NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
208 reports56,000 miles · Mar 22, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE RADIATOR, WHICH WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER ABNORMALLY WHILE DRIVING 55…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE RADIATOR, WHICH WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER ABNORMALLY WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. A WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TO THE DEALER AND THE INSPECTED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE INTAKE HAD SEVERAL COMPONENTS THAT WERE FOUND MELTED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
NHTSA ODI #10452681
70,000 miles · Mar 12, 2012
Power TrainSeatsVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, IF YOU HIT A BUMP, THE SEAT WILL RETRACT (MOVE AWAY FROM) THE CONTROLS. THE SEAT WILL MOVE ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE "EXIT THE VEHICLE" MODE. WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT, IF YOU HIT A BUMP, AND YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, THE SEAT WILL RETRACT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, ALL THE WAY…
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WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, IF YOU HIT A BUMP, THE SEAT WILL RETRACT (MOVE AWAY FROM) THE CONTROLS. THE SEAT WILL MOVE ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE "EXIT THE VEHICLE" MODE. WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT, IF YOU HIT A BUMP, AND YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, THE SEAT WILL RETRACT FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, ALL THE WAY BACK. THE SEAT MOVES BACK AT ABOUT THE SAME RATE YOU ARE APPLYING BRAKING PRESSURE. IF YOU ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION, YOU COULD EASILY REAR END SOME ONE. WHEN TURNING OFF A STREET, YOU HIT THE CURB DRAIN ALONG SIDE ALL BUSINESS ENTRANCES OF THE ROAD, THE SEAT MAY MOVE BACK AND FORTH SEVERAL SHORT TIMES, CAUSING YOU TO HIT THE THROTTLE FAST WHILE COMING INTO A PARKING LOT OR IT MAY CAUSE TO TAKE YOUR FOOT COMPLETELY OFF THE ACCELERATOR WHILE TURNING. I WAS DRIVING IN A BLIZZARD ON BAD ROADS AND FOR WHATEVER REASON, RIGHT HAND TURNS CAUSED THE SEAT TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE GAS PEDAL. WHICH IS DANGEROUS WHEN YOU HAVE A CAR MOVING UP FROM BEHIND. VERY DANGEROUS. BEEN TO FORD FOR A FIX, IT LASTED ONE MONTH BEFORE IT STARTED BACK UP. MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND NO FURTHER ATTEMPT TO REPAIR HAS BEEN MADE. FORD IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10451334
20,000 miles · Dec 4, 2011
TiresWheels
TIRE VALVE STEMS FAILED EVENTUALLY ON ALL 5 TIRES. GRADUALLY ON EACH TIRE OVER TIME AND SOMETIMES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. 1 TIRE WAS RUINED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH HALF IT'S TREAD LIFE LEFT. I DID REPLACED ALL VALVE STEMS AT MY EXPENSE. TOTAL $140.00 1 NEW TIRE 5 STEMS. I FEEL FORD SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED ME OF THE DEFECT FOR THE S…
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TIRE VALVE STEMS FAILED EVENTUALLY ON ALL 5 TIRES. GRADUALLY ON EACH TIRE OVER TIME AND SOMETIMES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. 1 TIRE WAS RUINED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH HALF IT'S TREAD LIFE LEFT. I DID REPLACED ALL VALVE STEMS AT MY EXPENSE. TOTAL $140.00 1 NEW TIRE 5 STEMS. I FEEL FORD SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED ME OF THE DEFECT FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND ME. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED BY FORD OF THE STEM VALVE FAILURE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT A FORD DEALER USED IN 2009. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10438487
42,000 miles · Nov 25, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
LEAKING RADIATOR AT 42,000 MILES. VERY COMMON WITH THIS MODEL EXPLORER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10437288
78,000 miles · Nov 23, 2011
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HINGE ON THE REAR LIFTGATE WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 78,000.
NHTSA ODI #10436859
8,000 miles · Oct 18, 2011
TiresWheels
THIS VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY HAD ISSUES WITH AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES. IT HAD A AUTO DETECT SYSTEM, BUT ON A REGULAR BASIS THE WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR LOW AIR. THIS HAPPENED EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD EXTREME TIRE WEAR. TIRES WERE ROTATED EVERY 6,000 MILES AS RECOMMENDED AN…
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THIS VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY HAD ISSUES WITH AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES. IT HAD A AUTO DETECT SYSTEM, BUT ON A REGULAR BASIS THE WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR LOW AIR. THIS HAPPENED EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD EXTREME TIRE WEAR. TIRES WERE ROTATED EVERY 6,000 MILES AS RECOMMENDED AND REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE PURCHASED FAR TOO OFTEN DUE TO UNEVEN WEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10430677
64,258 miles · Oct 18, 2011
Electrical SystemStructure
WATER IS LEAKING THROUGH THE SWITCH FOR THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT IN THE DRIVER'S COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS A SUNROOF NOT SURE IF THAT IS WHERE IT'S COMING FROM OR NOT. SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND A TSB FOR THIS. TSB 07-20-6 WATER LEAK IN HEADLINER / DOME LAMP AREA - REVISED *TR
NHTSA ODI #10430626
77,000 miles · Sep 8, 2011
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED NON-REPAIRABLE. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE DEALER DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED NON-REPAIRABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 77,000.
NHTSA ODI #10424345
101,840 miles · Jul 25, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AND APPLIED PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS HARD AND WOULDN'T DEPRESS. THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED THROUGH THE RED LIGHT. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME OR ANY CROSS TRAFFIC. RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND REAPPLYING WITH THE ABS AND T…
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WAS APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AND APPLIED PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS HARD AND WOULDN'T DEPRESS. THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED THROUGH THE RED LIGHT. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO ONE IN FRONT OF ME OR ANY CROSS TRAFFIC. RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND REAPPLYING WITH THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO STOP. CAREFULLY DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING MORNING. DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS THE FRONT HUBS BEING DEFECTIVE. THE HUB BEARINGS WERE SO LOOSE THAT THE ABS SENSOR AND SPEED RING WERE NOT IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO EACH OTHER. DEALER REPLACED HUBS AND VEHICLE IS NOW FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10414966
50,000 miles · Jun 4, 2011
Power Train
VEHICLE HAS STARTED TO ROLL AWAY WHEN IN PARK. TOOK IN FOR SERVICE AND REPORTED TO DEALER. THEY CLAIM THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10404411
NHTSA investigations
1PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking
Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve
ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO
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