1997 Ford Explorer complaints

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

I WAS JUST WONDERING WHY DREAGER FORD DID NOT TELL ME OF THE RECALLS (I SAW FROM YOUR WEBSITE) WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO BE WORKED ON THREE DEFERENT TIMES FOR A CHARGING PROBLEM. ALSO IS THERE A WAY TO TRACE THIS VEHICLE HISTORY USING THE VIN NUMBER? NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

STARTED VEHICLE IN MORNINGS, AND IT RAN ROUGH. ALSO, MOTOR STALLED. CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER INDICATED THAT INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THEY WERE ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. *AK

SEAT BELT CATCH RELEASED WHEN EXTREME SIDE IMPACT ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT 70 MPH REAR FIRESTONE TIRES BLEWOUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO FLIP AND ROLLOVER THREE TIMES INTO A EMBANKMENT. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

VEHICLE CAN NOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS, O-RINGS, (99V-060). *MJS

WHILE CONSUMER WAS COMING BACK FROM THE AIRPORT SHE HEARD VIBRATING NOISES COMING FROM INSIDE OF VEHICLE . SHE GOT OUT OF VEHICLE TO CHECK THE TIRES. GOT BACK INTO VEHICLE, DECREASED SPEED, AND NOTICED MORE TREMBLING AND VIBRATING NOISES. SHE PROCEEDED TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER, AND NOTICED THAT TREAD CAME OFF PASSENGER'S TIRE. ALSO, THE TIRE TREAD DAMAGED METAL PART OF THE BUMPER. *AK

FRONT TWO TIRES HAD A LINE SEPARATED ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRE. *AK TIRES SEPARATED IN THE MIDDLE OF BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT TIRES. *YH

ALL FOUR TIRES WERE SHOWING A CRACKS ALL THE WAY AROUND THE SIDEWALLS. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC ADVISED HIM TO HAVE TIRES REPLACED SOON AS POSSIBLE. TIRES REPLACED BY DEALER AT NO COST. *AK *ML

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. ONCE IN DECEMBER 1997. ONCE IN JUNE 1998. AND ONCE ON JUNE 19, 2000. EACH TIME AS I AM COMING TO A NORMAL STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CAR ACCELERATES. THE LAST TWO TIMES I WAS SITTING AT THE INTERSECTION WITH BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE WITH THE WHEELS SPINNING, BURNING RUBBER, UNTIL I MANAGED TO SHIFT INTO PARK. THE DEALER HAS OFFERED TO "TRADE ME OUT" BUT I AM AFRAID THEY WILL JUST RESELL THE CAR. PLUS I FEEL THAT THEY HAVE NOT ACCEPTED THAT THE CAR HAS ENDANGERED MY LIFE. AFTER THE FIRST TWO INCIDENTS, SANTA FE FORD TESTED THE CAR AND REPLACED SOME PARTS (IN JUNE 1998) I HAVE A COPY OF THAT REPAIR SHEET. SO THE INCIDENT THIS WEEK OCCURED AFTER TWO YEARS OF NO PROBLEMS. I WAS AT A BUSY, SMALL-TOWN INTERSECTION.*AK

CONSUMER COULD NOT REACH THE PEDAL. HAD TALK TO DEALER ABOUT DRIVING CLOSE TO THE AIR BAG. DEALER REPLIED THAT SHE SHOULD BUY A SMALLER CAR. OWNER WANTS FORD TO PAY FOR PEDAL EXTENSIONS. *AK *ML

THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD CAME OFF THE TIRE (FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT) CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT OVERTURNED TWO AND A HALF TIMES. THE DRIVER AND TWO PASSENGER CRAWLED OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND WAITED FOR EMERGENCY PERSONNEL. NLM

NO SUMMARY LISTED FRO ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

HOT CIGARATTE LIGHTER EJECTED FULLY FROM THE ASSEMBLY. AFTER TESTING, OCCURS EVERY TIME .*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY STARTED SLOWING DOWN AND HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE. WHEN LET GO THE GAS PEDAL, ALL 4 WHEELS LOCKED UP. ALSO, CV JOINT ON THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT HAD SEPARATED. *AK

HEATER CONTROL VALVE ALSO BROKE. *AK

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES TO THE FLOORBOARD VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL. AS RESULT OF BRAKE FAILURE, CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

CONSUMER WAS STUCK IN THE CAR BECAUSE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT UNLATCH ENROUTE TO DEALER. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET BROKE AWAY FROM THE FRAME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

DEALER SAID OVERHEAT WAS DUE TO FAULTY THERMOSTAT (2ND TIME). SUGGESTED FLUSHING THE SYSTEM EVERY 30,000 MILES TO CLEAN THE SYSTEM. WHEN IT OVERHEATED THE FIRST TIME THERE WAS AND STILL IS LESS THEN 30,000 MILES ON THE VECHILE. THE WARRANTY RUNS OUT ON MAY 24, 2000. TODAY IS MAY 9, 2000. I WOULD LIKE THE PROBLEM RESLOVED AND GUATANTEED FOR A WHILE. *AK

