1997 Ford Explorer complaints

TWO BACK TIRES AND PASSENGER'S FRONT TIRE AROUND THE RIM AREA ARE CRACKED. CONSUMER HAS A 1997, FORD, EXPLORER WITH ORIGINAL TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. APPROXIMATE MILEAGE 42,000.*AK *JB

00 020/TREAD SEPARATION: LEFT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A TREAD SEPARATION WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 65 MPH, WITH DRIVER ONLY IN A 1997, FORD, EXPLORER; UNAWARE OF ORIGINAL OR AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT; TIRE SIZE P235/75R15, DOT# W2HL1PY077. FIRESTONE NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT TIRES WERE NOT COVER UNDER RECALL. *AK *JB

APPROX 1 MONTH AGO, VEHICLE FAILED JUST AFTER LEAVING THE FREEWAY AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE THE MAIN FUSE CONTROLLING ALL DRIVE-TRAIN COMPONENTS, INCLUDING COMPUTER, FUEL INJECTORS, TRANSMISSION, ETC. THE DEALER ( HARRIS FORD) COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE AFTER TWO DAYS OF INVESTIGATION. I WAS RETURNED THE VEHICLE WITH TWO EXTRA 30 AMP FUSES (AND A $500 BILL) IN CASE THE PROBLEM RECURRED. APPROX. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE VEHICLE AGAIN DIED, THIS TIME IN PORTLAND, OR. FORTUNATELY IT DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE FREEWAY, SINCE ALL POWER WAS LOST WHEN THE ENGINE DIED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT A PORTLAND DEALER FOR THE PAST WEEK, AGAIN WITH NO EXPLANATION OF THE CAUSE. DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RUN, AND I HAVE AN ESP, FORD NOR ITS DEALERS WILL COMMIT TO COVERING REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. HAD THIS HAPPENED AT FREEWAY SPEED OF 60 OR 70 MPH, A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR, POTENTIALLY WITH FATAL INJURIES.*AK

THE CRANK/DRIVE SHAFT COMPLETELY SHEARED OFF AND FELL OUT WITH THE PULLEY STILL ATTACHED. THE DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER AND THREE OTHER SERVICE PERSONNEL STATED THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. THE SERVICE MANAGER ALSO STATED HE COULD NOT EVEN BEGIN TO EXPLAIN HOW IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED.

PE00 020. CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 15MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, RIGHT FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDERS. FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS AT, P25570R16, FDOT W2CU1PX. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK *JB

PASSENGER'S REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE EVEN WITHOUT CHILD PROOF LOCK ON.*AK

PIN AND BOLT THAT CONNECT TIE ROD TO FRONT END FELL OFF, CAUSING TIRE TO BLOW. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE. *AK TIRE BLEW IN DRIVEWAY.*JB

TWO FRONT INNER TIE RODS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK ALSO, THE OUTER TIE RODS FAILED. *YH

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN FEBRUARY THAT WAS NOT MY FAULT. THE OTHER DRIVER FAILED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND CAME INTO THE INTERSECTION AS I WAS COMING FROM THROUGH IT. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT AND THE AIRBAG DID DEPLOY, CAUSING THE MAJORITY OF MY INJURIES. I HAD SEVERAL LACERATIONS ON MY CHEEKS, CHIN AND MOUTH. MY UPPER LIP WAS SPLIT OPEN AND I SUSTAINED A SERIOUS INJURY TO MY JAW. ALL OF THESE INJURIES WERE CAUSED WHEN MY HEAD WENT FORWARD AS THE AIRBAG COVER POPPED BACK AND THE AIRBAG WAS INFLATING. THE AIRBAG HIT ME IN THE FACE WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT LEFT MY JAW PERMENANTLY INJURED. I AM AN 5' 5 1/2" TALL AND DO NOT SIT PARTICULARLY CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE IS AN OBVIOUS FLAW WITH THE DESIGN OF THE AIRBAG.*AK

BOTH REAR DOOR HINGES, LEFT AND RIGHT ARE BROKEN. CONSUMER UNABLE TO OPEN DOORS. *AK *JB

WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A DEER WHEN IT CROSSED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. INSURANCE ADJUSTER STATED THAT FRONTAL AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. *NOTE: CONNSUMER'S WIFE WAS INJURED, SUFFERED BACK INJURIES.*AK *JB

PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION 00T005, CONSUMER NOTICED SOME FINE CRACKING IN THE SIDEWALL OF BOTH FRONT TIRES, AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE LOCAL TIRE DEALER, CONSUMER REPLACED BOTH FRONT TIRES, LATER THE THREE REMAINING TIRES WERE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE BY A LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER, CONSUMER IS NOW REQUESTNG REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED TIRES. *JB

