1998 Ford Explorer Fuel System Problems

After starting your car and putting it in reverse, the engine suddenly raced and the car accelerated backward uncontrollably. Applying the brakes—even with both feet—had no effect, and shifting to Park didn't stop the vehicle either. Even turning off the engine didn't help, and your car continued in reverse for about 200 feet until it hit another parked car. This suggests a serious issue with either the fuel system causing uncontrolled acceleration or the braking system failing to stop the vehicle.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND O2 SENSORS HAVE TO BE REPLACE EVERY THIRTY TO FORTY THOUSAND MILES. NOW O/D OFF LIGHT IS FLASHING AND CAR DRIVES LIKE IT IS IN FIRST GEAR, SHIFTS HARD. *TR

LARGE FUEL LEAK FROM BRAIDED STEEL FUEL LINES WHERE THEY WERE RUBBING AGAINST THEIR BRACE ON THE TOP FRONT OF ENGINE. THEY WERE CUT, WITH A SPLICE PUT IN, AND THE BRACE REMOVED, RATHER THAN A REPLACEMENT. THE REASON BEING THE REPLACEMENT PART COST OF $600. *TR

DOORS AND LOCKS ON MY 1998 FORD HAS BEEN OUT OF ORDER THEY WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO!! I SAW THAT IT HAD A RECALL IN 1999 I GUESS THE LAST OWNER DIDN'T GET IT FIXED IM SOMETIMES LOCKED OUT OF MY CAR 10-15 MIN AT A TIME!! I WAS WONDERING CAN YOU DO SOMETHING OR IS IT TOO LATE!! I REALLY NEED TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF BECAUSE WHEN I LEAVE WORK IT'S DARK!! *TR

WHILE ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE HESITATES AS IF IT IS GOING TO STALL. I'VE TAKEN IT AND HAD IT CHECKED OUT. THE ONLY THING THAT HAS EVER BEEN FOUND IS FAULTY O2 SENSORS. *TR

VEHICLE HESITATING AND STALLING. ALL SIX FUEL INJECTORS MELTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF FUEL INJECTORS, STRONG GAS SMELL, AND THE VEHICLES STILL CURRENTLY STALLS OR IDLES TO HIGH. *TR

THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED ON VEHICLE ON 09 AUG, 2003, NECESSITATING REMOVAL AND RE-INSTALLATION OF THE AIR INTAKE HOSE CONNECTED TO THE THROTTLE BODY. ON THE MORNING OF 09 FEB, 2006 THE ACCELERATOR WAS BRIEFLY DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR WHILE NAVIGATING IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC. THE ACCELERATOR REMAINED IN THIS POSITION AFTER HAVING REMOVED THE DRIVER'S FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR. FULL PRESSURE WAS BEING APPLIED TO THE BRAKES WITH NO APPARENT SLOWING OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STEERED TOWARDS AN OPEN CONSTRUCTION AREA ADJACENT TO THE FREEWAY, AND SHIFTED INTO 'PARK' WHILE STILL MOVING AT ABOUT 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE STOPPED SAFELY, AND WITHOUT COLLISION. THE VEHICLE REMAINED DRIVABLE AFTER THIS INCIDENT. UPON INVESTIGATION, IT APPEARS THAT THE BODY OF THE HOSE CLAMP THAT SECURES THE AIR INTAKE HOSE TO THE THROTTLE BODY WAS INTERFERING WITH THE THROTTLE MECHANISM SUCH THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS FULLY DEPRESSED, A PLASTIC TAB ON THE THROTTLE MECHANISM WOULD RUB AGAINST THE BODY OF THE HOSE CLAMP WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO HOLD THE THROTTLE IN THE FULLY OPEN POSITION. AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, THIS HOSE HAD BEEN REMOVED AND RE-INSTALLED, POSSIBLY CAUSING THE HOSE AND ATTACHED HOSE CLAMP TO BE ROTATED SEVERAL DEGREES FROM THEIR ORIGINAL (FACTORY) POSITION. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THERE ARE NO FEATURES ON THE HOSE OR THROTTLE BODY TO ENSURE PROPER ORIENTATION UPON RE-INSTALLATION. TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, THE AIR INTAKE HOSE WAS RE-POSITIONED , AND THE OFFENDING CORNER OF THE PLASTIC TAB ON THE THROTTLE LINKAGE WAS FILED OFF. (DIGITAL PHOTOS AND VIDEO OF THE FAILURE CONDITION ARE AVAILABLE)*JB

