Ford Explorer Complaints (1997)

1,773 consumer complaints on file.

#10278455July 27, 2009
SEAT BELTS
THE SEATBELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE COMES UNDONE BY ITSELF. U CAN BUCKLE ABOUT 2 MINUTES LATER IT COMES UNDONE BY ITSELF. EVEN ACCELERATES WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274179June 17, 2009
TIRES, TIRES:MARKINGS
I JUST DISCOVERED THE TIRES I HAVE ON MY CAR HAVE HAD THE DATE CODE BUFFED OFF. IT'S A GOOD JOB, BARELY NOTICEABLE UNLESS VIEWED WITH A SLANTING LIGHT SOURCE, BUT ALL FOUR ARE THE SAME. IS THIS A VIOLATION OF SOME FEDERAL LAW PERTAINING TO TIRES? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10270139May 27, 2009
SEATS
BOTH SEAT TILT LEVERS BEND AND THEN BREAK OFF AFTER ATTEMPTING TO STRAIGHTEN THEM ONCE TOO MANY TIMES. NEW DESIGN STRENGTHENS THE BRACKETS. IF THE BRACKETS BREAK OFF AND THERE IS A SMALL CHILD IN THE BACK, ADULTS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REMOVE SMALL CHILDREN QUICKLY DURING AN EMERGENCY SINCE THEY CAN'T TILT THE SEATS FORWARD OUT OF THE WAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268415May 11, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK EXCESSIVELY. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AXLE WAS SPLIT IN HALF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266570April 24, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH SHE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING IN THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN SAW A BIT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND A PERSON CAME UP TO THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED HER TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. ANOTHER PERSON APPROACHED THE SCENE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, BUT BY THIS TIME THE FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THEY USED UP THE ENTIRE FIRE EXTINGUISHER, BUT COULD NOT PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE TIRES EXPLODED AND ALL OF THE WINDOWS BLEW OUT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME, THEY TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE, BUT THERE WASN'T ENOUGH WATER PRESSURE BY THE TIME THE SECOND FIRE TRUCK CAME OUT THE FIRE WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE GASOLINE TANK. LUCKILY THEY WERE ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BEFORE IT GOT TO THE GAS TANK, BUT THE THING THAT IS LEFT OF THE VEHICLE IS THE METAL FRAME. SHE HAS NOT YET CALLED FORD, BUT BELIEVES THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE DAMAGES WERE SO SEVERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO TELL WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. ALL SHE KNEW WAS THAT THE FIRE STARTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TRIGGERED THE FIRE. SHE NEVER RECEIVED ANY SORT OF RECALL NOTICE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 5/18/09 *CN ACCORDING TO THE FIRE INSPECTOR, A FUEL TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE FROM RETURN HOSE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. UPDATED 05/20/09*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248975November 17, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1997 FORD EXPLORER 4.0 SOHC, MY ENGINE IS MAKING A TERRIBLE RATTLE SOUND WHILE RUNNING, I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MANY THAT ITS THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS, AND THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO HELP OWNERS TO GET THIS REPAIRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245301October 13, 2008
SUSPENSION
THE RIGHT REAR LEAF SPRING IS BAD AND THIS CAUSES THE TIRES TO WARE WHICH HAS CAUSED US SEVERAL DOLLARS TO REPLACE TIRES. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT LEAF SPRINGS DON'T GO BAD BUT MINE HAS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244762October 8, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON HIS VEHICLE (NUMBER 98S09) REGARDING THE WARNING LABEL THAT WAS TO BE INSTALLED ON THE FUEL BRACKET; HOWEVER, HIS WAS INSTALLED ON THE FUEL LINE ITSELF. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 102,266.