1998 Ford Explorer equipment problems

EQUIPMENT

98 FORD EXPLORER STEREO-CD-CASSETTE PLAYER, VOLUME CONTROL AND DISPLAY IS DEFECTIVE AGAIN. HAD IT FIXED OUT OF WARRANTY AT 40 MONTHS, NOW BROKE AGAIN...MANY UNHAPPY PEOPLE HAD SAME PROBLEM ON "EXPLORERFORUM.COM". SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10239110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WAS LEAKING IN THE 1998 EXPLORER, AND THE ACCUMULATOR WAS RUSTED VERY BADLY SO THAT IT TOO MAY HAVE LEAKS IN IT. FORD NEEDED TO RECALL THESE UNITS, AND REPLACE THE RUSTED ACCUMULATOR.

NHTSA complaint #10190716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

AM/FM/CASSETTE CD RADIO DISPLAY NO LONGER WORKS. AT TIMES THE DISPLAY APPEARS BUT THEN GOES BLANK FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON. CURRENTLY THE DISPLAY HAS BEEN BLANK FOR MONTHS.

NHTSA complaint #10178749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

I HAVE A 1998 FORD EXPLORER THAT I HAVE BEEN GETTING A LOUD GRUNTING NOISE EVERYTIME I TURN LEFT. REPLACED RACK N PINION AND POWER STEERING PUMP, AND STILL NO CHANGE. NOISE IS STILL THERE.

NHTSA complaint #10156180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

RADIO DISPLAY GOES OUT. CANNOT SEE THE CLOCK OR RADIO SELECTION. THIS HAS BEEN VARY DANGERIOUS IN THE WINTER DURING EARLY MORNING DRIVING WHEN I CANNOT SEE MY WATCH AND TRAVEL THROUGH SCHOOL ZONES AND I DON'T KNOW IF THE ZONE IS ACTIVE OR NOT. THE RADIO WAS REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND HAS SINCE GONE OUT AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10080561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

THE AIR CONDITIONER IN MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER GRADUALLY DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. AT THIS TIME, IT IS NOT COOLING AT ALL. TODAY (JUNE 12, 2004), I READ ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH THE A/C ACCUMULATOR. I PEALED BACK PART OF THE "THERMAL BLANKET" WRAPPED AROUND THE ACCUMULATOR, AND FOUND IT TO BE RUSTED. THE AC HAS NOT BEEN COOLING IN ABOUT 2-3 MONTHS, BUT IT IS MOST INCONVENIENT AND DANGEROUS NOW WITH THE SUMMER HEAT IN FULL FORCE.

NHTSA complaint #10075281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONER MODE WILL COOL GREAT IN MAX A/C MODE BUT NOT IN ALL OTHER MODES. ONLY HOT AIR COMES OUT. I'VE HAD THIS INVESTIGATED ONCE IN GERMANY AND TWICE IN THE STATES. NO DEALERSHIP CLAIMED TO HAVE FOUND ANYTHING WRONG. FINALLY, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE AIR BLENDER. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT IS IN A LOT OF EXPLORERS FROM WHAT I SEE ON THE INTERNET. THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED TO FIX. THE INTERNET SHOWS A BACKYARD GARAGE FIX, BUT IS NOT IDEAL SOLUTION. FORD NEEDS TO CORRECT DEFECTIVE DESIGN.

NHTSA complaint #10045512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

THE INFORMATION FOR THE RADIO WAS VISIBLE AT TIMES AND SOMETIMES IT WAS NOT VISIBLE. *AK *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10022605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

RADIO LED DISPLAY DOES NOT WORK THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10003516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

THE AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL FAILS TO ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE OF THE CABIN. ONLY THE MAX A/C CONDITION WILL BLOW COLD AIR, WHILE ANY OTHER SETTING BLOWS VERY HOT AIR REGARDLESS OF THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSIS WAS TO REPLACE THE PLEMUN CHAMBER AND ACTUATOR + FREON, WHICH RESULTS IN A $1,200 REPAIR. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECTIVE DESIGN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD. DT

NHTSA complaint #770372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONER MODE WILL COOL GREAT IN MAX A/C MODE BUT NOT IN ALL OTHER MODES. THE HOT AIR ONLY COMES OUT. I ALSO AS A RESULT OF THIS HAVE HAD THE THERMOSTAT READ HOT UNLESS I TURN ON THE VENT, WHICH ALSO TURNS OUT HOT AIR. I WENT TO THE DEALER WHO SAYS IT IS THE PLENUM, A DOOR IN THE AIR CONDITIONER. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT IS IN ALOT OF 98 EXPLORERS FROM WHAT I SEE ON THE INTERNET. THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED TO FIX. IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL, I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING OR TOLD ABOUT IT WHEN I WENT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #765446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