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING SHE NOTICED VEHICLE WAS STARTING TO MAKE A STRANGE VIBRATION WHENEVER SHE WOULD REACH SPEEDS OVER 65 MPH, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND WAS ADVISED BY TECHNICIAN THAT ONE OF THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES(P235/75R15) HAD EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, ALL FOUR OF THE TIRES WERE REPLACED, CONSUMER'S TIRES WERE NOT PART OF RECALL BUT SHE WAS ASSURED 3 MONTHS PRIOR THAT TIRES WERE FINE AND THEY PASSED INSPECTION. *JB

VEHICLE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING. WHEN CHECKING THE COOLING SYSTEM FLUIDS WERE TURNING INTO SLUSH. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO HELP.*AK

TIMING CHAIN BELT BROKE WHILE TRAVLING AT 35 MPH WITH NO PRIOR WARNINGS . HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

VEHICLE OVERHEATED, WHEN CHECKING VEHICLE FLUID WAS TURNING INTO SLUSH. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO HELP.*AK

THE PROBLEM PERSIST AND DE DEALERS NEVER FIXES THE PROBLEM IN MY VEHICLE WHAT I'VE TO DO TO RESOLVE THAT DELICATE PRBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

TRUCK WILL NOT START. SOMETIMES DRIVER HAS TO POP THE CLUTCH. SOMETIMES THE TRUCK HAS TO BE PUSH BEFORE IT WILL START.

THESE TIRES SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AS THEY SHOW SIGNS OF SEPARATION RIGHT AT THE TREAD/SIDEWALL LINE. FIRESTONE WOULD OFFER ME A CREDIT IN FIRESTONE DOLLARS OF $100 BUT I HAD THESE REPLACE WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND AT A COST OF $350. MORE IMPORTANT IS THE FACT THAT THIS TIRE IS DANGEROUS AND YET HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. PLEASE RESPOND AS I AM GOING TO AUCTION THESE TIRES ON THE INTERNET TO ATTORNEYS THAT ARE SUING THE PANTS OFF THESE NEGLIGENT MORONS THAT ARE NOT STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE AND TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT.*AK (DOT NUMBER: VNCUIPX366 TIRESIZE: P25570R 16)

CONSUMER REPLACED ALL 4 FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT ( P235/75R15 1055) TIRES, CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BY DEALER THAT TIRES WERE NOT APART OF RECALL, EVEN THOUGH TIRES WERE SHOWING ABNORMALITIES OF TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT TIRES SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF RECALL. *JB

FAILURE OF METAL AT THE LOCATION WHERE THE HINGE ATTACHES TO THE DOOR. HAD DOOR CHECKED IN MARCH OF 2000 BECAUSE DOOR WASN'T WORKING PROPERLY. THEY FOUND NOTHING AND NO VISUAL SIGNS.CONTINUAL AND NORMAL USE OF THE DOOR HAS CAUSED THIS OBVIOUS WEAKNESS OR DEFECT IN THE METAL TO RUPTURE AND MAKE THE DOOR INOPERABLE.*AK

AFTER CUTTING CAR OFF AND PARKING FOR A WHILE, CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. *AK *JB

3 OF THE 4 BRAKE SHOE LININGS CAME OFF OF THEIR METAL SUPPORTS WHEN I HAD THEM INSPECTED. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE EXPLORERS. THE FORD GARAGE SAID THAT MY SUV WAS OUT OF MFG WARRANTY. THEY WERE NOT REPONSIBLE. THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.*AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION (00V422000), CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER WHICH WAS A SALVAGE TITLE AND MANUFACTURER IS REFUSING TO HONOR RECALL AS WELL AS INSTALL TETHER KIT FREE OF CHARGE AS THEY PREVIOUSLY STATED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, AND ODOMETER WILL STAY STUCK IN PLACE.*AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED, AND TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REBUILT. *JB

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE TOOK OFF FORWARD ,AND CONSUMER BARELY TOUCHED GAS PEDAL, AND VEHICLE HIT A POLE.*AK

ALTHOUGH NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM, I BELIEVE MY RUSTING RUNNING BOARDS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP ME. 1998 MODELS AND NEWER MODELS HAVE PLASTIC RUNNING BOARDS SO OBVIOUSLY FORD REALIZED THEY CREATED A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND CHANGED IT.*AK

IS THIS LEGAL TO SELL A VEHICLE NEW OR USED WITH SERIOUS SAFETY RECALLS, THEY HAVE JEOPORDIZED MY SAFETY IN THIS VEHICLE. SUDDEN ENGINE ACCELERATION AND TACHOMETER RE-LINE AT PASSING GEAR. SHIFTING INTO LOW GEAR PRIOR TO 1800RPMS. ENGINE NOISE AT START UP. OVERHEATING CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION, I.E. TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. IDLES AT 1200.RPMS AND FLUCTUATES. WHAT ETHICS DO THESE DEALER POSSESS AND DO THEY NOT SAFETY INSPECT THEM PRIOR TO SALES, THEY LET ME DRIVE OFF THE LOT. THIS VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN SERVICE FOR THE FAILED PARTS AFTER PURCHASING IT ON NOVEMEBER 1,2000. I HAVE FIRESTONE AT TIRES YET TO BE INSPECTED.

