1998 Ford Explorer Engine Problems

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGED OVER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE AS THE FLAMES WERE EXTENSIVE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A YARD. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V060000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, FLAMES ENGULFED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE AND SHATTERED ALL OF THE WINDOWS. THE VEHICLE HAD RECENTLY BEEN REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO STATED THE TIMING BELT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

MY CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND WAS OFF. WE HEARD A NOISE FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE AND MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER WAS IN FLAMES FROM THE ENGINE AREA. WE HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE CAR WAS QUICKLY ENGULFED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE ENGULFED INTO FLAMES WITH THE SOUND OF A LARGE EXPLOSION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, WHICH ORIGINATED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED AS DESTROYED AND REMAINED AT THE RESIDENCE FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

WHEN BACKING UP AT 5MPH VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED WENT UP CURB AND HIT GUARDRAIL. AFTER 2-3- SECONDS VEHICLE DROPPED DOWN TO 0 MPH. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS ON SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE FOR A BRIEF MOMENT. WHEN SHE RETURNED THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED WITH SMOKE. SHE REMOVED HER CHILDREN AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. AFTER WAITING FOR FIVE MINUTES THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE FIRE DAMAGE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT HEARD A HUGE EXPLOSION COMING FROM HER DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE CALLED HER INSURANCE COMPANY AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT HEARD A HUGE EXPLOSION COMING FROM HER DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE CALLED HER INSURANCE COMPANY AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000. UPDATED 03/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/17/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE NOTIFIED. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ON FIRE WHEN THEY DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL. THERE WAS NO POWER RUNNING THROUGH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 158,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE IN HIS DRIVEWAY, HE NOTICED FIREFIGHTERS OUTSIDE OF HIS HOUSE. HE THEN NOTICED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE ENGINE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TOWED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

I WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. BROUGHT TO MECHANIC. HE CHANGED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. A TUNE UP WAS ALSO DONE. NOW PERIODIC SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE AND OIL AT DIFFERENT TIMES. VERY POTENT. MECHANIC IS AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS, BUT CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AFTER DOING MANY PRESSURE TESTS AND FLUSHES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE LEAVING HIS HOME, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

ENGINE FAILURE. ENGINE CODE P0300. CYLINDERS 4, 5, 6 HAVE WEAK COMPRESSION. TIMING CHAIN IS DAMAGED. DEALER HAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED TIMING CHAIN TWICE AND AFTER SECOND SERVICE FORD EXTENDED ENGINE WARRANTY TO 100K MILES (NOW EXPIRED). DEALER NOW RECOMMENDS ENGINE REPLACEMENT AT COST OF $5,500. WHAT WAS ONCE A $30,000 BEAUTIFUL EDDIE BAUER RIG NOW HAS A KELLY BB RETAIL VALUE OF ~$8000, BUT WITHOUT ENGINE, CAR IS A TOTAL (AUCTION BLOCK) LOSS! WHILE NO ONE WAS HURT WHEN THIS ENGINE FAILED, IT IS BOTH A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD AND YET ANOTHER SHOCK TO A VEHICLE WITH A TROUBLESOME (AND EXPENSIVE) PAST, AND TO A LOYAL FORD CUSTOMER WHO EXPECTED A BETTER QUALITY PRODUCT. I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER HOW MANY MORE 1998 EXPLORERS ARE OUT ON THE ROADS ABOUT TO LOOSE THEIR ENGINES. IS 10 YEARS TOO LONG TO OWN A FORD? I AM STILL PONDERING WHAT TO DO WITH THIS VEHICLE WHICH NOW SITS AS A 2-TON "BOOKEND" IN MY GARAGE. *TR

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME THE CAR (ENGINE) CAUGHT ON FIRE . THE FIRE CHIEF WAS NOT REALLY SURE WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. *TR

MY WIFE WAS JUST LEAVING OUR HOUSE AND THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND LED TO SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT MISHAP. THIS WAS AT A LOW SPEED. THIS FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED COULD RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A STOP SIGN, TRAVELING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S CHECK GAUGES LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, THERE WAS A NOISE HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE THAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING FLYING AROUND INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULDN'T RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL FORD AUTHORIZED MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE PINS USED IN THE TIMING CHAIN ON THESE VEHICLES ARE PLASTIC AND HAD FRACTURED, PENETRATING THE ENGINE AND ENDING UP IN THE OIL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INFORMED.

VERY HEAVY RATTLING IN THE ENGINE OF MY 1998 EXPLORER 4.0 SOHC. TOOK TO LOCAL FORD DEALER, THEY CLAIMED CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MOTOR, TWICE. SOME TIME LATER TENSIONERS BROKE WHILE DRIVING AND MOTOR CEASED. NO COOPERATION OFFERED ON FORD'S PART. HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE OUT OF POCKET FOR FORD'S DESIGN FLAW, WHICH HAS BEEN GETTING SWEPT UNDER THE RUG FOR YEARS NOW. ONE MONTH AFTER THE REPLACEMENT FORD OFFERED TO FIX OTHERS, IF FOUND BEFORE 75K MILES, ETC. TOO LATE FOR ME. HOW MANY FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED? WHAT IF THIS FAILURE HAD OF OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, INSTEAD OF IDLE SPEED. CHECK THE FIGURES ON THIS PROBLEM, IT'S SCARY, AND FORD IS PITIFUL. *JB

INTERMITTENT STALLING WHEN COMING TO A STOP. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE STEERING AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. THIS OCCURRED AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. A FAMILY MEMBER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE CRANKSHAFT BUSTED, CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST HIGHER THAN THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TRIED TO REPLACE IT WITH A USED ENGINE, BUT WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL MECHANICS THAT FORD MANUFACTURED A BAD ENGINE WITH THE 4.0 SOHC, AND TO PUT A USED ENGINE WOULD BE A WAIST OF MONEY SINCE IT WOULD FAIL AGAIN. *AK

I OWN A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING AN AWFUL KNOCKING/RATTLE IN THE ENGINE ON START UP. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS NOW. UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM DUE TO IT ONLY DOES IT ON COLD START UPS, ONCE THE ENGINE HAS WARMED UP IT TENDS TO STOP. HOWEVER, AFTER A COLD START UP IT WILL RATTLE (SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE), THE RATTLE INCREASES AS I ACCELERATE, HOWEVER ONCE VEHICLE HAS RAN FOR ABOUT 10 MILES IT WILL GO AWAY. IF VEHICLE IS PARKED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME THEN STARTED UP AGAIN THEN THE NOISE WILL RETURN.*JB

FORD EXPLORER SPORT 2 DOOR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. IT WAS NOT TURNED ON IT JUST CAUGHT FIRE ON IT'S OWN. *JB

DT:1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A WRECK THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WERE RECALLS 00M12 AND 01M01, BUT THE RECALLS EXPIRED, DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WERE NOT OFFICIAL RECALLS. FORD M SAID IT WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET.*AK

IT STARTED WITH A MINOR RATTLE IN THE ENGINE TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. THE RATTLE GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER AND LOUDER UNTIL IT WAS DECIDED NOT TO MOVE THE VEHICLE ANY LONGER. TOOK VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, TURNS OUT, THE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY BROKE THROWING PIECES ALL OVER THE PLACE CAUSING THE CHAIN TO MALFUNCTION THAT LEAD TO DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. ENGINE BLOCK HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF AROUND $3000. FORD HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THIS SAME PROBLEM, HOWEVER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN NOV 2000 AND I NEVER RECEIVED ANY SERVICE BULLETIN FROM FORD INFORMING ME OF THIS PROBLEM. I TRIED TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY WON'T REPAIR IT UNDER THE FORD SAFETY BULLETIN BECAUSE IT WAS ONLY FOR 7 YRS OR 100,000. THE VEHICLES 7 YEARS EXPIRED IN APRIL 2005. I TRIED EMAILING OR CONTACTING FORD DIRECTLY AND GOT NO RESPONSE.

