Problems with 1999 Ford Explorer SUSPENSION

Transmission started slipping. neutral is actually reverse over drive is neutral 2nd is od 1st is 2nd past 1st is 1st gear. when i move power lamp to off my headlights turn off. all of this haopened when i turned my vehicle on or when i was driving.

Hi,i'm not sure if this is the correct site for me to be writing but i bought a 1999 ford explorer from a dealer in new boston on or around 7/23/2010 it had 113,027 miles on it, i was told it was fully inspected with no issues and they put a safety inspection sticker on it. on 8/13/2010 i droped said ford off at auto fair ford in manchester, n.h. to have the vehicle checked out with appr. 113850 miles on it and they found multiple safety failures and violations such as bad bad ball joints, emergency brake was inoperable, brake line leaks and worn brakes that could not have past inspection amoung other safety inspection issues. it ended up costing me about $2700.00for mostly safety repairs.how can a safety inspector issue a safety sticker with these problems? do i have any kind of recourse and if so to whom or to what agency could i contact? thank you for any and all help [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

Front and rear ball joints went bad. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford explorer. while driving 20 mph or greater, the contact heard a rattling noise when driving over bumps in the road. he took the vehicle to the ford dealer and was informed that his ball joints needed to be replaced. the failure caused the front tires on the vehicle to begin cupping. the contact was advised by the dealer not to drive the vehicle until the ball joints were replaced. the current and failure mileages were 114,000.

While driving front hub came off the vehicle, side unknown. this caused the consumer to lose steering control. consumer managed to pull over, and had the vehicle towed. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak

Dealership informed the consumer of the worn out lower front ball joint on the driver/passenger sides. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak

1999 ford explorer eddie bauer edition... we had gone out to dinner and when leaving the parking space it sounded as if we ran over a glass bottle. my husband looked around the vehicle and could not find anything. i got in the drivers seat and it felt as if the emergency brake was on (was not) and was very hard to move. we returned to the parking space, turned off the vehicle getting ready to call aaa for services. we both heard a "release" sound. he turned on the vehicle, backed up and we drove home very carefully. the next morning the vehicle was at the dealership to look into this mystery. the brakes were fine; however, they found the following to repair: *seals to brakes *rear axle pinion seal *both lower ball joints on the front end i was told the front right tire ball joints were completely worn down and the tire was just wobbly held on by the lug bolts. we recently purchased this vehicle and would appreciate your help in reviewing the past recalls on this type vehicle. this could and would have been an extreme hazard with probably extreme injury to the persons involved. also, if you can please check the past history of the owners to make sure they have kept the vehicle maintained with any suggested recall items. thank you, marlene morgan *la *sc *jb

While traveling downhill, the vehicle began to swing violently when the brakes were applied. *ph at the time of the incident, the consumer was pulling a 5x 10 single axle trailer on the back of the vehicle *jb

I own a 1999 explorer with 60000 miles on it. i have been told that the front upper ball joints were bad, and had to be replaced with the control arm since it was one unit. why were sealed ball joints that were part of the control arm being used, unless it was to raise the frequency and cost of repairs at the expense of public safety . a ball joint failure at any speed could potentially have grave consequences. consumer had vehicles routinely go well over 100,000 miles with non sealed ball joints, and had no problems. this warrants further investigation, especially since consumer became aware that his problem is by no means an isolated case. had been told that the local dealer was doing a lot of those, and that they were aware there was a problem with them.*ak

I was told by alderman ford that the ball joints on my ford explorer were in a failure condition at 53000 miles--"unsafe to drive". this car has had normal driving use. i was told that ford's choice of "sealed ball joints" was the reason for the failure-prone ball joints, and that this is "normal". are all explorere users in this endangered position? if so, is a recall necessary? is there a way you can check how many owners have had to replace these bad joints? my 91 explorer went 135000 miles without ball joint problems. ball joint failure at speed is dangerous. thank you for your help.

