Ford Explorer Complaints (1997)

1,773 consumer complaints on file.

#10055109January 28, 2004
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAS GONE BAD IN MY 97, 4WD, FORD EXPLORER FOR THE SECOND TIME. IT HAS 93,000 MILES, IT WAS REPLACED THE FIRST TIME AT 58,000 MILES. THIS IS DUE TO A MAUNFACTURERS DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REVIEWED FOR CONSIDERATION AS A NATIONAL RECALL OR COVERED BY FORD AS A OUT OF WARRANTY REPAIR. THIS IS A HAZARD TO ALLOW IT TO REMAIN UNREPAIRED THE COST SHOULD BE PAID BY FORD. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054364January 17, 2004
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
THE AUTOMATIC 4WD SYSTEM SELECTS 4WD ON DRY PAVEMENT DURING SHARP TURNS CAUSING THE GEARS TO BIND, INTERMITTENTLY - ABOUT HALF THE TIME. HOWEVER THE SAME "AUTOMATIC" 4WD SELECTION DOES NOT RESULT IN 4WD WHEN WHEELS ARE SLIPPING. IN FACT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 4WD WHEN "AUTO" IS SELECTED SEEMS TO BE COMPLETELY RANDOM. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY SAID "IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO THAT." I AM ABOUT TO REWIRE THE SYSTEM TO A MANUAL SELECTOR AS I AM NOW ON MY OWN WITH THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. HOWEVER FORD HAS SEEN THE LAST OF MY MONEY. *CB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054248January 16, 2004
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE A 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT AND IT IS DOWN FOR THE SECOND TIME WITH A TIMING CHAIN PROBLEM. THE FIRST WAS WHEN I BOUGHT THE USED VEHICLE IN 1999 FROM A CAR LOT IN LYNNWOOD, WA IT HAD 49,000 MILES ON IT AND IT NEED THE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY REPLACED. NOW 4 YEARS LATER IT IS SITTING AT A SHOP NEEDING A SECOND TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY REPLACED. IT SEEMS VERY ODD THAT THIS WOULD OCCUR TWICE WITH A VEHICLE IN ITS LIFE TIME. THE VEHICLE ORIGINATED FROM CANADA IN 1996, SO I AM NOT SURE IF IT HAD THE CORRECT MILEAGE WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. THE BILL IS MINIMUM $4500.00 AND THE VEHICLE IS ONLY WORTH LIKE $6000.00 IN WORKING ORDER. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN FORD PRODUCTS, THEY ARE NOT BUILT TO LAST. *CB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10071306January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER WITH 38643KM. THE A/C HEATER UNIT WAS BLOWING OUT ONLY COOL AIR. DOES NOT HELP WHEN YOU GET -30C WEATHER AND YOU TRY TO DEFROST YOUR WINDSHIELD WITH COLD AIR. YES IT IS OUT OF THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD BUT CERTAINLY NOT THE 60000KM. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 40000KM CAN HAVE SUCH A PROBLEM ? FORD'S ANSWER IS AS FOLLOWS: CAUSE: DIAGNOSED-TEMP BLEND DOOR IS BROKE. CORRECTION: REPLACED INTERIOR HEATER CASE. FORD REFUSES TO PAY ANY PORTION BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. OTHER WEBSITES WITH SAME PROBLEM LISTED: HTTP://WWW.MIGHTYAUTOPARTS.COM/DATA/OTL1200.PDF HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_16717.HTML HTTP://WWW.EPINIONS.COM/CONTENT_66590314116
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10071321January 15, 2004
POWER TRAIN
TRANSFER CASE FAILED WITH NO APPARENT PROBLEMS. WHEN TAKEN APART BY TECH. IT LOOKED PERFECTLY FINE. MUST HAVE COMPLETE REPLACE OF TRANSFER CASE, CAN'T JUST CHANGE PARTS. MSN AUTO-TECS BRINGS UP A NUMBER OF MECHANICS WHO FOUND SAME PROBLEMS. FORD HAS BUILT BETTER AFTER MARKET REPLACEMENT BUT NEVER NOTIFIED ANYONE OF THIS PROBLEM. SOME MECHANICS SAY THAT CUSTOMERS HAVE BROUGHT IN WITH THIS PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE NEVER ENGAGED THEIR 4X4.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10068854January 15, 2004
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY 97 FORD EXPLORERS PAINT IS CHECKING VERY BAD ON ALL HORIZONTAL SURFACES AND REAR GATE, AND IS TRAVELING DOWN THE SIDES GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052840January 11, 2004
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
HEATER/AC TEMPERATURE CONTROL. TEMPERATURE CONTROL DOOR IS STUCK IN THE POSITION FOR HEAT. HAVE TALKED TO DEALER THEY SAY INEXPENSIVE PART, LABOR FOR REPAIR IS ABOUT 7 HOURS TO BE CHARGED FOR. THIS DEALER HAS HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS AND FIXED SOME. CHECKED WITH OTHER DEALERS IN AREA, THEY GAVE SAME ANSWER AS TO COST AND COMPLAINTS. I AM TOLD THIS IS A PLASTIC BRACKET ON DOOR ASSEMBLY THAT BREAKS WHEN SERVO MOVES DOOR TO CONTROL HOT OR COOL AIR FLOW.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052536January 6, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TO BEST DESCRIBE MY PROBLEM IS THAT THE CAMSHAFT BROKE OFF RIGHT AT TIMING PULLEY.THIS BREAK CAUSE THE SERPENTINE BELT TO WRAP AROUND ALL THE OTHER COMPONENTS. I WAS TRAVELING ALONG THE EXPRESS WAY AT 65 MPH, WHEN I LOSS OF POWER STEERING, AND A LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME UNTIL I REGAIN CONTROL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10052552January 6, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