VEHICLE IS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH A 4.0L SOHC ENGINE PURCHASED IN MARCH OF 1998. BATTERY HAD DIED AND ATTEMPTED TO JUMP START THE BATTERY (WOULDN'T JUMP, WAS REPLACED). GROUND CABLE WAS PLACED AT A LOCATION THAT APPEARED TO BE A SAFE LOCATION. UNKNOWN TO ME AT THE TIME, IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE FUEL LINE BRACKET. LATER THAT DAY AND THE NEXT DAY A STRONG GAS SMELL WAS EMINATING FROM VEHICLE. TOOK TO ADAMSON FORD DEALERSHIP IN BIRMINGHAM, AL AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS DAMAGED RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN FIRE. AFTER GETTING OVER SHOCK OF A $889 REPAIR ESTIMATE, I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION AND CAME ACROSS A LINK TO YOUR WEBSITE CONCERNING A RECALL ISSUED BY YOUR GROUP (ID# 98V060000). THE SUMMARY OF THE RECALL DESCRIBED MY SITUATION PERFECTLY. YOU ISSUED THE RECALL THE EXACTH MONTH AND YEAR OF MY PURCHASE, MARCH OF 1998. FOUND ANOTHER INTERNET ARTICLE STATING THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY ISSUED A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL IN MAY, 1998 FOR THE SAME SUBJECT MATTER AS YOUR RECALL. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTIFICATION FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY REGARDING THIS MATTER. I'VE PRESSED THE ISSUE WITH THE DEALERSHIP AS TO WHY I DID NOT RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL AND THEY ARE CLAIMING IT IS DUE TO THE "BUILD DATE" OF MY VEHICLE. THEY CLAIM FORD'S RECALL OF MAY, 1998 COVERED EXPLORERS WITH A BUILD DATE UP TO 02/01/98 AND THAT THE BUILD DATE FOR MY VEHICLE WAS 02/03/98, A DIFFERENCE OF 2 DAYS. WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE DID COME FROM THE SAME PLANT AS THOSE COVERED BY THE RECALL. I HAVE A HARD TIME ACCEPTING THAT A 2-DAY DIFFERENCE WOULD BE GROUNDS FOR FORD TO DESIGNATE THAT THE RECALL IN QUESTION WAS NOT APPLICABLE TO MY VEHICLE WHEN THE DANGER EXISTED.

I OWN A FORD EXPLORER 1988 BOUGHT NEW IN 1999. I HAVE ONLY 36.000 MILES ON IT AND LAST MONTH I WAS JUST DRIVING FOR ABOUT 2 MILES WHEN I SENSED A POWERFUL SMELL OF GAS. PULLED OVER IMEDIATELY, OPENED THE HOOD A I SAW GASOLIN POURING ON THE ENGINE AND THE BATTERIES FROM THE TWO FUEL LINES GOING INTO THE FEUEL INJECTION SYSTEM IN TOP OF THE ENGINE. I HAVE CALLED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS. IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE THE FORD DEALER WHERE I HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM(700$ !!!!). OLD ME THEY ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM OTHER TIMES. PLEASE DO AN INVESTIGATION BEFORE PEOPLE WILL DIE BURNT ALIVE. I DROVE NEW, OLD AND VERY OLD CARS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD OR HEARD OF THIS KIND OF PROBLEM. *AK IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE! PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU WILL DO SOMETHING THANKS SORIN

THE CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE AT HER HOUSE FOR AT LEAST 7 HOURS. THEN, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED, AND THEY INDICATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS POSSIBLY ELECTRICAL. ALSO, CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO WAS NO HELP AT ALL. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *SC

INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAS FAILED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS ON MY VEHICLE. THIS PART WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING ON BOTH OCCASIONS. THIS LEAKAGE AND PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS TO THE VEHICLE AND THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS PART OF THE FUEL SYSTEM AND SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.*AK

