Ford Explorer Complaints (1997)

1,773 consumer complaints on file.

#10508046April 12, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON A STEEP UPHILL GRADE, THE BRACKET THAT SUPPORTED THE GAS PEDAL SUDDENLY BROKE AWAY FROM THE FIREWALL AND THE BRACKET AND GAS PEDAL SLID INTO THE FLOOR BOARD AND UNDER THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS BACKED DOWN THE HILL IN NEUTRAL AND MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN LIGHT ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ASSISTANCE WAS SUMMONED AND UPON INSPECTION THE GAS PEDAL WAS FOUND WITH THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHED TO THE FIREWALL IN A NEW LIKE CONDITION, EXCEPT WHERE THREE SPOT WELDS ATTACHED TO THE GAS PEDAL BRACKET TO THE FIREWALL HAD BROKEN AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS RIGGED TO A RUNNING CONDITION TO TRAVEL APPROXIMATELY TWO MILES OR LESS TO THE OWNERS RESIDENCE WHERE A MORE RELIABLE REPAIR WAS MADE. THE REPAIR WAS OVER SEEN BY A LICENSED A&P MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BY THE OWNER OF THE WELD FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS WELL OVER 100,00 AND IS CURRENTLY BACK IN SERVICE. UPDATED 06/18/13*LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504527March 26, 2013
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER EACH REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE AND OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504528March 26, 2013
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BOLTS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE SEATS TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME. THE BOLTS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V281000 (SEATS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE AS 330,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503052March 14, 2013
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE NO EXPLANATION FOR THE FIRE, THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN ABOUT A BLOCK FROM MY HOME AND THEN IT WAS RETURNED TO THE DRIVEWAY. MY UNCLE SON SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM WHEN THEY HEARD THE CAR ALARM AND LOOKED OUT OF THE WINDOW TO SEE CLOUDS OF BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE TRUCK. MY SON ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BUT IT WAS TO INTENSE, MY SON CALLED 911. THIS WOULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE IF THEY HAD BEEN IN THE CAR. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE. FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT SAY WHAT CAUSED THIS FIRE. THE TIRES EVEN MELTED. ALL SEVERE DAMAGE WAS TO THE FRONT END. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN IN ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT, THERE IS NO EXPLANATION FOR THIS FIRE. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR PHOTOS. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO BUT I NEED TO MAKE SURE NO FAMILIES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10499333February 19, 2013
POWER TRAIN
AFTER TURNING A CORNER AT LESS THAN 15 MPH A LOUD SOUND WAS HEARD AND THE ENGINE RACED BUT STOPPED MOVING. TRIED ALL GEARS AND AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE BROKE.I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10499335February 19, 2013
POWER TRAIN
WE MAINTAINED OUR VEHICLES REGULARLY, AFTER REPLACING THE TRANSFER CASE NOT 8 MONTHS AGO NOW THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. SPENT $2400 FOR A REBUILD. SHOP STATES THIS MODEL IS A PIECE OF [XXX], AND THE HAVE MADE A LOT OF MONEY FROM FORDS POOR ENGINEERING ON THIS MODEL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10499337February 19, 2013
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN AND JUST QUIT. WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY *AGAIN* AND FOUND OUT THAT *2 (TWO)* TIMING CHAINS WENT OUT. THE DRIVERS SIDE SNAPPED IN TWO AND THE PASSENGER SIDE (REAR) HAD OVER 1 1/2 INCHES OF PLAY IN IT AND OBVIOUS STRETCHING OF THE TIMING CHAIN. THE FRONT BROKEN ONE TOTALED THE ENGINE, ALL TENSIONERS, SPACERS ETC WERE NOR IN PIECES LYING IN THE ENGINE. AND GUESS WHAT TO REPLACE THE REAR TIMING CHAIN YOU HAVE TO COMPLETELY REMOVE THE ENGINE FROM THE VEHICLE! THANKS AGAIN FORD!!!!!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10499338February 19, 2013
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SUSPENSION
SINCE THE EXPLORER WAS 5 YEARS OLD THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE TRUCK WAS STARTING TO SETTLE/ BE LOWER THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE. UNTIL IT WAS SO BAD THE SHOP STATED WE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE REAR SPRINGS, SHOCKS AND STABILIZER AND *** THE REAR WAS ALSO LOWER THAN THE FRONT. SO WE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT SHOCKS AND SEVERAL SUSPENSION PARTS TO TRY TO LEVEL THE VEHICLE BACK TO NORMAL. NOW WITH THE ENGINE BLOWN THE TRUCK AGAIN WAS SETTLING TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND TOWARD THE REAR!!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10499339February 19, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WE WERE LUCKY THIS TIME, WE HAD THE EXPLORER IN THE SHOP AND I GOT A CALL FROM THE LEAD TECH THAT STATED WHILE THE WERE SERVICING THE BRAKES NO LESS THAN 3 LINES ROTTED THROUGH, BUT*** THE ANTILOCK CONTROLLER SPRUNG A LEAK AND SPRAYED FLUID ALL OVER THE HOT ENGINE CAUSING A SMALL FIRE!!! NO DAMAGE BUT WE WERE LUCKY... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10490190December 27, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH HAD BEGAN TO LEAK INTERNALLY AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THEY WERE ONLY REQUIRED TO STOP THE LEAK BUT NOT REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 201,000. UPDATED 01/05/13*LJ UPDATED 2/13/2013 *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10489470December 21, 2012
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING THE RPMS TO INCREASE CONTINUOUSLY. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 256,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10488005December 11, 2012
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER 2 DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD BECOME UNLATCHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE SEAT BELT NEEDED REPLACING. THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 187,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10478635October 4, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND UNLESS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE BODY HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V422000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10467764July 26, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A DRIVING TRAFFIC STOP, THE ENGINE GROWLED LOUDLY AS THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE A DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10457678May 7, 2012
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DISENGAGE THE SEAT BELT WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BUCKLE. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT DOES NOT FEEL SAFE HAVING HIS CHILD'S SAFETY RESTRAINT SEAT INSTALLED IN THE REAR SEAT DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 223,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 224,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10454279April 5, 2012
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE WHEN IT ROLLED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,700.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10453471March 29, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO HAVE TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE EXTERIOR OR INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC TO HAVE THE DOORS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD THE DOORS REPAIRED THREE TIMES FOR THE RECURRING FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,100. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10448530February 20, 2012
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD DROP TO ZERO AND I WOULD NOT KNOW HOW FAST I AM ACTUALLY DRIVING. THE TACHOMETER IS ALSO AFFECTED AND, PROBABLY, THE ODOMETER. MY MECHANIC HAS CHANGED THE SPEED SENSOR BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINS. AN INTERNET SEARCH HAS TURNED UP NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE RESULT BEING A FAULTY PROGRAMMABLE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER MODULE (PSOM), WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE DASH. THIS IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. SOME INDIVIDUALS ARE JUST PURCHASING GPS UNITS TO DETERMINE HOW FAST THEY ARE DRIVING. IT IS MY OPINION THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE PSOM. ASIDE FROM THE OBVIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM OF NOT KNOWING HOW FAST I AM DRIVING, THIS PROBLEM ALSO CAUSES THE ODOMETER TO READ INCORRECTLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10446901February 6, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING IN A DRIVE-THRU WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO HOLD THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10445860January 30, 2012
AIR BAGS
I WAS IN A FRONTAL CRASH ON 01/24/2012 THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.CAUSING INJURIES, SEAT BELTS WERE WORE. *TT
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0

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