND REPLACED THE GOODYEAR TIRES, THE CONSUMER LATER FOUND OUT ABOUT TSB 960415A, THE DEALER REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT THEIR EXPENSE. *SLC

NHTSA ID

557741

VIBRATION AT 60 MPH AND ABOVE. HAVE REPLACED 3 SETS OF TIRES (GOOD YEAR) AND VIBRATION PERSIST. OTHER USED SETS OF TIRES RESOLD AND NO VIBRATION WAS REPORTED BY NEW OWNERS. WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORER BY TIRE BALANCING COMPANY. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEY BELIEVED THE PROBLEM MAY BE IN THE SUSPENSION.*AK

NHTSA ID

734582

Incident

Oct 1, 2000

FORD EXPLORER VERY UNSAFE IF YOU NEED TO MAKE A QUICK MOVE USE LOSE ALL CONTROL AND VEHICLE JUST WANTS TO START ROLLING OVER

NHTSA ID

731736

Incident

Apr 22, 2000

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ID

730055

Incident

Jun 1, 1996

WHILE CAR POOLING ON THE HIGHWAY HEARD A BOOM. THEN VEHICLE STARTED TO WOBBLE. CONSUMER THOUGHT IT WAS A FLAT TIRE, BUT THEN LOST CONTROL AND VEHICLE FLIPPED 3 TIMES. THE ONLY THING THAT WAS LEFT WAS THE AXLE. VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER 3 TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS A SERIOUS DEFECT, AND WERE LUCKY THAT THEY WEREN'T KILLEED. POLICE TOLD CONSUMER THAT THE WHOLE RIM AND TIRE HAD COME OFF. *AK

NHTSA ID

860717

Incident

Apr 16, 2000

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ON A 7 HOUR TRIP THERE WAS VERY BAD VIBRATION. REPLACED TWO TIRES ON FRONTS, DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THEY SAID SHAKING PROBLEM WAS WITH THE 1993 VEHICLES. NEEDED TO INSTALL MOTOR MOUNTS BRACKETS AND SHOCK ABSORBERS ON THE REAR. NOT UNDER WARRANTY WILL NOT REPAIR. *AK

NHTSA ID

852233

Incident

Oct 28, 1999

WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT END WAS MAKING A BANGING NOISE, IT WAS AN ANOYING NOISE THAT CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO BECOME WORRIED. WHEN IT WAS LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BUSHINGS WERE DAMAGED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID

849568

THE VEHICLE HAS A SEVERE VIBRATION/SHAKING PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED WITH NO PROBLEMS ACCORDING TO MY LOCAL DEALER IN BLACKFOOT, ID. THE TIRES ARE BRAND NEW AND THEY ARE BALANCED PROPERLY. FORD HAS REFUSED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I WROTE THEM A LETTER EXPLAINING THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE BUT THEY BLEW IT OFF AS AN EXPIRED WARRANTY ISSUE. FORD HAS ADMITTED TO THE DEFECT THROUGH PUBLISHING OF A TSB # 96-4-15. IT RESOLVES A VIBRATION/SHAKING PROBLEM WITH MY MODEL AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OF WHICH MY PROBLEM EXISTS AT 60-75 MPH. IT VIOLENTLY SHAKES THE FRONT END TO MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO BRAKE HEAVILY AND MAINTAIN CONTROL ON ALL ROAD SURFACES. THE FIX IS A NEWLY REDESIGNED LEFT AND RIGHT ENGINE MOUNT AND AN ADDITION OF A LATERAL SHOCK ABSORBER INSTALLED IN THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. I WANTED THEM TO FIX IT AS A SAFETY RECALL BUT THEY REFUSED. I'M CURRENTLY TAKING OTHER ACTIONS SUCH AS REPORTING THIS PROBLEM THROUGH YOUR SITE. EVIDENTLY, FORD THINKS THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH IT.

