1997 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

TIRE FAILURE RESULTING IN A BLOWOUT.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. HE EXITED THE VEHICLE, RAISED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN TO A MECHANIC. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE AND THE DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 15,200.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL FIRST AND THEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOR THE VEHICLE TO OPERATE NORMALLY. SHE BELIEVES THE VEHICLE IS A PART OF RECALL # 00V422000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS NO RECALLS. THE WEATHER WAS SUNNY AND APPROXIMATELY 70 DEGREES AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 94,000.

THE 1997 FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT ON FIRE AT THE CRUISE SWITCH LOCATED ON THE MASTER CYLINDER. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT LIFTED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE HANDLE FAILED. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT RELEASE IT WOULD COST $280 TO REPAIR THE HANDLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,304. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE OFF AND WENT INTO THE FAN SHIELD. THE FORD MECHANIC SAYS HE HAS NOT SEEN THIS BEFORE AND IT LOOKS LIKE A DEFECT IN THE METAL. IT WAS GOOD THAT I WAS GOING ONLY 30MPH AT THE TIME OR IT WOULD HAVE GONE THROUGHT THE FAN ITS SELF. IT COULD HAVE HAD MANY CONSEQUENCES. *TR

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

MY 1997 FORD EXPLORER WAS PARKED OUTSIDE A LOCAL RESTAURANT WHEN I WAS ALERTED THAT THE INTERIOR OF MY VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE AND THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN CALLED. BLACK SMOKE WAS POURING OUT OF THE SLIGHTLY OPENED WINDOWS WHEN I APPROACHED THE SUV AND ULTIMATELY PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. CLOSER EXAMINATION INDICATED THAT THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE CAME FROM UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT. ONE OF THE FIREMEN ON THE SCENE SPECULATED THAT THE MOTOR THAT CONTROLS THE POWER SEAT OVERHEATED AND STARTED THE FIRE. MY FIRST CALL WAS TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THEY WOULD SEND ME A LETTER IN THE MAIL. THIS LETTER CAME A WEEK LATER AND EXPLAINED THAT ALTHOUGH THEY WOULD REALLY LIKE TO ASSIST ME WITH MY LOSS , THERE WAS NOT A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE, SO THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST ME. MY INSURANCE COMPANY TOOK CARE OF ME AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL ALSO "TAKE CARE OF FORD" TO RECOUP THEIR LOSS . I AM FORTUNATE THAT A YOUNG CHILD OR ONE OF OUR FAMILY PETS WERE NOT IN THE CAR. ANY THOUGHTS I MAY HAVE HAD ABOUT BUYING ANOTHER FORD HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH THOUGHTS ABOUT THERE CUSTOMER DIS-SERVICE AND THE LACK OF CONCERN OVER A POTENTIALLY DEADLY PROBLEM WITH ONE OF THEIR BEST SELLING SUV'S. *JB

I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM IN TALLAHASSEE GETTING TIRES THAT ARE NOT BROKEN, INTENTIONALLY PREINSTALLATION AT THE SIDEWALLS / AND THEN OVERPRESSURIZED ON A BIG RED TIRE MACHINE, SEE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT AGAINST TIRES PLUS, CONFIRMATION NO. 10181407. I REPLACED 4 BRIDEGSTONE DUELER ALENZAS ON 3/22/2007 WITH PATHFINDERS TRAIL A/P AT DISCOUNT TIRES IN TALLAHASSEE FL. THE ASSISTANT MANAGER, CHRIS CERGE, SAW THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE BRIDGESTONES BEFORE I BOUGHT THE PATHFINDERS FROM HIM. I SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED THAT MY NEW TIRES NOT BE MOUNTED VIA THE RED TIRE MACHINE, THAT HIS MECHANICS USED THE 1950'S METHOD OF MOUNTING THE NEW TIRES WITH A SCREWDRIVER. TECHNICIAN IGNORED MY REQUEST, AND MY NEW PATHFINDERS ARE BROKEN AT THE SIDEWALLS, WHICH CAUSES THEM TO DRIVE AND RIDE LIKE THEY HAVE 15,000 MILES ON THEM WHEN THEY ARE BRAND NEW. I WOULD LIKE A REPLACEMENT SET OF TIRES WHICH ARE NOT MOUNTED VIA THE RED TIRE MACHINE. NO TIRE, NO MATTER THE QUALITY, CAN WITHSTAND THE DAMAGE THAT THESE LOCALS ARE DOING TO THEM.*AK