CAR STALLS AT SPEED.. PREMATURE FAILURE OF INTAKE GASKETS..FORD MAY HAVE REDESIGNED BUT NO RECALL.. CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL 17 YEAR OLD DRIVER. *AK

WHEN TRUCK CRASHED INTO A HORSE HEAD-ON, TRAVELING ABOUT 38 MPH, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS. DRIVER WAS INJURED. DAMAGES ESTIMATED AT $10,000 DOLLARS. *AK *ML

DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AFTER STARTING VEHICLE WHEN IT IS COLD. PARTS ARE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. CONSUMER HAS BEEN WAITING AT LEAST 31/2 MONTHS, AND CANNOT GET VEHICLE FIXED. *AK

THIS BROKEN LEVER IS A DESIGN PROBLEM, NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE ROAD THROTTLE PEDAL GOT STUCK TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND LANDED BETWEEN TWO TELEPHONE POLES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP TO RELEASE THE PEDAL. *AK

AUTOMATIC LEVELING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING REAR OF VEHICLE TO RISE ABOUT 10-12 INCHES HIGH WITHOUT WARNING, AND WITHOUT PUSHING ANY BUTTONS. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK

BACK ORDER SINCE JANUARY BECAUSE REPLACING BAD ON ALL EXPLORERS AND NO RECALL. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN THE SUMM ARY. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING 0-25 MPH AFTER STOPPING VEHICLE SHUTDOWN WITHOUT ANY INDICATIONS. ALSO, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT FLASHED. DLR HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

OCCUPANTS CANNOT EXIT REAR SEAT, DOOR HANDLES DO NOT WORK.

REAR PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLES FROM THE INSIDE ARE INOPERATIVE. IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY DRIVER/REAR PASSENGER CANNOT GET OUT. DEALER WILL REPAIR AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK.ET.

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD HER THAT A HOLE WAS PRODUCED IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD.*AK

CAR MAKES A RATTLING NOISE WHEN DRIVEN. ALSO, VEHICLE HAS SCRATCHES/CUTS ON ITS BODY. *AK

MECHANIC STATED METAL USED IN MAKING CRANKCASE TOO SOFT. THIS PROBLEM SHOULDNT OCCUR WITH THE MILEAGE AND YEAR OF THIS VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN SPARE TIRE CABLE SHEARED OFF, CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE CABLE WAS SWINGING BACK AND FORTH AND RUBBING AGAINST METAL. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. *AK *ML

I HAVE A SITUATION WITH MY 1997 FORD EXPLORER 4X4. I RECENTLY TOOK IT IN TO HAVE AN ALIGNMENT DONE. I HAVE JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER ABOVE. WHEN I TOOK IT TO GET ALIGNED THE MECHANIC TOLD ME I NEEDED TO BUY A CASTER ADJUSTER KIT. THIS AMAZES ME THAT FORD WOULDN'T HAVE GOOD ENOUGH ENGINEERS TO PUT THE CORRECT SIZE CASTER ADJUSTERS ON MY VEHICLE. THERE HAS BEEN NO AFTERMARKET WORK DONE TO IT .. IT IS ALL FORD FACTORY SUSPENSION, SO IT IS NOT MY FAULT, IT IS THEIRS. THIS SEEMS LIKE AN INJUSTICE THAT I HAVE TO BUY A $100 KIT BECAUSE FORD DIDN'T GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. I HAVE TALKED TO 3 OTHER DEALERS, AND THEY DON'T ACT SURPRISED, ACTUALLY I WAS TOLD BY 2 OF THE OTHER DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENTS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I WANT MY COMPLAINT ON THE BOOKS, IN CASE THER EARE MORE. *AK

THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED AS THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. YH

HEATER WILL NOT CONTROL DUE TO MANUFACTURERS WRONG PART INSTALLED FROM THE FACTORY. THIS IS THE THIRD ONE WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE

THE AIR RIDE WILL RAISE THE BACKEND 10-12" FROM THE TOP OF THE TIRE TO THE TOP OF THE WHEELWELL. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING 70+MPH AND MAKES THE VEHICLE BUCK VIOLENTLY AND IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. IT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP 8+TIMES FOR REPAIR AND THEY'VE REPLACED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE. THEY REPLACED THE MASTER CONTROL PANEL LAST MONTH AND IT'S GONE UP 5 TIMES SINCE THEN. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT IN EACH TIME IT HAPPENS BECAUSE MY SERVICING DEALER, JOHN MARKEL FORD, SAID IT MUST STILL BE RUNNING FOR THEM TO GET CODES FROM THE COMPUTER AND SOMETIMES IT RAISES UP AFTER I TURN THE KEY OFF. THEY ARE UNABLE TO "DOCUMENT" THE PROBLEM AND CAN'T REPRODUCE IT SO THE ZONE REP WON'T REPLACE IT. HE'S OFFERED $1500 TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF A NEW VEHICLE BUT THAT'S IT. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES SUDDEN ACCELERATION. MEHICANIC IS HAVING A HARD TIME TRYING TO GET PART IN BECAUSE FORD IS REDESIGNING THE PART. *AK