TIMING BELT AND INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH FORD SAYS IT WILL NOT COVER AND ALSO MY WARRENTY COMPANY, I HAD TO PAY 1900.00 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE A 98 FORD EXPLORER WITH 65,400 MILES

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AROUND 8:00AM, ABOUT 4 HOURS LATER, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE ARE 35 MM PICTURES. THE VEHICLE HAD CRUISE CONTROL, BUT IT WAS RARELY USED, AND THE CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW IF IT WAS WORKING. THE INSURANCE WAS LIABILITY ONLY. *AK *SC *JB

DRIVING 1998 FORD EXPEDITION V8 5.4 LITER... DOWN THE HIGHWAY UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND THE # 4 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE HEAD, CAUSING A VERY LOAD BANG FOLLOWED BUY LOAD EXHAUST, ESCAPING FROM THE PLUG HOLE AND HIGH VOLUME OF FUEL VAPOR AND SOME FUEL, THIS WILL BE THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I HAVE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME A SMALL FIRE STARTED WHICH MY HUSBAND PUT OUT IMMEDIATELY, I AM CURRENTLY A SINGLE MOM WITH TWO CHILDREN AND CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP FIXING THIS PROBLEM OVER AND OVER AT ABOUT 600.00 AN OCCURRENCE... NOR CAN I AFFORD THE SAFETY ISSUE WITH MYSELF AND CHILDREN. THIS TIME THE MECHANIC IS SAYING THE WHOLE HEAD MUST BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAS TORN UP THE TREADS.(ALUMINUM HEAD AS WELL) THIS WILL COST ME ABOUT $1500-2$000. TO HAVE REPAIRED. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL FORD DEALERS AND TONS OF MECHANICS AND THEY ARE ALL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 5.4 LITER !!! WHY HAS NOTHING BEEN DONE? WHO'S SUPPOSE TO WATCHING OUT FOR THE LITTLE POEPLE. *AK

AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR SIX HOURS THE OWNER WAS AWAKENED BY SOME NEIGHBORS AND INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. WHICH WAS COMING OUT OF THE FENDER WELL AND CONSUMED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENEAND DETERMINED THAT CRUISE CONTROL WAS CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *AK

'98 FORD EXPEDITION - CAR FIRE - CAR DESTROYED. DROVE 1.8 MILES FROM MY HOME AND WENT INTO A STORE. 5 MINUTES LATER I COME OUT TO THE CAR ON FIRE. IT LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE HAD BUILT A CAMPFIRE ON THE ENGINE HOOD RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DRIVERS SIDE. INSURANCE DID INVESTIGATION BUT COULD NOT PROVE ANYTHING - NOT ENOUGH LEFT TO FIGURE IT OUT. *JB

THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER INSIDE OF THE ENGINE FAILED, CAUSING THE TIMING CHAIN TO COME LOOSE. AS A RESULT HEADS AND PISTONS INSIDE OF THE ENGINE CAME LOOSE, DESTROYING OTHER PARTS INSIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE ULTIMATE RESULT OF THIS WAS THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER AT HIGHWAY SPEED PRIOR TO GETTING OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. MANUFACTURER HAS A WARANTY EXTENSION IN PLACE PRIOR TO 72,000 MILES, BUT NO RECALL, AND CONSIDERS A VEHICLE THAT LOOSES POWER AND CANNOT BE COMPLETED STEERED AS A RESULT OF AN EXPLOSION IN THE ENGINE NOT TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE!?!?!? THE MANUFACTURER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES, BUT WILL ONLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT IF THE VEHICLE HAS SYMPTOMS. I HAD THE FIRST MINOR SYMPTOM ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON, AND A MAJOR PROBLEM THE NEXT DAY, MONDAY.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ENGINE STARTED PRODUCING A CLICKING SOUND. CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THAT VEHICLE WAS RIDING ROUGHLY. WHILE SITTING STILL VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A CRACKED CYLINDER . *AK ...... *AK

I HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY FORD EXPLORER ENGINE SINCE THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT THE TRUCK. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP A FEW TIMES FOR RECALLAS ON THE ENGINE, THE LAST TIME ONLY THIS PAST DECEMBER. LAST SATURDAY, MAY 22ND THE TRUCK STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I HAD IT TOWED TO FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD MY CRANKSHAFT BROKE. TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS TOLD ME THE SAME THING AND AGREED THAT THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPEND BUT ALSO TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. BASICALLY TO BAD ON YOU. I HAVE SEEN MANY MESSAGES ON THE INTERNET ON THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM HAPPENING TO OTHERS. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY IF I WERE ON A HIGHWAY WHEN IT STOPPED. FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO COVER COSTS WHEN SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT BREAK DOES. FORD COULD CARE LESS. COST TO ME OVER $4,500.00 FOR A NEW ENGINE ON A MAINTAINED 6 YEAR OLD CAR. PER AN ATTORNEY THIS IS KNOWN AS A LATENT DEFECT AND IT TOOK THIS TIME TO HAPPEN, WHEN THAT KIND OF PART SHOULD LAST A LONG TIME.*AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKET CRACKED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING HOME THE ENGINE STARTED TO MISFIRE AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT UP A LITTLE. *JB

WHILE IDLING OR DRIVING VEHICLE VIBRATED CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

THE HARMONIC BALANCER CAME LOOSE AND THE CAMSHAFT HAD BROKEN RIGHT AT THE ENGINE BLOCK. *PH CONSUMER WAS GIVEN AN OPTION BY THE DEALER TO EITHER OVERHAUL THE ENGINE, WITH NO WARRANTY, OR REPLACE THE ENGINE, WITH A 3 YEAR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. A SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND OUT THAT UPON INSPECTING THE HARMONIC BALANCER CAMSHAFT AREA THAT THE LONG BOLT HOLDING THE PULLEY TO THE CAMSHAFT WAS NEVER TIGHTENED WAS ABLE TO REMOVED WITH THE TECHNICIAN'S FINGERS. IN ADDITION, THE BOLT SHOULD HAVE SOME MARKINGS ON IT CONSISTENT WITH AN IMPACT WRENCH. IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE BOLT WOULD HAVE BEEN REMOVED IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN. WHEN ENGINE WAS REPLACED AND PERFORMED ADDITIONAL TEST ON VEHICLE, DEALER FOUND A SMALL FUEL LINE LEAK. FUEL LINE WAS REPAIRED AND MADE ANOTHER TEST ON VEHICLE. CONSUMER CURRENTLY SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT OF ALL EXPENSES INCURRED DUE TO MECHANICAL ERROR THAT RENDERED VEHICLE INOPERABLE. *LA