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THEREWAS RECALL 06V286000 FOR 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED AS PART OF THIS RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS CURRENTLY 170000 MILES. *AK

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE 1997 FORD EXPLORER WITH 134800 FAILURE MILEAGE THE DRIVER'S FRONT SEAT BELT FAILED. THE SEAT BELTWAS DIFFICULT TO BUCKLE AND WOULD UNLATCH WHILE DRIVING . THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER ,AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135000.*AK

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO START UP THE 1997 FORD EXPLORER SINCE 02/09/07. THE CONTACT HAD REPLACED THE STARTER, THE SPARK PLUGS, AND CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME FAILURE. THEY PULLED THE FRONT END OF THE MOTOR AND NOTICED SOMETHING SNAPPED AND WAS SITTING IN THE PAN. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN ON THE INTERNET AND HAD NOTICED THAT OTHER EXPLORERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 98000 MILES.*AK

FORD EXPLORER SPORT (1997, ~58700 MI) WAS DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED. A STOP WAS MADE AT A SHOPPING CENTER. UPON LEAVING THE SHOPPING CENTER THE BRAKE PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR AS AN ATTEMPT TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION WAS MADE. FORTUNATELY SWERVING AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT. AT THIS POINT THE VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES (OTHER THAN PARKING). HYDRAULIC FLUID WAS DRIPPING FROM AN AREA ABOVE THE REAR AXLE, DRIVER SIDE. THE ABRUPT LOSS OF BRAKES WITH NO WARNING COULD HAVE LEAD TO A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. WE WERE JUST PLAIN LUCKY. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND THE KEYS COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ROLL BACKS. THE CONTACT PLACES BRICKS BEHIND TWO WHEELS TO KEEP THE VEHICLE SECURE. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 120,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING AROUND A CURVE, AND THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE ICY AND SNOWY. THE DRIVER HIT AN EMBANKMENT HEAD ON AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES. THERE WERE TWO OTHER PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE THAT WERE NOT INJURED. IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER THE DRIVER WAS WEARING THE SEAT BELT. ONE OF THE PASSENGERS REMOVED THE SEAT BELT AND THE OTHER PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT WAS NOT ON SO THAT THEY COULD GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS UNCLEAR WHETHER THE PASSENGER REMOVED THE SEAT BELT FROM THE DRIVER AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW SHOP WHERE IT REMAINED. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. THE TOW SHOP PLANNED TO SELL PARTS OF THE VEHICLE. ITWAS UNKNOWN WHETHER THERE WERE PICTURES TAKEN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD A POLICE REPORT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER SAID THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A RECALL FOR THE AIRBAGS IN THE PAST. *AK

TL* - THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 5 MPH UNDER DRY CONDITIONS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME DETACHED. THE CONTACT SAW THAT THREE LINKS FAILED. THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THERE WAS SERVICE BULLETIN 616531 FOR THIS FAILURE. *AK UPDATED 1/29/2007 - *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON AT A SPEED OF 65 MPH THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND ABOUT 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, AND THE ODOMETER READING WAS 121000 MILES. THE FAILURE DID NOT ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE. HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING GEARS AND PUTTING IT INTO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND HE WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN RECALL 99V062001. PRESENTLY, THE DEALER WAS ASKING THE CONTACT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. *AK UPDATED 1/22/2007 - THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF BUTTON HAD SHORTED OUT. AS A RESULT THE CRUISE CONTROL COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF ONCE TURNED ON. *NM

