MyCarTSB

1996 Ford Explorer Brakes Problems

133 owner-reported brakes complaints from NHTSA data

133
Complaints
27
Crashes
2
Fires
Jan 2002Dec 2003
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (133)

highSERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Sep 2014

Your brakes often stick when you try to press them to stop your vehicle. You have to ease off slightly and then press hard to push through the sticking sensation. This issue may require inspection and repair of your brake system components, which could involve replacing brake calipers, brake lines, or brake fluid.

Parts you may need:

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NHTSA #: 10631105
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FireFiled: May 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PLACING FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. HE OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS DOUSED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE DAMAGE AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD MELTED, AS WELL AS THE MASTER CYLINDER. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 127,000.

NHTSA #: 10228293
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Apr 2008

1996 FORD EXPLORER WITH BRAKE PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT BRAKE PEDAL IS LOCATED TO CLOSE TO THE FLOOR BOARD. AND IS TO CLOSE TO THE ACCELERATOR CAUSING YOU TO HIT THE ACCELERATOR AND THE BRAKE PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, HIS FOOT ALSO HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

NHTSA #: 10225094
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CrashFiled: Sep 2006

ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING A NONE TO VERY LITTLE BAKING. 2ND TIME WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION. *NM

NHTSA #: 10168494
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jun 2005

BRAKE FAILURE - REAR BRAKES FAILED, BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT AT REAR BY AXLE. NEW LINE INSTALLED. GARAGE SAID COMMON PROBLEM ON FORDS.

NHTSA #: 10126141
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CrashFiled: Mar 2005

WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE, THEY LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE SLID AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THEN ROLLED OVER. *AK

NHTSA #: 10112983
mediumPARKING BRAKE
Filed: Oct 2004

I WAS PULLING OUT OF A POST OFFICE PARKING LOT WITH MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER AND MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AS I WAS DRIVING HOME I TESTED MY BRAKES AND THEY STILL FELT SPONGY. JUST AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY MY BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON AND I LOST ALL MY BRAKE FLUID ON CLOSER INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT MY REAR BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH. I MADE A APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT FIXED AND IT COST ME 368.69. I HAVE HAD OTHER VEHICLES AND I NEVER HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE LINES. THIS TRUCK IS ONLY 8YEARS OLD AND I DO NOT BELIEVE A BRAKE LINE IS PART OF NORMAL MAINTENANCE. *AK

NHTSA #: 10096282
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Sep 2004

ANTI-BRAKE SENSORS REPLACED TWICE SINCE OWNING CAR. *JB

NHTSA #: 10090465
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CrashFiled: Feb 2004

MY 1996 EXPLORER IS A 5.0 LITRE AWD EDDIE BAUR PURCHSED USED. AFTER DRIVING USING THE CRUISE CONTROL WITHOUT INCIDENT, I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. COASTING SLOWLY INTO A PARKING SLOT APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE ENGINE APPEARED TO INCREASE POWER MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE MORE I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE MORE THE ENGINE POWER INCREASED PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM STOPPING UNTIL COLLIDING WITH A VEHICLE IN FRONT. WITH THE BRAKE STILL APPLIED, THE ENGINE RACED WHEN PUT IN NUETRAL UNTIL SWITCHING THE IGNITION OFF. THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR OPERATED NORMALLY AFTER RESTARTING. DAMAGE RESULTED TO THE EXPLORER BUMPER. I DID NOT OBSERVE THE GAS PEDAL POSITION DURING THE INCIDENT BUT ASSUMED IT COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVEN BY THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE UNDER UNCOMMANDED OPERATION AND SEVERED THE CRUISE CABLE BEFORE PROCEDING. A SIMILAR PROBLEM HAD OCCURED DURING A PRIOR STOP THE SAME TRIP BUT ABRUPTLY RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION POSSIBLY AFTER HAVING PUMPED THE BRAKES TO CHECK THEM. THE SAME TYPE PROBLEM WITH ENGINE POWER SURGE DURING BRAKING TO A STOP OCCURED ON PRIOR DAYS WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD NOT BEEN USED AND MAY HAVE CORRECTED AFTER PUMPING THE BRAKE. REVIEWING NHSTA COMPLAINT ODI ID 736277 AND SUBSEQUENT EXPERIMENT ON MY VEHICLE, IT APPEARS THE PROBLEM COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT FROM INADVERTANT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL DURING BRAKING DUE TO PROXIMITY OF THE PEDALS BUT I CAN'T RULE OUT UNCOMMANDED CRUISE CONTROL OPERATION ACTIVATED BY A BRAKE SIGNAL. PLEASE ADVISE IF INVESTIGATION AND DISCOVERY HAVE RESULTED IN ANY PROBABLE CAUSES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORRECTIVE MAINTENANCE FOR THIS SAFETY HAZARD. DOES NOT DISPLAY SYMPTOMS CORRECTED BY RECALLS FOR THROTTLE BODY STICKING AND JAMMED CRUISE CONTROL CABLE.*AK

NHTSA #: 10058793
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Dec 2003

SOMETIMES CAR WILL NOT STOP.

