1996 Ford Explorer Steering Problems

WAS DRIVING A 1996 FORD EXPLORER ON DRY CONCRETE ON A 2 YEAR OLD (I.E., IN GREAT CONDITION) INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH. WAS DRIVING PERFECTLY STRAIGHT, NOT CHANGING LANES, NOTHING. SUDDENLY AND VIOLENTLY, THE VEHICLE SWERVED FIRST TO THE LEFT, THEN TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER AN ICE HUMP ON THE SIDE OF THE RIGHT SHOULDER, WENT AIRBORNE, AND SLID TO A STOP IN THE DITCH. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, NO SEAT BELT BRUISES, SO VERY FORTUNATE THAT THE RUNOUT WAS CLEAR AND SMOOTH. THE 2 DRIVER-SIDE TIRES WERE FLAT AND NO LONGER MOUNTED ON THE RIMS. BOTH DRIVER-SIDE RIMS WERE BENT, BOTH DRIVER SIDE HUBS WERE BENT, REAR AXLE WAS BENT. ITEM OF NOTE -- THE TIRES WERE FINE, AND ARE STILL IN-USE ON THE VEHICLE AFTER REPAIRS WERE MADE. NO PATCHES WERE NECESSARY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE THAT THIS WAS A VEHICLE MALFUNCTION, NOT CAUSED BY DRIVER ERROR OR ROAD CONDITIONS. 2 REPAIR SHOPS (FORD DEALERSHIP AND INDEPENDENT SHOP) COULD FIND NO CAUSE FOR THE SWERVING. *JB

1996 EXPLORER FRONT END BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY. VEHICLE THEN PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL STRIKING A GUARD RAIL. *TS THE STEERING ARM BROKE ON THE RIGHT WHEEL RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *NM

SUDDEN TREAD SEPARATION ON LEFT REAR TIRE OF FORD EXPLORER CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL AND ON-ROAD ROLLOVER. TIRE WAS A COOPER ELDORADO RADIAL ZR1, SIZE P23575R15, DOT# 3DHLEKN2900.

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH STEERING WHEEL TURNED RIGHT. WHEN CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE DIRECTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SIX TIMES. NO REPORT OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. *AK *TC

LOWER STEERING SHAFT HAD TO BE CHANGED IN MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER IN AUG. 2000 (68250 MILES) AND OCTOBER 2003 (120000+ MILES). FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED, I HAD ALMOST NO STEERING. THE RUBBER BOOT KEEPS TEARING AND RIPPING. I BOUGHT CAR NEW IN OCTOBER 1995. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK THE LOWER ENGINE LOCKED, THE POWER STEERING LEAKED AT THE RACK ASSEMBLY, THE BELT TENSIONER WAS FAULTY AND THERE WAS A WHINING NOISE FROM THE POWER STEERING WHEN TURNING LEFT, RIGHT OR AT STAND STILL. *SCC *JB

WE PURCHASED OUR VEHICLE USED IN 1999 WITH 33000 MILES. 6 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION, ANOTHER NEW TRANSMISSION LAST YEAR (2002), NEW BALL JOINTS, AND NOW WE ARE BEING TOLD THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. FORD HAS NOT OFFERED ANY RECALLS ON THIS PART BUT I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS. MY VEHICLE IS CONSTANTLY SHAKING (FEELS LIKE I AM GOING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS) WHEN I AM OVER 30-40 MPH. WE ALSO JUST HAD OUR VEHICLE ALIGNED AND IT IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AGAIN BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH VEHICLE STEERED LEFT. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE, AND HIT A CONCRETE DIVIDER, CAUSING $ 4000.00 DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. DEALER DETERMINED THAT SPINDLE ASSEMBLY HAD BROKEN ON RIGHT FRONT.*AK

RACK AND PINION STEERING IS LEAKING FLUID, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *AK

VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND LOSE POWER STEERING AND ABS SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANY WORK ON VEHICLE. *AK

THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED ( SIDEWALL FAILURE), THERE WAS GOOD TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED DUE TO A AFTER MARKET ALARM SYSTEM THAT WAS INSTALLED BY TAPPING IN TO THE BRAKE LIGHTS FOR POWER. DEALER FAILED TO MENTION ANY ALARM SYSTEM.*AK (TIRESIZE: P2257015)

WHEN DRIVING AT 35 MPH AND PULLING FROM A PARKING SPACE STEERING WHEEL JAMMED AND MADE A POPPING SOUND. ALSO, IN ORDER TO MOVE STEERING WHEEL CONSUMER HAD TO JERK AND APPLY FORCE TO STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE IT. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