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A LOUD POPPING SOUND EACH TIME SHE MADE A RIGHT TURN, THE SOUND SEEMED AS IF IT WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT AREA. THE ROAD AND WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE GREAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IF SHE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE THE SAME LOUD POPPING SOUND. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP ON 12/28/06, AND TOLD THE MECHANIC OF THE PROBLEM SHE WAS HAVING, AND THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONTACT ABOUT THE RECALL CAMPAIGN # 00V402000 FOR SUSPENSION. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED SWAY BAR LINK REPLACED BECAUSE IT BROKE. THE CONTACT DID PAY $92.67 FOR THIS REPAIR. THE CONTACT FELTTHAT SINCE THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE WRONG WITH VEHICLE, THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REIMBURSE HER FOR THE REPAIR AMOUNT. *AK UPDATED 01/30/07. *JB

WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 FORD EXPLORER ON I-64 E AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO POUR INTO THE CAR FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD. I PULLED OVER AS FAST AS POSSIBLE AND WAS MET BY A VIRGINIA DOT TRUCK WHO NOTICED ME SUDDENLY CROSS TWO LANES TO GET TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE. HE GRABBED HIS FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT THE FIRE OUT WITHIN SECONDS OF MY STOPPING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CALLED BECAUSE IT WAS PUT OUT SO QUICKLY. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO A SHOP, I WAS INFORMED THAT IT APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND BURNED THROUGH THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITHIN 15-30 SECONDS FROM THE TIME I STOPPED BUT THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE ANY BRAKES AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP AT ALL. MY CAR WAS NOT AND STILL HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. AFTER CONTACTING FORD THEY HAVE DECLINED TO HELP US WITH ANY REPAIRS. HAD I KNOWN ABOUT THE SWITCHFIRE PROBLEMS EARLIER, I WOULD HAVE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO DO A FORMAL INVESTIGATION OF THE CAUSE. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AS OF YET.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HIS VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE SHOULDER AND NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE DRIVER SEAT. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE SEAT WAS DETACHED FROM THE BASE AND CAUSED THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 06/01/11*LJ UPDATED 1/19/2012 *LN *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED DUE TO THE HEATER BEING INOPERABLE, THE DEFROSTER DID NOT OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE BLEND DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

ON A 1997 FORD EXPLORER HAD PROBLEMS WITH TRANSFER CASE. FIRST NOTICED WHEN DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON VEHICLE MADE GRINDING NOISE AND WOULD NOT DECELERATE HAD TO PUT INTO NEUTRAL TO STOP. WHEN DECELERATING WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IT WOULD ALSO MAKE GRINDING NOISE ALMOST SOUNDING LIKE IT WAS NOT DOWN SHIFTING. FEW WEEKS LATER WHEN VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO REVERSE IT WOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AND WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. DID NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE. ENDING UP HAVING TO HAVE A MECHANIC REBUILD TRANSFER CASE, COST ALMOST $1000.00. NOW FIVE MONTHS LATER HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY COMING ON. REPLACED SENSORS AND SPARK PLUG ON #4 CYLINDER TWICE. THIS WILL BE REPLACEMENT NUMBER 3 FOR SPARK PLUG IN FOUR MONTH PERIOD. MECHANICS CANNOT SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHY. *JB

THE CARS HEAT/AC WOULD SWITCH BETWEEN HIGH HEAT TO MAX COOL. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BLEND DOOR AND WOULD COST ABOUT $1100.00 TO REPAIR. THE REPAIR WOULD INCLUDE A UPDATED BLEND DOOR MOTOR AND A NEW AIR PLENUM THE SERVICE PERSON ALSO STATED THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON IN EXPLORERS AND IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THEY ALL FAIL. *NM

