Was braking to slow down to come to a stop, and a semi trailer had slammed on brakes suddenly. Driver of explorer slammed on brakes, pedal was hard, and would not move. Had no brakes, and rearended semi trailer. Brakes returned to normal after vehicle was moved to side of road.
1998 Ford Explorer brakes complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 94, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Hood latch failed.
Brakes failed while in parking lot without warning due to failure of brake master cylinder. *ak consumer states that vehicle is serviced every 3500 miles.
Front brake rotors have completley worn out, and they stuck and will not release. All brake pads have worn out. *ak the front brake rotors do not slide back and forth like it should.
I have already reported the tire failure that I will refer to, and would like to report the behavior of the brakes. When driving at 65 to 70 MPH, the cruise control was set, and we were going down a moderate grade when the left front tire blew out. I maintained directional control and attempted to apply moderate braking. The brake pedal remained firm, but I got no brake effectivness (not reduced brakeing -- zero brakes!) so I stepped harder on the brakes and still there was no deceleration -- no brakes at all, in fact, because we were going down hill, I cannot even be certian that the cruise control switched off. Assuming that the lack of brakes had to be related to the ABS malfunctioning, I took all pressure off the brake pedal and switched off the ignition switch, then I reapplied gentle pressure to the brakes and the brakes worked normally. To recap: after the tire blew, I had no brakes with the engine running, after switching off the ignition switch the brakes worked normally. I estimate that 3 to 5 seconds elapsed from when the blow out occured to when I switched off the ignition. When I got the vehicke stopped on the shoulded of the road there was very little left of the tire and there was substantial damage to the outer bead of the wheel rim. No other damage to the vehicle was evident, and after installing the spare tire the brakes functioned normally. Several days later the local ford dealer checked the brakes and ABS and found it to be normal. I told the service representative about the brake problem, and he told me that the problem I described couldn't have happened. I assure you -- it happened as I have described. (dot number: vdlhip4447 tiresize: p235/75r15)
Code w2hl in february 2000 40 degrees out we were driving our explorer and the driver's side rear tire peeled apart. About 12 inches came off and you could see the threads. We had the tire replaced at merchant's tire in fredericksburg, va. Now I see the recall. I believe these are bad tires, even though the code is not the decater plant. I have contacted firestone 6 times, ford 8 times and get the same response. That they are safe. I replaced the tires at my own expense with michelins. I am keeping the firestone tires in hope of a wider recall. Through the behavoirs I have seen, firestone does not want to even discuss this with me. I have the tires seeled in plastic if you want to check over them. Any help would be appreciated.*ak( dot number: wp tire size: p23275r15 )
Master cylinder replaced by ford technitians then 14 days later the master cylinder failed again.
Tire worn in the inside, in patches all around. Second layer of rubber was showing.( dot number: vn tire size: p235/75r15 )
While tires were being changed, owner noticed spring that holds up parking brake cable has rubbed through the installation. Now the spring is actually rubbing through the cable. Evenually, the cable will snap and puncture rear driver's side tire. Owner is able to see where parking cable is rubbing on the new tire. Problem has not been corrected.
Consumer was traveling on highway on march 29, there was an intermittent problem with ABS brake system. She was approaching red light, and when she went to apply brakes, brake pedal went all the way to the floor. Consumer took vehicle to the dealership, and problem couldn't be duplicated. Brakes felt like a sponge, and consumer was forced to put vehicle in park, and use emergency brake to stop.*ak consumer states firestone tires dot w2hl, tires make thumping noises and firestone dealer will not replace tires because they are not on recall.
Disc brake pads separarted from plate and fell off vehicle, e-mailed ford said its a dealer problem even though these are factory installed brakes with only half of their useful service used. I have two e-mails to ford online owner connection which didn't want to know about a factory defective part.
My accident occurred at approximately 7:00 p.m. On 24 july 2000 as I was driving to my residence located at [xxx], in my 1998 ford eddie bauer explorer. I was travelling east on highway 190 in the right hand lane at 60 MPH, when a car pulled in front of the truck I was following. The truck brake causing me to brake. Upon braking, both tires on the left hand side of the vehicle exploded causing me to go into a tail spin. I did everything possible to keep the vehicle on the road without hitting anyone else. Fortunately, I did not hit another vehicle or hurt anyone else. My vehicle ended up rolling over four times and ended up facing in the opposite direction on the median. Although the vehicle was completely totaled, I was fortunate enough not to have suffered life threatening injuries. The police, paramedics, and firemen arriving on the scene could not believe that I was alive. The vehicle had to be cut to get me out. There were witnesses to this accident who provided statements to the police. There was no citation issued. My right hand was badly cut, I had severed an artery and muscle, and received 12 stitches. My left ear was cut and had to be stitched. The left side of my body, to include my head, was badly bruised. This accident has had a serious physiological effect on me. It took two weeks for me to begin driving again. Usaa, my insurance company, informed us, as a result of their investigation, that they had flagged my vehicle because the tires were the firestone tires being recalled and were found at fault for causing my accident. Since purchasing my vehicle brand new in may 1998, it has been regularly serviced in accordance with the service manual, by cove ford in copperas cove, texas. Wheels have also been rotated on a regular basis. At no time was I informed that my tires were unsafe or were the cause of previous accidents. Had I of been informed by the ford motor company of possible tires. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(
While driving vehicle will slide after stepping on brakes. Currently, tires are cracking and opening.
While driving a vehicle in front suddenly stopped, forcing consumer to step on brake pedal to stop vehicle. But, vehicle did not stop, consumer lost control, resulting in an accident. Also, rotors had to be replaced.
While driving braking system malfunctioned. Vehicle had no braking ability, and had to use the emergency parking brake in order to stop. Also, dealer had to replace brake pads and shoes/ calipers and rotors. Passenger's front brakes seemed to be more worn out. Please provide further information.
When vehicle was at 25000 miles dealer had to turn rotors. But consumer was concerned about why that work was done so early. Currently he is worried about warranty expiring.
Brakes' lack of lubrication may get them to become rusty and freeze up.
While making a left hand turn at approx. 5-10mph vehicle lost all power in steering and braking systems and vehicle became uncontrollable and kept turning left into tree. Driver sustained minor injuries.
Abs lights have illuminated due to sensor failure. Yh
Rotors warped due to overheating causing pulsating while applying the brakes.
When appying the brakes they make a moaning noise, delay reaction of the brakes, then the ABS kick in.
While driving on the highway came up on a red light, went to apply brakes and brakes failed to respond. Contacted dealer and manufacturer, out of warranty.
While driving ABS light came on, and vehicleexperienced extended stopping distance which resulted in a crash. Currently at the dealer. Please provide further information.
When drving at any speed and applying the brakes, there is vibration within the brakes and entire vehicle.
Vehicle won't disengauge and accelerated up to 75 MPH. Pushed the cruise control button, and vehicle kept accelerating. Applied the brakes, and vehicle went up to 80 MPH.
Ongoing problem with ABS system; whenever brake pedal is applied in an emergency situation/sudden stop or slamming on brake, it causes vehicle to skid and fishtail to the right. Dealer notifed and informed consumerthat nothing could be found. Can the federal safety agency provide information weather this is normal or not.
Brakes are sticking all the time. Contact dealer. They checked out the vehicle, and consumer was told that brakes do not lock up.
When applying the brakes the pedal went to the floor and vehicle went part of the way into an intersection. Dealer has not seen vehicle.
Brake pedal and switch, auto door lock and brake lights.
Cylinder wasn't firing and needed replacement; AC not functioning at full capacity.
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