Yuma, AZ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11654947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2000 Ford Explorer engine problems
102 of the 1,203 complaints about the 2000 Ford Explorer are about the engine — 8% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 75,225 miles.
102
Complaints
1
Crashes
15
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Engine AND Engine Cooling
29
28.4%
Gasoline
28
27.5%
Engine
23
22.5%
Engine
9
8.8%
Belts AND Associated Pulleys
4
3.9%
Emission Control
3
2.9%
Radiator Assembly
1
1.0%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
1
1.0%
Cooling System
1
1.0%
Catalytic Convertor
1
1.0%
Engine & Cooling across every Ford Explorer year
1991
66
1.6%
1992
84
2.0%
1993
68
1.6%
1994
89
2.1%
1995
55
1.3%
1996
96
2.3%
1997
227
5.4%
1998
212
5.1%
1999
112
2.7%
2000
102
2.4%
2001
47
1.1%
2002
214
5.1%
2003
91
2.2%
2004
116
2.8%
2005
47
1.1%
2006
227
5.4%
2007
38
0.9%
2008
25
0.6%
2010
17
0.4%
2011
104
2.5%
2012
93
2.2%
2013
292
7.0%
2014
264
6.3%
2015
294
7.1%
2016
495
11.9%
2017
313
7.5%
2018
123
3.0%
2019
24
0.6%
2020
136
3.3%
2021
58
1.4%
2022
29
0.7%
2023
11
0.3%
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
at 223,000 miles
Twining, MI
Fire
1 injured
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon pulling into a gas station, both white and black colored smoke began to emit from the vehicle without warning. Before the contact could fully react, the vehicle soon caught fire. The contact managed to pull away from the gas pumps as a gas attendant brought out fire extinguishers that they both used to exterminate the fire. The fire department arrived at the scene; however, the contact was unsure if a fire report was filed. The contact suffered minor scrapes and bruises as a result of the fire but did not seek medical attention. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained at the gas station. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 223,000.
NHTSA complaint #11534005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 153,000 miles
Tucker, GA
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that there were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
NHTSA complaint #11462086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,727 miles
Alameda, CA
ENGINE
THE VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO SUDDEN UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION WHILE BOTH IN MOTION AND STATIONARY.
NHTSA complaint #11055411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 miles
Rocklin, CA
ENGINE
I AM DEEPLY DISGUSTED WITH YOUR SERVICE. I HAD FILED A COMPLAINT ONLINE AND ON THE PHONE ABOUT THE VEHICLE I HAVE SPECIFIED ON THIS ONLINE SYSTEM. THIS WAS DONE BACK IN 2011 AND FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH THE MANUFACTURE AND THE CA STATE DEPT. OF INVESTIGATIONS WITH DMV. I HAD ALSO SENT THE 20 PAGE OR SO COMPLAINT DIRECTLY TO A CA STATE SENATOR. I WAS SOLD A VEHICLE WITH A FIRE RECALL STILL IN EFFECT AND REGISTERED TO THE AUTO DEALER OF AUTO WEST GROUP. THE VEHICLE COME TO FIND OUT HAD WELL OVER 15 SAFETY RELATED RECALLS IN ITS HISOTRY. FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO AQUIRE COPIES OF WHAT I HAD SENT INTO YOUR DEPARTMENT, THE FTC, THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND THE BUREAU OF AUTO REPAIRS. NOW I FIND THAT I AM BEING STONEWALLED AND BEING TOLD THINGS LIKE THEY NO LONGER HAVE ANY RECORDS OF THE PROBLEMS. I NEVER RECEIVED A REPLACMENT VEHICLE AND I WAS IN FACT A VICTIM OF FINANCIAL FRAUD ASSOCIATED WITH THE PURCHASING OF THIS VEHICLE. BANK OF AMERICA AND THE USED VEHICLE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALER. SINCE THIS TIME THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA HAD ENACTED A FEW NEW LEMON LAW PROTECTIONS. I AM CERTAIN THAT MY PAPERWORK AND COMPLAINT WRITE-UPS ASSISTED IN SERVING THE LEGISLATION. IT COULDN'T BE MORE APPARENT THAT I AM BEING HARASSED AS A WHISTLE BLOWER.. I HAVE RECEIVED NO INFORMATION OR FOLLOWUP LETTERS FROM ANY SOURCE. ALL OF THEM ARE SIMPLY TRYING TO PRETEND I DO NOT EXIST. THEIR HAS BEEN NO RESOLVE OF THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #10970791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middletown, NY
Fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2000 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL STATES ENGINE RUNNING WITHOUT IGNITION KEY COULD START A FIRE. CONSUMER STATES THOUGHT DEALERSHIP REPAIRED RECALL PROBLEMS. VEHICLE EXPLODED SEVEN MINUTES AFTER CONSUMER EXISTS VEHICLE. *SMD
NHTSA complaint #10874080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 miles
Placentia, CA
ENGINE
SUDDEN ACCELERATION FROM STOP IN PARKING LOT.
