Ford Explorer Complaints (1997)

1,773 consumer complaints on file.

#10108101January 28, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
I WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK ON MY WAY HOME. I HAD DRIVEN 12 MILES WHEN I NOTICE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE DASH BOARD BY THE STEERING COLUMN. I PULLED OVER AND BY THE TIME I GRABBED MY LAPTOP AND WALKED APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET FROM THE VEHICLE TO CALL FOR HELP THE TRUCK WAS FILLED WITH BLACK SMOKE AND WAS ON FIRE. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE BURNDT TRUCK, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM. I ALSO STILL HAVE THE BURNDT TRUCK. I HAVE ALWAYS FELT THERE WAS A FAULT SOMEWHERE IN THE DASH ON THIS FIRE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE PICTURES OR THE VEHICLE THAT CAN BE ARRANGED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107838January 24, 2005
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
HEATER IN VEHICLE BECAME INOPERATIVE DURING A SLEET AND ICE STORM. HEATER BLEND DOOR FAILED CAUSING ONLY COLD AIR TO BLOW OUT OF HEATER AND DEFROSTER, WINDSHIELD AND WINDOWS FOGGED UP AND I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD. HEATER BOX AND BLEND DOOR REPLACED THAT COST ME $700.00. 8NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106933January 6, 2005
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNAL FAILSEDTO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106854January 5, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH. THIS ALMOST CAUSED VEHICLE TO RUN DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE SWAY BAR LINKS WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10105700January 4, 2005
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
TRANSFER CASE HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPON INVESTIGATION THERE WAS A SAFETY NOTICE FROM FORD, BUT NO RECALL. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID IT WAS THE THIRD EXPLORER THEY HAD FIXED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IN A WEEK.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10105689January 3, 2005
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
I HAVE TWO 1997 FORD EXPLORERS (AN XLT AND AN EDDIE BAUER) BOTH VEHICLES HAVE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH DOOR LATCHES AND POWER LOCKS. OCCUPANTS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DUE TO INOPERABLE HANDLES AND/OR LOCKS. I BELIEVE SOMEONE COULD BECOME TRAPPED IN ONE OF THESE VEHICLES IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10103613December 13, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SWAY BAR FRACTURED. RECALL 00V402000 WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK.....SWAY BAR BROKE IN JULY 2004. CAR FELT LIKE BOAT WHEN DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN JANUARY 2005. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10103915December 10, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
REPLACEMENT OF ENGINE DUE TO DEFECTIVE PARTS; THROTTLE BODY PLATE AND CAM CHAIN GUIDE ON MOTORS. *BF THE ENGINE THROTTLE PLATE STUCK WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS WARMING THE VEHICLE ON A COLD DAY. RECALL #00V422000. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE. THE STARTER DID NOT KICK IN PER INVOICE. *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10100450November 24, 2004
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILS TO LOCK WHEN CLIP IS INSERTED OR SOMETIMES APPEARS TO LOCK BUT COMES UNLOCK IF OCCUPANT TAKES A BREATH. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10100420November 23, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
FIRST EVIDENCE OF NOISE REPORTED TO DEALER ON 7/22/98. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. NOISE BECAME UNBEARABLE AND ENGINE BEGAN LOSSING POWER. TOOK IT TO DEALER ON1/2/01 AND FOUND OUT THE FRONT CAM TENSIONER DISINTEGRATED CAUSING SEVERE METALIC NOISES FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. BANKSTON FORD SUPPOSIDLY DID THE WELL KNOWN RECALL. MY PAPERWORK SHOWS THEY REPLACED THE TENSIONER CASSETTE AND CHANGED THE OIL. I OBTAINED THEIR OWN PROCEEDURES FOR THIS ISSUE BECAUSE MANY ENGINES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACE DUE TO THE PIECES OF THE BROKEN TENSIONER CLOGGING OIL PASSAGES AND DESTROYING THE ENGINES. THE INSTRUCTIONS THEY SHOULD HAVE FOLLOWED INCLUDED INSPECTING THE HEADS FOR CLOGGED PASSAGES