2000 Ford Explorer Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FOR EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH DEFINITY DAKOTA A/T TIRES, SIZE: P235/75 R15 A/T (NA). WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER TIRE BEGAN TO SHRED. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NO VISIBLE INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED; HOWEVER, A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,346 AND THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,870. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

2000 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO GO FROM THE MIDDLE LANE INTO THE LEFT LANE AND HIT A WALL . *MC OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. *TR

No incidents. However, cruise control and rear window wiper are both inoperable.

VEHICLE IS STUCK IN 4-WHEEL LOW ANIMAL GOING TO 4 WHEEL HIGH OR AUTO I

See attached document for complaint.

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon pulling into a gas station, both white and black colored smoke began to emit from the vehicle without warning. Before the contact could fully react, the vehicle soon caught fire. The contact managed to pull away from the gas pumps as a gas attendant brought out fire extinguishers that they both used to exterminate the fire. The fire department arrived at the scene; however, the contact was unsure if a fire report was filed. The contact suffered minor scrapes and bruises as a result of the fire but did not seek medical attention. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained at the gas station. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 223,000.

THE 2000 FORD EXPLORER SUV BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AS THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED. AFTER PULLING OVER AND TURNING THE IGNITION OFF, WE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. UNDERNEATH THE CAR, FLAMES WERE DRIPPING DOWN FROM THE TRANSMISSION. WE USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES ON THE GROUND, AND ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE HOOD. AFTER THE HOOD WAS OPENED, LARGE FLAMES WERE OBSERVED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS USED UNTIL EMPTY AND HAD LITTLE IMPACT. THE CAR BEGAN TO BURN QUICKLY AND THE FLAMES SPREAD FROM FRONT TO BACK. THE EMERGENCY SERVICES ARRIVED, EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND COLLECTED WITNESS STATEMENTS. NO ONE WAS HURT IN THE INCIDENT AND THE FRAME WAS TOWED VIA AAA TO A NEARBY AUTOMOTIVE SHOP. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE GEAR SELECTOR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL TO ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO REMAIN STATIONARY AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT POSITIONED BRICKS IN FRONT OF EACH TIRE TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING. THE FAILURE WAS A CONTINUOUS OCCURRENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE GEAR SHIFTER CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE PART BEING DISCONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Driving at the correct speed limit swerved to avoid hitting deer that ran out into the road hit a covert had seatbelt on airbags came out before that something hit me in side of my right arm it hit my elbow so hard and fast my arm was flung outwards and upwards which broke out the passenger side window the top of my elbow is broken that gave me a large purple bruise I got 2 pretty good size gashes on my arm also one on the bottom of my forearm and on the back side of my arm. Refer to request 1500509 and Request 1500511.

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon pulling into a gas station, both white and black colored smoke began to emit from the vehicle without warning. Before the contact could fully react, the vehicle soon caught fire. The contact managed to pull away from the gas pumps as a gas attendant brought out fire extinguishers that they both used to exterminate the fire. The fire department arrived at the scene; however, the contact was unsure if a fire report was filed. The contact suffered minor scrapes and bruises as a result of the fire but did not seek medical attention. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained at the gas station. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 223,000.

Front seat will not stay up. They recline out of nowhere. I believe it's just old wore out parts.

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, she noticed that the hood was shuddering. The contact veered to the side of the road and manually pushed the hood down several times however, the hood failed to close completely and would not latch securely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact continued to drive at a slower speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was being diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V164000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

See attached document for complaint.

The contact owned a 1999 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, and the brakes were depressed, the vehicle fishtailed crashed into a ditch and rolled two times. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained head, arm, and back, injuries and the passenger sustained head, neck, finger, and back injuries. Medical attention was sought. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

Driving at the correct speed limit swerved to avoid hitting deer that ran out into the road hit a covert had seatbelt on airbags came out before that something hit me in side of my right arm it hit my elbow so hard and fast my arm was flung outwards and upwards which broke out the passenger side window the top of my elbow is broken that gave me a large purple bruise I got 2 pretty good size gashes on my arm also one on the bottom of my forearm and on the back side of my arm. Refer to request 1500509 and Request 1500511.

