1991 Ford Explorer Recall

Certain vehicles, from Ontario to Newfoundland, could experience a corrosion related failure of the spare tire winch cable. If the cable breaks while the vehicle is being driven, the spare tire could drop down, potentially creating a roadway obstacle. Correction: Owners are to inspect the cable, and if corrosion or broken wire strands are present the vehicle is to be taken to a dealer for replacement of the winch assembly. Program ends September 30, 2003.

A failure of this component (other) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INSTALLED SUNROOFS WITH REMOVABLE GLASS PANELS. IF MISINSTALLED BY THE OPERATOR, THE SUNROOF'S REMOVABLE GLASS PANEL MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT IS BEING DRIVEN. THE SEPARATED GLASS PANEL MAY POTENTIALLY STRIKE OTHER VEHICULAR TRAFFIC OR FORCE OTHER MOTORISTS TO TAKE EVASIVE ACTION. CORRECTION: OWNER'S OF AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN INSTRUCTION BOOKLET WHICH THOROUGHLY OUTLINES THE PROPER PROCEDURE FOR REMOVAL, STORAGE AND REINSTALLATION OF THE SUNROOF'S GLASS PANEL. OWNER'S WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED WITH A WARNING LABEL TO BE ATTACHED TO THE SUNROOF'S LATCH KNOB.

A failure of this component (structure) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

SEAT BELT BUCKLES ON THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE CONDITIONS WHEREBY THE BUCKLE MAY NOT UNLATCH WHEN THE RELEASE BUTTON IS DEPRESSED OR MAY NOT LATCH, OR IN SOME CASES, MAY LATCH PARTIALLY BUT NOT SUFFICIENTLY TO PROVIDE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. NOTE: ONLY END-RELEASE BUCKLES ON "RIGID" MOUNTINGS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THIS MALFUNCTION. CORRECTION: FACTORY INSTALLED END-RELEASE SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL BE REPLACED WITH REDESIGNED BUCKLES.

A failure of this component (seats and restraints) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

NOTE: ALSO INCLUDES SOME MEDIUM AND HEAVY TRUCKS. THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 108 - LIGHTING. DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MODULE MAY MALFUNCTION WHICH CAN RESULT IN DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS THAT DIM, FLICKER OR GO OFF OR IN SOME INSTANCES MAY REMAIN ON AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. CORRECTION: DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT MODULE WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.

A failure of this component (lights and instruments) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

THE PARK MECHANISM OF THE A4LD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAY NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION. IF PARKED ON AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL AS IF IN NEUTRAL IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT SET. THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT OR PERSONAL INJURY. CORRECTION: OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF CONDITION AND ADVISED TO SET THE PARKING BRAKE EACH TIME THEY PARK THEIR VEHICLE. OWNERS WILL ALSO BE ADVISED WHEN DEALERS RECEIVE PARTS AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY FORD.

A failure of this component (powertrain) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

THE CORNER OF THE FRONT HEAT SHIELD MAY CONTACT THE UPPER FRONT CORNER OF THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK. THIS COULD DAMAGE THE TANK AND ALLOW FUEL OR FUEL VAPOUR TO ESCAPE. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. CORRECTION: HEAT SHIELD WILL BE RELOCATED AND FUEL TANK WILL BE INSPECTED. FUEL TANKS DAMAGED BY HEAT SHIELD WILL BE REPLACED.

A failure of this component (fuel system) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

THE REAR BUMPER REINFORCEMENT MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE CRACKING UNDER EXTENDED TRAILER TOW SERVICE WHEN USING A BUMPER-MOUNTED TRAILER HITCH BALL. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE BUMPER SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE TOWING CAUSING A POSSIBLE CRASH OF THE TOWED VEHICLE. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND TWO BRACKETS WILL BE INSTALLED TO FURTHER REINFORCE THE BUMPER.

A failure of this component (structure) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

THE HOT PLATE WELD WHICH ATTACHES THE VAPOUR VENT VALVE TO THE TOP OF THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK MAY PARTIALLY FRACTURE, ALLOWING VAPOUR OR FUEL TO ESCAPE FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK THROUGH THE FRACTURE. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE A FIRE COULD RESULT. CORRECTION: TANKS WILL BE REMOVED AND INSPECTED FOR THE WELD INTEGRITY OF THE VAPOUR VENT VALVE CARRIER. TANKS WITH INADEQUATE WELDS WILL BE REPLACED.

A failure of this component (fuel system) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).

ON FOUR DOOR VEHICLES SO EQUIPPED, IF THE SUNROOF GLASS IS REMOVED AND REINSTALLED BY THE VEHICLE OPERATOR, THERE IS A RISK THAT THE HINGED ASSEMBLIES ON THE SUNROOF CAN BE IMPROPERLY MATED BY MISTAKE. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE SUNROOF MAY DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE BEING DRIVEN, CREATING A RISK TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL INSTALL REVISED SUNROOF HINGES.

A failure of this component (structure) may increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Authorized dealerships will inspect the vehicle and complete all necessary repairs free of charge (parts and labor).