Ford Explorer Complaints (1997)

1,773 consumer complaints on file.

#10340354June 28, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OF THE ROADWAY AND FOUND THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS HANGING FROM THE ASSEMBLY BY THREE TINY SPOT WELDS. THE WELD HAD ALSO FRACTURED AND THE ENTIRE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE WHERE HE MADE UNKNOWN REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. NEITHER THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 103,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10332042May 24, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ENGINE REVVS AND VEHICLE IS THRUSTED FORWARD AT TOP SPEED FROM DEAD START OR WHEN SLOWING DOWN. THIS IS THE SECOND ON THIS PROBLEM. BOTH TIMES LEAD TO PROPERTY DAMAGE, AND ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10327218April 23, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY FRACTURED FROM THE FIREWALL AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME STUCK IN THE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION AND ACCELERATE. THE ASSEMBLY FELL BEHIND THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED; HOWEVER, NEITHER WERE WILLING TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 154,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10325531April 13, 2010
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL FORD EXPLORERS RANGING FROM YEARS 1995-2001 THAT THE FRAMES ARE RUSTING THROUGH AND BREAKING. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THERE IS A SEVERE RUST PROBLEM WITH THESE FRAMES AND THEY APPEAR TO BE MANUFACTURED QUITE THIN TO BEGIN WITH. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN ON OVER A DOZEN OF THESE CARS IN MY AREA, THE FRAME IS RUSTING THROUGH AND BREAKING ON THE LEFT REAR CORNER ANYWHERE FROM THE FRONT MOUNT ON THE LR LEAF SPRING TO WHERE THE BUMPER MOUNTS AT THE BACK OF THE FRAME. THE CROSS MEMBER HOLDING THE BODY MOUNTS IS ALSO RUSTING THROUGH IN THIS AREA AND COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE GAS TANK AND ALSO MAKING THE SPARE TIRE LOOSE AND AT RISK OF FALLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND BECOMING A HAZARD FOR FOLLOWING MOTORISTS. THERE IS NO GOOD WAY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND I FEEL THAT THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED TO GET THEM OFF OF THE ROAD. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND I AM NOT SURE HOW THERE HAVEN'T BEEN CRASHES AND OR DEATHS AS A RESULT OF THIS VERY POOR DESIGN AND QUALITY VEHICLE. ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM IS JUST NOW STARTING TO REALLY TAKE EFFECT BECAUSE OF THE AGING VEHICLES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10323131April 12, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1997 FORD EXPLORER FAULTY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER STARTED MAKING A NOISE. CONSUMER BELIEVES FORD SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM AT NO COST. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10321693March 24, 2010
SEATS
FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT TILT LEVER BROKE OFF, PASSENGER SIDE BENT. THERE ARE OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER OWNERS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10321952March 22, 2010
TIRES
1997 FORD EXPLORER, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. *BF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THE DRIVER PULLER OVER AND NOTICED THE TIRE HAD CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE AND EVENTUALLY THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT # 10-0298-89.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10320471March 17, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT AND SUDDENLY, NOTICED A FIRE HAD ERUPTED NEAR THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. THE CONTACT DID NOT REPORT ANY INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE BUT A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER PLACE OF RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10319929March 15, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
STUCK ACCELERATOR ON 1997 FORD EXPLORER WITH 58,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 287/78 IN NJ I TRIED TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT INSTEAD THE CAR ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY TO OVER 85 MPH. I GAINED CONTROL BY TURNING THE ENGINE ON AND OFF UNTIL REACHING A SAFE PLACE TO STOP. AN NJDOT TRUCK HELPED ME AND LATER THAT DAY I EMAILED WHAT HAPPENED TO FORD'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE. I WANTED THEM TO HAVE A DEALER EXAMINE MY EXPLORER TO SEE IF THIS WAS CAUSED BY A MATERIAL DEFECT OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, IN WHICH CASE I WOULD REPAIR IT. THEY REFUSED TO HELP SO I WROTE A LETTER TO DEARBORN AND RECEIVED A RESPONSE SAYING THE MATTER WAS CLOSED (CASE # 1510510480). MY WIFE SAID (AND I BELIEVE HER) THAT IF SHE WERE DRIVING IT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. I NOTED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2002 ESCAPE THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME PROBLEM. I JUST WANT TO PREVENT POTENTIAL LOSS OF LIFE DUE TO THIS, IN MY OPINION, FAULTY DESIGN OR MANUFACTURER GLITCH. NJDOT DOCUMENTED THE CASE SINCE I SENT THEM A "THANK YOU" AND THEY RESPONDED. THE VEHICLE PUT ME AND OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAY IN A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION (VIZ A VIZ TOYOTA) BUT FORD IS UNWILLING TO CONSIDER THE CASE. THEY WANT TO TREAT THIS AS AN "OUT OF WARRANTY" CONDITION BUT I BELIEVE IT IS POTENTIALLY A PRODUCT LIABILITY THAT IF NOT CORRECTED WILL COST LIVES AND DAMAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10317833March 8, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