CRANKSHAFT CRACKED AT 93000 MILES. *AK

1998 FORD EXPLORER FIRE.*MR THE CONSUMER ( A FIRE FIGHTER) RESPONDED TO A VEHICLE FIRE. THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT BLEW. HE CHANGED THE 15 AMP BULB AND NOTICED A PLUG ON THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS HOT AND HAD SOME SOOT ON IT AND IT WASN'T MELTED OR DEFORMED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED HEAVY FIRE DAMAGED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITH THE HEAVIEST FIRE DAMAGE NEAR THE MASTER CYLINDER. *PH

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER HEARD A RATTLING NOISE. MECHANIC BELIEVED IT WAS THE CAM SHAFT. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD, AND FORD STATED THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

I HAVE READ 24 COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE FAILURE OF THE CAMSHAFT CHAIN ON THE 1998 FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE 4.0 SOHC ENGINES AND SEEN 23 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS CONCERNING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF THIS OCCURS WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE,NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT IT ALSO BLOWS THE ENGINE REQUIRING IT TO BE REPLACED AT A COST NEAR $5000. FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PROBLEM AND HAS OFFERED REPLACEMENT WITH MILEAGE LIMITATIONS. IF THIS IS A DEFECT AND A SAFETY HAZARD CAUSING THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURS ,WHY IS THIS NOT IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO WARRANT AN INVESTIGATION? MY FORD IS 4000 MILES OVER THE LIMIT SET BY FORD TO REPLACE THE PARTS IN QUESTION. ALTHOUGH THIS DID NOT LESSEN THE DANGER WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURRED TO MY WIFE, 5 YEAR OLD AND 1 YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS WHILE IN THE VEHICLE CAUSING HER TO LOSE CONTROL DUE TO THE ENGINE FAILURE AS A RESULT OF THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS. I WAS TOLD IN A PHONE CONVERSATION THAT THE RECALL WAS VOLUNTARY BY FORD AND IT IS LEGAL FOR THEM TO SET THOSE LIMITATIONS. THIS IS UNCONCEIVABLE THAT THEY CAN PLACE INDIVIDUALS IN HARMS WAY KNOWINGLY AND IN AN EFFORT TO SAVE A BUCK, NOT A LIFE , SET LIMITS TO THE REMEDY OF THE SITUATION. WHY ARE THESE COMPLAINTS NOT BEING INVESTIGATED AND IF THEY HAVE WHAT WAS THE END RESULTS OF THIS INVESTIGATION? *LA DAVID KYDE 810 THIRD ST. #5 TRENTON, OHIO 45067 513-988-6516

I BOUGHT A USED 1998 FORD EXPLORER FOR MY WIFE AND AT 135,000 MILES THE CAM TENSIONER BROKE, PUTTING A HOLE IN THE VALVE COVER AND POSSIBLY RUINING THE ENGINE. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, FLAGGLER FORD. FORD'S REPLY AT FIRST WAS, "YES THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND WE WILL FIX THIS AT NO COST TO YOU". THEY TOWED MY EXPLORER IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND CALLED ME LATER TELLING ME THAT WHILE THE TIME FOR THIS REPAIR IS NOT UP, THE MILEAGE IS OVER WHAT THEY WILL COVER. FORD SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT FOR ANYWHERE FROM $600 TO $6,000! MY MECHANIC, WHO TOLD ME THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES, SAID HE WILL FIX IT FOR $300 PLUS PARTS. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD COSTOMER SERVICE, THIS GOT ME NOWHERE, AND A SUPERVISOR WAS SUPPOST TO CALL ME TODAY BUT AS OF YET...NOTHING.AFTER SEARCHING THE NET I FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS HAD THIS VERY PROBLEM. GO TO CARTRACKERS.COM AND YOU'LL FIND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY FORD FOR THIS PROBLEM. IF I WAS THE ONLY PERSON THIS HAPPENED TO, WELL I WOULD BE OK WITH THAT BUT FORD'S STANCE IS THAT WHILE ITS A DEFECTIVE PART MINE LASTED LONGER THAN EXPECTED AND THAT I GET NOTHING BUT A BILL. I HAVE NEVER SEEN DAMAGE TO A VEHICLE LIKE THIS BEFORE, AND I HAVE A DODGE AND A CHEVY WITH OVER 140,000 MILES ON THEM AND HAVE NEVER HAD A INTERNAL ENGINE PART FAIL AND RUIN THE ENGINE. PLEASE HELP ME AND THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN SOLD THESE VEHICLES HAVEING NO IDEA THAT AT ANY MOMENT THEY MAY HAVE TO BUY A NEW ENGINE WHILE THE PEOPLE WHO PROFITED FROM THESE SALES JUST SIT BACK AND DO NOTHING. HAD I KNOWN THE LIFE OF MY EXPLORER WAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT A FORD. THERE WAS NEVER A FORMAL RECALL PUT OUT FOR THIS PROBLEM, JUST A SERVICE BULLITEN, SO PEOPLE WHO HAD THESE DEFECTIVE TENTIONERS WERE NEVER CONTACTED. MY GUESS IS THAT FORD JUST HOPED THAT THE FAILURES WOULD OCCUR AFTER THE 100,000 MILES, AND WOULD JUST DEAL WITH THE ONES THAT DIDN'T.

CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSES OF $850.00. TWENTY DAYS AFTERWARDS THE PROBLEM WAS STILL RECURRING. *AK

CAM SHAFT BROKE INSIDE ENGINE, DURING NORMAL OPERATION. CAR HAD ONLY 85,000 MILES, THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A DEFECT IN THE PART. IT COST $3,500 TO REPAIR DAMAGE. *AK

UPPER INTAKE PLENUM HAD BURNT A HOLE IN IT.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND THE CONSUMER SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING LIKE RUBBER/PLASTIC. THE HOLE IN THE PLENUM CAUSED TWO VACUUM HOSES TO MELT. *PH *NLM

VEHICLE FREQUENTLY STALLS AND STARVES FOR FUEL. CONSUMER HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG .*AK

1998 FORD EXPLORER, 4.0SOV HAS A REPEATED ENGINE HESITATION PROBLEM WHEN ENGINE IS WARM AND ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. DEALER SAYS AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HE CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW IT NOW HAS 100,000 MILES AND STILL HESITATES ON ACCELERATION. *LA

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, I HEARD A SNAP AND A POP LIKE A FANBELT BROKE. I LOST ALL POWER. THIS INCLUDES POWER STEERING AND AIR CONDITIONING. I DRIVING AROUND A CURVE, ON AN INCLINE, AND TO PULL OVER I WAS ON A SLOPE DOWNHILL. I HAVE SINCE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT UNCOMMON WITH THE MOTOR THAT IS IN MY CAR. THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE IN MY CAR. IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL?