NHTSA #: 10051384
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Sep 2003

WHILE VEHICLE IDLED ENGINE STARTED TO RACE. THEN, VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO MOVE WITH BRAKES APPLIED. *AK

NHTSA #: 10040556
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CrashFiled: Sep 2003

TRUCK WAS IN PARK. PUT MY FOOT ON BRAKE, SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, TRUCK IMMEDIATELY MOVED FORWARD WITH FOOT STILL ON BRAKE, AT APPROX 2- 5 MPH. PUSHED CONTINUALLY HARDER ON BRAKE WITH NO RESPONSE. LIFTED FOOT COMPLETELY OFF BRAKE AND PUSHED AGAIN, THEN TRUCK STOPPED. WENT THROUGH A GARAGE DOOR IN THE PROCESS, COULDN'T STOP UNTIL TRUCK WAS FULLY THROUGH.*AK

NHTSA #: 10037180
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,TIRES
Filed: Apr 2003

MULTIPLE FAILURES INCLUDING: DEFECTIVE TIRES, ROTORS AND BRAKES CRYSTALLIZING, "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" ILLUMINATING, CROSS BARS ON THE TRUNK, PAINT PEELING AND DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL. *TS

NHTSA #: 10015302
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Nov 2002

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT LOW SPEEDS, WHILE BRAKING, THE ABS SENSOR KICKED IN, CAUSING A LOSS OF BRAKES. MR SCC

NHTSA #: 8022248
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Sep 2002

CONSUMER STATES, WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES SYSTEM TAKE LONGER TO STOP AND ALWAYS REMAIN THE LIGHT ON. ALSO HAS PROBLEM WITH SUDDEN ACCELARATION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. NLM

NHTSA #: 8019884
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Feb 2002

LAWYER PATRICIA KAUFMANN ON BEHALF OF CLIENT STATES, THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY AND FAILED TO BRAKE WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A STEEP GRADE. *JG (ATTORNEY ON BEHALF OF CLIENT)

NHTSA #: 564388
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Feb 2002

LAWYER PATRICIA KAUFMANN ON BEHALF OF CLIENT STATES, THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY AND FAILED TO BRAKE WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A STEEP GRADE. *JG (ATTORNEY ON BEHALF OF CLIENT)

NHTSA #: 564388
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Feb 2002

BRAKE PEDAL BROKE, HITTING THE FLOOR, THE BOLT BROKE.

NHTSA #: 9005782
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jan 2002

WHILE DRIVING 25MPH BRAKES WOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN APPLIED. TOOK TO DEALER TWICE TO BE REPAIRED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

NHTSA #: 8002878
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jan 2002

WHILE DRIVING, BRAKE PEDAL BROKE CAUSING CONSUMER TO HAVE NO BRAKES, CONSUMER USED EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE, DEALER REPLACED POWER BRAKE UNIT. *TT

NHTSA #: 564103
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jan 2002

WHILE DRIVING, BRAKE PEDAL BROKE CAUSING CONSUMER TO HAVE NO BRAKES, CONSUMER USED EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE, DEALER REPLACED POWER BRAKE UNIT. *TT

NHTSA #: 564103
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jan 2002

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, NOT A PANIC STOP, ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES, THIS INCREASES THE STOPPING DISTANCE BY SEVERAL FEET. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND IS GETTING MORE FREQUENTLY, DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT FRONT WHEEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA #: 8001838
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jan 2002

DELAYED IN STOPPING DISTANCE AND VIBRATED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. PADS AND FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED FOUR TIMES WITHIN A YEAR, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING;. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA #: 8001619
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jan 2002

PADS STICK AND WEAR DOWN AFTER GLUE GIVES WAY NOTED FOR ON FORD EXPLORERS ACCORDING TO GARAGE DOING REPAIR WHICH WILL COST ME $175.00 TO REPLACE.*AK

NHTSA #: 756543
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Dec 2001

AT LOW SPEED SENSOR SENDS A WRONG SIGNAL TO ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ,RESULTING IN POOR BRAKING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA #: 8000692
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Oct 2001

BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE AND THERE WAS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT ROTORS NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO BEING CORRODED. DID NOT HAVE ANY EMERGENCY BRAKES.*AK *SLC

NHTSA #: 898312
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Sep 2001

WAS DRIVING VEHICLE AND HAD TO JAM ON BRAKES WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CUT IN FRONT. ABS SYSTEM LOCKED UP. PRIOR TO LOCKING UP, HAD 3 SETS OF BRAKES, AND 2 SETS OF ROTORS REPLACED. THIRD TIME HEARD GRINDING NOISES ON RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. SOUNDED LIKE METAL TO METAL. DRIVER SIDE ROTORS WERE SHOT DUE TO BRAKES LOCKING UP. AT DEALERSHIP, NOTHING WAS FOUND WRONG.*AK

NHTSA #: 895774
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Filed: Jul 2001

THE DEALER IS BEEN INFORMING THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON FUEL GUAGE PROBLEM FOR ALMOST 1 YEAR AND REPLACED THE ASSEMBLY IN THE FUEL TANK AND CONTACTED FORD SEVERAL TIMES. I ALSO CONTACTED THEM AND SPOKE TO SHAWN @ 1-800-392-3673 EXTN: 3066. HE TOLD ME FORD WILL CONTACT ME, BUT, FAILED TO CONTACT. ABS PROBLEM CAME RECENTLY. DEALER REAPLACED A PART, BUT, DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. AS PER THE DEALER THE FORD MOTORS ARE AWARE OF THE FUEL GUAGE PROBLEM FROM THE BEGINING BUT, FAILED TO COME UP WITH A RECOMMENDATION.