NHTSA complaint #10825796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
Fire
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING SLIGHTLY UPHILL IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, OFF EXIT 16 ON THE PALISADES PARKWAY, DUE TO A CONTROLLED STOP SET UP BY POLICE TO CHECK INSPECTION AND REGISTRATION. I SAW SMOKE AROUND MY VEHICLE, SO I LOOKED AT MY INSTRUMENT PANEL TO SEE IF MY CAR WAS OVERHEATING. MY INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATED NOTHING WAS WRONG. WHEN I LOOKED UP, AN OFFICER WAS MOTIONING FOR ME TO PULL OVER SAYING MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. I QUICKLY PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR, GOT IN THE BACK SEAT TO GET MY 1 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OUT OF HER CAR SEAT, AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. MY WIFE QUICKLY GOT OUT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. WE WERE TOLD TO GET FAR AWAY. TWO POLICE OFFICERS TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH EXTINGUISHERS, BUT WERE UNABLE TO GET THE HOOD OPEN. WE WERE OUT OF THE CAR NO MORE THAN 5 MINUTES WHEN IT WAS ENTIRELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE TRUCKS ARRIVED APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES LATER, BY THEN THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED.
NHTSA complaint #10749616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 miles
Winston Salem, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TIMING CHAIN RATTLES.
NHTSA complaint #10659689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
Fire
ENGINE
2000 FORD EXPLORER WENT UP IN FLAMES. REPORTED IT RIGHT AWAY TO FORD AND WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER. THEY TOLD US TO TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALER IN THE AREA. AFTER MONTHS AND MONTHS AND MONTHS OF GETTING NO RESPONSE WE KEPT GETTING THE RUN AROUND THEN TOLD THAT IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY DEFECT. WE RECENTLY GOT A RECALL LETTER FROM FORD FOR THE EXACT THING THAT HAPPENED TO THIS CAR CAUSING IT TO GO ON FIRE AND FORD WILL NOT RESPOND. THEY SAY THAT THE CLAIM HAS BEEN CLOSED AND THAT THE ORIGINAL DECISION (WHICH WE NEVER RECEIVED) STANDS AND THEY WILL NOT RESPOND TO US ANY LONGER. HOW CAN THIS BE ACCEPTABLE. SEE FORD SAFETY RECALL #05S28 IT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO THE EXPLORER.
NHTSA complaint #10651387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 173,000 miles
Bridgeport, CT
Fire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE PARKED THE VEHICLE AND AS SHE PROCEEDED TO WALK AWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.
NHTSA complaint #10481994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 167,000 miles
Minneapolis, MN
Fire
ENGINE
VEHICLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIREWALL WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE AND PARTIALLY MELTED SHORTING OUT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHILE VEHICLE WAS WAS UNDER STEADY LOAD (3500 RPM) FOR LESS THAN 5 MINUTES PULLING OUT A STUMP. FIRE WAS UNDER HOOD AND WAS EXTINGUISHED WITHIN SECONDS WITH WATER. ENGINE RUNS BUT DASH WARNING LIGHTS PERIODICALLY APPEAR: ENGINE, ABS BRAKES, GAS CAP, ETC.
NHTSA complaint #10475752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 179,000 miles
Taylorsville, NC
Fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE POLICE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE CONTACTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 179,000.
