Ford Explorer Complaints (1997)

1,773 consumer complaints on file.

#543566January 28, 1999
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY, SEATS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL, STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
ELECTRICAL FAILURES CONTINUALLY REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY PCM MODULE AND SPARK PLUGS DID NOT RECTIFY FAILURES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#702648January 27, 1999
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE REAR DOOR LOCKS BIND UP WHENEVER A REAR PASSENGER ATTEMPTS TO OPEN A DOOR WITHOUT THE DRIVER DEPRESSING DOOR UNLOCK BUTTON MANUALLY. ONCE LOCKS BIND UP, THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN DOOR IS FROM EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. REAR PASSENGERS ARE ESSENTIALLY TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE UNTIL DOORS ARE OPENED FROM OUTSIDE. IT APPEARS THAT LOCKS ARE MALFUNCTIONING SOMEWHAT LIKE THE CHILD DOOR LOCK PROTECTION SYSTEM EVEN THOUGH THE CHILD LOCKS ARE NOT ENGAGED. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD WHICH TRAPS A PERSON IN THE REAR SEAT. IF THERE WERE A FIRE, ACCIDENT OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF EMERGENCY, THEY COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR SEAT. DEALER CLAIMS NOT A PROBLEM; THAT THIS HOW LOCKS WERE DESIGNED, BUT REFUSED TO PUT ON REPAIR SLIP STATING ONLY "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE". HELP! HELP! HELP! FORD HAS A PROBLEM HERE AND IT NEEDS A NHTSA DIRECTED RECALL TO GET THEM TO PROPERLY CORRECT IT. IN YOUR DATA BASE THERE ARE NUMEROUS SIMILAR REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH REAR DOOR LOCKS. THIS IS A MAJOR CATASTROPHY JUST WAITING TO HAPPEN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#833830January 21, 1999
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ONGONING PROBLEM WITH FUEL SYSTEM VAPOR LEAKAGE. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT DEALER SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS. VEHICLE HAVE BEEN INSPECTED / REPAIRED, BUT VAPOR LEAKEGES STILL EXIST. NEEDS HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#702451January 21, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE STALLS AND ALMOST QUITS ENTIRELY DURING ACCELERATION. MOST NOTICEABLE AT SPEEDS 50 - 55 MPH. MAY BE IN CONJUCTION WITH A SLIGHT TURN OF THE LEFT (DURING LANE CHANGE ON THE FREEWAY.)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#702362January 19, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE STALLS SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING LEFT AFTER STOP. VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC. TAKEN IN TO MULTIPLE DEALERS WHO CAN NEVER REPRODUCE THE FAILURE. STALLING PROBLEM SEEMS COMMON AMONG PEOPLE WITH 4.0 SOHC ENGINE (BASED ON INTERNET DISCUSSION). TRUCK WAS BOUGHT/REGISTERED UNDER MY WIFE'S NAME: KATHLEEN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#702386January 19, 1999
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR THAT AUTOMATICALLY LOCKS COMES OPEN WHEN MOING SPEEDS FROM2 TO 60 MILES AN HOUR. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE CHECKED BY THE FORD MOTOR COMAPNY, NOW FOR THE 4 TIME WE HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE SAME DOOR. A FRIEND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH 2 FORD EXPLORES.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235-70-15 )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#702324January 18, 1999
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE IS NOT CONSITENT SWITCHING IN/OUT OF OVERDRIVE/4 WD -STICKS-FORD DENIES THERE IS A PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#702264January 15, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHEN ACCELERATING TO TURN LEFT WITH MY S.O.H.C V6 EXPLORER, THE ENGINE WILL SOMETIMES CUT OUT AND ALMOST STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION WITH CARS BEARING DOWN ON ME. IT GOES FOR 2 SECONDS AND THEN CUTS OUT FOR 2 SECONDS. IT WILL THEN TAKE OFF AGAIN. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT HAD TO DO WITH THE HEAT OUTSIDE, BUT IT HAPPENED THIS JANUARY. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN TURNING LEFT UNDER QUICK ACCELERATION. HAS HAPPENED WITH 1/4 TANK OF GAS TO NEARLY FULL. I DID A SEARCH IN DEJANEWS AND FOUND APPROX. 20 OTHER SIMILAR CASES. IT IS VERY SCARRY TO HAVE YOUR VEHICLE ALMOST DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WITH CARS COMING AT YOU. IT HAPPENED TWICE IN THE SUMMER OF 97, 3 TIMES IN THE SUMMER OF 98 AND ONCE IN JANUARY 99.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#833456January 13, 1999
