NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
120 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Apr 11, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN CAR SLIPPED SIDEWAYS ON WET ROADS FOR 20 FEET. VEHICLE STRAIGTENED OUT, AND WAS HEADED TOWARDS A UTILITY POLE. SON ATTEMPTED TO APPLY BRAKES TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE, AND VEHICLE WENT INTO A POLE. NEW BRAKES PADS WERE PUT ON VEHICLE IN JANUAR…
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CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN CAR SLIPPED SIDEWAYS ON WET ROADS FOR 20 FEET. VEHICLE STRAIGTENED OUT, AND WAS HEADED TOWARDS A UTILITY POLE. SON ATTEMPTED TO APPLY BRAKES TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE, AND VEHICLE WENT INTO A POLE. NEW BRAKES PADS WERE PUT ON VEHICLE IN JANUARY OF 2000. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #885690
Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK FOR 4TH TIME. PROBLEM STATED A YEAR IN A HALF AGO. CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 60MPH AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK. CONSUMER TRIED BRAKES, ALMOST STANDING WITH BOTH FEET ON THEM, AND THEY WOULDN'T WORK. CONSUMER PRESSED DOWN ON ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO SEE IF SHE COULD GET IT UNSTUCK AND ACCELERATOR P…
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ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK FOR 4TH TIME. PROBLEM STATED A YEAR IN A HALF AGO. CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 60MPH AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK. CONSUMER TRIED BRAKES, ALMOST STANDING WITH BOTH FEET ON THEM, AND THEY WOULDN'T WORK. CONSUMER PRESSED DOWN ON ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO SEE IF SHE COULD GET IT UNSTUCK AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL LIFTED AND BECAME NORMAL. CONSUMER IS CURRENTLY INSISTING THAT FORD TAKE A LOOK AT PROBLEM. DEALER IS TELLING CONSUMER THAT SHE NEEDS TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE. OFFICE OF CHAIRMAN OF BOARD IS WHO THE CONSUMER IS DEALING WITH IT CURRENTLY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #885402
Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicWheels
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING SOUND, THEN ABS LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, AND FRONT RIGHT WHEEL CAME OFF VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #884247
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT NORMAL CONDITIONS AT 25MPH VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, RESULTING IN A COLLISION/ MINOR INJURIES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #883034
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES OPERATED POORLY WHILE DRIVING. DEALER SAID BRAKES WENT INTO A FALSE ABS MODE, NOT ALLOWING VEHICLE TO STOP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #879934
Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNCONTROLLED (RUNAWAY) ACCELERATION AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN 20 DEGREE F TEMPERATURE. UPON EXITING THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, I PROCEEDED THROUGH THE FIRST LIGHT (GREEN) WITH OUT NEEDING TO BRAKE OR STOP. THE SECOND (IMMEDIATE) LIGHT WAS ALSO GREEN AND I PROCEEDED THROUGH …
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THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNCONTROLLED (RUNAWAY) ACCELERATION AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN 20 DEGREE F TEMPERATURE. UPON EXITING THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, I PROCEEDED THROUGH THE FIRST LIGHT (GREEN) WITH OUT NEEDING TO BRAKE OR STOP. THE SECOND (IMMEDIATE) LIGHT WAS ALSO GREEN AND I PROCEEDED THROUGH IT WITH SLIGHT ACCELERATION (NO BRAKING). THE NEXT LIGHT WAS RED WITH A LINE OF CARS WAITING TO PROCEED AND I APPLIED THE BRAKES. AT THAT POINT, THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW AND THEN BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND WAS AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE WITHIN A SECOND OR SO. I BRAKED AS HARD AS I COULD AND MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER TO NEUTRAL AS FAST AS POSSIBLE, BUT THE VEHICLE HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO CRASH INTO THE REAR CAR IN LINE, WHICH, IN TURN CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF IT. BOTH OTHER DRIVERS WERE INJURED AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THIS ACCIDENT IS COVERED IN THE BRIGHTON, NY POLICE REPORT #100220. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. AFTER EXPLORING THE NHTSA DATABASE AND DISCOVERING NHTSA CAMPAIGN 97V07400. MY VEHICLE, ACCORDING TO FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS NOT RECALLED UNDER THIS CAMPAIGN, ALTHOUGH THE CRITERIA DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN SUMMARY APPEAR TO BE MET BY MY VEHICLE. NOTE: I AM VERY SURE THAT I DID NOT MISTAKENLY APPLY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RATHER THAN THE BRAKE PEDAL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #739061
Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2001
SeatsService Brakes, HydraulicVisibility
LEFT FRONT SEAT ROCKS IN FULL ELEVATED POSITION, DEALER SAID IT WAS NORMAL PLAY IN THE POWER SEAT TRACK. NLM
NHTSA ODI #558876
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DURING ROUTINE BRAKE INSPECTION, MASTER CYLINDERS WERE FOUND TO BE LEAKING. BRAKE PADS WERE FOUND TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION. THIS CONCERNS ME AS '95 EXPLORERS WERE RECALLED FOR PROBLEMS WITH MASTER CYLINDERS, NOT TO MENTION THE NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #738512
Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON EXPRESSWAY WHEN VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN , REACHING SPEEDS OF 90 MPH . CONSUMER PUT BOTH FEET ON BRAKE PEDAL, BUT VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. CONSUMER HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF IGNITION, AND IT TOOK ABOUT 2 MILES BEFORE VEHICLE STOPPED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #876781
Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
ACCELERATION CONTINUED AFTER RELEASING PEDAL. OCCURRED WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A LEFT-HAND TURN, AND PRESSED DOWN ON BRAKE FULLY WITH NO EFFECT. ENGINE STILL 'REVVED' AT FULL THROTTLE, WITH BRAKE AT FULL PRESSURE, CAUSING A SQUEALING TURN. ONLY AFTER SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL DID ENGINE STOP RACING AND ACCELERATION STOP. TH…
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ACCELERATION CONTINUED AFTER RELEASING PEDAL. OCCURRED WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING A LEFT-HAND TURN, AND PRESSED DOWN ON BRAKE FULLY WITH NO EFFECT. ENGINE STILL 'REVVED' AT FULL THROTTLE, WITH BRAKE AT FULL PRESSURE, CAUSING A SQUEALING TURN. ONLY AFTER SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL DID ENGINE STOP RACING AND ACCELERATION STOP. THIS OCCURRED TO A LESSER DEGREE A WEEK OR TWO EARLIER, BUT COULD NOT DEFINITIVELY IDENTIFY IF ACCELERATION PROBLEM AT THAT TIME. *AK
NHTSA ODI #737975
Official recalls
6Oct 13, 2009
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.
Nov 28, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A FRONT SWAY BAR LINK CAN FRACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS.
Aug 19, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LIFTGATE ASSIST GAS CYLINDER BRACKET ON THE RIGHT HAND BODYSIDE OUTER PANEL WAS INCORRECTLY WELDED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE GAS CYLINDER BRACKET MAY NOT PROPERLY SUPPORT THE LIFTGATE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENT WITH TWO POP RIVETS.
Apr 30, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.0L ENGINES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, IDAHO, IOWA, MAINE, MICHIGAN (UPPER PENINSULA ONLY), MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THESE VEHICLES, WHEN OPERATED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND TEMPERATURES BELOW -20 DEGREES FARENHEIT, DO NOT RETURN TO IDLE DUE TO ICE IN THE THROTTLE BODY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE CAN BE CONTROLLED BY EITHER APPLYING THE SERVICE BRAKES OR SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORTS OR SOME INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE CAN RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PCV SYSTEM WITH WATER HEATED VACUUM SOURCE.
Aug 29, 1996
THE CERTIFICATION LABELS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES HAS INCORRECT REAR TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE DESIGNATIONS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INCORRECT INFLATION PRESSURES COULD CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR TIRES. .
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT CERTIFICATION LABELS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING THESE LABELS. DEALERS CAN INSTALL THIS LABEL IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES.
Apr 22, 1996
WHEN IN THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, THE DRIVER DOOR LATCHES MAY OPEN WHEN SUBJECTED TO TRANSVERSE LOADS LESS THAN THAT SPECIFIED IN FMVSS NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WHEN CLOSED ONLY TO THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, MAY NOT SUSTAIN A 1,000 POUND TRANSVERSE LOAD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH.
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
3PE00039 · 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
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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