NHTSA #: 748925
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CrashFiled: Jun 2001

WHILE DRIVING AT GA400, NOTICED THAT VEHICLE CAN NOT BE SLOWED DOWN AFTER APPLYING BRAKE PEDALS SEVERAL TIMES. NOTICE THAT THE RPM IS INCREASING. FEARING THAT SINCE THERE IS NOT WAY TO SLOWING DOWN THE CAR,I SHIFTED TO THE GEAR TO NEUTRAL AND EXIT AT HOLCOMB BRIDGE EXIT. SINCE THE SPEED IS STILL AT 70MPH, THE CAR HIT THE ENBANKMENT, WENT DOWN THE GRASSY AREA AND (FFG IS WHAT I CAN REMEMBER HAPPENED)AND HIT A WATER RUN-OFF/DITCH, DID A SPIN AND CAME UP AND STOP AT THE GRASSY AREA. I WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF OF THE ENGINE WHEN I CAME BACK TO SENSES AND RAN TO THE CLOSEST GAS STATION (CHEVRON) TO CALL AAA. THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR NOTICED THAT WHEN HE RESTARTED THE ENGINE, IT WAS ROARING AT 5000RPM. TOWED IT TO FORD DEALER/SERVICE AT MANSELL ROAD, WAS TOLD 2-DAYS LATER THAT THEY HAVE INSPECT LINKAGE FOR BINDING AND TROTTLE BODY FOR BINDING, BUT DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM, AND SINCE THEY CAN NOT REPRODUCE THE SITUATION, THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BUT TO BRING IT BACK WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN??? I FEARED FOR THE NEXT TIME THAT IT HAPPENED, LIFES WOULD BE AFFECTED.*AK

NHTSA #: 747423
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jun 2001

WHEN THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE LEFT REAR BRAKE ROTOR HE NOTICED THAT THE LINING HAD COME LOOSE FROM THE METAL OF THE REAR PARKING BRAKE SHOE AND IT WAS LESS THAN HALF WORN, ALL FOUR SHOE LININGS WERE CRAZED BUT WERE NOT BROKEN.

NHTSA #: 561566
mediumPARKING BRAKE
Filed: Apr 2001

DRIVER'S SIDE EMERGENCY BRAKE LINE IS TOO LONG , ABOUT 6-8 INCHES LONGER, AND IT RUBS AGAINST AND WEARS INTO LEFT REAR TIRE, ALMOST INTO SIDEWALL. THIS COULD CAUSE AN UNEXCEPTED BLOWOUT WITHOUT WARNING, AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. IT WAS RUBBING SO BADLY AGAINST TIRE THAT IT HAS BEGUN TO WEAR OFF NAME OFF TIRE.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK CONSUMER STATES CABLE APPEARS TO BE TO LONG AND THE PLASTIC CLIP THAT IS SUPPOSE TO HOLD THECABLE AWAY FROM THE TIRE CAN SLIP DOWN AND ALLOW THE SITUATION TO OCCUR, THE TIRE HAD WORN THROUGH THE VINYL PROTECTIVE COATING OF THE CABLE IT ALSO WORE THROUGH THE VINYL CABLE COATING AND HAD BEGUN TO WEAR AWAY THE INSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE LEFT REAR TIRE. *JB

NHTSA #: 886880
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CrashFiled: Apr 2001

BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. DURING AN EMERGENCY STOP, BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO ITS LIMIT. DUE TO THE SPACING BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR ALONG WITH THE HEIGHT OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BOTH WERE DEPRESSED AT ONCE CAUSING A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS IN TURN WAS THE MAIN REASON FOR A RECENT COLLISION AND SEVERAL PAST NEAR MISSED ACCIDENTS DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING. WIPER CONTROL ARM AND FLUID DISPENSER DOES NOT WORK ON OCCASION. THIS PART HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE IN THE PAST UNDER WARRANTEE. SECOND PART IS ACTING THE SAME AS THE FIRST.

NHTSA #: 744215
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Apr 2001

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD BANG, APPLIED BRAKES, AND PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, AND NO BRAKING ACTION. USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. DEALER FOUND 2 BOLTS THAT HOLD BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO BOOSTER HAD SHEARED OFF.*AK

NHTSA #: 885846
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CrashFiled: Apr 2001

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 #: 885690
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Apr 2001

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 #: 885402
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,WHEELS
Filed: Mar 2001

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING SOUND, THEN ABS LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, AND FRONT RIGHT WHEEL CAME OFF VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA #: 884247
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Mar 2001

SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 1999, I HAVE REPORTED TO FORD MOTOR AND BUDGET CAR SALES THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM, BRAKES JAM, VEHICLE GOES BACKWARD AND JERKS FORWARD WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC. FORD MOTOR CO. REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILTY FOR THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND BUDGET AUTO SALES SAYS THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND I NEED TO WAIT UNTIL "SOMETHING HAPPENS" THIS VEHICLE IS A DEATH TRAP AND I IMPLORE SOMEONE TO ASSIST ME IN GETTING THESE DEFECTS CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED.*AK

NHTSA #: 743049
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Mar 2001

SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE (1996 FORD SABLE) I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS..THE CAR SHUTS OFF AT SPEEDS OF 10MPH, WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC, OR ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBEM TO NHTSA, THE DEALER, FORD MOTOR CO. AND THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER, THE DEALER SAYS HE CAN NOT FIX IT UNTIL IT DUPLICATES WHILE HE HAS IT...AGAIN HE SAYS "WAIT UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS" , I ASKED IF HE WERE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BE INJURED OR KILLED HE SAID UNFORTUNATELY THAT'S WHAT WILL HAVE TO HAPPEN IN ORDER TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. I FIND THIS TO BE A LUDICRUOUS ANSWER, FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBLITY FOR MANUFACTURER DEFECTS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSES TO CORRECT THESE DEFECTS.*AK

NHTSA #: 743052
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CrashFiled: Mar 2001

WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT NORMAL CONDITIONS AT 25MPH VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, RESULTING IN A COLLISION/ MINOR INJURIES.*AK

NHTSA #: 883034
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Feb 2001

BRAKES OPERATED POORLY WHILE DRIVING. DEALER SAID BRAKES WENT INTO A FALSE ABS MODE, NOT ALLOWING VEHICLE TO STOP. *AK

NHTSA #: 879934
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CrashFiled: Jan 2001

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 #: 739061
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jan 2001

FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FAILED MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. NLM

NHTSA #: 558876
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Dec 2000

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 #: 738512
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Dec 2000

