AS A PAST AND PRESENT OWNER OF FORD VEHICLES, I WISH TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE DISSATISFACTION WITH THE RECENT LACK OF SUPPORT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND ITS DEALERSHIPS PROVIDE TO INSURE THE INTEGRITY OF FORD VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS. I AM WRITING WITH RESPECT TO A RECENT REPAIR THAT WAS PERFORMED ON THE AIRBAG SYSTEM OF MY 1995 FOR…
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AS A PAST AND PRESENT OWNER OF FORD VEHICLES, I WISH TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE DISSATISFACTION WITH THE RECENT LACK OF SUPPORT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND ITS DEALERSHIPS PROVIDE TO INSURE THE INTEGRITY OF FORD VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS. I AM WRITING WITH RESPECT TO A RECENT REPAIR THAT WAS PERFORMED ON THE AIRBAG SYSTEM OF MY 1995 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE ODOMETER READ APPROXIMATELY 56,000 MILES, THE DASHBOARD AIRBAG INDICATOR LAMP BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE. AFTER TAKING IT TO DICK RUHL FORD AT 7250 SAWMILL ROAD IN COLUMBUS, OHIO FOR REPAIR, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE COST OF THE REPAIR ($425.45) WOULD NOT BE COVERED DUE TO EXCESSIVE MILEAGE. IN ADDITION, TWO SEPARATE VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP WERE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR SINCE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM WAS NOT PROPERLY DIAGNOSED INITIALLY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #733202
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2000
Power Train
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY SINCE APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES. NO CAUSE COULD BE DETERMINED BY SEVERAL FORD DEALERSHIPS. AT 109,000 MILES O/D LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. DEALER DIAGNOSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT ($2558). 5,000 MILES LATER SAME SYMPTOMS APPEARED (O/D LIGHT FLASHING). DEALER DI…
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY SINCE APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES. NO CAUSE COULD BE DETERMINED BY SEVERAL FORD DEALERSHIPS. AT 109,000 MILES O/D LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. DEALER DIAGNOSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT ($2558). 5,000 MILES LATER SAME SYMPTOMS APPEARED (O/D LIGHT FLASHING). DEALER DIAGNOSED TRANSMISSION AND PCM FAILURE - REPLACED TRANSMISSION UNDER WARRANTY AND REPLACED PCM ($264). 5,000 MILES AFTER THAT SAME SYMPTOMS PRESENTED THEMSELVES (O/D LIGHT FLASHING). DEALER DIAGNOSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND PCM FAILURE - BOTH REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO PRESENT ITSELF INTERMITTENTLY (TYPICALLY ON LONG DRIVES). SUMMARY: 3 TRANSMISSIONS AND 2 PCMS FAILED WITHIN 12,000 MILES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #732330
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2000
Power Train
THE FIVE LUG BOLTS HOLDING THE ROTOR TO THE AXLE BROKE OFF DETACHING THE WHOLE RIGHT REAR WHEEL FROM THE VEHICLE. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #554182
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2000
Power Train
OVERDRIVE LIGHT WILL START TO BLINK, AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, IT WILL KEEP SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR, EVENTUALLY RESULTING IN FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE WITH THE SAME LIGHT DUTY DESIGN TRANSMISSION, BUT DEFECT KEEPS OCCURRING. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #865209
Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2000
Power Train
TRANSMISSION GETS STUCK BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR AFTER DRIVING FOR A DISTANCE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #864886
Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2000
Power Train
CONSUMER HAD A REBUILT TRANSMISSION INSTALLED . BUT ENCOUNTERED THE SAME PROBLEM AS EXISTED BEFORE. THERE WAS A HUMMING NOISE, OVERDRIVE LIGHT STAYED ON . *AK
NHTSA ODI #864241
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2000
Power Train
TRANSMISSION SLIPPED IN AND OUT OF OVERDRIVE WHILE DRIVING. WOULD HAVE NO WARNING. THIS CAUSED VEHICLE TO JERK. PROBLEM WAS NOT INTERMITTENT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #863530
Mileage unknown · May 18, 2000
Power Train
A KNOWN TRANSMISSION SOLENOID PROBLEM DUE TO EXHAUST PIPE TEMPERATURE *AK
NHTSA ODI #722856
Mileage unknown · May 3, 2000
Power Train
TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP IN & OUT OF OVERDRIVE WHILE DRIVING. WOULD JERK WHEN THIS HAPPENED. VEHICLE WAS CONTROLLABLE, SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR. NOT AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & WAS INFORMED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS REQUIRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #861339
Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2000
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING. VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET WELDS COULD FRACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WITH A BROKEN BRACKET WELD, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE LIFTGATE BRACKET TO GRADUALLY BEND INWARD ALLOWING THE LIFT CYLINDER BALL STUD TO DISENGAGE, UNEXPECTEDLY ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL FROM AN OPEN POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL LIFTGATE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS. DEPENDING UPON THE CONDITION OF THE LIFTGATE SHEET METAL IN THE AREA OF THE BRACKET, DEALERS MAY ALSO INSTALL A LARGER REINFORCEMENT.