I BOUGHT 4 NEW DUELER ALENZAS FROM TIRES PLUS ON APALACHAEE PARKWAY ON OR ABOUT 11-2-2006 WHICH ARE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE, SUBSTANDARD AND/OR RECALLED TIRES, AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THEM OR SWAP OUT FOR A BETTER TIRE. FOUR (4) OTHER BRIDGESTONE DEALERS IN TALLAHASSEE ALSO WILL NOT HONOR THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY: SEARS-0% TRADE-IN VALUE, DISCOUNT TIRES-35% TRADE IN VALUE, TIRES PLUS ON CAPITAL CIRCLE-OBVIOUSLY WERE DEFECTIVE; FIRESTONE ON APALACHEE PARKWAY-OBVIOUSLY ARE DEFECTIVE. THE FORD/CHEVY DEALERSHIPS WILL NOT GIVE ME A DIME ON A TRADE-IN, 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE TIRES HAVE BULGED AT THE BOTTOM AFTER 1 WEEK, IT FEELS LIKE I AM DRIVING ON MUSH, MY FORD SHIMMIES AND ROLLS TO THE LEFT IF I GET OVER 50 MPH. I HAVE RETURNED TO TIRES PLUS ALMOST EVERY TIME I DROVE MY EXPLORER AFTER GETTING THE NEW DUELERS SINCE 11-2-06, AND ON 1-29-07 TIRES PLUS FINALLY REPLACED THE LEFT REAR TIRE AT NO COST TO ME ($163 VALUE), WHICH WAS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE WHEN IT WAS PUT ON. BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/L ALENZAS P225170R15 100T, DOT QUALITY GRADE 044-090, EH-3JR-BL-5L7, SKU #92971-15416-5. I REPORTED TIRES PLUS'S FAILURE TO HONOR THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY TO THE TALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN JAN 2007, TO WHICH THE INTAKE OFFICER REPLIED "THAT IS A CIVIL ISSUE". THESE TIRES ARE SO UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON THAT ALL MECHANICS AND DEALERS CAN TAKE ONE LOOK AT THEM AND KNOW IT, YET ALL THAT I HAVE CONTACTED DELIBERATELY IGNORE MY COMPLAINTS. I HAVE PHOTOS. *NM UPDATED 02/15/07. *JB

WHEN I STOPPED USING MY AC AND TURNED ON THE HEAT IN MY 97 FORD EXPLORER ALL I GET IS COLD AIR. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL HEAT SETTINGS INCLUDING DEFROST. I TALKED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE MAN THERE SAID IT IS PROBABLY THE BLEND DOOR AND THAT IT WOULD COST $800-1000 TO REPAIR. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET AS I DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH SPARE CASH FOR THIS REPAIR. THE VEHICLE DOES HAVE 116,000 MILES ON IT BUT I HAVE BEEN CHECKING THIS OUT ON THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH 95-99 EXPLORERS. IS THERE ANY RECOURSE FROM FORD ON THIS? *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED IN AN ATTEMPT TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD, NO HEAT WAS PRODUCED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE BLEND DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