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 #: 876781
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Dec 2000

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 #: 737975
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CrashFiled: Nov 2000

ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE TO BRAKE PEDAL ONE INCH AWAY. THE MASTER CYLINDER DEVELOPED A LEAK ALLOWING THE BRAKE PEDDLE TO TRAVEL PAST THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BECAUSE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS SO CLOSE THE INCIDENCE OF HITTING BOTH PEDALS BECOMES GREATER AS IT WAS WITH MY VEHICLE. WE HAD COME TO AN ALMOST COMPLETE STOP THEN THE 1996 EXPLORER ACCELERATED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US. SIMPLE FIX BEND THE ACCELERATOR ARM AWAY FROM THE BRAKE PEDDLE. ON 98 EXPLORER'S THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS THREE INCHES AWAY INDICATING FORD DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM, FIXED IN LATER MODELS, BUT FAILED TO NOTIFY 96 EXPLORER OWNERS OR THEIR DEALERS. *AK

NHTSA #: 736277
mediumPARKING BRAKE
Filed: Oct 2000

EMERGENCY BRAKE "DISINTEGRATED" W/O INDICATION OTHER THAN RATTLE

NHTSA #: 735068
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Oct 2000

STEP ON BRAKES & FOOT HITS GAS PEDAL. BRAKE PEDAL IS BELOW GAS PEDAL. PLEASE CALL ME FOR MORE INFO AND THAT FORD WAS CONTACTED AND DENIES ANY PROBLEM OR OTHER COMPLAINTS. THIS LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM HAPPENED TO THIS VEHICLE AND AT LEAST TWO OTHER VEHICLES.

NHTSA #: 734111
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Oct 2000

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE CALIPER BOLT LOOSENED AND EVENTUALLY CAME OFF OF THE BRAKES. THE FORD SERVICE PART USED TO REPLACE THE BOLD IS N606046-S60, BOLT, AB-20-DA. WHEN PURCHASING THIS PART FOR THE SECOND TIME ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2000 AT MIKE DAVIDSON FORD FROM LEM JOHNSON HE STATED TAHT SEAVERAL FORD CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN IN WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITHIN THE LAST FEW DAYS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A POTENTIALLY FATAL PROBLEM THAT REQUIRES FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS WITH THE FIRST OCCASION BEING ABOUT A YEAR AGO. *AK

NHTSA #: 733314
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Sep 2000

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE CALIPER BOLT LOOSENED AND EVENTUALLY CAME OFF OF THE BRAKES. THE FORD SERVICE PART USED TO REPLACE THE BOLD IS N606046-S60, BOLT, AB-20-DA. WHEN PURCHASING THIS PART FOR THE SECOND TIME ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2000 AT MIKE DAVIDSON FORD FROM LEM JOHNSON HE STATED TAHT SEAVERAL FORD CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN IN WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM WITHIN THE LAST FEW DAYS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A POTENTIALLY FATAL PROBLEM THAT REQUIRES FURTHER INVESTIGATION. EPEOPLFORE THIS HAS OCCURRED ON TW. *AK

NHTSA #: 732720
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, AIR,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2000

THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE. WHEN IN DRIVE THE CAR COASTS AT ABOUT 1 MPH. IT WILL GO INTO REVERSE AND PARK OK. THE CAR IS DRIVEN UNDER NORMAL TO LIGHT DRIVING CONDITIONS. I HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR TOWING. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAS BEEN CHECKED AND IT IS FINE. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED ON 3/9/2000. JUST A WEEK PRIOR TO THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION WARRANTY WORK WAS COMPLETED ON THE TRANSFER CASE AND NOTHING WAS NOTED AS BEING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE LAST SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WAS COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE IN JUNE 2000. THE BRAKES PULSATE WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM HIGH SPEEDS. THEY WERE SERVICED ONCE BY FORD FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THE SERVICING DID NOT CORRECT IT. FORD REFUSED TO SERVICE THEM AGAIN AND THEY CONTINUE TO PULSATE WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM HIGH SPEEDS.

NHTSA #: 730796
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, AIR,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Sep 2000

THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE. WHEN IN DRIVE THE CAR COASTS AT ABOUT 1 MPH. IT WILL GO INTO REVERSE AND PARK OK. THE CAR IS DRIVEN UNDER NORMAL TO LIGHT DRIVING CONDITIONS. I HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR TOWING. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAS BEEN CHECKED AND IT IS FINE. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED ON 3/9/2000. JUST A WEEK PRIOR TO THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION WARRANTY WORK WAS COMPLETED ON THE TRANSFER CASE AND NOTHING WAS NOTED AS BEING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE LAST SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WAS COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE IN JUNE 2000. THE BRAKES PULSATE WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM HIGH SPEEDS. THEY WERE SERVICED ONCE BY FORD FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THE SERVICING DID NOT CORRECT IT. FORD REFUSED TO SERVICE THEM AGAIN AND THEY CONTINUE TO PULSATE WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM HIGH SPEEDS.