1999 FORD EXPLORER EXPERIENCING HIGH IDLE.*MR VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HIGH IDLE FOR 1 YEAR. *TS *JB

4.0L SOHC ENGINE FAILED WITHIN 9,000 MILES OF REPLACING TIMING CHAIN CASSETTE UNDER FORD PROGRAM OOM12. TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD NEED TO PAY 5,800 FOR A REBUILT ENGINE AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO WITH REGARD TO OOM12 WHICH IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE FORD 4.0L SOHC ENGINE FAILING PREMATURELY.*AK

ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING "ROUGH." DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE CAM CHAIN GUIDE BROKE, AND ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

ALL 1998 V-6 EXPLORER ENGINES (NOT SURE IF OTHER MODELS ARE INVOLVED) HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CARBON BUILDUP. MY 1998 EXLOROER SPORT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THIS PROBLEM AT 43,694 MILES (ENGINE PERFORMANCE WAS AFFECTED). THE DEALER CHARGED ME $388 FOR THE DECARBONIZATION PROCESS. THIS WILL BE A RECURRING PROBLEM. I WROTE TO FORD WITH MY COMPLAINT AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. RECEIVED TELEPHONE CALL TELLING ME I HAD TO RESOLVE WITH THE DEALER. DEALER WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY. I WROTE BACK TO FORD TELLING THEM I HAD GONE TO THE DEALER AND FELT THIS WAS FORD'S PROBLEM TO RESOLVE. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, WHICH CUSTOMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR. FORD NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND PROVIDE THE SERVICE AT NO COST TO CUSTOMERS. *AK

2ND TIME THIS HAPPENED...TENSIONER PULLEY FAILED (BROKE OFF) WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF, CAR OVERHEATED/ENGINE FAILURE/ETC. FIRST TIME WAS AY 40,000 MILES. THIS TIME, AT 102,000 MILES. TOWED TO A TEXACO STATION IN ABERDEEN, MD. SERVICE MANAGER SAYS TENSIONER PULLEY FAILURE COMMON IN EXPLORERS. HAD TO REPLACE PULLEY/BELT. ONCE I RETURNED HOME TO NJ, I STARTED TO NOTICE MINOR DRIPPING OF RADIATOR FLUID. 2 WEEKS LATER, IT ALL GUSHED OUT, CAUSING ME TO ALSO REPLACE MY RADIATOR. TO KNOW THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED TWICE, CAUSED SECONDARY DAMAGE BOTH TIMES, AND THAT YOU GET LEFT STRANDED ON A HIGHWAY EACH TIME IS VERY CONCERNING.

HAVE BEEN HEARING LOUD TAPPING NOISES FROM ENGINE-BROUGHT IT TO STADIUM FORD AND WAS TOLD IT WAS FRONT TIMING CHAIN AND GASKETS WHICH THEY REPLACED FOR $300 (NO DISCOUNT) NOISE HAS CONTINUED SO NEVER BROUGHT CAR HOME FROM DEALERSHIP SAME DAY. LEFT CAR AT FORD SERVICE CENTER (STADIUM AUTO MALL RUTHERFORD, NJ) AND NOW BEING TOLD IT IS THE LOWER/REAR TENSIONER AND WAS ADVISED FORD HAS A PROGRAM FOR THIS DEFECT YET WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS FOR ME. THEY WANT ME TO PAY $2100 MINIMUM TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT WITH CAMSHAFT TENSIONERS. HOWEVER THIS DEFECT/PROBLEM HAS PREVIOUSLY SHOWN TO CAUSE ENGINE DMAGE OTHER THAN W/THE TENSIONERS. ALSO READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE WHERE WAS COVERED. MADE COMPLAINT W/FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND WAS ADVISED THAT CAR W/EITHER 7 YEARS OR UNDER 100,000 MILES IS COVERED. YET THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT COVER IT AND MY TRUCK IS UNDER 7 YRS AND UNDER 100,000 MILES...AT THIS POINT HAS BEEN 3 WEEKS AND STILL HAVE NOT COME TO RESOLUTION AND MY TRUCK IS STILL IN THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER. STILL WAITING FOR MANAGER/OWNER TO CONTACT ME BACK...*AK

VEHICLE MAKES A VERY LOUD HUMMING NOISE WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON AND THE CAR IS RUNNING, ESPECIALLY WHEN IDLING OR IN TRAFFIC.*AK

VEHICLE STOPPED DEAD IN TRAFFIC ON WEEMS CREEK BRIDGE IN ANNAPOLIS MARYLAND DURING A RAINSTORM BECAUSE THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE. *NLM

AFTER SITTING IDLE FOR AN HOUR THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE. *TT

THE THERMOSTAT ON MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS WITH NO DEFINITION OF WHY IT HAS BROKEN. *TT

BROKEN CRANKSHAFT ON 1998 FORD EXPLORER WITH ONLY 83,000 MILES. NO HELP FROM FORD. SEEMS TO BE A MATERIALS DEFECT. *JB

THE ENGINE STALLED OFF WHILE DRIVING. *JB

REAR CHAIN GUIDE TENSIONER BROKE - PART OF CAM CHAIN GUIDE ASSEMBLY. ENGINE DIED IN MORNING RUSH HOUR, BUT CAR COASTED SAFELY TO EMERGENCY LANE. *NLM

THE CRANK SHAFT BROKE IN HALF, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE DISABLED. *JB

VEHICLE HAS AIR LEAKS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO HAVE AN ERRATIC IDLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH

THE BLEND ACTUATOR DOOR IS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION WHICH MEANS THAT I CAN'T SET THE TEMPERATURE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT TO A COMFORTABLE LEVEL. AFTER SEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET IT'S APPARENT TO ME AND OTHERS THAT THIS HAS GOT TO BE A DEFECT BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS.

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS IN MY FORD. SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 01205 ,0232 AND 15406 SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VACUUM OR AIR LEAKS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND / OR ENGINE SYSTEM CAUSING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171 AND OR P0174. *TT SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0L SOHC ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0300 (RANDOM MISFIRE) OR P0301. *TT CONCERNS WITH REAR WIPERS THAT DO NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAN THE BACK GLASS. *TT

WHEN REDUCING SPEED FROM 60 MPH TO A STOP THE VEHICLE STALLS. *TS *NLM

CONSUMER STATES THAT THERES A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED THE NOISE STOPS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS THE PROBLEM, 4X4 SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. MR *NLM *DT

VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ALL OF THE LIGHTS APPEARED ON DASHBOARD, AND VEHICLE WOULD RESTART. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND STALLED. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY DEALER WHO ADVISED CONSUMER THAT CRANKSHAFT HAD BROKEN, AND VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE.*AK

WHILE TURNING ONTO AN INTERSECTION VEHICLE SHUTDOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. *AK

VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY AT 50 MPH. MECHANIC CANNOT FIND CAUSE. *AK

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WAS TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER DETERMINED CRANKSHAFT HAD BROKEN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK. *JB

WITHOUT WARNING ENGINE IS OVERHEATING AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL TWICE.*AK *YH

THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING DUE TO A BAD THERMOSTAT. *YH

THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING DUE TO A BAD THERMOSTAT. *YH

CONSUMER STATED THERMOSTAT AND VALVEBODY GASKET FAILED.*JB

CONSUMER STATED THERMOSTAT AND VALVEBODY GASKET FAILED.*JB

REAR TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND CAUSED CYLINDER HEAD DAMAGE. NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR FRONT TIMING CHAIN. THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING 45MPH, STRANDING DRIVER AND SMALL CHILD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. ENGINE WAS PULLED OUT OF TRUCK AND THE HEAD AND TIMING CHAIN REPLACED. COST WAS $2800. FORD GAVE "GOODWILL" WARRANTY OF 50%.

