Defective tires, hood latch, seat latch, cruise control, rear window wiper, etc... *ph the consumer stated the hood latch , seat recliner, cruise control and tires were all recalled. The rear windshield wiper and passenger power window were inoperative.
1998 Ford Explorer visibility complaints
Page 2 of 5: complaints 11 to 40 of 108, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Blend door broken on 98 ford explorer. This caused the heating and cooling in the engine to be stuck in the "cold" position throughout winter. While driving in winter, I had to look out the freezing cold window to drive because the defroster in my windsheild would not heat the window.
Back in may 2002 my drivers door lock stuck in the locked position it has power locks and I could not get it unlocked unless I pulled the lock button up while I pressed the power lock and unlock switch open an close a multiple amount of times.I brought it to a ford dealer and had it fixed,it cost me $219.35 nit was the door lock actuator that needed to be replaced,it has been 1 year almost to the day and it failed again. I think is a big saftey problem because if there is a fire or there is an accident and the automobile ends up in a lake or river the door lock can get stuck locked and a person could get stuck in the automobile.
Heater blend door broken, ford is aware of it in 1995 to about 1999-2000 ford explorers, with blend door broken there is not a proper flow of heat to the windshield, and the cost from ford is $1000.00 dollars to replace, and they state there is no recall or warranty.
Rear window wiper not working when raining. *la the vehicle has been to the dealer three times and there's nothing they can do. *ph
Broken blend door in 1998 ford explorer, A/C only runs on high and heat only runs on high, common problem on numerous explorers from 1995 to 1999-2000. Ford either states they have never heard of it, or its not a big deal but either way will not cover the 800.00 to 1,000.00 cost to repair the broken door unit.
The front windshield detached from the adhesive. The dealer/manufacturer had been notified and refused to repair because the vehicle was out of warranty. Mr scc
Front windshield frame is corroded from inside out, and it could cause consumer to have visibility problems. Dealer notified.
Consumer was unable to defrost vehicle because of air temperture coming out of defrogger. Contacted dealer. They sad this was a result of blend door case being broken.
This problem started out as an inconvenience but has grown to be a safety issue as the defrosters fail to function. I have no control over the heat/AC and when the windows are hit with water below freezing I have a safety problem. At times fog and moisture cannot be removed from the window w/o pulling ofer to wipe it. The dealer says that it is a $1000 repair and tsb's say it is a known issue. Please advise.
Blend door in the ventilation system does not operate. Leads to excessive heat in the summer and significant difficulty defrosting the windshield in the winter. This is a known problem to ford. They have begun to replace the original plastic blend doors with nylon blend doors.
When making turns, especially right turns, vehicle slides and almost turns over.*ak. Consumer states vehicle is experiencing acceleration problems,and there was a humming noise coming from the engine, signals are not working, dealer replaced a defective connector and multi-function switch, firestone tires have experienced tread separation, which were replaced in july 2001, the rear seats move/bounce when driving, the rear seat belts were inoperative, the dealer replaced the buckles, there was smoke coming from the steering column, dealer replaced the multi-function switch, the windshield was chipped, the alarm would not chut off at times, dealer replaced a bad loose wire.
While driving side driver mirror fell completey off the vehicle. Please provide any further information.
While opening manual tailgate window right hinge detached and hit consumer on the head.
My client suffered 3rd and 4th degree burns of right forefoot and toes from extreme heat emitted by vehicle's manually controlled heater. The heater vent is just inches above the gas pedal, directed at driver's foot. Burn victim required skin grafts, then 3 toes amputated. Over $400,000 in medical bills and treatment. Heater tested at 180 degrees over the gas pedal. Client's feet were numb due to diabetes, and didn't feel extreme heat while driving car on highway for 25 miles over, 1/2 hour with heater on. Ford says "no defect" - other explorers with same temp readings.
Vehicle accelerates while consumers foot is on the brake pedal, it will accelerate when going forward and when going in reverse with the wheel turned, dealer installed a throttle plate, however that did not remedy the problem, they also installed a battery that did not remedy the problem.
