1991 Ford Explorer Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 00T005000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Date of Owner Notification: August 26th, 2000

Defect Summary:
TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION PRESSURES, HIGH SPEED, AND IN HOT WEATHER, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD.

Consequence Summary:
IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.

Corrective Summary:
THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 97V235001
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: January 5th, 1990
Manufactured End Date: January 15th, 1993
Date of Owner Notification: March 2nd, 1998

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INSTALLED SUNROOF. THE SUNROOF GLASS PANEL ASSEMBLY CAN SEPARATE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING DUE TO INCORRECT HINGE ENGAGEMENT. THIS WAS CAUSED BY IMPROPER SUNROOF INSTALLATION OF THE GLASS PANEL.

Consequence Summary:
UNEXPECTED SEPARATION OF THE SUNROOF GLASS PANEL COULD POSSIBLY DISTRACT THE DRIVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Corrective Summary:
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN INSTRUCTION BOOKLET WHICH THOROUGHLY OUTLINES, WITH ILLUSTRATIONS, THE PROPER PROCEDURES FOR THE REMOVAL, STORAGE, AND REINSTALLATION OF THE SUNROOF'S GLASS PANEL. A WARNING LABEL FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE SUNROOF'S LATCH KNOB WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED TO THE OWNERS.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 2, 1998. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE INSTRUCTION BOOKLET AND WARNING LABEL WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 96V024001
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: March 1st, 1991
Manufactured End Date: November 1st, 1993
Date of Owner Notification: March 22nd, 1996

Defect Summary:
THE STUDS WHICH ATTACH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AFTER BEING OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATION.

Consequence Summary:
IF A CRACK OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH STUDS FRACTURING. THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VACUUM BOOSTER, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, PREVENTING THE SERVICE BRAKES FROM ACTIVATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Corrective Summary:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: BRAKES; POWER ASSIST; PRIMARY; BOOSTER. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COUNTIES OF LOS ANGELES, ORANGE, SAN BERNADINO, SAN DIEGO, RIVERSIDE, VENTURA, SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, IMPERIAL, AND KERN.NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 92V113000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: March 1st, 1989
Manufactured End Date: August 1st, 1990
Date of Owner Notification: October 30th, 1992

Defect Summary:
THE RIGID MOUNTED SAFETY BELT BUCKLES ARE DEFECTIVE IN THREE WAYS. FIRST, A FASTENED SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT UNLATCH WHEN THE RELEASE BUTTON IS DEPRESSED. THIS RESULTS FROM INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE BUCKLE EJECTOR FINGER AND THE BUCKLE TONGUE WINDOW. THE SECOND DEFECT IS THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT LATCH. THE THIRD POSSIBLE DEFECT IS THAT THE TONGUE MAY BE RETAINED BY THE BUCKLE, BUT IT MAY NOT BE LATCHED SUFFICIENTLY TO PROVIDE OCCUPANT PROTECTION.

Consequence Summary:
AN INSUFFICIENTLY LATCHED OR UNLATCHED SAFETY BELTINCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO SEAT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT. IF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT UNLATCH, IT WILL NOT ALLOW THEOCCUPANT TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.

Corrective Summary:
FORD WILL REPLACE THE RIGID MOUNTED SAFETY BELT BUCKLES WITH END RELEASE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES DESIGNED TO PREVENT LATCH PROBLEMS.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: SAFETY BELT BUCKLE.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS AND UTILITY VEHICLES.NOTE: ONLY THE END RELEASE BUCKLES ON "RIGID" MOUNTINGS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THISMALFUNCTION, THE WEB-MOUNTED FRONT CENTER END RELEASE BUCKLES AND THEWEB-MOUNTED REAR FACING THIRD SEAT END RELEASE BUCKLES IN TAURUS OR SABLEVEHICLES WILL NOT BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE WEB-MOUNTED FRONT CENTER BUCKLES INEXPLORER VEHICLES WILL NOT BE REPLACED.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 91V189000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: July 1st, 1989
Manufactured End Date: August 1st, 1991
Date of Owner Notification: March 2nd, 1992

Defect Summary:
WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARK PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ABUT OR ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.

