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1999 Ford Explorer visibility complaints

Page 3 of 8: complaints 41 to 70 of 216, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 1999 Ford Explorer visibility problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Dec 4, 2001 · Visibility · FL

Windshield wipers operate intermittently while driving. Windshield wipers turned on and off at will.

Filed Nov 4, 2001 · Visibility · TN

Gem module replaced twice! Wipers only work on high speed. Dealer wants to replace wiper motor at my expense! My wipers worked when I took them in for this recall. They did come on when I didn't need them to but I would rather have them come on when I don't need them than to not come on when I do need them! I asked for the original switch to be put back on but they said they had already sent it back to ford motor company. In my research on this problem, I can see that several other people are having the same problem I am having.

Filed Oct 19, 2001 · Body, Engine · NV

The plastic trim around the head liner was loose.

Filed Sep 18, 2001 · Visibility · OK

When you turning vehicle to right windshield wipers comes on without prior warning. Dealership is aware of problem.

Filed Sep 5, 2001 · Visibility · KY

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Filed Aug 23, 2001 · Visibility · MD

Car parked in driveway, in shade for 4 hours. Air temp about 80 degrees. Rear window completely shattered for no apparent reason. Approx. 3/4 of glass fell in a 180 degree arch outside of vehicle out to a distance of about 8 feet. 1/4 of glass fell into the rear of the vehicle. Took vehicle to the dealer specified above. Service tech said there is a problem with explorer rear windows. Said there were two new explorers on their back lot with shattered rear windows. Later got a call back from the service dept. Saying that they would not repair under warranty, since there is only a recall on 2002 explorers, not on 1999 explorers. Sounds like exactly the same problem to me. It cost me $819 to repair at an auto glass shop.

Filed Aug 22, 2001 · Visibility · MA

When driving at highway speeds (65-70mph) the interior electrochromic rearview mirror begins to vibrate. The vibratation causes reduced visibilty as the images are blurred. This problem is compounded when driving at night as a result of rear traffic headlights. The resulting decreased rear visibility creates a hazardous condition which could result in an accident. The vehicle has been taken to the dealership numerous times and ford motor company has been contacted directly regarding this problem. The dealership has tried tightening the mirror, replacing the mirror, balancing the tires, and changing the tires. The final conclusion as determined by the dealership and ford engineers is that the agressive tread on the tires is causing the vibration. I have been told to replace the tires with a tire having a highway tread. I find this explanation difficult to accept because the tires that are on the vehicle are brand new as a result of the firestone recall.

Filed Aug 15, 2001 · Brakes, Engine · FL

Automatic transmission is slipping in any gear. It doesn't shift gears correctly when accelerating. Transmission only shifts correctly into 1st gear, and double shifts into 2nd and 3rd gears after letting off gas. Transmission shifts sometimes from high to low, causing vehicle to pull. Overdrive light intermittently would go on and off. Was repaired at dealer. On 1-18-2001. Dealer replaced multiple parts in transmission 02-15-2001, transmission locked up and wouldn't move.torque converter and pump with housing were replaced. On 6-29-2001, transmission was still pulling. Dealer replaced a stuck evr valve and replaced it. *ak front and rear rotors warped, dealer replaced, ABS light illumianted, dealer replaced rear speed sensor, brakes are noisy. Passenger window shakes, dealer lubed tracks. Motor makes rattling noise when being driven steadily. Steering gets stiff and makes a whining noise. Air conidtioner was repaired. Goodyear tire blewout, this tire was a replacement for firestone recall 00t005.