MASSIVE FUEL LEAK UNDER THE HOOD OF 1998 FORD EXPLORER XLT.*MR ANOTHER FUEL LEAK OCCURED WHEN A WOVEN PART OF THE FUEL LINE BROKE. *NM

THE CONSUMERS WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF THREE RECALLS THAT APPLIED TO THEIR VEHICLE UNTIL THE DEFECT OCCURRED. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALLS THEM BECAUSE THE CAMPAIGNS HAD ENDED. THE RECALL NUMBERS ARE: 99 V 164 000, 98 V 060 000, AND 00 V 422 000. *NLM

AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED, AND THEY SAID FIRE WAS DUE TO A FUEL LEAK. *AK

FUEL LEAKED ONTO THE ENGINE, CAUSING A FIRE. THE LOCATION OF THE FUEL LEAK HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK

VEHICLE ENGINE IDLE WILL JUMP UP TO 2300 RPMS WHILE IN PARK OR NETURAL WITHOUT TOUCHING GAS PEDAL, A/C AND ACC'S OFF. THE ONLY WAY THIS IS NOTICED IS WHEN YOU SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE WHILE ENGINE IS RUNNING, OR HEAR THE TRANSMISSION MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND TYRING TO DOWNSHIFT AT SUCH A HIGH RPM. VEHILCE WILL ALSO INCREASE SPEED ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT PRESSING GAS PEDAL. IT'S ALMOST A DAILY OCCURANCE.

NHTSA RECALL 98-V-060-000:VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L SINGLE OVERHEAD CAM ENGINES. ENGINE FUEL LINES CAN BE DAMAGED IF THE VEHICLE IS JUMP STARTED AND THE GROUND CABLE IS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL LINE BRACKET THAT IS LOCATED NEAR THE BATTERY. SINCE THE BRACKET IS NOT GROUNDED, THE STAINLESS STEEL FUEL LINE BRAID COULD ACT AS A GROUND POTENTIALLY OVERHEATING THE PTFE INNER LINER OF THE FUEL LINE, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE FUEL LINE. CONSUMER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLEDE DUE TO THE VIN. *AK

WHEN HOOD WAS LIFTED DURING ROUTINE SMOG CERTIFICATION TEST, GASOLINE WAS OBSERVED SPRAYING ON ENGINE FROM FUEL LINE. THE HOLE WAS BEHIND THE TIE DOWN BRACKET ON FRONT OF THE ENGINE. THE OBVIOUSLY EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION WAS REPAIRED ON SITE. UPON EXAMINATION, THE METAL BRAID HOSE DID NOT APPEAR CHAFED BUT RATHER APPEARS TO HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY RUPTURED. THE HOSE WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPAIR COSTS SHOULD BE PAID BY THE MANUFACTURER. (HOSES ARE AVAILABLE FOR EXAMINATION) A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION WOULD HAVE DEVELOPED HAD THE GASOLINE IGNITED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DT

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MIGHT NOT START IF PARKED WITH NOSE DOWN AND HAS ? TANK OF FUEL. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY. *YD

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MIGHT NOT START IF PARKED WITH NOSE DOWN AND HAS ? TANK OF FUEL. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY. *YD

CAR KEEP STOPPING AND DYING, THE PLENUMS (FUEL INJECTOR) THAT MELTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED THREE TIMES AND THE FUEL LINE HAD BROKE CAUSING, THE FUEL TO LEAK AND VEHICLE TO STALL. *YD

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED THREE TIMES AND THE FUEL LINE HAD BROKE CAUSING, THE FUEL TO LEAK AND VEHICLE TO STALL. *YD

WHILE DRIVING LATE AT NIGHT IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD MY WIFES EXPLORER STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. SHE HAD THE EXPLORER TOWED HOME FOR ME TO DIAGNOSE. I EXAMINED THE EXPLORER AND FOUND THAT THE INERTIA SWITCHS ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HAD SLID OFF. THIS RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF POWER TO THE FUEL PUMP. FORD HAS LOCATED THIS SWITCH NEAR THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FOOT AREA WITH THE WIRING ROUTED UNDER THE CARPET. REPEATED PASSENGER FOOT PRESSURE ON THE FLOOR HAD RESULTED IN THE CONNECTOR SLIDING OFF. WHILE DRIVING THIS REDUCES STEERING AND BRAKING EFFICIENCY AS WELL AS FORWARD MOVEMENT. THANK GOODNESS SHE WAS NOT ON A FREEWAY, BRIDGE, TUNNEL OR MANEUVERING THROUGH A CURVE WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