A 1997 FORD EXPLORER CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH CAUSED A FIRE RESULTING IN THE DEATH OF THE DRIVER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
1
#10317253March 5, 2010
VISIBILITY
HAVE EXPERIENCED PERIODS WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT OPERATE WHEN THE CONTROL IS ON. HAS OCCURRED WHEN FIRST TURNING ON THE CONTROL AS WELL AS WHEN CHANGING FROM A DIFFERENT SPEED SETTING ON THE CONTROL. NO REGULARITY IN THE OCCURRENCE, SEEMS TO BE RANDOM. THIS HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES DURING MY OWNERSHIP SINCE 2000. I WAS CHECKING THE DATABASE AND FOUND AN ENTRY ON THIS PROBLEM UNDER "DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS" SO I AM ADDING MY EXPERIENCE TO YOUR RECORDS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10303352January 30, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
OPERATOR WAS EXITING PARKING LOT ONTO MAIN ROAD WHEN VEHICLE PICKED UP SPEED, OPERATOR TRIED TO STOP VEHICLE, BY BREAKING, BUT VEHICLE ACCELERATED FASTER, CAUSING OPERATOR TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE , VEHICLE STILL ACCELERATING TURNED BACK TOWARDS OTHER END OF PARKING LOT CRASHING INTO LARGE METAL SIGN POST. OPERATOR HAD TO BE TAKEN TO NEARBY HOSPITAL, AND THEM EVACUATED TO MASS GENERAL HOSPITAL, FOR EMERGENCY HEAD OPERATION AS A RESULT OF INJURY TO HEAD. (SUBDURAL HEMOTOMA). *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10301740January 21, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH SHE HEARD GRINDING AND CLICKING NOISE WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES. HER MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS AND STATED THAT THEY WERE WORN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,002.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10298348January 5, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. HE STATED THAT IN 2004 WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED HE NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE AT 50,000 MILES. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE SYSTEM FOR $880.00. IN DECEMBER OF 2009, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE FAILING OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED. THE REAR BRAKE LINE WAS REPLACED FOR $135 00. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT, BUT NO ASSISTANCE OR CALL BACK WAS OFFERED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. UPDATED 2/17/10 *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293195November 23, 2009
SUSPENSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE BEGIN SWAYING FROM BACK AND FORTH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR LINK WAS BROKEN AND SHEARED. A MECHANIC LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THAT THE BAR WAS BROKEN. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT RECALL# 00V402000 COMPONENT: SUSPENSION IS RELATED; HOWEVER, THE VIN DOES NOT APPLY TO THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10292593November 17, 2009
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
I KEPT HEARING THE GEARS SPINNING WHEN I WOULD PRESS ON THE BRAKES. ACCORDING TO MY TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST, THE TRANSFER CASES WERE NOT BUILT RIGHT IN THIS YEAR OF EXPLORER. HE SAYS HE SEES THE SAME PROBLEM ALL THE TIME AND IS UNSURE WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10291521November 9, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR
WEAK REAR SPRINGS ON LEFT REAR OF FORD EXPLORER, MAKING VEHICLE LEAN TO THE LEFT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10289608October 22, 2009
SUSPENSION
LETTER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT SEEKING INFORMATION IDENTIFYING RECALLED OF DEFECTIVE SWAY BARS IN CERTAIN 1997 FORD EXPLORER VEHICLES. *NJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 00V40200, HOWEVER THE RIGHT AND LEFT SWAY BAR LINKS FAILED EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10283999September 15, 2009
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK IT. THE HIGHWAY PATROL HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER FOR HER TO GET OUT OF IT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE LIABLE FOR REPLACING THE SEAT BELT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 213,000. UPDATED 10/21/09. *LJ UPDATED 10/20/09*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10281876August 26, 2009
CHILD SEAT:BASE, CHILD SEAT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER AND A 2008 GRACO SNUG RIDE CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT, MODEL NUMBER 7FEMA3, MANUFACTURED ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2008. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 10-15 MPH; THE CHILD WAS PROPERLY SECURED IN AN "INFANT" CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT. THE CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT WAS INSTALLED WITH THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM. WHENEVER MAKING A TURN THE RESTRAINT SEAT AND BASE TILTED TO THE REAR CENTER SEAT WITH THE OCCUPANT IN IT. THE CHILD SEAT WAS TAKEN TO A CHILD SEAT TECHNICIAN FOR INSPECTION AND INSTALLATION. THE FAILURE CONTINUED WITH NO RESOLUTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. BL
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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