I was on the moterway {uk} towing a caravan i was doing 45/50 mph truck past me by and made us sway i gained control and then the car&caravan started bouncing. caravan parted from the car and then we flipped over on to the passinger side and then rolled onto the roof across 3 lanes. *ak

While driving 15mph and without warning front tire collapsed. mechanic stated that upper ball joint was missing a nut which caused brand new tire to collapse.*ak dealer replaced broken right lower ball joint, brake hose, wheel speed sensor and rack/pinion unit. *yd

While driving at highway speeds consumer lost control of vehicle. dealer was contacted, and stated ball joints needed to be replaced. please provide further details. *ak

While driving, throttle/ air bypass valve malfunctions which causes accelerator pedal to stick, and pedal goes nearly to the floor. also pedal has to be pumped before it releases. *ak the dealer said they can fix the problem, but the vehicle still hesitates and there is rough idle, the lower ball joints failed, and were replaced.*yh

While driving, upper control arm disengaged from vehicle and wheel came off *ak consumer had stopped at a red light and went to accelerate when the light changed and the front of the vehicle dropped to the pavement, consumer no longer owns this vehicle. *jb

The plastic trim around the head liner was loose.*jb

While driving in overdrive at 50 mph and going up an incline, vehicle vibrates erratically. problem has not been remedied. *ak o2 sensor failed and was replaced. fuel pressure regulator failed and was replaced. consumer stated that the dealer can not do anything to fix the problem, which seems to be a manufacturer defect.*yh *slc

While traveling at approximately 20 mph vehicle was making a rumbling noise, and vehicle was being pulled to right. consumer suddenly lost control of steering and brakes. consumer was able to bring vehicle to a stop. dealership examined vehicle, and determined that front wheel bearings have blown apart, and axle popped which resulted in loss of steering and brakes. please provide any additional information/attachments. *ak

When roads were wet vehicle started to fishtail. consumer had an accident while driving 65-70mph in rain. vehicle started to fishtail, spun 180' went down an embankment then hit a tree. consumer could not control vehicle. vehicle was totalled. on december 15, 2000 consumer had a similar accident, road was wet, hit a patch of slushy snow, vehicle went into tailspin, and rolled over, damage was around $ 4500. *ak tires were firestone wilderness, p235/70r16. *slc

When going up a hill at 55-60 mph in overdrive there is a vibration sensation. took vehicle to dealer, and they stated it was normal. please provide any further information.*ak

It admits noise from front right wheel between 0-30 mph. has not contacted dealer yet. *ak

While driving 10- mph , had stopped raining about 15 minutes earlier, vehicle headed towards the highway, and suddenly lost control and rolled over into an embankment. *ak

The firestone tires on the vehicle were replaced due to recall, prior to recall replacement the vehicle experienced problems with road handling and front end alignment,after tire replacement the vehicle still had trouble with the front end alignments, consumer is concerned that the problems are not just related to the tires but the front end suspension as well. *mjs

I saw the recall on earlier vehicles, but the ford dlr on this request replaced the front end suspension on my truck after claiming they had seen a lot of problems like this and ford called it an "engineering flaw". i am hoping the nhtsa will review this problem and expand it's recall.

While driving about 60 mph consumer felt like he was losing grip of road, and vehicle would wander from side to side. *ak

The front end just stops moving forward when it wants to. it has so far only happened while turning at slow speeds. when this occurs we have no control over where the vehicle is going. has been into the dealership (not the one we purchased it from) 3 times for this problem. they cannot determine the cause of the problem so nothing has been repaired at this time. i am currently waiting on the dealership to see if they can finally determine the cause of the malfunction. *ak

When accelerating a rubbing noise was heard on accelera as the car lifted on take off. dealer replaced a lower bushing, but noise is back again.*ak

Vehicle started pulling right after dealer rotated tires. dealer aligned, rotated tires back and installed cams. no change. horn does not honk on demand without excessive pushing.

While driving about 25mph vehicle began to shake, and then cut off. *ak

Several problems with 1999 ford explorer eddie bauer edition. *mr when the vehicle was turned right, the windshield wipers would come on, the right rear tire had blown, there was a whine noise, a leaking on the garage floor along with a burning smell when the vehicle was shutoff, it was discovered the front axle seal needed to be replaced. check engine light had come on and the heat gauge showed hot, the dealer determined it was the thermostat. the engine surged, the light emitting the display had gone out, there was a problem with the right front hub assembly/axle seal. *scc *jb

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. *slc

Intermittently while driving vehicle will pull to the right. vehicle was taken to the dealership. problem was unable to be corrected, later resulted in an accident. *ak *ml

Vehicle pulled to right at any speed. dealer notified, and was unable to find a solution. *ak *slc

While driving 65mph vehicle swerved and rolled over, resulting in injury. dealer has been notified.*ak

Car pulled left and right on highway. *ak( dot number: tire size: p235/70r15 )