WHILE DRIVING SMELLED STRONG FUEL SMELL, VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER WHO REPLACED A LEAKING FUEL RAIL. *AK

VEHICLE STALLED WHEN MAKING A 90 DEGREE LEFT TURN. CONSUMER STEPPED SLIGHTLY ON GAS AND IT HESITATED. CONSUMER HAS TO PRESS DOWN GIVING VEHICLE GAS TO BY PASS HESITATION. DEALER REALLY HAD NO REMEDY. BUT ONCE BEFORE REPLACED FUEL INJECTION. *AK

VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING EARLIER THIS YEAR. THOUGHT IT WAS JUST SEASONAL. TOOK IT FOR SERVICE IN APRIL. FUEL INDUCTION SYSTEM CLEANING PERFORMED. PROBLEM PERSISTS AND NOW VEHICLE CUTS OFF COMPLETELY AFTER STALLING. ALSO STALLS DURING QUICK ACCELERATIONS. AM AFRAID THAT INJURY OR FATALITY WILL OCCUR BEFORE DEALERSHIP LOCATES DIFFICULTY. HAVE HEARD OF OTHER FORD VEHICLES STALLING. IS THIS RELATED? ANY HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIETED AND NEEDED!*AK

FUEL LINES GOING INTO ENGINE WERE LEAKING FUEL NEAR SPARK PLUG. CONSUMER REPAIRED THIS HIMSELF, AND INFORMED DEALERSHIP WHEN HE WENT IN FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

VEHICLE IS BLOWING FUEL INSIDE OF GAS TANK, IT HAS BEEN ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. DEALERS WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK

WHILE STARTING EXPLORER AN EXPLOSION OCCURRED BLOWING OFF (INTO MANY PIECES) THE INTAKE COVER. THE EXPLOSION LIFTED THE CAR UP INTO THE AIR AND THE NOISE COULD BE HEARD FROM INSIDE OUR HOUSE.*AK

WHEN FILLING GAS TANK, FUEL SPILLS OUT BEFORE NOZZLE SHUTS OFF. NLM

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THERE WAS A MASSIVE FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN FUEL ODOR, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM

THERE WAS A MASSIVE FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN FUEL ODOR, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM

THIS COMPONENT HAS FAILED FOUR TIMES STARTING JUN 24 2000, THEN AGAIN AUG 15TH 2000, OCT 7TH 2000 AND THEN NOV 24TH. NO SADFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK

THIS VEHICLE WAS THE REPLACEMENT FOR THE 1997 MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT FORD INSISTED DID NOT EXIST 2YRS. AGO. THEY HAVE NOW ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP THAT WE FEEL VERY STRONGLY IS A SAFETY ISSSUE. THEY HAVE ALSO INFORMED US THAT THERE ARE OTHER EXPLORERS IN THE STATE OF COLORADO THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. WE FEEL THAT FORD IS DELIBERATELY TRYING TO MINIMIZE THIS PROBLEM. VEHICLE "CUTS OUT/STALLS" UPON ACCELLERATION WHICH BY DEFINITION OF THE NHTSA IS A SAFETY DEFECT!! WE FILLED A REPORT ON OUR 1997 VEHICLE IN JANUARY OF 1998. PLEASE SEE NHTSA REF. #523114. *AK

VEHICLE RUNS ROUGH AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO LOWER INTAKE GASKET FAILURE. YH

GAS TANK CAP IS NOT HOLDING PRESSURE, ALLOWING GAS FUMES TO ESCAPE FROM THE TANK. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK

ALTHOUGH THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT YET, I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL SOONER OR LATER DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, IT HAS STUMBED/HESITATED (FOR 1 -2 SECONDS) WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A DEAD STOP. SO FAR, THIS PROBLEM HAS ONLY OCCURRED WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, FROM A DEAD STOP, IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IF IT WAS ONLY A SPLIT SECOND THING, IT WOULD NOT BE SO BAD, BUT IT TAKES A COUPLE OF SECONDS BEFORE I HAVE POWER AGAIN. SINCE IT IS AN INTERMITTENT THING THAT ONLY OCCURS ONCE EVERY 3-4 MONTHS, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEM WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT IN. *AK

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT ON 10/29/99 TOOK TO UNIVERSITY FORD, DURHAM 10/30/99 - REPLACED AIR FLOW SENSOR $320.22. ON 11/4/99 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN - TOOK BACK TO UNIVERSITY FORD - STATED THAT IT WAS THE FUEL INJECTOR INTAKE GASKETS & O-RINGS $179.23. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE SERVICE OF THIS VEHICLE NO OLDER THAT IT IS. WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT. THERE WAS A LADY IN THE LOBBY WHO ALSO HAD A 1998 FORD TAURUS THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD CAME ON. I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT FORD SHOULD LOOK INTO - COULD THIS POSSIBLY BE A RECALL PROBLEM - IF SO I HAVE COPIES OF ALL BILLS WHICH I CAN SUBMIT AS PROOF WORK WAS DONE. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY FORD IS HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS - THIS IS THE 3RD FORD THAT I'VE OWNED & THEY WAY THINGS ARE LOOKING WILL BE MY LAST. WHAT HAPPENED TO "QUALITY IS JOB ONE" NOT WITH THIS VEHICLE - I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT FORD WOULD PUT OUT A PRODUCT THAT COULD GIVE ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS SO SOON WITH NO MORE MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. I'M A VERY, VERY DISAPPOINTED CUSTOMER. IF FORD CAN'T DO ANY BETTER THAT THIS - THEY NEED TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS. IT'S VERY HARD TO MAKE MONTHLY PAYMENTS WHEN I'M HAVING TO SPEND OUT $500.00 ON SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT BE GIVING PROBLEMS THIS SOON. I'VE HAD VEHICLES WITH CLOSE TO 100,000 MILES & HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE THESE THINGS & THEY WERE FORD PRODUCTS. I THINK SOMEONE SHOULD CHECK INTO THIS - THIS MAY POSSIBLY BE A RE-CALL PROBLEM THAT HAD NOT BEEN ADDRESSED AS OF YET. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME - I'LL BE HAPPY TO DISCUSS ANY PART OF THIS WITH YOU OR A FORD REPRESENTATIVE - AT THIS POINT IN TIME, I CAN'T RECOMMEND ANY FORD PRODUCT TO ANYONE & IF ANYONE ASK ME ABOUT A FORD I WILL HAVE TO STATE THE TRUE - UNLESS FORD IS WILLING TO FULLY RECTIFY THIS SITUATION.

THE GAS TANK WILL NOT FILL COMPLETELY. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER AT LEAST 4 TIMES REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, THEY TOOK THE TANK OFF AT LEAST TWICE. WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK IT SHUTS OFF & I AM ABLE TO CONTINUE TO FILL THE TANK AT LEAST PUTTING IN 5 TO 6 GALLONS MORE. I AM NEVER SURE IF THE TANK IS FULL OR NOT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE I TOOK THIS VEHICLE HOME FROM DAY 1.

POSSIBLE FAULTY FUEL LINES, VALVES AND GAS CAP MAY BE CAUSING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. NLM

INTERMITTANT STALLING WHEN ACCLERATING FROM A STOP. FORD CLAIMS TO HAVE A RE-CALIBRATION OF THE AIR/GAS MIX.DID NO GOOD. STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.