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244907October 8, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I BOUGHT A 1997 FORD EXPLORER ON FEBRUARY 23, 2008. ON OCTOBER 3, 2008 I USED MY EXPLORER TO JUMP ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAD THE NEGATIVE CABLE GROUNDED TO A BRACKET RIGHT NEXT TO THE BATTERY (THE MOST OBVIOUS PLACE TO GROUND TO). WHILE TRYING TO JUMP THE OTHER VEHICLE FUEL STARTED LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINES THAT ARE ATTACHED TO THAT BRACKET. THE FUEL LINES WERE MELTED BECAUSE OF JUMPING ON THAT BRACKET AND THERE WAS FUEL RUNNING OVER THE JUMPER CABLES AND DOWN THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE. I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED BUT MOST LIKELY KILLED IF THE JUMPER CABLES SPARKED. I WAS LOOKING ON THE INTERNET TO SEE HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO HAVE THE FUEL LINES REPLACED AND I STUMBLED ACROSS A RECALL STATING THAT ON MY SPECIFIC EXPLORER " THE ENGINE FUEL LINES CAN BE DAMAGED IF THE VEHICLE IS JUMP STARTED AND THE GROUND CABLE IS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL LINE BRACKET THAT IS LOCATED NEAR THE BATTERY. SINCE THE BRACKET IS NOT GROUNDED, THE STAINLESS STEEL FUEL LINE BRAID COULD ACT AS A GROUND POTENTIALLY OVERHEATING THE PTFE INNER LINER OF THE FUEL LINE RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE FUEL LINE. CONSEQUENCE: THE FUEL LINES CAN LEAK, AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WARNING LABEL ON THE FUEL LINE BRACKET ADVISING OWNERS NOT TO USE IT FOR A JUMP START GROUND." I WENT AND CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY KIND OF WARNING AND THERE WAS, BUT IT WAS NOT ON THE FUEL LINE BRACKET LIKE THE RECALL SAID THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD DO, IT WAS ON THE FUEL LINES AND TUCKED UP BEHIND THAT BRACKET WHERE IT WAS IN NO WAY VISIBLE UNLESS YOU KNEW IT WAS THERE. SO NOW IM GOING TO HAVE TO PAY $608.05 FOR FUEL LINES BECAUSE FAULKNER-CIACCO FORD DEALERSHIP DID NOT SERVICE MY EXPLORER CORRECTLY. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ASKING IF THEY WOULD PAY FOR IT AND THEY SAID THAT THEY CANT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I BELIEVE FORD, OR THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE TO PAY SINCE THE WARNING LABEL WAS NOT CORRECTLY PLACED ON MY VEHICLE. THE FORD RECALL # IS 98S09. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10239660August 25, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
FORD 4.0L SOHC TIMING CHAIN ISSUE. CURRENTLY MY TIMING CHAINS ARE STILL IN ONE PIECE. THE PLASTIC TENSIONERS BREAK, LEADING TO CHAIN SLACK, AND EVENTUALLY, BREAKAGE. THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT IT AS OF YET, THE ONLY WAY TO REPAIR THEM IS TO BUY $500-$600 WORTH OF PARTS AND TOOLS, REMOVE THE ENGINE FROM THE CAR AND REPAIR AND REPLACE THE TIMING CHAINS AND GUIDES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227083May 8, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT, TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE FRONT SUSPENSION BAR LINKS ARE BROKEN, THE FOG LIGHTS OF THE EXTERIOR DOES NOT WORK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10226711May 5, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 1997 FORD EXPLORER WHEN SHE SAW WHITE SMOKE COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE WAS PARKED IN MCDONALD'S PARKING LOT. SHE CALLED ME TELLING ME THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I ASKED HER IF THERE WAS LIQUID RUNNING FROM THE CAR AND SHE SAID YES. IT WAS CLEAR AND ON THE DRIVES SIDE. THE NEXT THING I HEARD WAS THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. WHEN I GOT TO THE BODY SHOP TO SEE WHAT THE DAMAGES WERE I FOUND THE MASTER CYLINDER COMPLETELY MELTED AWAY AND THE WIRE HARNESS BURNT. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10226498May 2, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL MOTOR BIKE LODGED UNDER THE VEHICLE, WHICH SOMEHOW CAUSED IT TO CATCH FIRE. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT CABIN SEATS WERE DESTROYED. THERE ARE THREE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL RECALLS ON THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED IF THE VIN WAS INCLUDED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE RECALL NUMBERS AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10226059April 29, 2008
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
BLEND DOOR ON MY 1997 FORD EXPLORER IS NOT WORKING. ITS A PROBLEM WHEN DEFROSTING, AND DRIVING IN BAD WEATHER DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT DEFROSTING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224613April 15, 2008
TIRES:SIDEWALL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER TRAILCAT ALL SEASON TIRES (235/75R15). WHILE REPLACING THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED SIDEWALL SEPARATION ON ALL FOUR TIRES. HE WAS INFORMED THAT HIS DOT NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01T014000 (TIRES:SIDEWALL). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,731 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,700.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10224359April 13, 2008