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
GAS PEDAL GETS STUCK, WILL NOT GO DOWN , CONSUMER HAS TO KEEP STEPPING ON PEDAL WHEN SUDDENLY PEDAL WILL GO DOWN, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD, ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#833308January 11, 1999
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH SEAT TRACKS AND ANCHORS. WHEN THE DRIVER SLAMMED ON BRAKES, BACK SEAT TILTED UP AND THE PASSENGER WAS EJECTED INTO THE AIR. AS A RESULT, THE PASSENGER JAMMED HER HEAD AGAINST THE CEILING. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. ON 2-DOOR MODEL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#702085January 10, 1999
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
NO SUMMARY PROVIDED BY CONSUMER
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#833125January 7, 1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
EARLY IN 1998 CONSUMER SAW OIL IN DRIVEWAY, SHE TOOK VEHICLE FOR OIL CHANGE IN FEBRUARY. A WEEK LATER THE OIL SPOT WAS BIGGER. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER IN JUNE 98, AND THEY SAW NO LEAK. THE OIL LEAKS GOT BIGGER. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERS THREE TIMES. BANNER FORD--1665 SCOTT BLVD. DECATUR, GA---404-633-4005. VEHICLE IS STILL LEAKING OIL TODAY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#833000January 5, 1999
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHILE DRIVING IN COLD/ ICY WEATHER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS FROZE, CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO BE INOPERATIVE, WHICH COULD CAUSE VISIBILITY PROBLEMS AND AN ACCIDENT. *AK.ET.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#832750December 29, 1998
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE AND NOTICED ENGINE SMOKING. DEALER NOTICED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD BE THE CONSUMER'S RESPONSIBILITY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#832792December 29, 1998
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH DOOR CLOSING IMPROPERLY. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS AND CODITION STILL OCCURRING. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#701551December 23, 1998
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
THE BRAKE PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IN A PANIC STOP SITUATION, THE DRIVERS FOOT WILL DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL FULLY AND AT THE SAME TIME OPEN THE THROTTLE OVER HALFWAY, ENGINE REVS TO NEARLY 3,000 RPM. I HAVE NEARLY WRECKED THIS TRUCK ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. IF ONE IS A RIGHT FOOT HEEL AND TOE BRAKE OPERATOR WITH A NORMAL SIZE ADULT SHOE, THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM WILL HAPPEN. THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS BRAND NEW.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#701552December 23, 1998
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
1) THROTTLE CABLE BINDS UP. WHEN IT BREAKS FREE IT ADDS 1,000 RPM TO ENGINE SPEED. MOST PRONOUNCED AFTER USING CRUISE CONTROL ON THE FREEWAY AND DEACTIVATING CRUISE WITH BRAKE PEDAL. ALMOST REARENDED CAR IN FRONT OF ME DUE TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION. 2) SEAT BELT RETRACTOR LOCKS UP. RESTRAINS PASSENGER TO THE POINT OF PAIN. VERY DIFFICULT TO RELEASE. RETRACTOR REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#701431December 17, 1998
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
BROUGHT VEHICHLE INTO DIFFERENT FORD DEALER TO COMPLAIN OF NOISE, WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE AIR PRESSSURE VALVE AND TO WAIT TILL IT GOT LOUDER TILL THEY WOULD FIX, ONE WEEK LATER TRANSMISSION FAILED, THEY SAY IT IS A CRACKED DRUM AND REPLACED ENTIRE TRANSMISSION...NEVER HAD AN AIR VALVE PROBLEM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#701407December 16, 1998
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED AT 17,000 MILES AND AT 30,000 MILES I WAS TOLD BY FORD I NEEDED AN AIR INDUCTION CLEANING. AT 37,000 MILES I NOW HAVE THE SAME GAS PEDAL PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AGAIN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#832307December 15, 1998
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
WHEN FILLING TANK WITH GASOLINE, IT DOES NOT TAKE THE LAST 4 GALLONS. THE DEALER SAID THAT THIS IS DUE TO PRESSURE FROM THE GAS VAPORS. IF FILLING VEHICLE VERY SLOWLY, GASOLINE WOULD TAKE. 98 MODEL HAS THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED, OWNER BELIEVES FORD TO CORRECT THE 97 MODEL. *AK.ET.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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