DURING A ROUTINE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER CHANGE I DISCOVERED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM.DURING THE REFILL AND CHECK OF PROPER FLUID LEVEL THE DIPSTICK GIVES A FALSE INDICATION THAT THE FLUID IS AT THE CORRECT LEVEL. IT INDICATED TO ME THAT THE LEVEL WAS OVER FULL. THIS WAS EVEN VERIFIED BY A CERTIFIED ASE TECHNICIAN AT A LOCAL WALMART. HE NOTED THE LEVEL WAS LOW. I DISCOVERED THAT YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE DIPSTICK TO ACQUIRE THE CORRECT READING. BY DOING THIS I DISCOVERED THE FLUID WAS NEARLY 2 QUARTS LOW. THE READING ON THE FRONT SIDE NEVER CHANGED WHERE THE CROSS HATCHED INDICATORS ARE. THIS COULD BE FIXED BY A SIMPLE CHANGE IN THE DIPSTICK. THIS PRESENTS A PROBLEM OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO IMPROPER FLUID LEVELS. I BELIEVE OWNERS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED. *AK

I NEVER CONTACTED FORD TO MAKE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE I THOUGHT MY SUSPENSION WAS FALLING APART DUE TO TOWING AND BAD ROADS IN MY AREA.. THEN I GET A RECALL FOR END LINKS... BUT THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR ADDITION DAMAGED RELATED TO THE SWAY BAR LINKS. I'M NOT LOOKING FOR PAYMENT BUT I THINK THAT IT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BY SOMEONE. I HAVE ALMOST ROOLED THE VEHICLE MANY TIMES BECAUSE OF THE END LINKS BREAKING AND I AM A VERY UNHAPPY CONSUMER. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED TWICE AND THE BALL JOINT ONCE, THE BALL JOINT FAILED WHEN THE END LINK FAILED THE SECOND TIME. I MIGHT ADD I WAS A FORD LOVER AT ONE TIME, AND I OWN MANY CLASSIC FORDS, BUT I WILL NEVER BUY A NEW FORD AGAIN, NOR WILL ANY OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS. I JUST FEEL THAT THE CONSER GETS RIPPED OFF BY BIG BUSINESS LIKE IN MY CASE, I'M FORCED TO PAY FOR DAMAGE DONE TO MY VEHICLE THAT WAS CAUSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. WHAT A JOKE, HENRY FORD IS ROLLING IN HIS GRAVE. WHAT A SHAME THAT A COMPANY DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT LINE THIER POCKETS WITH MONEY. I WOULD LIKE TO THAT YOU FOR READING THIS. SINCERLY JOHN BUGDONOVITCH. *AK

RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER MANY TIMES COMPLAINING ABOUT BRAKES, HE REPLACED ONE PAD ON ONE TIRE. SAYS IT WAS THE ONLY ONE WORN, NOW CAR SKIDS ON BRAKING AND PULLS TO THE SIDE. EGR VALVE IS ALSO BAD AND HE REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANYTHING IS WRONG WITH VEHICLE. HE STATES HE REPLACED OXYGEN SENSOR UNIT BUT, IT STILL APPEARS OLD AND RUSTED IN.AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF HAVING VEHICLE I COMPLAINED ABOUT BRAKES.IDLER BEARING IMOBILIZED CAR 2 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE,HE GERYY RIGGED IT WITHOUT FIXING IT PROPERLY.

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A LEMON SINCE I LEASED IT AND THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS DONE NOTHING TO TRY AND STOP THE PROBLEMS. THEY HAVE REFUSED ON ALL ACCOUNTS TO EVEN RIGHT UP A SERVICE COMPLAINT SO THERE WILL BE A RECORD OF THE TIMES I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR PROBLEMS. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOTALLY TAKEN OFF THE ROAD YEARS AGO. THE DOOR LOCK IN THE REAR GOES UP AND DOWN AT RANDOM AND IT DOES IT REPEATLY UNTIL I HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF BECAUSE I,M AFRAID IT WILL CATCH FIRE. THE TIRES STARTED WEARING THROUGH WHEN THERE WAS ONLY 30,000. MILES ON THEM, AND NOW IT WILL NOT CRANK UNLESS I HOLD THE GEAR SHIFT UP PAST THE P MARK ON THE COLUM AND I LIVE ON A FLAT PAVED ROAD. THE FORD COMPANY SAID IT WAS FROM PARKING ON A HILL. I LIVE IN SOUTH EAST GA, WE HAVE NO HILLS.*AK( DOT NUMBER: )

TENSIONER THAT KEEPS BELT TIGHT SHEARED OFF CAUSING LOSS OF BELT TENSION AND LOSS OF POWER STEARING. LUCKY THAT CAR WAS IN DRIVEWAY AT THE TIME. (ENGINE WAS AT IDLE). TENSIONER FELL TO THE DRIVEWAY. WAS PUTTING GRAND BABIES IN THE CAR IN PREPARATION FOR MAKING A TRIP. COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHE IF THE EVENT HAD HAPPENED A FEW MINUTES LATER WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED.