BRIDGESTONE TIRES. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THEY HAVE LIVED WITH THE SQUISHING INTO THE PAVEMENT SINCE 11/06 AND WAS REIMBURSED BUT STILL IS NOT HAPPY WITH THE NEW TIRES THAT WERE PUT ON THE CAR**CC THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS HAD TO LIVE WITH AN UNCONTROLLABLE VEHICLE WHEN TURNING OR ACCELERATING. IT WAS THE CONSUMERS OPINION THAT THE TIRE WERE BEING BROKEN AT THE SIDEWALLS BEFORE INSTALLATION AND OVERPRESSURIZED ON THE RED TIRE MACHINE TO STRETCH THEM AND THEN FILLED WITH A GAS THAT CAUSES THEM TO AGE PREMATURELY, SO THEY LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE BEE DRIVEN 40, 000 WHEN THEY ARE BRAND NEW. A MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER, THE TIRES WERE BEING FILLED WITH NITROGEN INSTEAD OF AIR. *JB UPDATED 04/09/07. *JB THE CONSUMER HAS HAD 8 SETS OF TIRES PLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SIDEWALL WERE WEAK WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO BLOW OUT. UPDATED 04/12/07. *JB CONSUMER STATED ON APRIL 7, 2007 SHE HAS RECEIVED A FULL REFUND FROM DISCOUNT TIRES IN THE AMOUNT OF $374.10 AND RETURNED THE FOUR TIRES TO TIRE COMPANY. UPDATED 4/18/07 *TR THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED COMPENSATION FOR HER TIME. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BUSINESS MERELY BOUGHT THEIR TIRES BACK. UPDATED *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED A BURNING SMELL CAME FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE JERKED TO THE LEFT. FURTHERMORE, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP TO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEMS. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE EXCEPT ON THE THROTTLE BODY. THERE WERE RECALLS ON ALL THREE COMPONENTS. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #99V062000 REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. A NHTSA RECALL, #00V402000 CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION. ALSO, A NHTSA RECALL #00V422000 CONCERNING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OF THE RECALLS.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ALL 5 SEATBELT BUCKLES FAILED TO RELEASE PROPERLY. THE FRONT LEFT AND FRONT RIGHT BUCKLES FAILED TO RELEASE AND THE BELTS HAD TO BE CUT TO RELEASE THE OCCUPANTS. AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE DEALER REPLACED THE SEATBELTS. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT DISENGAGE. UPDATED 12/01/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD OUT OF CONTROL AND WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED FROM THE PARKED POSITION. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE WHEN IT ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO INDEPENDENT SERVICE DEALERS AND ONE SERVICE DEALER, BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE RECREATED. THE THIRD OCCURRENCE RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN ACCELERATION REACHED 50 MPH. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED, ALTHOUGH A POLICE REPORT AND PHOTOS WERE TAKEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE CONTACT'S PHONE NUMBER WAS THE SON OF THE VEHICLE'S OWNER. UPDATED 11/30/2006 - THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE REPORTED SOME NECK PAIN LATER THAT NIGHT WHICH WAS NOT APPARENT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. *NM

BOUGHT EXPLORER IN THE SUMMER OF 2006, WENT TO TURN ON THE HEAT ONLY BLOWS COLD AIR UNABLE TO DEFROST WINDOWS. THIS IS A 1997 EXPLORER THAT AFTER TALKING TO THREE DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS TOLD ME THAT THEY ALL DO BREAK AND THAT FORD HAS MADE A STRONGER BLEND DOOR TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ONE AND THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO REPLACE FOR A COST OF 1200.00. AFTER SPEAKING TO FIVE OR SIX DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS AND FINDING THE ARTICLE BY LARRY HAMMER OF MIGHTY AUTO PARTS I BELIEVE THAT FORD HAS A RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS ADMITTED FACTORY DESIGN FLAW. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPARE TIRE FELL OUT OF THE MOUNT WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD AT 20 MPH. THE CABLE FAILED NEXT TO THE TIRE. THE SPARE HAD NOT BEEN USED SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS THE AFFECTED PARTS. THE SERVICE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT ALERTED.

BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR ON 97 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALERSHIP IS QUOTING $1000 TO FIX IT BECAUSE DASH BOARD HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO FIX IT. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE SOME SORT ON RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *NM

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL ON BRIDGESTONE FIRESTONE TIRES. CONSUMER HAS A TIRE BLOWOUT PRIOR TO RECEIVING THIS RECALL. *TS THE CONSUMER FEELS HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALERTED ABOUT THE FAULTY TIRES LONG BEFORE NOW. *NM