NHTSA complaint #10448801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 188,604 miles
Princeton, MN
Fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SPARKPLUG SUPER-HEATED AND MELTED LONGITUDINALLY DESTROYING THE OUTERMOST SPARKPLUG THREADS (7 THROUGH THE SEATING SURFACE OF THE SPARK PLUG). INNER MOST THREADS, THE ONES DEEPEST INTO THE HEAD WERE NOT DAMAGED. A SECOND PLUG WAS INSTALLED ALONG WITH A NEW SPARK PLUG WIRE AND WITHIN 20 MILES, THE SPARKPLUG WAS AGAIN MELTED BEYOND SALVAGE AND THE NEW WIRE BURNED UP. DUE TO THE DESTRUCTION OF THE SPARKPLUG, IT WAS ABLE TO BE REMOVED WITHOUT TOOLS AS THERE WERE NO THREADS REMAINING IN THE CYLINDER HEAD. FORTUNATELY THE FIRE DAMAGE (LIKELY FROM THE SPARK OF THE PLUG) WAS LIMITED ONLY TO DAMAGING THE SPARKPLUG AND THE SPARK PLUG WIRE LABLED #3.
NHTSA complaint #10444658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bethlehem, PA
Fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THIS IS TO REPORT A FIRE IN A 2000 FORD EXPLORER: ON FRIDAY, 25 NOV 11, 5 ADULTS (MY HUSBAND, 2 SONS, DAUGHTER-IN LAW, AND MYSELF) AND 2 DOGS, LEFT BETHLEHEM PA FOR OUR FAMILY CHRISTMAS TRIP IN OUR 2000 FORD EXPLORER, PULLING A UTILITY TRAILER. THE INTENT OF THE TRIP WAS TO START AT A CHRISTMAS TREE FARM, CUT DOWN 3 CHRISTMAS TREES, HAUL THEM IN THE TRAILER AND CONTINUE WITH SEVERAL OTHER CHRISTMAS RELATED TRADITIONAL STOPS. MY HUSBAND, DROVE APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES NORTH TO BISSELS CHRISTMAS TREE HILL IN LEHIGHTON, PA. HE DID NOT USE CRUISE CONTROL BECAUSE WE WERE PULLING THE TRAILER. THE TRIP WAS FINE WITH ABSOLUTELY NO INDICATIONS THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. IT ALSO HAD NOT HAD ANY SERVICE DONE TO IT RECENTLY (A QUESTION FREQUENTLY ASKED TO US). HE PARKED THE VEHICLE ALONG AN EMBANKMENT AT THE TREE FARM AND WE ALL WERE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF GETTING OUT OF THE CAR WITH THE DOGS WHEN SOMEONE NEARBY YELLED TO US THAT OUR CAR WAS ON FIRE. SHE REPEATED IT AS WE LOOKED TO SEE WHO SHE WAS ADDRESSING. WE LOOKED AT OUR CAR AND SAW THAT UNDER IT, FIRE BALLS WERE HITTING THE GROUND FROM WHAT APPEARED TO BE THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE. MY HUSBAND ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE HOOD AND SMOKE WAS IMMEDIATELY POURING OUT OF THE ENGINE. WE ALL QUICKLY GOT AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. MY ONE SON IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 AND MY OTHER SON RAN NEARBY TO TRY AND FIND A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE SMOKE QUICKLY TURNED INTO A FULL BLOWN FIRE. THE COMPLETE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, ALONG WITH THE EMBANKMENT NEARBY, WAS ABLAZE. THE MAHONING VALLEY POLICE CAME, THEN THE FIRE CAPTAINS, THEN 2 FULL FIRE TRUCKS FROM LEHIGHTON AND MAHONING VALLEY FIRE DEPARTMENTS. THEY QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED EVERYTHING, ALONG WITH THE VEHICLE WE LOST MY PURSE, JACKETS, AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS VALUABLES THAT WERE ON THE FLOOR OF THE FRONT SEAT AND IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10439771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 202,000 miles
West Allis, WI
Fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE 2000 FORD EXPLORER SUV BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AS THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED. AFTER PULLING OVER AND TURNING THE IGNITION OFF, WE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. UNDERNEATH THE CAR, FLAMES WERE DRIPPING DOWN FROM THE TRANSMISSION. WE USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES ON THE GROUND, AND ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE HOOD. AFTER THE HOOD WAS OPENED, LARGE FLAMES WERE OBSERVED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS USED UNTIL EMPTY AND HAD LITTLE IMPACT. THE CAR BEGAN TO BURN QUICKLY AND THE FLAMES SPREAD FROM FRONT TO BACK. THE EMERGENCY SERVICES ARRIVED, EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND COLLECTED WITNESS STATEMENTS. NO ONE WAS HURT IN THE INCIDENT AND THE FRAME WAS TOWED VIA AAA TO A NEARBY AUTOMOTIVE SHOP.
