Problems with 1999 Ford Explorer VISIBILITY

The rearview mirror vibrates at highway speeds reducing driver visibility and causing visual distraction potentially resulting in an accident and possible personal injury. at highway speed, the electrochromic interior rearview mirror begins to vibrate rendering images unclear. this condition makes it difficult to impossible for the driver to discern traffic conditions behind the vehicle including distance, rate of closure, etc. in addition, this problem is compounded during nighttime driving when the rear traffic headlight image oscillates, creating a visual distraction for the driver. both these hazardous safety conditions could result in an accident and possible potential personal injury. this chronic safety problem has occurred since the purchase date 05/31/99 and has been repeatedly escalated to the dealership and ford motor corporation for resolution. while the dealership in conjunction with ford has tried to identify and repair the problem, including replacing the mirror, adjusting the mirror, balancing tires, balancing the drive train, and replacing 1 wheel, they have yet to resolve the issue and identify the vibration source. *ak

Windshield wipers only work on low speed, and come on without warning. dealer can't fix problem. *ak

Wipers will not work at times

The windshield wipers do not function in the high speed. also, the wipers turn off and on at will. we have repeatedly called the ford dealer and have been told ford motor is aware of the problem but as of today, have not come up with a solution. the windshild wipers failure to work in the high spead put us as risk on july 31 while traveling on the ohio turnpike in a severe thunderstorm. we were unable to see through the windshield and had to pull to the side of the road until the rain subsided. this problem is more than an inconvenience, it is a safety hazard! our local ford dealership is unable to give me a date that replacement parts will be available to fix this problem.

Windshield wipers go on for no reason, sometimes when signaling. *ak

While making a right or left turn the windshield wipers would turn on. while traveling in hard rain wipers have difficult time keping up. please provide further informaton.

Windshield wipers come on when in off position and do not always work properly when in on position. we had our explorer into dealer on july 24 for multiple problems, one being the windshield wipers. the part was ordered and still has not come in. it is very dangerous when you are driving down the road when the wipers start working when they don't need to or stop working properly when you need them.

Intermittently the windshield wipers are inoperable on high. dealer has not been able to repair the problem. *ak *ml

Windshield wipers are going on when not turned on. getting worse. also, speeds are not correct when are turned on. have already also had to have gear shift mechanism replaced do to failure, still sticks trying to take key out sometimes.

The windshield wiper starts up when the controls are not activated. 30 - 60 seconds later it will start again. *ak

Windshield wipers randomly activate, cycle once, then return to parked position. this could easily distract a driver and this lapse of attention could cause an accident. *ak

Windshield wipers keep getting worse. they activate on their own every 2 to 30 sec. dealer cannot fix the problem. *ak

Windshield wipers comes on/off on its own. when turned on will not go fast. would slow down or speed up on its own. took to dealer & was informed a module is needed. manufacturer has parts on back order.*ak

Windshield wipers come on without turning the switch on and when you need them working they work only in low speed. they come on while driving over small bumps, or just come on intermittently. dealer seen car in jun-1999, 4 monts later problem stil exist.dealer can't fix the problem.

Windshield wipers come on at will, and high speed won't operate. twice have been caught in very heavy rain and unable to see safely without high speed wipers. dealer has seen vehicle twice, and still not fixed. second part on order, and no call from dealer within promised time period. second defect first occurred on the date of this complaint---rear wiper/washer would not operate at all. after vehicle turned off and sat approximately one hour, rear wiper then worked. seems to be an electrical problem, like the front wipers. third defect is noisy front passenger seat seat belt anchor.

I have complained a few times about the problem, the dealer keeps telling me the part is still on back order (4 months)

Windshield wipers come on unexpectedly, and windshield wiper switch does not go on the high mode, which may cause visibility problems while drivng and may result in a crash. manufacturer is aware of the problem,, but has no solution. please provide further information. *ak

While in use windshield wipers malfunction which may cause visibility problems and could result in a crash. also while driving, without windshield wipers in use, wipers may activate unexpectedly. dealer cannot determine the problem. please provide further information. *ak

The windshield wipers malfunctioned, causing the wipers to come on unexpectedly. won't work in the high mode which affects visibility, and may result in a crash. common problem. ford does not know what to do yet but is aware of the problem. *ak

Part on order for 6 weeks

Windshield wipers malfunctioned, causing the windshield wipers to activate unexpectedly. also, using the turn signal wipers will activated. during heavy rainstorm, the wiper "high" mode is inoperative which causes poor visibility and may result in a crash. ford is aware of the problem, and is investigating the problem, but has no remedy for this problem. ford instructed the dealer not to repair the wipers. please provide further information. *ak *yc

Ongoing problem with windshield wipers coming on intermittently with the wiper switch in and off position. wipers would come on for a few seconds, stop and resume again. dealer has inspected vehicle and informed consumer that they did not have the parts to fix the problem. can nhtsa help in this matter. *ak

Wipers cycle when turn signal actuated. wipers cycle for no reason. wipers work on high speed only intermittently if at all. wipers always work on low and intermittent speeds.

While parked in the carport the rear window shattered. dealer said it was the 4th one they have seen do this. dealer repaired at no charge.

Windshield wipers intermittently come on and off. consumer contacted dealer. *ak

The wipers go on at will; stop at will; raining or not raining. intermittent. have no fast wiper speed or windshield washer. dealer ordered part (stick for wipers/turn signal). it just came in. i'll see if that fixes the problem.

Windshield wipers randomly come on and also randomly turn off when in use. no high speed. very dangerous. gem module replaced- to no avail. *ak

We are one of the apparent 1.5 million vechicle owners effected by the random operation of our windshield wipers (front). the problem seems to occur while using or just after using the left turn signal.