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS 1997 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER A FEW YEARS, I STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE HEAT/DEFROST. I HAVE HAD THIS REPAIRED TWICE COSTING AROUND $2000 TOTAL. ONCE AGAIN, I NO LONGER HAVE HEAT/DEFROST AND AM SCHEDULED FOR AN EVALUATION NEXT MONDAY. DURING SNOW AND RAIN, NOT ONLY ARE YOU MISERABLE BECAUSE OF THE COLD BUT IT IS DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO CLEAR THE CONDENSATION OFF THE WINDOW TO HAVE COMPLETE VISIBILITY. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD. HE NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE RUSTED AND CAUSED THE LEAK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE LINE, AND THE REAR BRAKE HOSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REMAINING BRAKE LINES ON THE VEHICLE WERE RUSTED, HOWEVER THEY WERE NOT LEAKING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,663.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET AT 55 MPH WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THE VEHICLE REVVED TO 85 MPH BEFORE THE CONTACT TURNED THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND PULLED OFF OF THE ROAD. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. FINALLY THE CONTACT DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL UNDER THE ENGINE AND DROVE THE VEHICLE ONE MILE TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS FAULTY. UPDATED 09/11/06. *JB

BRAKES FAILED WHILE BACKING UP DUE TO A HOLE RUSTED IN THE REAR STEEL BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS FROM THE LEFT REAR WHEEL CALIPER TO THE RIGHT REAR CALIPER. LOST ALL BRAKING. TOWED TO FORD DEALER FOR SERVICE WHERE BRAKE LINE WAS REPLACED. TOLD BY SERVICE MANAGER PROBLEM IS NOT UNCOMMON. THIS IS ON A 1997 FORD EXPLORER WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES. I HAVE THE OLD BRAKE LINE ,WHICH HAS MINIMAL SURFACE RUST EXCEPT FOR THE CENTER AREA THAT IS HELD BY A RETAINING CLIP TO THE TOP OF THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING. I FEEL THIS IS NOT A NORMAL EVENT AND IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND WAS SURPRISED TO BE TOLD THIS FAILURE IS NOT UNCOMMON! I HAD TO SPEND $283.00 PLUS A TOWING FEE TO HAVE A PROBLEM CORRECTED, THAT I FEEL IS A PREMATURE FAILURE. I AT FIRST EXPECTED TO FIND A BLOWN CALIPER OR A BRAKE HOSE SPLIT, NOT A RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINE. I DO HAVE THE OLD BRAKE LINE IN MY POSSESSION. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE THREAD SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE DEALER WHERE THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. A RECALL LETTER #[XXX] WAS RECEIVED REGARDING THE TIRES. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED FOR REIMBURSEMENT AND DETERMINED THE TIRE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

OUR 1997 FORD EXPLORER WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WHILE WE WERE ASLEEP. IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNT COMPLETELY UP DESTROYING A 6000.00 STEREO SYSTEM, 2 SETS OF GOLF CLUBS, PART OF A DECK, AND PARTS OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. *NM

I SEE ALL OF THE RECALLS ON THE FORD EXPLORER DATE 1997 BUT I OWN A FORD EXPLORER 1997 AND THE ONLY RECALL NOTICE THAT I RECEIVED IS THE ONE FOR THE TIRES BACK IN 2000. I NEVER RECEIVED THE OTHERS AND I KNOW THE FORD COMPANY IS AWARE OF ME OWNING THIS VEHICLE FOR I GET NOTICES IN THE MAIL CONSTANTLY ABOUT SELLING IT BACK TO FORD. WHY ARE NOT MY SUSPENSION LINES OR GAS LINES BEING REPAIRED LIKE THE OTHER FORDS WITH THE 4.0 LITER ENGINE? *JB

THE ENGINE ON MY 1997 FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT ON FIRE AND DESTROYED MY VEHICLE. *NM

FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT TILT LEVER BROKE OFF, PASSENGER SIDE BENT. THERE ARE OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER OWNERS.

WHILE DRIVING 1997 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4 V6 SOHC UPON ACCELERATION ON TO FREEWAY, THE GAS PEDDLE STUCK TO FLOOR AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE RESULT WAS A BLOWN ENGINE/SMALL FIRE,NO INJURIES THANK GOD, BECAUSE THE ONLY WAY TO STOP VEHICLE WAS TO PUT INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN PARK. THE FOOT BRAKE AND EMERGENCY BRAKE WERE USELESS, AND THE VEHICLE WAS REVVING AT 75 MPH AT THE TIME TILL BROUGHT TO STOP THUS BLOWING A HUGE HOLE IN WALL OF ENGINE TO THE TUNE OF $5000.00 TO FIX. FORD CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH PEDAL AFTER DOING A DIAGNOSTIC. THIS THROTTLE WAS RECALLED A FEW YEARS AGO AND FORD CLAIMED THAT THEY FIXED IT. *NM