FORD REPLACED THE GASKET THE FIRST TIME BUT NOW REFUSES TO DO SO. MANUFACTURER'S. DEFECT?*AK

VEHICLE RATTLES UNDERNEATH. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. CAMSHAFT BROKE, AND CHAIN THAT GOES AROUND IT ALSO BROKE.*AK

ENGINE CONTINUES TO STALL WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND THAT OF MY PASSENGERS EVERYDAY. *AK

SUV SURGES WHEN BACKING BACK BOAT AND TRAILER.

VEHICLE WILL NOT IDLE WITHOUT PRESSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL, ENGINE WILL STALL . DEALER SAID IT WAS A FAULTY IDLE AIR VALVE.

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER TO GET CAMSHAFT FIXED. AFTER DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM BACK ENGINE.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

FORD INITIATED A RECALL ON THE 4.0LITER SINGLE-OVERHEAD CAM ENGINE ON THE FORD EXPLORER. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN TO HAVE IT CHECK FOR THE PROBLEM I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR DID HAVE THE PROBLEM BUT THAT THERE WAS NO FIX YET FOR IT. ONE OF THE STATEMENTS ON THE RECALL NOTICE SAID THAT THIS COULD LEAD TO ENGINE DAMAGE. I ASKED WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF THERE WAS ENGINE DAMAGE AND THE RESPONSE I GOT WAS THAT THE CAR COULD STALL WHILE I AM DRIVING. THEN THE SERVICE MANAGE ASSURED ME THAT A STALLED CAR, EVEN WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IS NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A PROBLEM. I AM AMAZED THAT FORD ACKNOWLEDGED THAT MY CAR HAS A PROBLEM THEN TOLD ME TO DRIVE IT HOME WITH MY YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE? *AK

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO CAMSHAFT PULLEY. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REPLACED ENGINE UNDER FORD PROGRAM. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING THIS MATTER . *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: UNKOWN TIRESIZE: 22575)

WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO COMPLETE STOP OR WHEN IT TAKES OFF VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED MORE THAN SIX TIMES BUT THE CAUSE WAS NOT KNOWN. *YH

THE INTAKE GASKET LEAKS, THE CONSUMER IS WAITING FOR FORD TO REDESIGN IT SO THE NOISE WILL NOT PERSIST WHILE DRIVING. NLM

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

ENGINE FAILED. *AK

FORD IS OFFERING TO REPLACE ENGINE COMPONENTS, BUT DAMAGE HAS ALREADY OCCURRED TO THE MOTOR. THE MOTORS SHOULD BE REPLACED ALSO. FAILURE TO HAVE A RECALL FOR THE CAMSHAFT TENSIONERS CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE SEIZE RESULTING IN A CRASH IF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (FOR EXAMPLE).*AK

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, PROBLEM MAY HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF RECALL (00V-422) AND (00M12). CJ

WHEN WHEATHER IS HOT VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS, THEN IT WILL COME BACK ON. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING AT 15 MPH VEHICLE DIED. TOOK TO A DEALER AND THEY SAID CAMSHAFT WENT INTO MOTOR. TWO MONTHS BEFORE THAT VAN PULLEY SPLIT OPEN, AND VEHICLE CUT OFF. *AK

VEHICLE STALLS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NLM

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE WOULD STALL. WHILE AT AN INTERSECTION ON A SIX LANE ROAD, IN MIDDLE LANE, VEHICLE STALLED. FELT THIS WAS DANGEROUS BECAUSE CONSUMER COULD HAVE BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHEN REAR TIMING CHAIN JUMPED TIME, TIMING CHAIN BROKE. DEALER SAID ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

HEAD GASKET FAILURE: TRUCK OVERHEATED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DIAGNOSED AS BLOWN HEAD GASKET. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH ENGINE LOCKED UP. EXPLORER WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO DEALERSHIP. TIMING CHAIN WAS REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE BECAUSE IT WAS STRETCHED AND SLIPPED OFF. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE OF SERVICE BULLETIN. *AK

NO SUMMARY

THERMOSTAT FAILED. NLM

CONSUMER VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY, THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER, TIMING GUIDE AND NOW THEY PROPOSE TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AND CHECK FOR CARBON DEPOSITS IN THE RNGINE BUT THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE THIS WILL STOP THE STALLING. NLM

AT 2700 MILES MOTOR BLEWOUT. VEHICLE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS RATTLING IN A TIN CAN. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

INTERMITTENTLY, VEHICLE STALLS OUT AND DIES WHEN DECELLERATING. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND HAS REPLACED ENGINE TEMPRATURE SENSOR, BUTPROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION AND MY EXPLORER JUST DIED. AS I WAS LOSING CONTROL OF MY STEERING, I COASTED TO A STOP AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONLY BECAUSE OF MY 30 YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE AND CALM DEMEANOR WAS I ABLE TO AVOID A TERRIBLE CRASH. IF MY 16 YEAR OLD HAD BEEN DRIVING, IT IS FRIGHTENING TO THINK ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED.

VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY LOSES POWER OR STALLS SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER NORMAL ACCELERATION FROM A FULL STOP. PROBLEM OCCURS MOST FREQENTLY AT INTERSECTIONS WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *YH

UPON ENTERING INTO A INTERSECTION VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

VEHICLE WAS MAKING A SIREN NOISE. DEALER REPLACED IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE UNDER WARRANTY. ON 03-AUG-2000 CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK BECAUSE THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED. DEALER STATED IN WRITING THAT IT WAS SOMETHING NORMAL.*AK

THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY HESITATES AND THE FACTORY REPAIR FACILITY IS UNABLE TO REPAIR. NLM

WHEN OUR EXPLORER HAD 29,000 MILES ON IT, I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AND THE VEHICLE WAS STALLING OUT AT STOPLIGHTS. THEY REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR, A GASKET ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, AND A FUEL INJECTOR. NOW, 3,000 MILES LATER, I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, EXCEPT THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD NOT COME ON. AT TIMES, THE EXPLORER SOUNDS AND FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL OUT AT STOPLIGHTS OR WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE DEALERSHIP HAD THE TRUCK FOR 2 DAYS AND RAN UP 11 MILES ON IT, BUT THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE SCENARIO. THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM AT THIS TIME.