INTERIOR LIGHTING, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
FAR LEFT DASH LIGHTS AND LIGHTS BEHIND INDICATORS ON LEFT SIDE OF STEERING WHEEL WENT OUT SHORTLY AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE IN 1998; THIS WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY; THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AGAIN SOMETIME AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD EXPIRED. THE SOUND SYSTEM AMPLIFIER GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY WITH NO DISCERNIBLE CAUSE; THIS HAS GONE ON FOR YEARS; THE DEALER SAYS IT WOULD COST OVER $600 TO REPLACE THE AMPLIFIER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223410April 4, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TODAY IS THE FIRST TIME SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE TRUCK AS I WAS DRIVING IT AND STARTED RIGHT BACK UP, AND ABOUT 6 HOURS LATER MY NEIGHBOR NOTICED MY TRUCK ON FIRE. FLAMES WERE COMING FROM BEHIND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WELL. MY MECHANIC SAID LOOKS LIKE E-BRAKE CABLE STARTED TO WELD IT SELF AND CAUGHT THE BODY MOUNT ON FIRE. E-BRAKE CABLE MELTED PLASTIC HOUSING INSIDE THE TRUCK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220097March 4, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
VEHICLE STARTED OUT FINE. AFTER A MONTH OF DRIVING, FAR LEFT DASH LIGHTS DIED OUT. THOSE ARE THE ONES ILLUMINATING THE OIL PRESSURE AND BATTERY. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATING THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER DIED OUT AS WELL. THIS IS NOT NORMAL. PERSONALLY, I THINK IT MIGHT BE A SHORT TO GROUND, BUT I STILL HAVE YET TO FIND OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219630February 28, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 1997 FORD EXPLORER DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAM SHAFT CHAIN WAS BROKEN OR LET GO. I WAS ADVISED BY FORD THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT DIDN'T NOTIFY EVERYONE WHO OWNED THEM BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH PARTS TO REPAIR OR REPLACE AND THEY ONLY TOLD THE FORD DEALERSHIPS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND NOT THE PUBLIC. AND THEY ALSO PURGED ALL THE "OLD RECORDS" AS THEY CALL THEM AND CANNOT TELL IF THEY NOTIFIED THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY HACKETTSTOWN FORD WHEN I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE THAT IT WAS ONE OF THE SALES MANAGERS WIFES CAR AND IT IS IN MINT CONDITION AND WELL MAINTAINED. WHEN I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE., I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THERE ARE OVER 5 MILLION FORD EXPLORERES AND MERCURY SUV STILL ON THE ROAD. THERE IS NO WAY A CONSUMER CAN TELL IF THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN YOUOR VEHICLE JUST DIES, AND I CANNOT IMAGINE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IN ACCIDENTS OR EVEN KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM OR ARE STILL DRIVING THESE VEHICLES AND WONT KNOW UNTIL IT HAPPENS. IT COST ME $14,999 WHEN I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND IT COST ME OVER $6,000. FOR A NEW ENGINE. WHO IS WATCHING OUT FOR US? IF I WAS TOLD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE CHECKED I WOULD HAVE IT ONLY COST ABOUT $100.00 TO PULL THEY ENGINE DOWN TO THE CAM SHAFT CHAIN AND CHECK FOR THE PROBLEM. I HAD MY VEHICLE LOOKED AT BY FOUR MECHANICS WHO KNEW RIGHT AWAY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. PLEASE HELP ME AND THE PUBLIC WITH THIS PROBLEM, I AM DISABLED AND HAD TO BORROW THE MONEY FOR THE ENGINE AND WILL HAVE TO PAY THE MONEY BACK FOR THE NEXT 4 YEARS. I COULDN'T BUY A NEW VEHICLE BECAUSE MY VEHICLE FITS ME PERIFECT BECAUSE OF HAVING 35 SURGERIES FROM A AUTO ACCIDENT IN 1974.IF I SEE ANOTHER EXPLORER I STAY FAR AWAY FROM IT. . THE FUNNY THING IS WHEN YOU CALL FORD IN DETROIT THEY ASK YOU HOW MANY FORDS YOU HAVE PURCHASED IN YOUR LIFETIME AND WOULD YOU EVER BUY ANOTHER ONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218500February 19, 2008
SUSPENSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING VIBRATED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE SWAY BAR LINK FAILED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V402000 (SUSPENSION). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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