Filed Aug 15, 2001 · Brakes, Lights · FL

Consumer has complained to dealer that steering wheel shakes out of control. Steering makes dashboard rumble like front end has hydraulics. Turning vehicle right or left, steering shutters hard. Consumer would have to add a quart of power steering once a week. Dealer found power steering leaking, and replaced rack and pinion and realigned vehicle. On 6-29-01, vehicle was taken back to dealer for still having the problem. Dealer found nothing wrong with vehicle. Problem has not been remedied. *ak the brake light switch was inoperative causing the brake lights to be inoperative, the brakes squeak and the dealer treated the pads with an anti squeak solution, the A/C blows out warm air due to a leaky compressor and o-ring, the torque converter failed causing the transmission to lock up, passenger side goodyear tire blewout while driving, the window on the right side shakes when going up or down. Nlm

Filed Jul 23, 2001 · Visibility · MS

Windshield wiper comes on without warning. Activator asy was replaced at 11990, three months after purchase, but the problem still occurs to this day. Rear wiper would not work and the motor was replaced at 23493 miles, opprox. 6 months after purchase. I still have problems to this day. The reason the vehicle has not returned for repairs is the great inconvenience that takes place anytime a ford repair shop is involved. Can you bring it back tomorrow, can you leave it with us all day, we are waiting for the part, we are not finished can you leave it overnight or bring it back, sorry we do not provide loners but we can give you a ride. I travel out of town almost everyday and someone giving me a ride just doesn't work. These repairs are on top of 5 recalls that I can think of. I have past the point of feeling safe in this vehicle with all the repairs and recalls, but what can be done without having to deal with the cost of buying a new vehicle, and when will the dealer stop paying for the same repairs. It seems that they hold all the cards in determing how long a part should last and who is responsible for the cost.

Filed Jul 6, 2001 · Visibility · NC

Windshield wipers will come on intermittently while vehicle is in operation, causing a distraction. Dealership has not examined vehicle for this problem yet. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

Filed Jun 20, 2001 · Body, Brakes · WA

The vehicle master cylinder failed three times,brake pads and shoe assemblies, rotors and calipers failed twice.

Filed Jun 14, 2001 · Visibility · GA

I have let the dealership know. And they are going to check the wipers and cruise control when I go in for my new tires through the tire recall for firestones wildnerness at.

Filed Jun 5, 2001 · Visibility · LA

Windshield wiper operated from very slow to fast when the setting was on fast.

Filed Apr 20, 2001 · Acceleration, Engine · OR

We have had a hood latch recall, cruise control recall, questions about a tire recall (firestone), power steering fluid leak, cv boot rip, wipers turning on with the turn signal, 1 engine replaced due to 0 psi oil at idle (did they really replace it or just say they did?) several independent re-evaluations after the "new" engine had even more noises, fuel injectors replaced, a mysterious clunking sound on the right side during left turns, ~5000mi after 1st engine "replacement" another ford repair center is now saying that the engine has 0psi at and we need another engine. We feel like this 99 explorer (with currently <35,000mi)is a lemon and we are tired of recalls, repairs, waiting for engines. We want a dependable car! We have taken immaculate care of the car, have had professionals do the work on it (usually ford dealerships) and yet we are afraid that the warrentee will run out and we will have an expensive problem or, worse, the car will fail and someone will get hurt! Does this car qualify as a "lemon." if not what does? If so, what are our options? P.s. All of the mentioned problems are documented by ford dealership records that are in our possession.

Filed Apr 16, 2001 · Visibility · FL

Windshield wipers would turn on even in off position or when turn signal was being used. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not covered under manufacturer's recall.

Filed Apr 16, 2001 · Visibility · FL

Erratic operation of windshield wipers operating intermittently while switch is in off position. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not cover under a manufacturer's recall. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.

Filed Apr 12, 2001 · Visibility · WA

Vehicle was parked when consumer noticed back window had completly shattered overnight.*ak

Filed Mar 23, 2001 · Body, Suspension · GA

The firestone wilderness at (p235/75r15-105s) tires are continually in need of air, once or twice a week, the front end suspension was out of alignment causing the tires to wear unevenly.

Filed Mar 17, 2001 · Visibility · CA

Summary did not explain the defects in these components.

Filed Oct 2, 2000 · Seat belts, Visibility · NY

Driver side rear seat belt will not extend from the housing mechanism, causing seat belt to be inoperable. Also, driver and passenger side seat belts do not latch in the buckle housing mechanism, causing belt to become inoperable. Also, experienced a problem with windshield wipers; when driving in rainy weather conditions, windshield wipers stop working, causing poor driver's visibility. Consumer has contacted the dealer. Please provide any further details.