FUEL PUMP WIRING BECAME DISLODGED. *AK

I WAS DRIVING EXPLORER ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 65MPH WITH A FULL TANK OF 21 GALLONS FULI SAW AT THE LAST MOMENT A TYPE OF HAND TOOL IN MY LANE. IT LOOKED LIKE A WRENCH OR SOMETHING. BECAUSE OF THE SIZE I COULDN'T SEE IT UNTIL THE LAST MOMENT. I DID NOT SWERVE TO MISS IT BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO CHECK FOR A CLEAR LANE TO SWERVE INTO, AND DID NOT WANT TO JUST MOVE OVER QUICKLY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH A CAR NEXT TO ME. ALSO I DID NOT THINK THAT RUNNING OVER THIS SMALL TOOL WOULD HAVE SUCH A SERIOUS OUT COME. I ONLY HEARD A SMALL THUMP AS THE TOOL WENT UNDER MY TIRE. THEN LESS THAN A MILE LATER WHEN I GOT OFF AT MY EXIT AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, A MAN THAT WAS AT THE LIGHT NEXT TO ME RAN OVER TO MY WINDOW AND BEGAN POUNDING ON IT AND YELLING A T ME TO GET OUT OF MY CAR BECAUSE IT WAS DUMPING GASOLINE ALL OVER. I GOT OUT AND EVEN WITH THE FAST RESPONSE OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE HIGHWAY PATROL MY CAR HAD DUMPED GAS ALL OVER THE ROAD. IT IS A WONDER THAT EVEN WITH THE CAR (FROM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY) THE GASOLINE DID NOT CATCH FIRE. IF IT HAD CAUGHT FIRE NOT ONLY MYSELF, BUT ALL THOSE STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. WHEN FORD WAS MAKING THE REPAIRS THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY EXPLORER DOES NOT COME WITH SKID PLATES THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS TYPE OF ACCIDENT, THEY STATED THAT THEY ARE STANDARD ON THE 4X4 (WHICH MINE IS NOT) AND AN OPTION ON MY 2WD. THEY THEN STATED THAT THIS KIND OF PROBLEM CAN HAPPEN VERY EASILY AND THE BEST PROTECTION IS TO PAY THE EXTRA AND HAVE THEM INSTALL THE SKID PLATES WHICH YOU BET YOUR LIFE I DID BECAUSE I ALREADY RISKED MY OWN MORE THAN I EVER CARE TOO. NOW TELL ME HOW IT IS THAT THEY CAN KNOW THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS CHANCE THAT A PERSON COULD HAVE A SMALL ROCK OR OBJECT FLY UP AND RUPTURE A GAS TANK AND CAUSE A FIRE AND THAT THE OWNER NEVER KNEW THAT THE CAR HAD NO PROTECTION FROM THIS PROBLEM. IF THEY KNEW THIS WAS A PROBLEM WHY DONT THEY NEED TO PUT THE SKID PLATES ON ALL OF THE CARS.

EXPERIENCING NOISE FROM AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD. *YC

GAS CAP WOULD NOT LOCK IN CORRECTLY,DIFFICULT TO OPEN AND CLOSE PROPERLY. YH

FUEL PUMP FAILED. *YC

THE VEHICLE WILL STOP OPERATING IF THE FUEL LEVEL IS BELOW FOUR GALLONS OR IF THE VEHICLE IS ON A DOWN SLOPE - IF PARKED IN THAT POSITION AND ENGINE SHUT OFF, IT WILL NOT RESTART.

DEALER WAS CONTACTED ON JULY 28, AND THE BOLT WAS NOT IN. THEY WOULD CONTACT CONSUMER WHEN IT ARRIVED TO RESCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER ON AUGUST 13, AND BOLT WAS IN. SHE HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED CONCERNING RESCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE GAS LINE EXPLODED. DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE AND THE ENGINE IS WORKING WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. HAD TO PULL OVER AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. *AK *JB

WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE AND FUEL TANK HAS LESS THAN 9 GALLONS OF FUEL, VEHICLE WILL NOT CRANK.

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 98V060000, FUEL LINES. HAD CALLED DEALER FOR APPOINTMENT. TOOK VEHICLE IN ON DUE DATE. AFTER ARRIVING WAS INFORMED HAD NO PARTS FOR THE REPAIR WORK. PARTS ON ORDER. WILL CALL WHEN THEY ARE IN. HAS NOT HEARD ANYTHING AS OF YET. *AK

WHEN VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 8 GALLONS OF FUEL AND IS PARKED ON AN DECLINE, IT WILL NOT START UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS ROLLED TO A LEVEL GRADE.