Consequence Summary:
DRIVER MAY BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS SAFELY ENGAGED IN PARKWHEN THE GEAR IS NOT TRULY ENGAGED. THIS CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE JUMPING OUT OFGEAR UNINTENTIONALLY, VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHEN PARKED ON A SLOPED SURFACE, ANDINADVERTENT MOTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS CANRESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Corrective Summary:
REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW PARK PAWL.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: TRANSMISSION.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS, VANS, AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPEDWITH A4LD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 91V024000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: February 1st, 1990
Manufactured End Date: November 1st, 1990
Date of Owner Notification: March 26th, 1991

Defect Summary:
THE FRONT HEAT SHIELD MAY CONTACT THE FRONT OF THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK, CAUSING CUTS OR OTHER DAMAGE TO THE EXTENT OF PENETRATION.

Consequence Summary:
THIS PENETRATION OF THE FUEL TANK CAUSES VAPORS TO ESCAPEAND POSSIBLY FUEL TO SPILL, WHICH COULD CATCH FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF ANIGNITION SOURCE.

Corrective Summary:
RELOCATE THE HEAT SHIELD; INSPECT AND REPLACE DAMAGED FUEL FUEL TANKS.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: FUEL TANK AND HEAT SHIELD.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION : MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 91V025000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: July 1st, 1990
Manufactured End Date: August 1st, 1990
Date of Owner Notification: March 26th, 1991

Defect Summary:
THE HOT PLATE WELD WHICH ATTACHES THE VAPOR VENT VALVE CARRIER TO THE TOP OF THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK MAY PARTIALLY FRACTURE, ALLOWING VAPOR OF FUEL TO ESCAPE FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK.

Consequence Summary:
THE ESCAPED VAPOR OR LEAKED FUEL COULD CAUSE A FIRE INTHE PRESENCE OF A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Corrective Summary:
FUEL TANK WILL BE REMOVED AND INSPECTED FOR WELD INTEGRITY. FUEL TANKS WITH INADEQUATE WELDS WILL BE REPLACED.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: VAPOR VENT VALVE CARRIER WELD TO PLASTIC FUEL TANK.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 91V026000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: February 1st, 1990
Manufactured End Date: January 1st, 1991
Date of Owner Notification: March 26th, 1991

Defect Summary:
REAR BUMPER REINFORCEMENT MAY BE SUBJECT TO FATIGUE CRACKING UNDER EXTENDED TRAILER TOW SERVICE WHEN USING A BUMPER-MOUNTED TRAILER HITCH BALL.

Consequence Summary:
UNDER EXTREME CONDITIONS, BUMPER COULD SEPARATE FROM THEVEHICLE WHEN USING A BUMPER MOUNTED TRAILER HITCH BALL.

Corrective Summary:
INSTALL TWO BRACKETS TO REINFORCE THE BUMPER.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: REAR BUMPER REINFORCEMENT.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE.NOTE: BUMPER MOUNTED TRAILER HITCH BALL ASSEMBLY SHOULD NOT BE USED UNTIL REPAIRPROCEDURE IS COMPLETED.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 90V098000
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: February 1st, 1989
Manufactured End Date: May 1st, 1990
Date of Owner Notification: May 9th, 1990

Defect Summary:
IF SUNROOF GLASS IS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED BY VEHICLE OPERATOR, HINGE ASSEMBLIES CAN BE ACCIDENTALLY IMPROPERLY MATED.

Consequence Summary:
SUNROOF COULD DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE BEING DRIVEN,CREATING A RISK TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES OR PEOPLE IN THE VICINITY, OR TO VEHICLEOCCUPANTS IF THE GLASS SHOULD FALL INTO THE CABIN.

Corrective Summary:
INSTALL REVISED SUNROOF HINGES THAT WILL ADEQUATELY RETAIN SUNROOF ASSEMBLY.

Recall Notes:
SYSTEM: SUNROOF HINGES.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER 4-DOOR VEHICLES WITH SUNROOFS.