Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports17 fire reports5 injury reports

Suspension complaints

24 reports

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Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2005

Power TrainSuspension

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE BOLTS RETAINING A BRACKET FOR THE FRONT END FAILED, AND THE FRONT AXLE WAS ALLOWED TO MOVE AROUND. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ORDERED THE PARTS TO FIX THE VEHICLE BY HIMSELF. HE HAD NOT SPOKEN TO ANYONE A T FORD ABOUT THE DEFECT. HE STILL HAS THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. THE BOLT HELD ON THE …

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NHTSA ODI #10141158

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2004

Power TrainSuspension

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AXLE PROBLEMS WITH TRAVEL TRAILER. AMOUNT OF CARRYING AXLES UNDER THESE VEHICLES , NOT SUFFICIENT IN SIZE OR STRENGTH TO TAKE THE LOAD OR ROAD PUNISHMENT WITHOUT FAILING. *BF THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT PULL PROPERLY. THERE WAS A SIDE TO SIDE PULL AS IT WENT DOWN A DOWN GRADE AND WOULD WANDER AS IT PULLED DOWN THE ROAD. THIS PROBLEM EVENTUALLY INCREASED TO A VIOLENT WHIP. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF UNEVEN TIRE WEAR DUE TO AXLE MISALIGNMENT. THE AXLES WERE FOUND TO SUPPORT 8285 POUNDS. (KOMFORT 2000 25 TS TRAVEL TRAILER/VIN [XXX]) *SC INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10099270

Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2002

Suspension

FRONT END HAS RIVOTS THAT WILL WEAR OUT IN TIME. CONSUMER CAN NEVER GET VEHICLE ALIGNED CORRECTLY. VEHICLE WILL SHAKE WHEN MAKING TURNS, CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8011276

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 1999

Suspension

WHENEVER THE WHEELS ARE TURNED, THE RIVETS WOULD COME LOOSE & MAKE LOUD NOISES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & THE MECHANIC. THIS PROBLEM HAD HAPPENED BEFORE. WAS NOT CHECKED THE FIRST TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #852515

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 1999

Suspension

FRONT LEFT SPRING IS RATTLING, AND THERE IS SOME TYPE OF KNOCKING NOISE. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #849968

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 1999

Suspension

SUSPENSION FRAME BOLTS AND NUTS HAD TO BE REPLACED OR TIGHTENED. HAD HEARD NOISES & TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #832818

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 1998

Suspension

TWO PIVOT BOLTS LOOSENED AND FELL OFF, CAUSING SUSPENSION SYTEM NOT TO HOLD. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #826097

Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 1998

Suspension

WHILE DRIVING ON UNEVEN PAVEMENTS THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER SAID THAT A SCREW ON THE SIDE OF THE TWIN I-BEAM CAME LOOSE. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED IT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #823303

Mileage unknown · May 27, 1997

Suspension

VEHICLE'S FRONT SUSPENSION FRAME BRACKET THAT ATTACHES TO THE AXLE BROKE OFF ON RIGHT WHEEL BRACKET. *AK

NHTSA ODI #811840

Mileage unknown · May 13, 1997

Suspension

CONSUMER WAS PULLING A 5TH WHEEL TRAILER WHEN THE BAR ATTACHING THE FRAME BOLTS OF RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME LOOSE BECAUSE ALL FOUR BOLTS HOLDING I-BEAM TO FRAME CAME OFF. WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE TOP OF THE WHEEL WAS INWARD AND THE BOTTOM WAS OUTWARD, DEALER REPLACED THE BOLTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #810410

Official recalls

06V286000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Aug 1, 2006

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 7, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 05V388)

05V388000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Sep 7, 2005

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS WHO DID NOT HAVE THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED TO HAVE THEIR SYSTEM REMEDIED BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS ARE URGED TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE FREE DISCONNECT SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FIRE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 06V286)

96V064000 · Seats

Apr 16, 1996

THE WIRE HARNESS FOR THE POWER LUMBAR FEATURE ON THE SEAT IS UNDERNEATH THE FRONT SEAT CUSHION SUPPORT WIRES. THE SUPPORT WIRES ON THE DRIVER SEAT CAN CONTACT AND DAMAGE THE INSULATION HARNESS RESULTING IN A HIGH RESISTANCE ELECTRICAL SHORT THROUGH THE SUPPORT WIRES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: OVER HEATING OF THE SUPPORT WIRES COULD RESULT, AND MELTING, SMOKE, OR POSSIBLE IGNTION OF THE SURROUNDING MATERIALS COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEATS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. IF NO DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE DRIVER SEAT WIRE HARNESS WILL BE COVERED WITH A PROTECTIVE CONVOLUTE TUBING, WRAPPED WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE AND THE HARNESS WILL BE REROUTED. IF DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE WIRE HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED.