While driving on highway traveling 65mph all of sudden the vehicle cuts off. no warning. no nothing. interior lights went out, and also the rear wipers work intermittently. contacted dealer they are aware of the problem, but not able to find whats causing the problem. problem still exists. *ak *ml

Windshield wipers would not work properly. very erratic. come on/off by themselves. the problem is getting worse. causing the driver to have poor visibility in the rain. had wipers repaired by dealer once. now informed manufacturer is redesigning wiper part & will not repair. *ak

During decelaration at an intersection, the rear windshield exploded. upon inspection driver found glass inside and outside the vehicle area. windshield defroster was not engaged at the time. outside air temperature @70 degrees. some burn marks found on surrounding frame area after arrival at dealership. no flying objects observed hitting the windshield by driver following affected vehicle.

Ongoing problem with windshield wipers intermittently coming on without being turned on. dealer notified, and informed consumer that they are aware of the problem. seeking help from nhtsa in this matter. *ak

Brake lights do not stay on when brakes are applied. lights come on, but go back out while brakes are still being applied. dealer has seen vehicle, and said that it is normal. *ak brake switch has been replaced 6 times and power booster has been replaced with no remedies, brake pedal makes a popping noise when released. message center, miles per gallon, is inaccurate and has been replaced, however consumer states it still does not work. rear suspension squeaks and groans over bumps, consumer states there is too much roll stiffness built into suspension, alignment checked and toe set due to vehicle wandering. water leaks inside door frames. automatic transmission is reluctant to downshift unless the accelerator is pressed flat to the floor. inside rear view mirrow mounted too low. consumer states squeaks and rattles show up all the time in the interior of the vehicle, rattles in dash, drivers door area, and b pillar. cd changer jammed twice. limited emblem replaced twice. speedometer reads too fast. *slc

Since march the windshield wipers have repeatedly gone on whenever they felt like it. the safety issue comes into play when you have them on regular speed and want to have them go faster and they do not sometimes work faster or they are going faster and slow down to regular speed. they have at times not gone on at all. we contacted the dealer and they said thay were waiting for a replacement gem module. i also contacted ford motor and they said they were waiting for a fix. this seems to be a very long wait for something that is a safety issue.

Windshield wipers malfunctioned, causing wipers not to work in the "high mode," affecting visibilit which may result in a crash. also upon turning on turn signal, the windshield wiper will come on unexpectedly. common problem. parts on back order. please provide further information. *ak

While driving windshield wipers work intermittently. dealer was contacted and fixed the problem. *ak

Windshield wipers fails to work properly when in use. would come on/off by themselves. the problem is intermittent. this causes poor visibility to the driver. will be taking vehicle to dealer. *ak

Windshield wipers would operate while switch is off, causing poor visibility which may lead to an automobile crash. can nhtsa help in this matter. *ak

I purchased this 99 explorer in february and already it has been in the shop several times for different defects including on the first day i bought the truck and took in home with 6 miles on it the transmission began slipping and eventually went out on the truck. since it was a saturday that this happened the truck sat till monday when the dealer had it towed back (i did notice transmission fluid on the ground).the dealer said this problem was due to a connector on the transmission fluid line not being sealed or tightened. i asked if there was damage to the transmission which they said it wouldn't be but this leads me to my next problem. the truck does not accelerate through the gears properly but ford says there is nothing wrong with after looking at it again. next it was in for the speed control cable which they sent a letter to me for but did not have the cable in stock and were suppose to disable the speed control until one came in. they did not disable it which was very hazardous safety wise. next the truck has been in because one of the speakers was blown and in fact after getting that one replaced the others sound just as bad as the blown one and the radio has never been turned past halfway. my latest problem is that my windshield wipers will come on sporactically at any time and stay on for about 30 seconds and i cannot turn them off seeing as i didn't turn them on. this happens about every 45 minutes to an hour. i have not been to the dealer about this because one i am very unhappy about the vehicle and am tired of finding another means for transportation while they fix my truck. i even asked for another truck but was told that there shouldn't be moe problems with the truck, this was after the transmission went on the first day i bought it. *ak

Consumer stated there have been numerous problems with the drive train, consumer began hearing an odd n oise in august 2000, and in april 2001, at that time dealer could not duplicate the problem, the dealership however did replace the driveshaft assembly, and the joint assembly spindle-arm, several months later the outer tie-rod ends were replaced, lower steering shaft which was leaking power steering fluid, the power steering pump and the rack and pinion, also parking brake does not release, and the cruise control cable was replaced, the check engine light illuminated.*ak *slc

Windshield wipers operate erratically, and unreliably.......turning on by themselves and when turn signals activated, turning off/changing speeds by themselves when turned on.

Windshield wipers stay on. consumer has the switch set at off, and the windshield wipers still come on. *yc

Windshield wipers would go on or off on by themselves. would sometimes stop in middle of operation. vehicle would fail to start if steering wheel is not in correct position. the signal lever will not operate properly if the wheels are slightly turned. *ak

Windshield wipers would intermittently operate while in a off mode. dealer notified, and informed consumerthat they are waiting for the parts. *ak

Ongoing problem with windshield wipers intermittently coming on while in off mode. also, wipers would work only in a slow speed or intermittently work. *ak

Reporting ongoing problem with sun roof leaking inside vehicle. vehicle been in / out of dealer shop on four occasions, and problems still unresolved. can nhtsa provide informayion on this matter. *ak

The airbag light comes on indicating a problem with airbag system which won't deploy in event of a crash so it wont protect the occupant. also problems with windshield wiper malfunction which may cause visual diffculty and crash. problem still exists. please provide further information. mjs