Filed Sep 21, 2000 · Visibility · NC

Rear windshield exploded and shattered while driving with passenger's window down. Ford cannot determine the cause. Please provide further information.

Filed Sep 10, 2000 · Visibility · ND

Driving on highway at normal speed when there was a loud explosion. After the explosion we realized the rear window had blown out. The dealer was contacted and the replacement was completed and covered by the dealer with no questions asked.

Filed Sep 8, 2000 · Acceleration, Locks · KY

After seeing information about recalls, inspected the tires and found out that left rear tire had three cuts on it. Consumer was concerned. Firestone, wilderness, p235/75 r15, dot vd. *ak cruise control malfunctioned. Hood latch was loose. Windshield wiper malfunctioned.

Filed Sep 6, 2000 · Visibility · TX

Heard tire recall aug. 9. Had checked at firestone store aug.11 and told I had "the" tires. They had none to replace. Was 176 on a list of "no" tires. Filled tires to recommended 30. Drove slowly, one old person and purse (sometimes groceries)in car. Was extremely lucky in circumstances. Tire blew and did not have to stop quickly and was on outside lane of freeway in traffic which had thined out. Rolled into service lane and stopped gradually. Ford's roadside assistance came and changed the tire. Ford replaced all 5 with goodyears next day. Cost only a days work as ford not go for rent car.could have easily been worse..a grandmother with 6 little grandchildren and new "safe" car for them.I really resent that they sold me a "safe" car and knew about the tires. Ford said that "tires" were not part of my warranty but they would replace anyway. Good of them. They told me that they only had 30 tires to replace on their cars and I told them that 5 of them were mine!!!( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 )

Filed Aug 29, 2000 · Tires, Visibility · NY · 2 injuries

Pe00020, original equipment; while driving on interstate at 60 MPH suddenly it felt like car lifted, and then heard a pop. When car landed, consumer lost control, car swerved, and used a cement divider to help slow the vehicle down and to keep it from rolling over. *ak the consumer feels the accident was due to faulty firestone wilderness xt tires and 2 people were injured. The wiper switch was replaced.

Filed Aug 22, 2000 · Electrical, Visibility · IA

Vehicile started on with ignition switch. His grandson was inside of vehicle, and rear back window came up, and grandson stuck his head outside of the window and the window came up. Owner came out just in time to release the window.*ak the dealer replaced the electric start system. The main problem was the automatic start system which starts spontaneously without using the key pad. The vehicle started several times without notice.

Filed Aug 8, 2000 · Visibility · CA

After using window washer, wipers come on when using signals. Happens all the time.

Filed Aug 7, 2000 · Brakes, Lights · MA

Pe00020, orginial equipment with 1999 ford explorer, tire size p23575r15. While driving the front end shakes very hard, and on all tires there are lumps forming and making a whistling noise. *ak there was a constant noise in the front of the vehicle, dealer has replaced the following to remedy the problem: drivesahft, lower control arms, left upper ball joint, lower steering shaft on two occasions, front shaft, lower ball joints, outer tie rod ends, power steering pump and rack, left upper ball joint and finally the arm bushing that was hitting the frame. Brakes were pulsating, dealer machined the front rotors. There was a delay in starting the vehicle, dealer stated this was normal. Radio had no display lights, dealer installed a new radio. The rear brake light burnt out, dealer replaced the bulb. The parking brake sometimes would not release, dealer could not duplicate the problem. The check engine light illuminated. The rear wiper was not cleaning, dealer replaced the wiper arm and blade.

Filed Aug 4, 2000 · Transmission, Visibility · IA

The front end noise persists even after both front hubs and front seals were replaced during two seperate service calls. The wiper sensor/motor was replaced before windshield wipers started coming on without warning since the dealer told me that would happen..the dealer has been very helpful and upfront, but the front end noise still persists and it is quite annoying to have to keep going back for the same symptoms. I have heard this has been a common complaint in this area.

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