NHTSA #: 730796
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jul 2000

LINING ON LEFT REAR EMERGENCY BRAKE SHOE SEPARATED FROM SHOE, CAUSING LEFT REAR WHEEL TO LOCK UP. *AK

NHTSA #: 726093
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: May 2000

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE FORCING THE CONSUMER OFF THE ROAD SO AS NOT TO COLLIDE WITH OTHER VEHICLES, THIS CONDITIONS HAS ALSO CAUSED A ACCIDENT INVOLVING THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER, SHE SUSTAINED CUTS TO HER FACE AND OTHER INJURIES. NLM

NHTSA #: 552425
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: May 2000

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE IT MAKES A CLANKING NOISE UNDERNEATH ON RIGHT SIDE OF WHEEL. WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES, PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. ALSO, PEDAL IS VERY SOFT. *AK

NHTSA #: 862078
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: May 2000

BRAKES ARE UNRELIABLE. NLM

NHTSA #: 552069
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: May 2000

BRAKES ARE UNRELIABLE. NLM

NHTSA #: 552069
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,WHEELS
Filed: Dec 1999

ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSORS FAILED.*ET

NHTSA #: 784348
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Nov 1999

INTERMITTENTLY BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. IT FEELS LIKE "DRIVING ON ICE" WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER COULDN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK

NHTSA #: 852482
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Nov 1999

ABS BRAKES LOCKED AT 40 MPH BECAUSE BOLT BROKE, CRASH NARROWLY AVERTED

NHTSA #: 714518
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Oct 1999

BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FAILED CAUSING NOISE. MJS

NHTSA #: 549459
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, AIR
CrashFiled: Oct 1999

TRAVELLING AT 45MPH IN CENTER LANE OF 6 LANE HIGHWAY WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC IN A MODERATE RAIN STORM. ROAD WAS STRAIGHT. DID NOT TURN STEERING WHEEL. DID NOT APPLY BRAKES. VEHICLE STARTED FOR NO APPARENT REASON TO SPIN BY ITSELF TO THE RIGHT. AT THIS MOMENT, BRAKES WERE APPLIED HARD AND STEADY. VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND AND CONTINUED TO SPIN TURNING BACKWARDS REGARDLESS OF FRANTIC TURNING OF STEERING WHEEL INTO TURN INTO THE SKID. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL BACKWARDS AND SLIGHTLY TOWARDS THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE SLOWED SOMEWHAT, BUT CONTINUED TO TRAVEL ACROSS THE REMAINING LANES OF THE HIGHWAY AND SHOULDER HITTING THE GUARDRAIL WITH THE LEFT REAR CORNER FIRST, THEN BOUNCING UNTIL THE RIGHT FRONT HIT THE GUARDRAIL AND FINALLY STOPPED. VEHICLE WAS NOW FACING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC. ABS DASH LIGHT WAS BURNING INDICATING A FAILURE. THE IMPACT KNOCKED MOST OF THE AIR OUT OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WHICH CONTINUED TO HOLD AIR PERFECTLY ONCE REINFLATED. MY PASSENGER WAS SLIGHTLY HURT ON THE SCALP AND CHEEK. SEATBELTS WERE BEING WORN. THIS FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM THE DRIVER. THE REPAIRS WILL REACH ABOUT $8000.00. I HAVE REQUESTED TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO PROVIDE ME AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE ABS LIGHT IS STAYING ON AND IF IT COULD HAVE GONE ON CAUSING THE START OF THE VEHICLE ROTATION. THIS IS THE 3RD EXPLORER I HAVE OWNED AND HAVE CONSIDERABLE EXPERIENCE DRIVING THESE TYPE SUV'S IN ALL KINDS OF WEATHER. SOMETHING HAD TO CAUSE THIS ACCIDENT OTHER THAN DRIVER ERROR.

NHTSA #: 713918
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CrashFiled: Oct 1999

WHEN STEPPING ON BRAKE, VEHICLE ACCELLERATED AS BRAKE PEDAL IS LOWER THAN THE GAS PEDAL. THIS HAPPENED TO TWO DIFFERENT DRIVERS OF ABOVE EXPLORER, AND TO A WITNESS OF TODAYS ACCIDENT IN HIS OWN EXPLORER

NHTSA #: 713373
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Oct 1999

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNEXPECETEDLY IN WHICH THE THROTTLE WAS STUCK, AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. THE OCCUPANT HAD TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. THIS OCCURRED TWICE.. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA #: 850580
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Oct 1999

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN, AND CONTINUED TO RACE. CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, RANCHED DOWN AND PULLED PEDAL WITH HER HANDS, STOPPING ACCELERATION , AND VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP.

NHTSA #: 849964
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Oct 1999

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH AND USING CRUISE CONTROL, CONSUMER TRIED TO SLOW DOWN, BUT CRUISE CONTROL LOCKED UP. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP BY HITTING THE BRAKES NOTHING HAPPENED. SO CONSUMER TAPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL, AND CAR ACCELERATED ALL TO 90MPH. CONSUMER THEN PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND SHUT CAR OFF. TURNED CAR BACK ON, AND RPMS WENT UP TO 5, AND SOUNDED AS THOUGH CAR WAS ABOUT TO TAKE OFF AT FULL SPEED IF FOOT HAD BEEN TAKEN OFF THE BRAKES. *AK

NHTSA #: 849770
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Sep 1999

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, AND PEDAL WAS HARD. VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD/ SLOWED DOWN, AND CAME TO A STOP. *AK

NHTSA #: 849106
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, AIR
Filed: Sep 1999

FALSE ABS ACTIVATION WHILE LIGHT BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS. THAT IS

NHTSA #: 711999
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CrashFiled: Sep 1999

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH APPLY THE BRAKES AND THEY WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOAR VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN, BUT DIDN'T COME TO A STOP, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FENDER. *AK

NHTSA #: 847187
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CrashFiled: Sep 1999

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH CONSUMER TRIED TO REDUCE SPEED OF CRUISE CONTROL BY APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL, BUT ABS LOCKED UP, MAKING THE VEHICLE TURN/ROLL OVER. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NO TDEPLOY, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA #: 847062
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Sep 1999

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED IN COLD WEATHER THE THROTTLE PEDAL STICKS. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE'S OR SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, WILL INCRESAED THE BRAKE PEDALS EFFORTS OR SOME INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE CAN RESULTIN A PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA #: 846726
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CrashFiled: Aug 1999

BRAKES APPLIED AT 45 MILES/HR, CAR SLOWED TO 20 MILES/HR BUT DID NOT STOP EVENTHOUGH BRAKE PETAL WAS DEPRESSED FULLY. ENGINE SOUNDED LOUDER THEN NORMAL JUST BEFORE COLLISION.