SPARE TIRE IS RETAINED BY A CABLE. CABLE END FAILED. TIRE CAME LOOSE AND ROLLED INTO BUSY TRAFFIC, SENDING VEHICLES SWERVING TO AVOID IT. VERY NEARLY CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. HAD THIS BEEN AT NIGHT, OR ON A BUSY FREEWAY, THERE COULD BE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES TO HAVING 50 LBS OF WHEEL AND TIRE LET LOOSE ON THE FREEWAY. FROM INTERNET NEWSGROUPS, THIS APPEARS TO BE A FREQUENT PROBLEM AND A DESIGN FLAW. CABLE IS ABOUT 1/4 INCH THICK, AND ONCE IT FAILS THERE IS NOTHING (NO RETAINING BAR OR OTHER SAFETY FEATURE) TO PREVENT THE SPARE WHEEL FROM DROPPING INTO FOLLOWING TRAFFIC. I AM SO THANKFUL NO ONE WAS HURT THIS TIME, BUT WANT TO MAKE SURE NTSA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THANKS.

NHTSA complaint #762639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

THIS PROBLEM WAS FIXD ONE TIME BY FORD, 2ND TIME IT FAILED THAY SAID IT WAS OUT OF THERE HANDS. THE RADIO GET SO HOT YOU CANT TOUCH IT!THIS MIGHT START A FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #761899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

RADIO LIGHTS GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET.

NHTSA complaint #8003336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

RADIOS DO NOT OPERATE PROPERLY,STEERIG WHEEL WHEN GO OVER A BUMP IT SWING LEFT/ RIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #751041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

THE INSERTS, WHICH HOLD THE ROOF RACK TO THE ROOF, CAME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH LUGGAGE ON THE ROOF. HAD I NOT FURTHER TIED THE LUGGAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER, I BELIEVE THAT THE ROOF RACK COULD HAVE COME LOOSE FROM THE ROOF, WITH POTENTIALLY SEVERE CONSEQUENCES TO OTHER VEHICLES. I DID TALK TO THE DEALER WHEN I RETURNED FROM THE TRIP, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY THAT TIME, AND THEY SAID THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #746374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

AM/FM/CASST/CD RADIO DISPLAY QUIT WORKING. TOLD TOUGH LUCK BY DEALER, BUY A NEW ONE FOR $400.

NHTSA complaint #746294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

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. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #889696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT

CONSUMER HAD A FLAT AND WHILE JACKING UP VEHICLE , METALJACK CRUMBLED INTO PIECES. DEALER WAS TO CONTACT CONSUMER PER MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY HAVE NOT CALLED.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE FELL OFF JACK. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #882185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

RADIO/CD PLAYER WORKS SPORADICALLY. NLM

NHTSA complaint #558804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM INOPERABLE. NLM

NHTSA complaint #558804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE READS COLD ALL THE TIME, THE ENGINE WHISTLES SOMETIMES AT LOW SPEED AND IDLE AND THE CONDENSOR WENT UP - ALL PRETTY MUCH AT THE SAME TIME THESE STARTED. (TIRESIZE: P3575R)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P3575R )

NHTSA complaint #736066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

THE CDS IN THE SINGLE CD PLAYER HEAT UP TO WHERE IT IS HOT TO TOUCH. THIS COULD BE A FIRE HAZARD. THE OUTSIDE OF THE CD/RADIO UNIT IS ALSO HOT. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THIS WAS COMMON. THE ADVISOR AT FORD SAID HE HAS A 2000 FORD TRUCK AND HIS WIFE A 1998 MUSTANG THAT DOES THE SAME THING. I NOTED THIS ON MY 30000 MILE SERVICE AND FORD DID NOT EVEN LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. IT WAS DISMISSED AND NOT EVEN NOTED ON MY REPAIR RECORD/INVOICE. ALSO, THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. IN FACT, I ONLY USED IT ONCE OR TWICE AFTER THE FIRST TIME IT WAS REPLACED. .

NHTSA complaint #728428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS LUGGAGE RACK SEPARATED FROM THE ROOF OF VEHICLE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #863315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

A/C FAILED. YH

NHTSA complaint #609079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

CD'S BECOME VERY HOT, REMOVAL CAUSES RAPIDMOVEMENT AS IF HAND WILL BURN. COULD CAUSE A FIRE OR ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #715403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

CYLINDER WASN'T FIRING AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT; AC NOT FUNCTIONING AT FULL CAPACITY.

NHTSA complaint #609512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

AUDIO VOLUME CONTROL MOUNTED ON STEERING WHEEL IS OUT OF ORDER. YH

NHTSA complaint #609878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.