I was driving slowly (35mph), regular speed limit on that road is 60. Roads were snowy and icy, another vehicle driving extremely fast for the road conditions, started to swerve head on in to my lane, I swerved to avoid a head on collision. In doing so, I hit ice, started doing a 360, the front end and the drivers side door of my vehicle hit an irrigation ditch where it goes under a street, it caught my vehicle on the drivers side and I started rolling. I rolled 3 or 4 times and finally landed right side up. My roof was caved in and resting on the top of my head, shoulder and neck. However, none of my airbags deployed ( see pictures), even though I hit the irrigation ditch head-on. Vehicle can be inspected if needed. The vehicle is totaled as they had to cut the doors off to extract me. I have left head, shoulder, neck, abdomen and leg soft tissue damage since I kept slamming in to the steering wheel with no protection since my air bags did not deploy. I did have my seatbelt on.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE BEING INSPECTED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE TIRE MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT AXLE WAS FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. HE EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR LINK FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,500. UPDATED 1/6/09 *CN THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR LINK FAILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO CORROSION. UPDATED 01/14/09. *JB

MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON WITH THE SWITCH OFF. *TR

NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A GAP BETWEEN MY LIFTGATE WINDOW AND MY LIFTGATE WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARCKING SPACE. I FOUND THAT THE POST PULLED OUT OF THE PASSANGER SIDE OF LIFTGATE WINDOW HINGE LEAVING A SMOOTH HOLE IN HINGE AND METAL IN GROVES OF POST. HAD NO OPTIONS BUT TO LEAVE WINDOW ATTACHED BY ONLY THE DRIVER SIDE HINGE AND THE LATCH AT THE BOTTOM OF WINDOW. DID NOT HAVE PROPER TOOLS TO REMOVE FOR SAFER DRIVING. *TR

WHEN TURNING THE CAR STEERING WHEEL TURNS POPS AND CLICKS WITHOUT TIRES OR STEERING COLLUM TURNING LIKE IT'S BROKE OFF OF THE COLLUM AS WELL THE CAR COME OUT OF PARK AND ROLLS OFF WILE CAR IS OFF AND IN PARK WITH KEYS OUT SHIFTERS ALSO VERY LOOSE AS THE STEERING GOES IT FIRST HAPPEND GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND WE JUST STARTED DRIFTING IN AND OUT IF LANES WITH LITTLE CONTROL HAPPENS WHEN CARS OFF ON MOVING OR NOT NOTHING CHANGES DOES SEEM TO IMPROVE WHEN IT'S IN 4WD

THE POWER STEERING RANDOMLY GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS MY CAR WON'T ACCELERATE. I TURN MY CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT FIXES IT TEMPORARILY

BIG CONCERN WITH MY POWER TRAIN. THE BACK OF THE CAR HAS A LOUD WHIRRING NOISE WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CLICKS LOUDLY WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN. GOING A FASTER SPEED SEEMS TO SOUND BETTER BUT ITS PRETTY SCARY.THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. THERE ALSO IS A SENSOR THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND I DON'T KNOW ITS NAME.. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHECKED OUT AND RENDERED PASSABLE BUT I FEAR THAT I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STOP SOMETIMES.IT FEELS UNSTABLE. I AM ELDERLY AND NEED A STABLE CAR TO DRIVE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ROLLED WHEN PARKED ON A HILL ALTHOUGH IT WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED AS OF YET. THE CONTACT WAS HAVING MEDICAL ISSUES RELATED TO STRESS DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,275.

RUST AND CLEAR PAINT PEELING. DOOR HANDLES LOOSE UNABLE TO OPEN ALL 4 DOORS. I HAVE TO UNLOCK FROM REAR WINDOW TO ACCESS VEHICLE. UNCLEAR OTHER THAN DESIGN OF HANDLES. LEFT FRONT DOOR HANDLE COMPLETELY BROKE OFF. QUOTE OF $150 A DOOR TO REPAIR. WILL COST ME $600. VERY UNSAFE AND PROBLEMATIC. INCLUDING A LOSS IN VALUE.