TIRE TREAD CAME OFF OF A MICHELIN LTX M/S P235/75R15, LEFT REAR ON A 1997 FORD EXPLORER, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSS CONTROL ON INTERSTATE, COMING TO REST IN THE TRAVEL LANES AND WAS STRUCK HEAD ON BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. *JB

SAFETY PROBLEM WITH BACK SEAT BELTS. WHEN ON VACATION WE HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM THE BACK SEAT BELTS LOCKING UP SEVERAL TIMES EACH DAY. THE SEAT BELTS ON ONE OR BOTH SIDES WOULD NOT RELEASE SO THEY COULD BE APPLY AROUND 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND WE HAD TO PULL & YANK THE BELTS SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE BELTS TO RELEASE. THE SUV WAS OFF AND THE BRAKE WAS NOT APPLY AT THE TIME OF THE PROBLEMS. THIS PROBLEM COULD DISCOURAGE SEAT BELT USEAGE. *NM

A FRONT SWAY BAR LINK DID FRACTURE CAUSING A NEAR CRASH. *JB

TURNED INTO PARKING SPACE AT LOW SPEED. WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND STRUCK BUILDING TRAPPING A LADY BETWEEN VEHICLE AND BUILDING, KILLING HER. GAS WAS NOT APPLIED AT ANYTIME, YOU COULD FEEL THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES TRYING TO ENGAGE AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STOPPED. *JB

I JUMPED A CAR AND GROUNDED THE CABLES ON THE BRACKET AT THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER JUMPING THE CAR, A STRONG FUEL ODOR WAS NOTED. THE LAKE BLUFF POLICE WITNESSED THE ENTIRE EVENT. LATER THAT NIGHT AFTER DRIVING THE CAR, I NOTED A FUEL LEAK FROM THE LINES ADJACENT TO THE BRACKET. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO MY LOCAL SHOP FOR REPAIRS. THE COINCIDENCE OF THE CAR JUMP AND FUEL LEAK MADE ME SUSPICIOUS AND I FOUND THAT MY CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED UNDER ID NO. 98V060000 FOR A WARNING LABEL AND NEW GROUNDING BOLT. I CALLED ED MATEO AT HIGHLAND PARK FORD IN IL AND GAVE HIM MY VIN, [XXX]. HE AGREED THAT THE CAR WAS SUBJECT TO THE RECALL AND THEY WOULD REPLACE THE FUEL LINE(S) AND INSTALL THE WARNING AND NEW GROUNDING BOLT. I PICKED UP ME CAR FROM MY LOCAL REPAIRMAN THIS MORNING AND DROPPED IT OFF WITH ED AT HIGHLAND PARK FORD. HE SAID THAT THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING UNDER THE FORD RECALL NO. 98S09. HE CALLED ME A HALF HOUR LATER AND SAID THAT HIS MANAGER WOULD NOT LET HIM REPAIR THE CAR UNDER THE RECALL SINCE IT DIDN'T COME UP IN THEIR SYSTEM UNDER MY VIN - EVEN THOUGH WE HAD ALREADY CLEARED THIS EARLIER. I CALLED JESSIE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, 800-392-FORD, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE REASON IT DIDN'T COME UP UNDER MY VIN WAS BECAUSE THE RECALL WORK (WARNING AND NEW BOLT) WAS ALREADY PERFORMED ON MY CAR, BUT SHE COULDN'T TELL ME WHO DID IT. THIS WORK WAS NEVER PERFORMED ON MY CAR AND NOW FORD IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE RECALL. *NM UPDATED 0716/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

BROKEN FRONT SWAY BAR LINK ON 1997 FORD EXPLORT XLT. REPLACE PARTS. *NM