WITH ONLY 15,614 MILES ON MY 1998 EXPLORER, THE ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO INSTALL A NEW RADIATOR, CLUTCH FAN ASSEMBLY, WATER PUMP GASKET, AND THERMOSTAT ASSEMBLY. *AK

FAULTY ENGINE CAUSING CONSUMER TO HEAR NOISE UNDER THE HOOD WHEN VEHICLE IDLES. YH

A TAPPING IN MOTOR AREA DUE TO VALVE LIFTERS AND CYLINDER HEADS FAILURE. YH

TEMPRATURE GUAGE FAILED. YH

FAULTY ENGINE CAUSING CONSUMER TO HEAR NOISE UNDER THE HOOD WHEN VEHICLE IDLES. YH

A TAPPING IN MOTOR AREA DUE TO VALVE LIFTERS AND CYLINDER HEADS FAILURE. YH

TEMPRATURE GUAGE FAILED. YH

AFTER EXTENDED DRIVING AND MAKING A STOP, VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT ANY INDICATION WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM THE STOP. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK *ML

CAR STALLS - IT HAS STALLED 157 TIMES SINCE 6-3-99. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 12 TIMES. *AK

ENGINE MANIFOLD LEAKING. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WARNING LIGHT IS ON. PARTS HAVE BEEN ON BACK ORDER FROM FORD FOR OVER 2 MONTHS. THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS MOST LIKELY A POSSIBLE RECALL PROBLEM, BUT CAN NOT GIVE SPECIFICS. WE HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT DRIVING VEHICLE WITH WARNING LIGHTS ON FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME. *AK

TRUCK ENGINE DIES/HESITATES WHEN TURNING LEFT FROM COMPLETE STOP. ENGINE DIED ONCE BUT WAS ABLE TO RESTART WHILE COASTING, THE OTHER 2 TIMES THE ENGINE HESITATED ALTHOUGH GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. DEALER NOTIFIED, COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.

CRANKCASE IS BROKEN-TRUCK HAS BEEN SERVICED PROPERLY BEFORE THIS--$6,000 REPAIR EST. BY FORD. *AK

FORD PEOPLE SAY THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THE GASKETS KITS WILL COME IN, YET ITS BEEN 3 MONTHS NOW AND THE VEHICLE RUNS SLUGGISH, AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD IN TRAFFIC. WHERE ARE ALL THE PARTS AT. *AK

VEHICLE WAS REPAIR BY DEALERSHIP AFTER A COLLISION, SINCE THEN THE ENGINE EXPERIENCES CONTINUED SEVERE STALLING ON AT LEAST 94 TIMES SINCE 6-4-99, THE DEALERSHIPS ARE UNABLE TO RECTIFY STALLING. *MJS

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

DRIVING DOWN A TWO WAY STREET ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO PASS FROM BEHIND. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, VEHICLE STALLED AND WITHIN SECONDS IT ACCELERATED. *AK

TRAVELING AT 35 MPH, ENGINE STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE A SAFE STOP ON A BUSY/CURVY ROAD. ENGINE RESTARTED AND STALLED ONE ADDITIONAL TIME. *AK

INC #1 4--WHEEL DRIVE LIGHTS FLASHED 15 SECONDS, 4-WHEEL DRIVE MOTOR REPLACED. INC #2 - VEHICLE STALLED DURING LEFT TURNS AFTER TRAVLLING AT HWY SPEEDS. NEW PROCESSOR INSTALLED, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

UPON ROUTINE OIL CHANGE DEALER NOTICED ENGINE CONNECTING ROD BROKE FROM ENGINE PISTON. DUE TO THE BROKEN ENGINE CONNECTING ROD ENGINE NEEDED REPLACING. DEALER STATED THIS PROBLEM WAS COMMON. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS THE TIMING CHAIN HOUSING AND FORD IS WORKING ON A FIX. *AK

ENGINE STALLS WHEN COMING FROM A STOP OR FROM SLOWING DOWN. DRIVER HAS TO PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART VEHICLE. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE 6 TIMES, AND CANNOT FIND A SOLUTION. *AK

ENGINE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING AT ONLY 45,000 MILES. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. CONSUMER HAS MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT DEALER, BUT NO PARTS HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE SINCE DEC 30,1999. *AK

VEHICLE STALLED UPON STOPPING WHILE APPLYING ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING ENGINE TO SHUT OFF. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP FOR INSPECTION/REPAIRS. ECU WAS REPLACED, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. *AK

THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START NUMEROUS TIMES. YH

AFTER COMING TO A STOP, INTERMITTENTLY, UPON ACCELERATION THE ENGINE HESITATES AND STALLS. THIS LEAVES THE DRIVER IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION, STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION - THIS HAS LED TO NUMEROUS NEAR ACCIDENTS. THE DEALER IS INDIFFERENT TO THE SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE DEPT. CAN NOT FIND THE CAUSE. THE ONBOARD CPU DOES NOT LEAVE ANY ERROR CODES AND THE SERVICE CAPTURE DEVICE DOES NOT PICK-UP ANY ERROR CODES. IT APPEARS TO BE AN IGNITION MISFIRE.

ENGINE HAS A LOUD NOISE LIKE TAPPETS COME FROM THE ENGINE, AND THE ENGINE OCCASIONALLY STALLS UPON ACCELLERATION.

VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE COASTING OR AT A STOP. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE OF DEFECT.*AK

ENGINE STALLING ON A CONTINUAL BASIS, UNABLE TO RECTIFY AFTER THREE REPAIR ATTEMPTS. MJS

CAM CHAIN NOISY AT TIMES(CLATTERING); DEALER UNABLE TO ELIMINATE PROBLEM

1998 FORD EXPLORER HAS SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED OVER 18 TIMES IN THE LAST TEN MONTHS. IT SURGES TO MAXIMUM RPM WHILE IN PARK, REVERSE, DRIVE. DRIVERS FOOT IS NOT ON ACCELERATOR WHEN THIS OCCURS. DRIVER CAN ONLY SAVE THE SITUATION BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND JAMMING ON BRAKES OR TURNING OFF CAR.

FORD SAYS AWARE OF PROBLEM NO FIX, STALLING IS SERIOUS ON HIGHWAY AND CAN CAUSE FATALITY

THE ENGINE HAS A LOUD CLICKING NOISE ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE LOCAL DEALER HELPED TO GET A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE FOR ME UNDER WARRANTY. THE NEW ENGINE HAS JUST STARTED TO MAKE THE SAME NOISE. IT'S VERY LOUD. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY STALLS OR HESITATIONS, JUST A VERY LOUD NOISE.

VEHICLE HESITATES ON RE-ACCELERATION AFTER DECELERATING FROM 50-65 MPH TO A SLOW ROLL. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES SINCE THE CAR WAS FIRST PURCHASED. DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. I JUST LOCATED A SERVICE BULLETIN #12624 THAT ADDRESSES THIS PROBLEM.

ENGINE STALLS AND SOMETIMES DIES WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. PROBLEM MOST OFTEN OCCURS AFTER LONG DRIVES, ON HOT DAYS, WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT FROM A FULL OR PARTIAL STOP.