MY DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. I WAS TOLD THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WAS THE PROBLEM AND WOULD COST OVER $600.00. THE DRIVERS DOOR CAN NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE BECAUSE THE HANDLE BROKE, I HAVE TO LEAVE MY DOOR OPEN IN ORDER TO GET IN, THE FRONT PASSAGER DOOR AND THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR THE INSIDE. THE FRONT PASSAGER DOOR THE HANDLE ON THE INSIDE BROKE AS WELL AS THE HANDLE ON THE OUTSIDE, THE LOCK STICK FELL OUT. THE PASSAGER BACK DOOR IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET INTO MY TRUCK, THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL OPEN FROM THE INSIDE SOMETIMES. THIS IS A SAFTY HAZZARD. I CAN BE LOCKED INSIDE MY TRUCK WITH NO WAY OUT AND I AM LOCKED OUT OF MY TRUCK WHEN THE BACK DOOR STOP WORKING. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED SINCE SO MANY FORD DOORS ARE NOT OPENING.

MY OVERHEAD LIGHT MELTED SMOKED AND DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE AND NOW I'M HAVING TROUBLE W MY DASH LIGHTS FLICKERING AND MY AUTOMATIC LIGHTS DON'T EVER SHUT OFF

SOMETIMES WHEN I HAVE MY TURN SIGNAL ON SMOKE WILL COME OUT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHERE THE EMERGENCY SIGNAL BUTTON IS ON TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERYTIME I USE IT BUT IT HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN. *TR

Front seat will not stay up. They recline out of nowhere. I believe it's just old wore out parts.

THE PASSENGER DOOR STOPPED LOCKING, ONE OF THE SEATS BELTS IS MISSING THE COVER TO CLICK THE BELT

PROBLEM: VEHICLE CRANKS BUT NO START. VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM MY GARAGE TO FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPT. SERVICE MANAGER'S . DIAGNOSIS FOUND THE FUEL PUMP INOPERABLE. REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER.

THE PASSENGER DOOR STOPPED LOCKING, ONE OF THE SEATS BELTS IS MISSING THE COVER TO CLICK THE BELT

I WAS DRIVING SLIGHTLY UPHILL IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, OFF EXIT 16 ON THE PALISADES PARKWAY, DUE TO A CONTROLLED STOP SET UP BY POLICE TO CHECK INSPECTION AND REGISTRATION. I SAW SMOKE AROUND MY VEHICLE, SO I LOOKED AT MY INSTRUMENT PANEL TO SEE IF MY CAR WAS OVERHEATING. MY INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED NOTHING WAS WRONG. WHEN I LOOKED UP, AN OFFICER WAS MOTIONING FOR ME TO PULL OVER SAYING MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. I QUICKLY PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR, GOT IN THE BACK SEAT TO GET MY 1 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OUT OF HER CAR SEAT, AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. MY WIFE QUICKLY GOT OUT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. WE WERE TOLD TO GET FAR AWAY. TWO POLICE OFFICERS TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH EXTINGUISHERS, BUT WERE UNABLE TO GET THE HOOD OPEN. WE WERE OUT OF THE CAR NO MORE THAN 5 MINUTES WHEN IT WAS ENTIRELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE TRUCKS ARRIVED APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES LATER, BY THEN THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED.

MY RADIO LOST ALL THE LIGHTS TO IT..THE DISPLAY LIGHTS FOR THE RADIO NO LONGER WORKS. APPARENTLY FORD KNEW OF THIS DEFECT AS HUNDREDS OF OWNERS COMPLAINED AS EARLY AS 2001 (ONE YEAR AFTER THE CAR WAS SOLD). I COMPLAINED AND THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW RADIO. SEEMS THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE RADIO BACK WHEN THEY SAW THE PROBLEM IN 2001 WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT ACTIVATED, AN UNEXPECTED VOLTAGE OF HEAT PENETRATED THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE SEAT AND STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A WIRING SHORT CIRCUIT, WHICH BURNED THE FOAM PADDING OF THE SEAT. THE HEATING UNIT WAS REPLACED AND THE SEAT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000. UPDATED 12/30/08. *LJ UPDATED 01/05/09. *JB

FRONT SEAT HEATER BURNED PADDING MATERIAL AND LEATHER SEAT LINER. THE BURN HOLE WAS 2" IN LENGTH AND ABOUT 1/2" DEEP INTO THE CUSHION PADDING. *JB