SINCE OWNERSHIP TIRES WEAR OUT EASILY, FRONT TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, TIRES HAVE BEEN BALANCED AND ROTATED AND ALSO LOOSE AIR, WHILE DRIVING ONE OF THE TIRES EXPERIENCED TIRE SEPARATION, ALL 4 (FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P235/75R15) TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, CONSUMER FELT THAT FIRESTONE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBILE FOR TIRES, BUT ONLY THE SPARE TIRE QUALIFIED FOR THE RECALL. *JB

WHILE DRIVING ANDCROSSING LANES HAD TO STEP ON ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IT GOT STUCK, AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE.*AK

ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD STUCK WHILE DRIVING. THIS INCREASED SPEED OF VEHICLE WHILE GOING 60MPH. WAS TRYING STOP VEHICLE BY STEPPING ON BRAKES. BUT, VEHICLE HIT A BUILDING, TIRES WERE STILL SPINNING AFTER IMPACT. AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL DUE TO OVERHEATING. CAUSE UNKNOWN, DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHY VEHICLE OVERHEATED. COMPLETE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK

FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING FUEL. DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED FUEL LINE, AND CHARGED CONSUMER APPROXIMATELY $300. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK

FROM ALL DOCUMENTATION THE CONSUMER RECEIVED FROM FIRESTONE AND THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE TIRES BY THE FORD DEALER THE CONSUMER WAS ASSURED THAT THE TIRES WERE INCLUDED IN RECALL 00T-005, AFTER SUBMITTING ALL REIMBURSEMENT FORMS THE CONSUMER WAS SENT A LETTER STATING THAT THE TYPE OF TIRE INDICATED ON THE REFUND REQUEST FOR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL (FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT). NLM

THE TREADS OF TWO TIRES FAILED 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 00T-005, THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED (FIRESTONE). NLM

WHILE STOPPING AT A LIGHT CONSUMER HAD TO PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL DUE TO ENGINE IDLING HIGH.*AK CONSUMER STATES THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW, THE ENGINE IDLES AT 1400 RPM, DEALER CAN NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *SLC

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH DEFECTIVE ENGINES. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND REPLACED ENGINE. LATER ON, PROBLEM REOCCURRED AGAIN. ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

FIRESTONE TIRES, SIZE P255/70R16, DOT WS2U 1PX117, HAVE EXPERIENCED TWO FAILURES DUE TO ROCK PUNTURES BETWEEN TREAD, CAUSING THE CASING TO RUPTURE, ORIGINAL TIRES WERE 16" 4 PLY, CONSUMER REPLACED WITH 16" 6 PLY AND HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FURTHER PROBLEMS. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE WILL OVERHEAT WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING. HAD BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER, BUT NO REPAIR HAD BEEN MADE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY MPH COULD LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE DUE TO STEERING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY FOUND OUT THAT RACK AND PINION WAS LEAKING OIL AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED. THEN, STOPPED AND FOUND THAT CRANKSHAFT WAS OUT OF ENGINE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED, AND ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT DEALER.*AK

AFTER ANY STOP VEHICLE IDLES HIGH, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS, MOSTLY ON TAKE OFF OR AT SLOW SPEEDS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND SIDE DRIVING A ROCK WALL. THEN, VEHICLE STOPPED AND FOUND OUT THAT LEFT FRONT AND LEFT REAR TIRES WERE BLOWNOUT WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER SAID IT FELT LIKE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. FIRESTONE, WILDENESS AT, T-255/70R16 109S RADIO. *AK

PERIODICALLY WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WOULD LET ACCELERATOR PEDAL GO AND THEN BEGAN TO PRESS IT, VEHICLE WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED. VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. IN ORDER FOR VEHICLE TO START AND PICK UP SPEED, CONSUMER WOULD TURN OFF ENGINE AND RESTART. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE DEFECT AND WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE REMEDY.*AK *SLC

I WAS CHANGING LANES TO ALLOW ON TRAFFIC TO GET ON. WHEN MY TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL HAVING A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT!*AK (TIRESIZE: 2457516AT)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 2457516AT )

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND LOST ALL POWER, THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN, 2 DAYS AFTER THIS REPAIR THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN AGAIN, THIS TIME IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. NLM

WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED, ENGINE SEIZED AND CAR STOPPED ABRUPTLY, CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED AND WAS ADVISED BY MECHANIC THAT CRANKSHAFT BROKE AND A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. (CHECK ODI # 740940) *JB

ON TWO OCCASIONS THE DRIVESHAFT BROKE WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE TEMPORARY CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. NLM