REAR DOORS WON'T OPEN FROM INSIDE AND IT IS NOT THE CHILD DETERRENT LEVER ON DOOR, HEATING SYSTEM OVERRIDES A/C HEATER SOMETIMES DOSEN'T WORK. RECLINE LEVER BROKE OFF. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10053380January 5, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE, THEN VEHICLE STALLED. THE SPARK PLUGS BLEW OUT. AN INDEPENDENT TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT ENGINE CYLINDER NEED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051480January 1, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION OUT BEFORE I REACHED 87,000 MILES. WHEN MY HUSBAND CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, LARGE CHUNKS OF METAL CAME OUT. THE PROBLEM OCCURED WHEN DRIVING HOME FROM KROGERS AND VEHICLE DID NOT SHIFT OUT OF 2ND GEAR, RMPS WENT UP PAST 4000, THEN VEHICLE WOULD LOSS POWER. WOULD TAKE MY FOOT OFF GAS TIL RMPS 0, THEN REPEAT THIS CYCLE FOR MY 5 MILES HOME. MY HUSBAND TOWED VEHICLE TO PEFFLEY FORD OF DAYTON, OHIO ON DEC 24, 2003. THEY SAID THIS IS NORMAL FOR THAT MANY MILES, BUT ACCORDING TO MY SEARCH, THIS IS NOT. FORD TRANSMISSIONS HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS FOR OTHER BUYERS. COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL IF I WAS ON INTERSTATE. WE ARE BEING CHARGE $2100 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION, TODAY IS JAN 1, 2004 AND I DON'T EVEN HAVE IT BACK.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052220December 24, 2003
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
VEHICLE DEVELOPED UNDERCARRIAGE PROBLEMS AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. *MR *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051048December 24, 2003
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE DRIVER'S SHOULDER HARNESS WILL NOT UNBUCKLE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE HAVE BEEN SIMILIAR PROBLEMS REPORTED TO NHTSA. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER HAS SPECIAL ORDERED THE PART (FMC F87Z 7861203 AAA).*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051965December 23, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRUCK'S OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKED AND THE ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE TRUCK FAILED TO GO INTO OVERDRIVE AND THE # 3 CYLINDER MISFIRED. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THIS COULD BE CAUSED BY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051931December 22, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE DRIVING SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF, AND DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHEN BRAKING THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048046December 10, 2003
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BACK RECLINED BACKWARDS AFTER OPENING THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, THE CONSUMER HAD INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE SEAT WAS LOOSE AND ROCKED. THE DEALER PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. RECALL 03V281000 WAS ISSUED FOR THE HIGH BACK SEAT, HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. *AK *SCC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10050286December 9, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 98060000 CONCERNING FUEL LINE RUPTURE; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHARGE THE BATTERY, THE CONSUMER CONNECTED THE CABLE TO THE FUEL LINE BRACKET. THIS CAUSED THE FUEL BRAID TO OVERHEAT, CAUSING THE FUEL LINE TO RUPTURE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049297December 5, 2003
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 1997 FORD EXPLORER THAT IS DIFFICULT AND SOMETIMES IMPOSSIBLE TO GET INTO FIRST AND REVERSE. IT EXHIBITS TYPICAL PREMATURE SLAVE CYLINDER FAILURE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10050036December 4, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT PROPERLY AND ENGAGE FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. DEALER HAS INSPECTED BUT WASN'T ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049042December 2, 2003
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE DIAL THAT CONTROLS THE HOT/COLD FEATURE OF THE HEATING/AIR-CONDITIONING UNIT IN MY 1997 EXPLORER MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN TAKEN IN TO DEALER THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SEEING ALOT OF THIS PROBLEM IN EXPLORERS AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID HE WAS CONCERNED WITH IT HAPPENING IN HIS MOTHER'S CAR. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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