WHILE TRAVELING CONSUMER NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENTON RIGHT PASSENGER'S SIDE AND VEHICLE CAUGHT AN FIRE. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AFTER STOPPING TO FUEL UP AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL HOURS AT A SPEED OF 65 MPH. TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER AND TOLD THEM THAT THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL AND HAD TO PUT IN THREE QUARTS TO FINISH 400 MILE TRIP. SERVICE DEPT. ADVISOR SAID PROBLEM WAS DO TO GALLEY PLUG LEAKING. THEY REPLACED PLUG AND ENGINE STILL LEAKS. VEHICLE IS STILL IN SHOP AFTER 5 DAYS. THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACING HEAD.

THIS IS A VERY DISTINCT TAPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE THAT CAN BE HEARD AT ALL TIMES AND GETS LOUDER AS YOU DRIVE THE CAR. WE ARE AFRAID THAT THIS IS A LIFTER AND OUR ENGINE IS GOING TO BLOW UP WHILE WE ARE DRIVING. THE SERVICE SHOP DENIES EVEN HEARING THIS TAPPING NOISE BUT WHEN WE WENT TO ARBRITRATION 5 PEOPLE , WHOM ARE NOT MECHANICS ALL HEARD AND VERIFIED THAT THIS NOISE IS PRESENT. THE SERVICE SHOP WILL NOT EVEN SAY THEY HEAR THIS NOISE, ALONE FIX IT FOR US. WE WANT TO KNOW HOW TO GET THIS FIXED, WE HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP 22 DAYS.

ENGINE CONTINUALLY EXPERIENCES STALLING, SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS/REPAIRS WITH NO CHANGE IN STALLING PROBLEMS. MJS

ENGINE OIL LEAK DUE TO A CROSS THREADED GALLEY PLUG IN ENGINE. MJS

VEHICLE SHUTS ITSELF OFF WHILE TRAVELING. ONCE IT BEGINS TO SHUT ITSELF OFF, IT HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES IN A ROW. IT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME THEN TRAVELED AN ADDITIONAL 200 MILES BEFORE IT DID IT AGAIN. IT THEN DID IT ABOUT SIX TIMES. TOOK TO DEALER, UNABLE TO FIND. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO LOCAL DEALER, THEN TO SELLING DEALER. SHUT DOWN ON BUSY FREEWAY, WAS TOWED TO A FOURTH DEALER WHO SAYS IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A LOOSE FUEL WIRE. SAYS THE CARS MOVEMENT MAY HAVE MADE IT INTERMINTENT. PICKED UP VEHICLE FROM LAST DEALER AND HE ADVISED MAY HAVE FIXED PROBLEM, BUT NOT SURE. UNABLE TO USE VEHICLE AS THERE IS NO TRUST.

AFTER DRIVING FOR 3HOURS AND PULLING OVER TO REST, VEHICLE SHUT OFF FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BACK UP EVEN AFTER WATING 2HRS. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

MOTOR EXPERIENCING NOISE. *YC

VEHICLE STALLS, LOSES POWER WHEN ACCELERATING FROM FULL STOP, ESPECIALLY WHEN HOT. 5 TIMES AT DEALER W/ NO SOLUTION. DEALER COMPUTER INDICATES NOTHING WRONG. LOSS OF POWER COULD RESULT IN COLLISION IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING HESITAION AND STALLING PROBLEMS WHEN ACCELERATING RAPIDLY FROM A STOP OR SLOW SPEED. *YC

AFTER DRIVING AT 65 MPH FOR APP. 2 HOURS, THE ENGINE STALLED MAKING A LEFT TURN WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. *AK

THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIES WHILE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING ENGINE NOISE, CAM TENSIONERS WERE INSTALLED TO CORRECT PROBLEM, VEHICLE IS STILL NOISY. *YC

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES CONTINUED ENGINE STALLING. MJS

PROBLEM IS HESITATION OR ENGINE QUITTING DURING ACCELERATION. WHILE THIS IS NOT A COMMON EVENT, IT HAPPENS ABOUT ONCE PER WEEK. THE DANGEROUS CONDITION OCCURS WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE HWY. DEALERS SERVICE DEPT. INDICATES NO PROBLEM IS INDICATED BY THEIR DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEMS THEREFORE FORD WILL ASSUME NO RESPOSIBILITY.

VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY HESITATES OR COMPLETELY STALLS OUT. NM

4.0L SOHC ENGINE, ENGINE WILL SEVERELY LAG OR STALL UNDER HEAVY ACCELERATION FROM SLOW SPEEDS OR FROM DEAD STOP. *AK

THE EXPLORER WE HAVE SOMETIMES LOSES POWER AND THEN AFTER 10-15 SECONDS BOLTS FORWARD ABRUPTLY. OUR VEHICLE HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. WE HAVE BEEN INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF OUR DEALER 5 TIMES, AND BEGAN COMPLAINING OF THE PROBLEM A WEEK AFTER WE TOOK THE CAR HOME. OUR DEALER SEEMS OBLIVIOUS TO THE FACT THAT SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM, WHICH I CAN FIND ON THE INTERNET. THEY FEEL SINCE IT HASN'T DONE IT WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING IT, THEN IT DOESN'T HAVE A PROBLEM. WE HAVE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THIS CAR, OUR ONLY VEHICLE FOR SIX MONTHS IN THIS CONDITION. THE DEALER RARELY RETURNS OUR CALLS. THIS VEHICLE IS VERY UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN, ESPECIALLY WITH OUR CHILD IN THE CAR. YOU HAVE NO WARNING WHEN IT WILL STOP, AND MOST OFTEN YOU ARE TURNING AND STALLING WITH PEOPLE SWERVING AND BLOWING THEIR HORNS, AND YOU HAVE NO CONTROL FOR 10-15 SECONDS. THE DEALERS SHOULD TAKE BACK DANGEROUS VEHICLES SUCH AS THIS ONE! *AK

ENGINE STALLS. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE ENGINE RPMS WILL DROP TO "0". THE ENGINE WILL RESTART ON ITS OWN. THE STALLING IS FOR ONLY A MOMENT. I HAVE REPORTED THS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER PUT A "FLIG

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT STALLING WHILE ACCELERATING FRON 0-45 MPH. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY DEALER ,AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IF IT GETS ANY WORSE TO BRING IT BACK. SEEKING HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

STALLING/HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP OR LOW SPEED. OCCURS AT INTERSECTIONS AND MAKING TURNS. VEHICLE LOSES POWER MOMENTARILY THEN KICKS BACK IN.

WHENEVER COMING TO A STOP OR PULLING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN OR A LIGHT, VEHICLE WILL STALL AND CUT OFF. CONSUMER VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 8 TIMES AND THEY CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS RUNNING INTERMITTENTLY. *AK *ML

ENGINE STALLED DURING LEFT TURN AT INTERSECTION. ALL THREE TIMES THAT THIS HAS OCCURED HAS BEEN UP STARTING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, AND UNDER MODERATE TO HEAVY ACCELERATION. TWO OF THE INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURED DURING LEFT TURNS, WHILE THE OTHER OCCURED GOING STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH FORD'S RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE.

HESITATION/STALL - VEHICLE HAS INTERMITTENT HESITATION WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS AFTER A STOP AND SOMETIMES STALLS. I HAVE NEARLY AVOIDED TWO ACCIDENTS. TEH DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT SAYS THE MANUFACTURER HAS OTHER MATCHING COMPLAINTS. I AM ACTIVATING THE GA WARRANTY RIGHTS ACT NOW. IF FORD KNOWS THIS PROBLEM EXISTS AND I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE, I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED.