NHTSA #: 710207
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jul 1999

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE PROPERLY. *AK

NHTSA #: 841828
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,PARKING BRAKE
Filed: Jun 1999

CROSSED INTERSECTION & APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. USED EMERGENCY BRAKES & VEHICLE KEPT GOING. FINALLY SHIFTED INTO PARK & VEHICLE STOPPED. TOWED VEHICLE TO HOME. NOTICED THICK HEM OF CARPETING HAD MOVED OVER ACCELERATOR PEDAL. *AK

NHTSA #: 838929
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: May 1999

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS THE ABS SYSTEM WILL KICK IN. A TSB HAS BEEN ISSUED . THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA #: 837738
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CrashFiled: Apr 1999

BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE - ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM ENGAGED AT LOW SPEED ON DRY PAVEMENT, PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM STOPPING, THUS CAUSING A CRASH. *AK

NHTSA #: 705866
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Apr 1999

THE CONSUMER WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND THERE WA S A PROBLEM WITH THE OVERDRIVE. ALSO, WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, THEY WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTO REPAIR SHOP 20 TIMES FOR REPAIRS, AND THE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA #: 836430
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jan 1999

WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH OUR ABS (ANNOYING PEDAL FEEDBACK DURING NORMAL BRAKING AS WELL AS DURING BACK-UP), THE FRONT BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY SHOT AT 17,000 MILES (WE DO NOT HAVE A TOW PACKAGE) THE ROTOR'S HAD TO BE MILLED, AND UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY THE DEALERSHIP ( AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BY ME) FOUND OUT THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONING AT ALL. I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND I AM BECOMING MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR SAFETY AS THIS SITUATION PERSISTS. I BOUGHT A FORD BECAUSE THEY HAD A BETTER SAFETY RATING AT THE TIME THEN OTHER SIMILAR MAKES

NHTSA #: 702436
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CrashFiled: Jan 1999

THIS IS A NON-RECALL FOR ABS. WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH ON WET PAVEMENT/SOME ICE, VEHICLE FISHTAILED ON BLACK ICE, DRIVER CORRECTED THE SLIDE. HOWEVER, ABS LOCKED UP, SENDING VEHICLE IN SPIN, RESULTING IN ROLLOVER. ONCOMING 2ND VEHICLE (SAME MODEL) TRYING TO GO AROUND, CAUSED HEAD-ON COLLISION. 2ND VEHICLE WENT UNDER THE 1ST VEHICLE, AND IT WAS TOTALLED. VEHICLE TOWED. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA #: 833562
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Jan 1999

ON OCTOBER 21, 1998 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBLE ACCIDENT. A FORD TAURUS PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT (FROM A COMPLETE STOP) DIRECTLY INTO MY PATH. I WAS TRAVELING AT 30 MPH AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES I SLID DIRECTLY INTO THE DRIVERS DOOR. RAIN HAD BEEN FALLING ALL DAY(THE FIRST RAIN OF THE YEAR). THEREFORE, I DO NOT FEEL THAT MY EXPLORER SLOWED AT ALL, MY TOTAL SKID WAS BETWEEN FIVE AND TEN FEET IN LENGTH. MY QUESTION/COMPLAINT IS WHY DID MY AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOY? I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT, BUT I STILL HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ON THE INTERNET FOR INFORMATION ON THE SPEED A VEHICLE HAS TO BE TRAVELING IN ORDER FOR THE AIRBAG TO ACTIVATE. THE NATIONAL INSURANCE INSTITUTE WEB PAGE SAID THE AVERAGE SPEED SHOULD BE BETWEEN 12-16 MPH. MY EXPLORER HAS MANY PROBLEMS (IT'S A LEMON). THIS, HOWEVER, WORRIES ME. WOULD MY AIRBAG ACTIVATE AT A HIGHER SPEED? SHOULD I BE AFRAID TO PUT MY FAMILY INSIDE AND GO FOR A RIDE? THIS ALL MAY BE IN VANE, THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE MY INSURANCE COMPANY MAY CONSIDER IT TOTALED. MY OTHER MAIN CONCERN WAS THE SEVERITY OF DAMAGE TO THE TAURUS. THE DRIVER WAS NOT HURT OTHER THAN GLASS IN HIS FACE, BUT ALL I COULD SEE WAS MY GRILL AND HOOD GOING DIRECTLY INTO HIS WINDOW. I HAVE READ YOUR