From new we have complained about the car wandering at freeway speeds, it feels like you have limited control of the car. also there is a vibration on the steering as if the wheels are unbalanced. the problem actually got worse after the tires where replaced as my car was one of the cars which had the recalled firestone tires on it. its been to the dealer on 4 occasions and they cannot solve the problem, they are now calling in the ford engineers to try and solve the problem. we have also had a suspension squeek which occurs when you are driving normally and also on bumpy roads.the car has been in 4 times as well and the dealers have just lubed the suspension, the squeek is back after a day or so, the dealers also cannot solve the problem, and find some lovely excuses as to why there is a squeek ie after market running boards. the front brakes had a vibration and the dealer found the rotors out of round and skimmed them. when i queried why they did not replace the rotors, i was informed it was normal for rotors to go out of round,this has never happened on any of my other cars so i find this a poor excuse. there have been other problems as well with this car and i feel the dealers have had enough attempts to repair the car,and its time for ford to take this car back and give me a new one,or refund me my money so that i can go and purchase something else.i bought a new car so that i would not have to worry about brake downs ect and because new cars are supposed to be safer. this is not the case with this ford explorer.

Vehicle was involved in a side collision at 30mph. the point of impact was between the front and rear doors on the passenger's side. upon impact, vehicle rolled over 40 feet, resulting in minor injuries. manufacturer will be notified. *ak

When traveling about 60mph vehicle pulls to the right. when making a turn, vehicle makes a thumping noise. truck sways and tires ride as if they need to be balanced, although tires have been balanced and problem still exists. dealer says that there is nothing else that they can do. *ak *ml

Suspension makes the truck bounce like a ping pong ball while driivng at any speed. ford has determined that the problem was a normal characteristic of the truck. please provide any further information. *ak

While driving at 45 mph and above vehicle wanders all over the road, and is very difficult to control. this wandering is worse under windy conditions. consumer has contacted dealership, and was informed that vehicle' handling is typical of sport utility vehicles. please provide any additional information/attachments. *ak

While driving about 60 to 70mph front wheels shake and vibrate. also the steering wheel jerks out of the driver's hands. dlr has seen vehicle 4 times, and cant duplicate the problem. *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

First occurrence 2/17/1999 when shaking and vibration occurred when you were above 45 miles per hour and depressed the brakes. my ford dealership replaced three tires and turned the rotors. (does not state how many trued) second occurrence 04/22/2000, when the shaking and vibration returned. since my dealereship is not opened on saturday's, i took it to another ford dealership. again they turned the rotors and gave no explaination to why we are having this problem. i am very concernced of the safety and reliability of the brake system. has anyone else had this problem? do i need to do something else to get this corrected for good?

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

When driving at any speed with weight in the back of the vehicle, rear end is lower than the rest of the vehicle, which blinds driver with oncoming traffic at night. can cause a handling problem. *ak

I had called earlier today to submit a complaint but i thought this would be quicker. i am writing to you in reguards to the ford explorer sport 2 door sport utility vehicle. this vehicle has a manufacturing defect with the rear suspension system. ford has replaced the standard 4 steel leaf springs with 1 carbon fiber leaf spring and used 4 spacers to raise up the vehicle so it won't be noticable. unfortunatly this system will not withstand any weight. the maximum tongue weight is 540 pounds. ford states and falsely advertises that this vehicle will tow 4,880 pounds. if one were to attempt to tow this amount of weight the rear end would almost be touching the ground. this vehicles design is inadequate for a 4x4 sport utility vehicle and technically should be considered unsafe. when one transports 4 persons and gear the vehicle sags to tremendously at night that the headlights blind oncomming traffic. also, with that amount of weight the vehicle becomes unsteady and is hard to control. one leaf spring supporting the entire rear end of this vehicle does not provide enough support which in part will cause the shocks to work just that much harder and wear out much faster. i went to a dispute board on the 2nd of march to plead my case. i made sure to call them ahead of time to let them know that i was bringing down the vehicle so they could see just exactly what i was talking about. when i told them that i had brought the vehicle they stated they didn't want to see it. without actually viewing the vehicle they coulden't have possibly made a valid decision (in which they turned down my case) and i believe they weren't there for the consumer, but the manufaturer. ford has an obvious manufacturing defect with this vehicle and i can't seem to get anyone to understand that it is inadequate and technically unsafe. at night and with a minimul amount of weight this vehicle sage so much that it blinds oncomming traffic. cutting corners on a $22,000 + vehicle obserd!!!!