While driving consumer notice flames coming from rear window, consumer took vehicle to dealer, the delaer stated connection to rear defroster unit caught on fire. *ak. Delaer stated it was a short in the circuit.
Heater/defroster control is no longer working. Took vehicle to dealer, and informed consumer that heater box needed to be replaced.
While vehicle was parked tailgate window blewout. Dealer replaced it under warranty. On 30.jan.2002. While vehicle was parked tailgate window blewout again.
This is the second time this component has been replaced. Original component was replaced in june, 1999, at 18,000 miles. Vehicle is based in a dry climate and windshield wiper is rarely used. Failure occurs without warning. Failure of wiper motor compromises rearward visibility in inclement weather. Dealer advises premature failure of this component is common.
Rear wiper motor failed at approximately 25,000 miles. Replacement motor failed in less than two weeks. Dealer acknowledged that there is a known problem with explorer rear wiper motor failures but stated that ford has not acknowledged the problem nor have they made a redesigned wiper motor available.
Driver side mirror vibrates at speeds 40mph and above.
When turning on windshield wipers they will not work. However at times will will work intermittently, which will not give any help to consumer.
Rear windshield wiper motor on my explorer failed for the second time in a 3 year period. So far, I seem to be going through a rear windshield wiper motor each year. The dealer told me that it was not uncommon for that part to fail. Ford customer service told me that the second replacement that I received was an upgraded motor that ford was using as a replacement for the failed part, to address the failure issues.
It started with the rear driver window intermittently not working. Then the lock drop down inside door making the door unable to unlock and open. Also engine stalled. Took to the dealer. They fixed the door but couldn't find anything wrong with the engine or the window. Window worked for them. Brought the truck home that night and while I was driving it the battery light on the dash when on and the battery gauge started fluctuating to the "h" and finally held there. Turned truck off and let sit and everything went back to normal. Didn't reacurr for a couple of days but then started up again. Abs light also started coming on and outside temp gauge started to go crazy. Also engine idle started to surge as the battery gauge surged. This was on a weekend. Took truck back to dealer. They couldn't make it do any of these things. They kept it for 5 days and drove it. Still nothing. They decided to look at the electrical system and found the maxi fuse and wiring system burnt. I asked if it could have caught fire and they said no. However I looked at your web site under consumer complaints and found the several people have complained that their explorer had caught fire because of the wiring harness. Some of these explorers were not running at the time of the fire and were parked in a garge. The dealer did replace the fuse and wiring harness however it took 11/2 weeks to get the parts in because they were backordered. Obviously there is a problem with the wiring systems. I also park mine in a garge. I am now worried and afraid to park it in the garge. I have two small children and their safety is my first concern.
Rear motor has failed 3 times now, front motor failed once-all failed while in operation.
When consumer turns on heat it is out of control heat gets hotter and hotter. When she turns air conditioning on cold air is cold for a moment, and then heat comes on while air conditioning is running. Dealership is aware of problem.
Rear wiper motor needed replacement 3 times in under 4 years! The dealers know a problem exists with this part but have no recourse except to replace and charge. There is no way to tell when the part will stop working again! I don't trust the wipers at all anymore.
Trunk door will not shut properly. Consumer is able to slide his hand in while door is shut. *ak consumer contacted dmv and found out vehicle had been in an accident, consumer specifically asked for a vehicle that had not been damaged, however dealer sold it to him anyway, consumer feels deceived and is experiencing multiple problems with vehicle. Radio is inoperative at times. Hatch rubs agains frame of vehicle. Taillight and headlight are out of alignment, fog lights had lamp failure. Vehicle experiences problems with absorbing road shock, vehicle pulls to right. Check engine light illuminates, vehicle experiences low power. Rear power window motor failed. Power antenna failed. Right windshield wiper interior garnish molding loose, rear wiper blade skips center of glass, dealer replaced rear wiper arm and blade assembly. Steering gear assembly replaced due to noisy. Bumper not even.
While traveling at highway speed of 55-60 MPH sun roof came off vehicle. Dealer was notified, and informed consumer that it was out of warranty and not cover under a recall. Feel free to provide us with any further details on this matter.
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