NHTSA #: 700083
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jan 1999

THE ABS HAS EXPERIENCED TWO DIFFERANT TYPES OF FAILURE. THE MOST FREQUENT (HAVING OCCURRED IN EXCESS OF 24 TIMES) HAPPENS ON DRY/CLEAR PAVEMENT UNDER MODERATELY HEAVY BRAKING. WITH OUT NEEDING TO THE ABS "KICKS" IN, WHICH GREATLY INCREASES THE BRAKING NEEDED TO STOP. THE FIRST FEW TIMES, ACCIDENTS WERE ONLY AVOIDED BY THE DEFENSIVE DRIVING ABILITY OF THE DRIVER. AFTER THE DEFECT CONTINUED AND FORD COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, I FOUND THAT WHEN THE ABS "KICKS IN" IN AN UNNEEDED SITUATION, IF I GREATLY INCREASE THE BRAKING PRESSURE, NORMAL BRAKING IS REGAINED. THE SECOND FAULTY OPERATION OF THE ABS HAS ONLY BEEN EXPERIENCED TWICE. BOTH TIMES WERE ON DRY/CLEAR PAVEMENT WHEN EXTREMELY HEAVY BRAKING WAS REQUIRED ON A DOWNSLOPE TO AVOID COLLISION. BOTH TIMES ALL FOUR WHEELS "LOCKED" UP, SENDING THE VEHICLE INTO A SKID. THANKS TO MY DADDY HAVING TAUGHT ME HOW TO HANDLE A SKIDDING VEHICLE, BOTH ACCIDENTS WERE AVOIDED. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THE DEALERSHIP, ALL TO NO AVAIL. THIS INTERMITTANT FAILURE OF THE ABS STILL SURFACES NOW AND THEN. THE LAST CONTACT I HAVE HAD WITH FORD WAS MY RESPONSE TO A LETTER FROM DAVE ROACH - SERVICE MANAGER FOR TOM WOOD. THE PAST TWO TIMES I HAD MY VEHICLE AT TOM WOOD, THEFT OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS HAD OCCURRED. THEREFORE I HAD REFUSED TO BRING MY VEHICLE BACK TO THEM. IN MY RESPONSE TO MR. ROACH, I HAD ASKED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE (SUCH AS AN AREA SERVICE REP) OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY CONTACT ME BY PHONE EITHER AT HOME OR WORK. WE ARE NOW APPROACHING THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF MR. ROACH'S LETTER (2/6/98), AND I HAVE YET TO BE CONTACTED BY ANYONE FROM FORD THAT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE DANGEROUS OPERATION OF THIS VEHICLE. I DO NOT KNOW IF I HAVE CONTACTED YOU BEFORE ON THIS REGARD, BUT I FOUND YOUR SITE, SO I THOUGHT I'D SEND THIS IN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE TYPED THIS, AS THE FIRST TIME I WENT TO CONFIRM THE INFORMATION, IT SHOWED THAT I HAD THE AIRBAG LISTED AS HAVING DEPLOYED, AND THEY HAVE NOT.

NHTSA #: 702012
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Dec 1998

I HAVE A CONSTANT CHIRPING & GRINDING COMING FROM THE BRAKES EVEN AFTER REPAIR, FORD CANN'T SEEM TO LOCATE THE SOURCE MUCH LESS MAKE PROPER REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED BY THEM 5 TIMES NOW WITH OUT THEM LOCATING THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKES ALSO PULL TO THE LEFT WHEN APPLIED FIRMLY.

NHTSA #: 701564
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Crash / FireFiled: Nov 1998

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH WENT TO APPLY FOR THE BRAKES ON WET PAVEMENT AND BRAKES DIDN'T WORK. CONSUMER HIT A TREE. PULLING THE VEHICLE FROM THE TREE THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

NHTSA #: 830725
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Oct 1998

ACCELERATOR WOULD STICK. THE BRAKES FAILS TO WORK WHEN THIS HAPPENS. CAN HAPPEN AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER & INFORMED IDLE AIR CONTROL MOTOR NEEDED REPLACING. PROBLEM SINCE RETURNED. *AK

NHTSA #: 829089
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Oct 1998

BOTH FRONT ANTI LOCK BRAKE SENSORS FAILED. * ET

NHTSA #: 781276
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Sep 1998

ABS BRAKE FAILURE

NHTSA #: 541778
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jul 1998

VEHICLE TRAVELS TOO FAR AFTER THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED AND VIBRATES DURING BRAKING.

NHTSA #: 537683
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Apr 1998

WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE VIBRATES. BRAKE ROTORS ARE WARPED. OWNER HAS HAD THE VEHICLE TUNED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA #: 822139
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Apr 1998

ABS SYSTEM FAILED TWICE, ONC ERESULTING IN A COLLISION.

NHTSA #: 535484
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Apr 1998

WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS.

NHTSA #: 534716
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Apr 1998

THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WENT BAD, CAUSING NO BRAKING ABILITY WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA #: 822595
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS
Filed: Apr 1998

WHILE TRAVELING LESS THAN 25 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND ALLOWING COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER.

NHTSA #: 780772
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Mar 1998

WHILE DRIVING 68MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, VEHICLE SUDDENLY INCREASED IN SPEED. HAD PUMPED ACCELERATOR PEDAL. SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL BUT RPMS WERE VERY HIGH. SHIFTED OUT OF NEUTRAL & PLACED FEET ON BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP. BRAKES STARTED SMOKING. CALLED DEALER TO RELAY PROBLEM.

NHTSA #: 822145
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Mar 1998

ABS BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN FOUR DEATHS.

NHTSA #: 531673
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Feb 1998

SPACE BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS IS NOT ADEQUATE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP SHORT OF A DITCH, THE DRIVER'S FOOT HIT THE BRAKE AND THE ACCELERATOR AND RAN INTO THE DITCH.

NHTSA #: 531276
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Nov 1997

ANTI LOCK BRAKES HAVE FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, ONE INCIDENT CAUSED A COLLISION.

NHTSA #: 524751
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Nov 1997

ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA #: 604810
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,TIRES
Filed: Nov 1997

EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE BRAKES AND TIRES.

NHTSA #: 605122
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Oct 1997

APPLIED THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT HALF WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THAT'S WHEN THE PEDAL BECAME STUCK. VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. AK

NHTSA #: 817750
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Oct 1997

ANTI LOCK BRAKE SENSORS FAILED.

NHTSA #: 605571
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Sep 1997

BRAKE CALIPER FAILED.

NHTSA #: 606083
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CrashFiled: Sep 1997

TRAVELING IN THE VEHICLE AND TRIED TO COME TO A STOP, PUT FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP AND THE BRAKES WOULDNOT WORK, THE VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR. *AK *JB

NHTSA #: 816083
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Sep 1997

FRONT BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA #: 603845
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jun 1997

FACTORY INSTALLED PUSH-ROD, BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND MASTER CYLINDER, WAS NOT THE PROPER PART (IT WAS TOO LONG). THE RESULT OF THIS ERROR HAS CAUSED FAILURE TO THE ABS SYSTEM.