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

EA05005 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Mar 22, 2005 · Closed Aug 2, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

EA05-005 IS CLOSED WITH FORD?S ACTIONS IN RECALLS 05V-017, 05V-388, AND 06V-286, RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 6.7 MILLION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES (SCDS).THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN THESE RECALLED VEHICLES GENERATE A VACUUM THAT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE SCDS TO FAIL AND, IN CERTAIN SWITCH INSTALLATION ORIENTATIONS, CATCH FIRE.FORD IS ALSO INCLUDING THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF 1998 EXPLORERS.FORD HAS INFORMED ODI THAT TESTING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURES IN THE 1998 EXPLORERS WILL CONTINUE AFTER THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE FACTORS CAUSING SCDS FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT CORRELATE WELL WITH THE OBSERVED FAILURE RATES ON THESE VEHICLES BY MODEL AND MODEL YEAR.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE NON-RECALLED VEHICLES MANUFACTURED WITH SCDS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN FORD?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE NON-RECALLED POPULATION FOR INCIDENCE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT FOR DETAILS.

Additional source detail variants (21)

Electrical System

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

PE96052 · Separated Front Suspension

Opened Aug 23, 1996 · Closed Jan 27, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

CONSUMER COMPLAINTS REPORT THAT BOLTS WHICH RETAIN THE AXLE PIVOT BRACKET TO THE FRAME CROSS MEMBER CAN LOOSEN OR FAIL, CAUSING THE INBOARD END OR THE AXLE TO BECOME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE.OWNERS ALLEGE THAT THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, HOWEVER THE COMPLAINT DATA SHOWS ONLY ONE INCIDENT WHERE THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROADWAY FOLLOWING AXLE SEPARATION, WITH NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.IN ADDITION TO THE 225 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS, THERE WERE 4,315 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND MEMBERS, AND 22 VEHICLES WERE REPLACED FOR GOODWILL.DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED BY FORD, UNDER REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT INDICATE THAT THE BOLTS WERE INADEQUATE FOR THE DURABILITY REQUIREMENTS OF THE VEHICLE.ALSO, BOLTS WERE FOUND TO HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY TORQUED AT ONE OR MORE ASSEMBLY PLANTS.OTHER FACTORS, SUCH AS WAX TREATMENT OF THE FRAME, CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROBLEM.INCREASED BOLT DIAMETER AND INCREASED TORQUE APPARENTLY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.A SERVICE BULLETIN, 96-20-13, WAS ISSUED TO ADVISE DEALERS OF THIS CORRECTIVE ACTION.IN THESE DOCUMENTS, FORD ALSO REPORTED THAT A VEHICLE, EQUIPPED FOR SIMULTANEOUS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF ALL PIVOT BRACKET FASTENERS, WAS EVALUATED RESULTING IN A SLIGHT VEHICLE PULL TO ONE SIDE WITH NO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.ODI HAS NOT REPLICATED FORD'S VEHICLE TESTING, HOWEVER ANALYSIS OF THE DESIGN OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION INDICATES THAT EVEN IF THE INBOARD END OF THEAXLE BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME, THE OUTBOARD END WOULD REMAIN FIRMLY ATTACHED TO THE LEAF SPRING WITH TWO U-BOLTS.THIS WOULD RETAIN THE WHEEL IN ITS APPROXIMATE POSITION, ALTHOUGH THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT WOULD BE GREATLY IN ERROR.THEREFORE IT IS UNLIKELY THAT CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE LOST.OWNERS REPROT MANY SIGNIFICANT NOISES IN THE SUSPENSION, SUCH AS CREAKING, GROANING, CLUNKING, AND SQUEAKING, PRIOR TO NOTICING ANY SEPARATION OF THE AXLE.THIS PROVIDES WARNING OF THE LOOSENING OF THE BOLTS TO THE DRIVER, AND SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED.FORD HAS STATED THAT REPAIRS WILL BE COVERED UNDER THE VEHICLE'S BUMPER WARRANTY.COMPLAINTS ABOUT WARRANTY COVERAGE BY A FORD DEALER SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO FORD, OR TO APPROPRIATE STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.