THE RUBBER SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. NLM

ENGINE "TICKS" PRIMARILY AT COLD STARTUP. PROBLEM BECOMING MORE PREVELANT HOWEVER, NOW IT OCCURS ALSO AT A WARM STARTUP. ENGINE ALSO "HISSES" AT LOW SPEEDS TO IDLE. REAR END LEAKS FLUID AND ALSO SHUDDERS AT HIGH SPEEDS. "CLUNKING" NOISE OFTEN HEARD AND FELT FROM REAR END WHEN VEHICLE STOPS.

LOCK SYSTEM ON BOTH REAR PASSENGER DOORS HAVE FAILED SUCH THAT NEITHER DOOR CAN BE OPENED FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. OBVIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IF REAR PASSENGERS MUST EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE QUICKLY. *AK

VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN IN 4 TIMES - SOME PARTS REPLACED -DEALER CAN NOT FIND PROBLEM. FORD MOTOR COMPANY CONTACTED NOT RESOLVED. VEHICLE 4- WHEEL DRIVE LOW AND HIGH LIGHTS BLINK WHILE DRIVING THEN THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. AFTER YOU TURN OFF CAR AND RESTART THE SYSTEM RESETS AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE WORKS. THIS PROBLEM COULD BE DANGERIOUS AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF 4 WHEEL DRIVE DOES NOT WORK AND THIS WOULD ALSO PROBABLY INCLUDE AUTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE MODE FOR SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. *AK

1-21-00 TOOK CAR INTO MAGIC FORD IN SANTA CLARITA, CA. FOR WARRANTY WORK, REPLACE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I WAS INFORMED BY TIM HEMING THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS WERE BAD. ABOUT $1500.00 TO FIX. I ASKED IF IT WAS A WARRANTY ITEM. HE SAID NO, BUT I CAN CALL THE FORD CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE GUIDE TO SEE IF I CAN GET FINACIAL HELP. I DID AND THEY SAID NO. 1-27-00 I HAD MY OWN SERVICE TECH. PICK UP CAR AND START THE REPAIRS. 2-1-00 MY SERVICE TECH., KEN WAGNER LIC.#0706-121676 INFORMED ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS WERE BROKEN AND SUCKED UP IN THE ENGINE AND DESSTROYED THE ENGINE. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS HAVE BEEN UPGRADED FROM SOME KIND OF PLASTIC MATERIAL TO METAL. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THE DEALER HE ORDERED THE PARTS FROM HAS ORDERED 104 OF THEM. THE DEALER IS ANTELOPE VALLEY FORD LANCASTER, CA. THE COST TO BUY AND INSTALL THE NEW ENGINE WAS $4000.00 I HAD TO PAY TO KEN WAGNER. I THINK THAT DO TO THE FACT THAT THE PARTS HAVE BEEN UPGRADED AND SO MANY ARE BEING ORDERED THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR MY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE. *AK

4-WHEEL DRIVE ACTIVATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH, CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH

- WHEEL DRIVE HIGH AND LOW ACTIVATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH CAUSING THE STEERING TO LOCK WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. *AK

ACCELERATOR BRACKET THAT HOLDS ONTO FIREWALL CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING DUE TO FAILURE OF THE 2 SPOT WELDS WHICH WERE THE SIZE OF AN ERASER TIP ON FIREWALL. DEALER REPAIRED BRACKET BY RE-SPOT WELDING THE BRACKET. *AK *ML

THE DOOR HANDLE MACHANISM HAS FAILED ON EACH OF THE REAR DOORS. A PLASTIC PIECE BROKE OFF THE MECHANISM. THIS RESULTED IN NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE, INHIBITING EGRESS OF ANY PASSENGERS DURING AN EMERGENCY. BOTH FAILED MECHANISMS HAVE BEEN REPLACE BY THE SELLING DEALERSHIP AT OUR EXPENSE. REPRESENTATIVES AT THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED TO US BOTH TIMES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH OUR TYPE OF VEHICLE. WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. IT IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE TO GET THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN A TIMELY MANNER TO GET THIS DOOR OPENING REPLACED. WE HAD OUR BROKEN PART REPLACED TODAY. FORD PART # F77Z-7821818-AAJ IS THE ONE THAT WAS MOST RECENTLY REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON I-95 IN FLORIDA IN THE PASSING LANE ALL OF A SUDDEN HAD NO CONTROL OF STEERING. CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL, FLIPPED OVER INTO THE GRASSY MEDIAN , AND WAS TOTALLED. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE INSURANCE AGENCY. *AK