NHTSA #: 603496
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Apr 1997

BRAKE PEDAL STICKS.

NHTSA #: 602938
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CrashFiled: Mar 1997

THE VEHICLE'S ABS SYSTEM LOCKED UP IN ICY CONDITIONS WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE SLIDE SIDE WAYS INTO A BUILDING. ALSO, THE POLICE REPORT SHOWS THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AFTER SHE HIT THE BUILDING, CAUSING HER HEAD TO STRIKE THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND BE DECAPITATED. *AK

NHTSA #: 809734
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jan 1997

ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURIES.

NHTSA #: 513749
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jan 1997

BRAKES FAILED TWICE.

NHTSA #: 513814
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Dec 1996

BRAKES RUSTED.

NHTSA #: 513324
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Dec 1996

DEFECTIVE BRAKE ROTORS.

NHTSA #: 513324
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Nov 1996

POOR ABS BRAKE PERFORMANCE, DURING A PANIC STOP, EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OR UNEVEN BRAKING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE TO ROLL FORWARD. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*JB

NHTSA #: 805133
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Oct 1996

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON THE EXPRESSWAY VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO A VERY HIGH SPEED, GAS PEDAL WENT ALL THE WENT TO THE FLOOR, VEHICLE WENT WIDE OPEN. THIS CONDITION CONTINUED WITH FOOT ON BRAKES, ALMOST CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENED TWICE.*AK

NHTSA #: 801487
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Oct 1996

ABS, BRAKE FAILURE, PEDAL GOES THE FLOOR, LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS. *AK *JB

NHTSA #: 803476
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Oct 1996

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING, ALSO BRAKE CALIPER FAILED, VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT FROM LANE TO LANE. *AK

NHTSA #: 509333
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Sep 1996

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY, ABS BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT A SUDDEN STOP, BRAKES FAILED TO DISENGAGE, PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK

NHTSA #: 509051
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Sep 1996

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ONTO THE INTERSECTION, GOING DOWN MAIN STREET, CAME TO STOP SIGN, ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT OF THE INTERSECTION, FORD HIT SIDE DOOR OF OTHER VEHICLE, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND BRAKES (ABS) DID NOT HOLD.*AK

NHTSA #: 801817
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CrashFiled: Aug 1996

ABS BRAKES FADED/PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR; BRAKES GAVE OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL/OVERHEATED NOT GRABBING ROTORS, ONCE COOLED DOWN WORKED AS NORMAL; CAUSED ACCIDENT, REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE; NO WARNING; FORD SAYS BRAKES ARE OPERATING AS DESIGNED. *AK

NHTSA #: 801636
mediumPARKING BRAKE
Filed: Aug 1996

PARKING BRAKE JAMMED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL DOWN HILL. *AK

NHTSA #: 508055
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Aug 1996

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT COMES, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE BRAKING POWER.*AK

NHTSA #: 801449
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Aug 1996

UPON BRAKING EXPERIENCED MALFUNCTIONING OF ABS, WARNING LIGHT APPEARS, NOTICED GRINDING SOUND, THEN BRAKES GRIND, DLR CAN'T CORRECT.*AK

NHTSA #: 801508
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 1996

FRONT AXLE HAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW THE AXLE TO VENT PROPERLY, THIS CAUSES OIL TO FOAM AND SPRAY OU OF THE VENT TUBE, OIL HAS GOTTEN ALL OVER THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE BRAKE SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSES FADED BRAKING. *SLC

NHTSA #: 800726
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Aug 1996

APPLIED BRAKES, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY SERGED.*AK

NHTSA #: 800806
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CrashFiled: Aug 1996

GAS PEDAL TOO CLOSE TO BRAKE PEDAL, CAUSING THEM TO BE DEPRESSED SIMULTANEOUSLY/ACCIDENT.

NHTSA #: 507147
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN
CrashFiled: Jun 1996

PARKED ON INCLINE, EMERGENCY BRAKE APPLIED, INDICATOR MOVED BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDEN, ALSO ABS BRAKE FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA #: 985281
mediumPARKING BRAKE
CrashFiled: May 1996

PARKING BRAKE FAILED TO HOLD VEHICLE, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *DH

NHTSA #: 505110
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Apr 1996

ABS BRAKES; VEHICLE BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING OWNER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA #: 982734
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Mar 1996

REAR WHEEL LOCKED UP DURING NORMAL STOPPING, DEALER CAN NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM, ABS BRAKES. *AK

NHTSA #: 981420
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Mar 1996

ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED THREE TIMES.

NHTSA #: 502228
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Feb 1996

ABS BRAKES; UPON APPLICATION, BRAKES PERFORMED POORLY, ALLOWING TRUCK TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD. BOTH MFG/AFTER MARKET PARTS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. *AK

NHTSA #: 979953
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Feb 1996

ABS BRAKES; UPON APPLICATION, BRAKES PERFORMED POORLY, ALLOWING TRUCK TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD. BOTH MFG/AFTER MARKET PARTS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. *AK

NHTSA #: 979953
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jan 1996

THE ABS SYSTEM BRAKES ACTIVATE ON THEIR OWN CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKING, THERE IS ALSO PARTIAL LOSS STEERING. TT

NHTSA #: 978318
mediumPARKING BRAKE
Filed: Jan 1996

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL WITH EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED IT ROLLED INTO RIVER. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA #: 977847
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jan 1996

ABS: WHILE APPLYING BRAKES, VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT; HOSE CLOGGED UP WITH UNKNOWN MATERIAL; BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING.

NHTSA #: 977820

Other 1996 Ford Explorer Issues