SINCE 1998 I HAVE A NOISE (CLUNKING) COMING FROM SOMEWHERE IN MY CAR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TWICE TO JORDAN FORD AND ONCE TO MY MECHANIC FOR THIS PROBLEM. JORDAN FORD HEARD IT BUT COULD NOT LOCATE WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. I ALSO WAS TOLD THEY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM. BUT THEY TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. WHEN I ACCELERATE OR COMING OUT OF MY GARAGE, TURNING CORNERS I HEAR THIS NOISE. IT IS VERY LOUD. I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ACCELERATER PEDAL, BUT I WAS NEVER TOLD OF THIS BY FORD. WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM, COULD MY PROBLEM BE FROM THAT? I'M THINKING TOO MAYBE THE CLUNK IS COMING FROM THE WHEELS. IF ANY INFO ON THIS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANKYOU, DONNA L. MILLER

THIS VERY EASILY COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

ON THREE OCCASIONS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING IN BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS, ON ONE INCIDENT VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, HITTING A GUARDRAIL WHICH RESULTED IN PROPERTY DAMAGE. *YC

PURCHASED 1996 FORD EXPLORER XLT(USED WITH 15,450MILES) FROM HERITAGE FORD

TOW ROD RUSTED AND BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING, AS DRIVER TOUCH THE BRAKE TO SLOW VEHICLE SHE LOST CONTROL, HIT A GUARD RAIL AND LANDED ON THE ROOF BREAKING MOTHERS NECK.*ET

TOW ROD RUSTED AND BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING, AS DRIVER TOUCH THE BRAKE TO SLOW VEHICLE SHE LOST CONTROL, HIT A GUARD RAIL AND LANDED ON THE ROOF BREAKING MOTHERS NECK.*ET

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO HITTING A DEER. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE WENT INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND ROLLED OVER ON ITS TOP. BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED AND HAD NOTHING POSTIVE TO SAY. SEEKING NHTSA FOR HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY DISCONNECTED FROM AXLE AND SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD DURIN AN EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AT WHICH TIME THE ASSEMBLY FAILED.

BOLT ON THE STEERING COLUMN CAME OFF CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL, RESULTING IN A COLLISION.

CONSUMER WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN, SLOWED DOWN TURNED THEN ACCELERATED WHEN HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING. CONSUMER SAYS THAT THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL KEPT TURNING . *AK

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH OWNER MOVED STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT AND VEHICLE WENT INTO A ROCKING MOTION, CAUSING VEHICLE TO TURN ON ITS SIDE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

STEERING COLUMN SPUN WITH NO RESISTANCE AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHICH RAN OVER THE CURB. BRAKES WERE ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTS SHAKING, AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK

POWER STEERING MADE A SQUEALING NOISE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE POWER STEERING RACK. ALSO INNER TIE RODS AND CV BOOT MALFUNCTIONED. *AK

STEERING WHEEL COVER FAILED.

STEERING SHAFT FAILED.

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED RESULTING IN NOISE.

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED RESULTING IN NOISE.

STEERING COLUMN FAILED.

STEERING LOCK IGNITION FAILED.

STEERING WHEEL FAILED.

STEERING RACK FAILED.

STEERING SHAFT FAILED.

STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. *AK

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED.

WHEN MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING OVER GRAVEL PAVEMENT OR DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THERE IS SOMETHING POPPING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK DEALER REPLACED STEERING SHAFT. *SLC

STEERING ARM WORN, CAUSING NOISE.

STEERING COLUMN NOISE.

OIL IS LEAKING OUT OF FRONT DIFFERENTIAL VENT TUBE, ALSO INCREASED VIBRATION FELT IN STEERING COLUMN ALONG WITH CLUNKING NOISES WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR TURNING. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY LOOSE AND IT IS NOT AN SAFE TO DRIVE VEHICLE. *AK

DIFFERENT STEERING WHEEL ON CAR AFTER REPAIRS.

THE STEERING MAKES A CLICKING NOISE AND IS LOOSE AT ANY SPEED WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. *AK DEALER STATED FIX WOULD BE TO GREASE STEERING COLUMN AND BEARING, HOWEVER TSB STATED DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REPAIR, CONSUMER STATED THE GREASING DID NOT HELP PROBLEM AND IS ANGRY THAT DEALER WILLINGLY SOLD VEHICLE KNOWING OF THIS PROBLEM. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING & MAKING A TURN, OWNER NOTICED VEHICLE VEERING. STEERING WHEEL HAD SEPERATED FROM COLUMN, TURNING FREELY. HAD 80 MILES ON ODOMETER, BRAND NEW. *AK

RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY REPLACED TWICE, VEHICLE WANDERS/REQUIRES EXTREME EFFORT TO KEEP IN STRAIGHT LINE. *DSH

VEHICLES STEERING WHEEL/COLUMN HAS PROBLEMS WITH NOISE AND ERRATIC OPERATION.DLR CAN NOT FIX. TT

VEHICLES STEERING WHEEL/COLUMN HAS PROBLEMS WITH NOISE AND ERRATIC OPERATION.DLR CAN NOT FIX. TT