CATALITIC CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONED. *YC

RADIATOR FAILED, RESULTING IN LEAKING.

DRIVE BELT CONTINUALLY MAKES NOISE, REPLACEMENT NECESSARY TO STOP NOISE. MJS

VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHEN PUT IN REVERSE GEAR. NLM

ENGINE FAILURE CAUSING VEHICLE STALLING. YH

OXYGEN INTAKE VALVE FAILED. YH

ENGINE MAKES CRACKING SOUND WHEN STOPPING. YH

AUTOMOBILE SHUT OFF IN TRAFFIC, NEAR CRASH BECAUSE OF VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF. *AK

THIS IS AN EXPLORER WITH THE SOHC 4L ENGINE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED AT LEAST A DOZEN EPISODES OF THE ENGINE STALLING, OR NEARLY STALLING, WHEN ACCELLERATING FROM A STOP, AND USUALLY WHEN TURNING LEFT. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MOST OFTEN WHEN THE WEATHER AND ENGINE ARE HOT, AND AFTER IDLING FOR A FEW MOMENTS, SUCH AS WHEN STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WAITING FOR A LIGHT OR A BREAK IN TRAFFIC. THE STALL, OR HESISTATION, HAPPENS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS MOVED PERHAPS ONE CAR LENGTH. THE DEALERSHIP HAS MADE THREE ATTEMPTS AT REPAIR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH EXPLORERS WITH THE SOHC MOTOR, AND IS VERY DANGEROUS, LEAVING THE OCCUPANTS IN THE DIRECT LINE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC IN A DISABLED VEHICLE. FORD HAS NOT ADMITTED A FAULT, OR FIXED THE VEHICLE.

AFTER TRAVELING EAST ON I-90 FOR APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, I EXITED THE FREEWAY AND CAME TO A STOP. UPON MAKING A LEFT TURN AND ACCELLERATING, THE ENGINE DIED MOMENTARILY AND THEN CAME BACK TO SPEED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED. ALTHOUGH I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE ON MY TRIP, IT WAS AN ANXIOUS MOMENT AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC.

READ REPORT OF OTHERS HAVING THIS STALL ENGINE FAILURE, VEHICLE ENGINE DOESN'T GO DEAD WILL WILL LITTERALLY ALMOST QUIT BUT THEN REGAINS WITHOUT WARNIING.

ENGINE STALLS OR SPUTTERS FROM A STOP OR ACCELERATING FROM ~40MPH. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN AT A GREATER RATE WHEN TURNING A SHARP LEFT AND GOING OVER AN INCLINE SUCH AS A RAILROAD CROSSING. THIS HAS CAUSED 3 NEAR COLLISIONS AND WOULD HAVE CAUSED A FATAL INCIDENT HAD A TRAIN BEEN BEARING DOWN ON THE TRAIN CROSSING. I HAVE STALLED ON A RAISED TRAIN CROSSING 3 TIMES.

ENGINE OCCASIONALLY HESITATES OR STALLS UPON REACCELERATION AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT INTERSECTIONS. POSSIBLE DANGER OF BEING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN STALL OCCURS - POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT KEPT VEHICLE 2 DAYS AFTER ONE OCCURRENCE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT INDICATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS SAME PROBLEM IN OTHER EXPLORERS. THE HESITATION OR STALLING USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER CRUISING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 - 70 MPH THEN GETTING OFF AT AN EXIT AND STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION. WHEN REACCELERATING THE ENGINE SOMETIMES EITHER HESITATES BADLY THEN RESUMES NORMAL OPERATION OR STALLS COMPLETELY - USUALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION - REQUIRING RESTART.

WHILE DRIVING NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER. TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE, AND THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET, THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE, AND THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE OXYGEN SENSOR. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR SERVICE EIGHT TIMES, AND THE DEALER STILL CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS BACK IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR SERVICE. *AK

WHILE PULLING OUT THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. BEEN TO DEALER, BUT DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA ,CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY STALLS AFTER SLOWING DOWN OR COMING TO A STOP. WHEN I ACCELERATE AFTER SLOWING TO A STOP OR COMMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE TRUCK HESITATES/STALLS AND THEN KICKS IN AND GOES. TRUCK HAS BEEN TO DEALER 4 TIMES, BUT HE CAN'T FIX BECAUSE HE CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IT HAPPENS VERY RANDOMLY. IT MAY HAPPEN 2-3 TIMES A WEEK AND THEN NOT AGAIN FOR 3-4 WEEKS. THIS VEHICLE IS VERY UNSAFE. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES WHEN TURNING LEFT ACROSS ON-COMMING TRAFFIC. IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED, I WILL BE HIT SOME DAY!!! FORD WASN'T VERY HELPFUL. THE DEALER SUGGESTED I CALL THE 800 NUMBER IN MY BOOK. I REPORTED THIS DIRECTLY TO FORD ON THE 800 NUMBER AND NEVER HEARD FROM FORD OR THE DEALER. FORD SAID THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD WORK ON THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER I AM WORKING WITH IN NOT THE ONE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM. THE SERVICING DEALER IS KINGS FORD 9555 KINGS AUTOMALL DRIVE CINCINNATI OH 45249 513-697-2414.

VEHICLE HAS SEVERE HESITATION, AND ENGINE MISSES WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AND STOPPING FOR A LIGHT AND PULLING OFF, THE VEHICLE GAVE NO PRIOR WARNING AND STARTED TO STALL. WHEN DRIVING DOWN A HILL THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE STEERING AND BRAKES. THE CONSUMER PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO GET THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A STOP. *AK

VEHICLE WOULD STUTTER WHEN DRIVING. AT DIFFERENT TIMES WOULD STALL OUT. PRESSURE APPLIED TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL, VEHICLE STALLS OUT. PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED BY MECHANIC. *AK

HEARD A LOUND NOISE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. NOISES WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD & NOTICED ENGINE PULLEY WAS LOOSE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & PULLEY WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. *AK

NOISY ENGINE. DEALER REPLACED INTAKE MANIFOLD/TIMING CHAIN/ALTERNATOR AND STARTER.

INTERMITTENT STALLING.

INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE STALLS , GIVING THE DRIVER NO INDICATION. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

WHEN TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS/ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION, ENGINE STALLS. QCAW

INTERMITTENT STALLING.

WHEN VEHICLE IS AT A STOP,DEFECT IN ENGINE CAUSES VEHICLE TO STALL OR HESITATE. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK

INTERMITTENT STALLING.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUTS DOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT INDICATIONS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

UPON ACCELERATION VEHICLE STALLS AND LOSES POWER FOR NO REASON. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

FORD DEALERSHIP CLAIMS NOT TO BE AWARE OF RECALL PERTAINING TO 4.0L SOHC ENGINES.

FORD DEALERSHIP CLAIMS NOT TO BE AWARE OF RECALL PERTAINING TO 4.0L SOHC ENGINES.