NHTSA ID

709233

Incident

Apr 15, 1996

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH WHEN CRASHED INTO A GAURDRAIL. MECHANIC REPLACED FENDER/BUMPER/RADIATOR/GRILL/ RADIALAND RADIAL SUPPORT/BALL JOIN, AND INSTALLED LIFT KIT. HOWEVER, VEHICLE STILL VIBRATED, EVEN MORE WHEN DRIVING WITH 4 WHEEL DRIVE. ALSO, WHEN MAKING A TURN STEERING LOCKED UP IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE. CONSUMER THEN REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES. VEHICLE STILL VIBRATED. MECHANIC SAID THE RADIUS ARM WAS BENT, AND REPLACED IT. ALSO, REPLACED THE SPRINGS SHOCKS/ ABS SENSORS/ REAR SHIELD AND BEARINGS. *AK

NHTSA ID

836657

Incident

Dec 29, 1998

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VEHICLE VIBRATES BADLY AND CONSUMER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. DEALER SAID HAD TO REPLACE A BUSHING, BUT NOW THEY ARE SAYING NEEDS TO HAVE A NEW "KIT". PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#.

NHTSA ID

835078

Incident

Jan 1, 1995

WHILE VEHICLE WAS ELEVATED FOR TIRE ROTATION, I NOTICED A CRACK IN WHAT I CALL THE TORSION BAR ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE. THE TORSION BAR IS ATTACHED TO THE OUTER END OF THE CROSS BEAMS INSIDE EACH WHEEL. THE CRACKS LOOKED LIKE FATIGUE FAILURES. THEY ENCIRCLED THE REAR END OF THE TORSION BAR BUSHING WHERE IT GOES THROUGH THE SUPPORT BRACKET. BOTH SIDES WERE ABOUT TO COMPLETELY FAIL. TO MY KNOWLEDGE I HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING THAT WOULD CAUSE THESE PARTS TO FAIL. IF I HAD CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND A FAILURE HAD OCCURRED I WOULD HAVE POTENTIALLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY HAVE ROLLED OVER. I RETURNED THE FAILED PARTS TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER, KEN STOEPEL FORD IN KERRVILLE, TEXAS, AND SUGGESTED HE LET THE MANUFACTURER KNOW. *AK

NHTSA ID

703471

Incident

Nov 1, 1997

ENGINE MOUNTS AND REAR AXLE-TO-FRAME LATERAL SHOCK ABSORBER KIT INSTALLED AS PER SERVICE BULLETIN DUE TO EXCESSIVE VIBRATION DUE TO COMPONENT FAILURES.

NHTSA ID

543814

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ID

702787

Incident

Nov 25, 1998

THE ENTIRE AUTOMOBILE SHAKES WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 55 MPH, AND DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS A MODIFICATION KIT FOR SHAKE, BUT REFUSES TO PAY FOR IT. *YH

NHTSA ID

832742

Incident

Dec 28, 1998

VIOLENT SHAKING STARTS AT ABOUT 63 MPH., *MJS

NHTSA ID

701197

THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH FRONT END SUSPENSION. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED PULLING TOWARDS THE RIGHT ON ITS OWN, CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL. THE BRACKET THAT HELD THE CONTROL ARM TO THE FRAME BROKE LOOSE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID

831421

Incident

Nov 23, 1998

VIBRATION, SOMETIMES SEVERE, AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND FASTER. FORD DEALER AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT SAY THEY CANNOT REPAIR. DEALER HAS SUGGESTED THAT TIRES AND SHOCKS BE REPLACED, WHICH I HAVE DONE BUT TO NO AVAIL. HAD FRONT END ALIGNED, LEFT CAMBER SHIM INSTALLED, RADIUS ARM BUSHINGS REPLACED, TIRES BALANCED AND RE-BALANCED, FRONT RIGHT TIRE REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. VIBRATION BECOMES SEVERE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. NOT SAFE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE REP., BUT THEY TELL ME TO SEE THE DEALER! GETTING THE RUN-AROUND. VEHICLE IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD WITH ONLY 68000 HIGHWAY MILES. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN! I HAVE SPENT APPROXIMATELY $1,000 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM WITHOUT SUCCESS. PLEASE HELP ME! I AM CONCERNED THAT, WITH ALL OF THE VIBRATION, SOMETHING WILL LOOSEN WHILE I'M DRIVING WITH MY WIFE AND CHILDREN CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I FEEL THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I DO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE HARD. I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF THE VEHICLE AND, FOR THE MOST PART, IT HAS BEEN A GOOD VEHICLE EXCEPT FOR THE INCESSANT VIBRATION. I FEEL THAT IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FORD TO PAY THE PRICE OF REPAIR (OR REPLACEMENT) BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED FROM THIS OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW. ANYTHING YOU CAN DO WILL BE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. THANK YOU, GREG HALPERN.

NHTSA ID

701014

Incident

May 30, 1998