AND OTHER THINGS. I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE ENGINE THEN, BUT THEY MADE ME TAKE IT. AS SOON AS I LEFT DEALER, THE NOISE WAS BACK. CALLED THEM AND THEY SAID TO GIVE IT A WEEK AND SEE IF IT GOES AWAY. IT GOT WORSE AND I BROUGHT IT BACK IN TO THE DEALER. THIS TIME THEY SAID IT WAS THE REAR TENSIONER (THE ONE NOT COVERERED BY THEIR RECALL SINCE IT REQUIRES REMOVING THE ENGINE. SAME PART- SAME DEFECT, BUT NOT COVERED DUE TO COST). SINCE FORD WAS LOSING TOO MUCH MONEY ON THEIR DEFECT REPLACING ENGINES, THEY STOPPED HELPING THEIR CUSTOMERS. THE DEALER OFFERED A $500 AND 75,000 MILE WARRANTEE DEALER CONCESSION, BUT I EXPECTED IT TO BE TAKEN CARE OF LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. THE DEFECTIVE PART RUINED THE ENGINE AND IT SHOULD BE REPLACED, OR AT LEAST REPAIRED PROPERLY. HAVE BEEN AT A STAND-STILL FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS NOW WITH A NON-FUNCIONING VEHICLE. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WILL NOT DO ANYTHING AND THE DEALER NOW WANTS $5000 FOR A NEW ENGINE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10099907November 12, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE SHIFTING GEARS VEHICLE JERKED AND VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10098690November 11, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND BRACKET FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. GAS CABLE WAS PULLED TO IDLE CAR OFF ROAD. THE PEDAL WAS BOLTED BACK ON BY AUTO BODY SHOP BUT IS NOT GUARANTEED TO HOLD. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10099701November 9, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
CONSUMER STATED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED VEHICLE ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10095862October 16, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN I LIFTED OFF OFF THE GAS PEDAL TO BRAKE FOR STOPPED TRAFFIC, THE GAS PEDAL SEEMED TO STICK AND REV THE ENGINE AS I WAS TRYING TO STOP. I HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP, BUT BECAUSE OF THE SPEED OF THE ENGINE IT TOOK LONGER TO SLOW DOWN, AND I HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO ME AND AT LEAST ONCE WITH MY WIFE OVER A 3 YEAR PERIOD. THE OCT 15TH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10095488October 8, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING BRAKE FAILED COMPLETELY. *BF THERE WAS NO WARNING. *SC *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10093181September 27, 2004
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
SPARE TIRE IS STORED UNDERNEATH REAR OF CAR SECURED BY A WINCH AND CABLE WHICH RUSTED AND BROKE, DROPPING SPARE TIRE TO GROUND, CREATING A HIGH SPEED HAZARD FOR TRAFFIC FOLLOWING ME.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10094447September 27, 2004
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC)
IT IS HARD TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE LANE WHEN ON THE FREEWAY. THE FRONT END HAS BEEN DONE AND THE TIRES REPLACED. MANUFACTURER STATED THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10092535September 17, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 40 MPH BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE WHEN DEPRESSED. VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES, CUTS, AND WHIP LASH. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY AWAITING A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE TO INVESTIGATE THE BRAKE FAILURE. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10092552September 17, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
CONSUMER STATED FRONT STABILIZER BAR BROKE. AS A RESULT, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE SWERVED TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND ALMOST ROLLED OVER WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL OFF THE GROUND.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10090520September 6, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
MY 1997 FORD EXPLORER HAS AN INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILURE. I UNDERSTAND BY READING MANY MESSAGE BOARDS AND OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET THAT FORD HAS RECALLED THIS ITEM ON SOME VEHICLES BUT NOT ALL. I REALLY CAN'T BELIEVE THAT FORD WOULD ACTUALLY USE A PLASTIC INTAKE ON ANYTHING. I BELIEVE IT IS A BREAK DOWN IN JUDGEMENT AND FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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