NHTSA complaint #10413364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 miles
Philadelphia, PA
Fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT ON FIRE. ALL I SAW WAS CLOUD OF SMOKE. THEN PEOPLE STARTED YELLING AND BLOWING THEIR HORN AT ME, THE UNBELIEVABLE, THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10336226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,104 miles
Santa ANA, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER . THE CONTACT STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. SHE THEN PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. SHE THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED HER THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FROM A CRACK IN THE CYLINDER HEAD OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER OWNERS EXPENSE. WHEN IT WAS AT THE DEALER SHIP THEY TOOK THE VEHICLE APART WITHOUT THE DRIVERS PERMISSION. THE DRIVER CALLED AN INVESTIGATOR FROM THE BUREAU OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THEY USED A DEFECTIVE ENGINE FOR THE 2000 FORD MODELS AND FOUND OUT AFTER A YEAR AND THAT'S WHY THE Y DISCONTINUED USING THAT SPECIFIC ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93104 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93300.
NHTSA complaint #10282533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morristown, TN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SPARK PLUG CLOSEST TO DRIVER DOES NOT SEAT AND COMES OUT. NOT A FULL BLOW OUT OF IT, BUT THE PLUG FEELS REAL LOOSE. I TRIED NEW PLUG BUT IT STILL FEELS LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #10266823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 miles
Miami, FL
Fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER DRIVER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. SHE PULLED OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND THE HOOD. THE CONTACT QUICKLY REMOVED HER CHILDREN AND CHILD SEAT FROM THE VEHICLE. IN A MATTER OF SECONDS, THE HOOD BURST INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE JUNKYARD. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL NOT INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE COMPLETE COVERAGE. THE MIAMI MIDWAY POLICE DEPARTMENT FILED REPORT NUMBER PPOC9A02C02188. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 96,000.
NHTSA complaint #10254084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Wayne, IN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AT 166,000 HEAD GASKET BLEW PLUS THERE WERE OTHER ENGINE PROBLEMS. REPLACED WITH ANOTHER ENGINE. NOW TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT. IT WILL GO INTO REVERSE FINE BUT WILL GO INTO DRIVE WITH PROBLEMS. IF VEHICLE IS COLD IT WILL GO INTO DRIVE FASTER THAN WHEN IT IS WARMED UP. AT WARM TEMP IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL TRIES OF SHIFTING FROM PARK BACK TO DRIVE OR WAITING SEVERAL MINUTES FOR IT TO DROP INTO DRIVE AFTER SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS VEHICLE LESS THAN 2 YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #10251892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 miles
Windsor Heights, IA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC FOUND ANTIFREEZE IN THE OIL. NEW OIL WAS PLACED IN THE VEHICLE AND, ONCE IT WAS RESTARTED, ANTIFREEZE WAS FOUND IN THE OIL AGAIN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE HEAD GASKET. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A BLOWN HEAD GASKET OR A FAILED HEAD BOLT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #10250507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 miles
Trenton, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE ENGINE MAKES A LOUD RATTLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS OFFLINE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE CONDUCTING A FREE REPAIR FOR THIS FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE TIME HAD ALREADY EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE NO LONGER HONORING THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 06/17/08. *LJ UPDATED 06/17/08
NHTSA complaint #10229126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,100 miles
Gansevoort, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE FUEL LINE RUSTED AND DEVELOPED TINY PIN HOLES AND CRACKS. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALSO. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COST WOULD BE BETWEEN $400 AND $500 TO REMOVE THE TANK. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,100.