IN SOME OF THE VEHICLES, BRAKE TUBES WERE MISROUTED BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT AND RESULTS IN EXCEEDING THE ALLOWABLE STOPPING DISTANCES AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." IN ADDITION, SEALS WITHIN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD BE ABRADED BY THIS CONDITION OVER TIME RESULTING IN AN INTERNAL LEAK AND A FURTHER REDUCTION IN BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: STOPPING DISTANCES COULD BE LONGER THAN INTENDED RESULTING IN INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
THE INNER TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND CAN FRACTURE CAUSING SHAKING OR SHIMMY AT LOW SPEEDS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE WHEEL ON THE SIDE WITH THE BROKEN TIE ROD TO TUCK INWARD OR OUTWARD AND SLIDE RESULTING IN AN INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INNER TIE RODS AND REPLACE THE SUSPECT TIE RODS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
6
EA02011 · Safety Belt Assembly Failure
Opened Jul 2, 2002 · Closed May 21, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
ODI RECEIVED 18 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND FORD IDENTIFIED ANOTHER FOUR REPORTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS INDICATE INABILITY TO LATCH THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAUSED BY A BROKEN LATCH RELEASE SPRING.NONE OF THESE 22 REPORTS RESULTED IN ANY INJURIES OR CRASHES.NO COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS.FORD CONDUCTED LIFE-CYCLE TESTING ON 6 FIELD SAMPLE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.THE RESULTS OF THAT TESTING DEMONSTRATED THAT THE TESTED BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES COULD BE EXPECTED TO OPERATE PROPERLY BEYOND THE EXPECTED LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.BASED ON THE LIMITED NUMBER OF REPORTS AND COMPLAINTS RECEIVED, AND A DECLINING COMPLAINT TREND, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXIST DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PE02007 · Safety Belt Assembly
Opened Jan 23, 2002 · Closed Jul 2, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
No summary supplied.
PE00039 · Front Suspension Stabilizer Bar Link
Opened Sep 20, 2000 · Closed Nov 30, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE99068 · Accelerator Pedal
Opened Nov 1, 1999 · Closed Mar 9, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
RQ99016 · Liftgate Support Bracket Failure
Opened Jul 29, 1999 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Structure
SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER 1995, FOR 1991-1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THOSE BRACKET THAT WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE OR DETACHED.THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN OCTOBER 1996. SINCE NOVEMBER 1996, ODI HAS RECEIVED 51 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LIFTGATE FAILURES CAUSED BY THE BRACKET SEPARATION, OF WHICH 19 REPORTED THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE OCCUPANT CAUSING 12 INJURIES.ONE COMPLAINT WAS ON 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, THREE COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1993 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, AND 47 COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 95V-164.FORD AND MAZDA ARE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER RECALL NUMBER 99V-310.001/.002.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Structure
SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER 1995, FOR 1991-1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THOSE BRACKET THAT WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE OR DETACHED.THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN OCTOBER 1996. SINCE NOVEMBER 1996, ODI HAS RECEIVED 51 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LIFTGATE FAILURES CAUSED BY THE BRACKET SEPARATION, OF WHICH 19 REPORTED THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE OCCUPANT CAUSING 12 INJURIES.ONE COMPLAINT WAS ON 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, THREE COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1993 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, AND 47 COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 95V-164.FORD AND MAZDA ARE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER RECALL NUMBER 99V-310.001/.002.
Structure
SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER 1995, FOR 1991-1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THOSE BRACKET THAT WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE OR DETACHED.THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN OCTOBER 1996. SINCE NOVEMBER 1996, ODI HAS RECEIVED 51 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LIFTGATE FAILURES CAUSED BY THE BRACKET SEPARATION, OF WHICH 19 REPORTED THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE OCCUPANT CAUSING 12 INJURIES.ONE COMPLAINT WAS ON 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, THREE COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1993 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, AND 47 COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 95V-164.FORD AND MAZDA ARE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER RECALL NUMBER 99V-310.001/.002.
PE97010 · Electrical Fire In Center Console
Opened Mar 13, 1997 · Closed Sep 4, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
THIS INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT CONSOLE FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MOST OFTEN OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE LAMP OUTAGE MODULE (LOM), WHICH IS PART OF THE MESSAGE CENTER, WERE TOWING A TRAILER AND WHICH HAD BEEN MODIFIED BY ADDING AN AFTERMARKET TRAILER WIRING HARNESS INTO THE VEHICLE'S TAILLIGHT CIRCUITS.THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES NEVER AND MORE THAN OTHER TRAILER LIGHT BULB TO ONE CIRCUIT HOWEVER TRAILERS FREQUENTLY CONTAIN SEVERAL BULBS.THE RESULTING EXCESS CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE LOM COULD CAUSE IT TO OVERHEAT RESULTING IN A FIRE.PROPER AFTERMARKET INSTALLATION OF TRAILER WIRING REQUIRES THE USE OF A BYPASS MODULE, WHICH OBTAINS POWER FOR THE TRAILER LIGHTS DIRECTLY FROM THE BATTERY RATHER THAN FROM THE VEHICLE'S TAIL LIGHT AND STOP LAMP CIRCUITS, OR THE USE OF THE MANUFACTURER'S WIRING HARNESS.IN A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 2, 1997, FORD NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT INTENDS TO TAKE ACTION TO PRECLUDE FURTHER INCIDENTS INCLUDING ISSUING A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO ITS DEALERS, NOTIFYING TRAILER RENTAL ASSOCIATIONS AND AGENCIES WHERE KNOWN, AND ADVISING OWNERS BY LETTER OF THE PROPER METHOD FOR CONNECTION OF TRAILER TOW WIRING ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE WAS NO DEFECT TREND IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IDENTIFIED AS A RESULT OF THIS INVESTIGATION, AND FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT WARRANTED TO CONTINUE THE INVESTIGATION.
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