NHTSA complaint #10215995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 miles
Pinellas Park, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE STARTED RUNNING VERY ROUGH IN DRIVE BUT OK IN PARK AND SMELL OF FUEL OR EXHAUST WAS IN CABIN. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY. DEALERSHIP SAID VALVE WAS BURNED OUT AND THIS ONLY HAPPENS IF VEHICLE HAS OVERHEATED. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER OVERHEATED AND EVEN ACKNOWLEDGED A FULL AND CLEAN COOLANT LEVEL PRESENT. DEALERSHIP WANTS $1,800 TO FIX ENGINE WHICH ONLY HAS 68,000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10210208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 miles
Chicago, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER XLT. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE FACTORY INSTALLED INTERIOR LIGHTS BEGAN FLASHING ON AND OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY CONNECTION WITH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. SHE WAS CHARGED $477 PLUS LABOR FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT WROTE AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED. THE APPROXIMATE DATE OF FAILURE WAS IN NOVEMBER OF 2006. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE ENGINE. SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS AN ENGINE WARRANTY OF 60,000 MILES. HOWEVER, THE DEALER CHARGED HER FOR THIS REPAIR AS WELL. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 6, 2007. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED HER STATE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE WHO STATED THAT THEY RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD AND THAT SHE COULD SUE FORD IF SHE WISHED. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 57,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
NHTSA complaint #10191339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 miles
Bardtown, KY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. ON MAY 21, 2007, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE COIL PACK AND SPARK PLUGS FAILED IN HER VEHICLE TWICE IN FOUR DAYS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATES AND LOOSES POWER WHEN DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SPEED AND WEATHER WERE NOT FACTORS. THE PURCHASE DATE AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10191354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,000 miles
Kingston Ontario, 00
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2000 EXPLORER XLT WITH APPROXIMATELY 55000 MILES. TAKEN TO DEALER TO BE SERVED C FOR STALLING AND FAILURE TO RESTART WITH HIGH TEMPERATURE. DEALER REPORTED THAT ENGINE HDS COOLANT AND OIL MIXING AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED, $3500 COST. WHEN I OBJECTED, DEALER THEN STATED THAT THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED, AND THAT THE ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE TORN DOWN TO FIX , 2,000. . I OBJECTED AGAIN, AND DEALER DECIDED TO REPLACE GASKET, FLUSH OIL, COOLANT SYSTEMS, AND RETURN TO THE ROAD , $1100. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR FUTURE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO COOLANT IN ENGINE. I INVESTIGATED, AND FOUND SECRET WARRANTY SERVICE BULLETIN , NETS NUMBER 616816. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RECOVER COST OF REPAIR UNDER SB, DEALER REFUSED, CLAIMING THAT SB EXTENSION WAS OVER , ENDED DECEMBER 2006. THIS VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN THE LIMITED MILEAGE UNDER THE WARRANTY, AND OBVIOUS DRIVING RATES LESS THAN EXPECTED UNDER THE WARRANTY , ORIGINAL AND SECRET EXTENSION.. CUSTOMERS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS SECRET WARRANTY EXTENSION. ENGINE GASKETS, INCLUDING HEAD GASKETS AND MANIFOLD GASKETS WERE NOT OWNER SERVICED ITEMS, AND WERE EXPECTED TO LIVE AS LONG AS THE POWER PLANT. I EXPECTED FORD TO LIVE UP TO THEIR PRODUCT HYPE AND FIX THIS VEHICLE FOR FREE, INCLUDING COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT IF REQUIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10186439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,877 miles
Butler, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE RATTLED AND THE VEHICLE NEEDED THE ENGINE BOLTS TIGHTENED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC BUT NOT A SERVICE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10176079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 miles
Staten Island, NY
Fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE RESIDENCE, A NOISE WAS HEARD, THEN FIRE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND REPORTED THE FIRE AS ELECTRICAL FAILURE FROM THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM. THE CONTACT TOOK PICTURES OF THE CHARRED VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED BUT NEVER RETURNED THE CALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED WHO INFORMED HER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL PERTAINING TO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM DUE TO THE VIN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD NOT DETERMINED WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE, HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER HAD READ ABOUT REPORTS WHERE VEHICLE WERE CATCHING ON FIRE DUE TO FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCHES. UPDATED 12/13/06. *JB UPDATED 04/03/07.
NHTSA complaint #10173673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.