NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Ford Explorer. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE IDLED ROUGHLY. WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN THE VEHICLE IDLED ERRATICALLY. WHILE TRAVELING AROUND CURVES OR DOWN HILLS, AT ANY SPEED, THE ENGINE FELT AS IF IT WAS GOING TO STALL. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE HAS NEVER COMPLETELY STALLED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY THE SERVICE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NEVER BE DUPLICATED. UPDATED 06/07/2006. *AK *TS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A BRAKE FLUID LEAK THAT WAS LEAKING ONTO THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH. THERE WAS A RECALL #97V074000 PERTAINING TO THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALER.
PARKED ON A SLIGHT SLOPE WITH THE ENGINE OFF, MY 97 FORD EXPLORER ROLLED BACK 5 FEET BY ITSELF, COMING CLOSE WITH COMING TRAFFIC! *NM
THE BLEND DOOR ON MY 1997 FORD EXPLORER FAILED. THIS FAILURE DID NOT ALLOW PROPER DE-FOGGING OF THE WINDSHIELD. *NM
I RETURNED FROM A TRIP TO NOTICE THAT THE SPARE ON MY 1997 FORD EXPLORER HAD "DISAPPEARED". SEEMS THAT THE CABLE THAT HOLDS IT HAD RUSTED OUT AND GIVEN WAY DROPPING THE SPARE WHO KNOWS WHERE. I HAD NEVER USED THE SPARE AND HAD ONLY NOTICED THINKING I HAD SEEN FLUID UNDER MY CAR. I HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED FOR STATE PURPOSES AND NOTHING WAS EVER SAID TO ME. I MENTIONED THE OCCURRENCE TO AN ONLINE BUDDY AND HE SAID THE SAME HAD HAPPENED TO HIM. ANOTHER ACQUAINTANCE SAID HE HAD IT HAPPEN WITH HIS PICK UP TRUCK. I CALLED MY FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD A REPLACEMENT "WINCH & CABLE" IN STOCK SO I THOUGHT WHAT HAPPENED TO ME WAS NOT A RARE OCCURRENCE AND WAS RECALL WORTHY. IT CERTAINLY IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT HAVOC MY SPARE MAY HAVE CREATED ON THE HIGHWAY OR WHEREVER IT DROPPED. *JB
TRANSFER CASE FAILURE WHEN TRANSFERRED FROM NORMAL OPERATION TO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD INSTEAD OF IN FRONT OF MY HOME, I BELIEVE AN ACCIDENT MOST SURELY WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. THANK GOD I TESTED THE 4 WHEEL OPERATION BEFORE I TOOK A TRIP TO THE SNOW COUNTRY. THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT THOUSANDS OF 4 WHEEL DRIVE OWNERS ARE AT RISK OF SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AND COMPLETELY IGNORANT OF THIS DANGER. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACTED STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE THE FUSES FOR THE HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND COMPASS BURNED OUT. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH. WITH OUT REPLACING THE FUSE, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS INSPECTED, BRAKE FLUID WAS OBSERVED TO BE LEAKING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO SERVICE DEALER HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT, THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECENT FORD RECALL EXPANSION, WHICH THE CONTACT HEARD ABOUT ON THE NEWS, DUE TO THE VIN.*AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AT ANY SPEED OTHER THAN HIGH DIDN'T OPERATE NORMALLY. WHEN THE RAIN WAS HEAVY OR LIGHT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY OPERATED ON HIGHER SPEEDS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116000 ,AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126000. *AK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DEFROSTER WAS NOT FUNCTIONING AND THE WINDSHIELD WOULD NOT CLEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE DASHBOARD WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED AND THE BLENDING CHAMBER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000. UPDATED 07/10/13*LJ UPDATED 07/12/13 *JS
1997 FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE CHIEF STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON RECALL AND THE FIRE WAS DUE TO A FUEL LEAK. *KB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH ON ANY ROAD CONDITION, THE VEHICLE SWAYED VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE SWAY BAR WAS REPLACED IN 2003. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #00V402000, REGARDING THE SUSPENSION. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THAT A DIAGNOSTICS TEST NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED BEFORE ANY WORK WAS TO BE DONE. THE TEST SHOWED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ALONG WITH THE CAMBER CASTOR KIT WERE DAMAGED. ALSO THE PASSENGER AND BOTH REAR DOORS DID NOT OPEN. THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR HAD DIFFICULTIES CLOSING ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER WHICH OFFERED $6000 FOR A TRADE IN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE LOCKS WERE INOPERATIVE, THE HEADLAMP SWITCH WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE NEEDED UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER DECLINED ALL REPAIRS. UPDATED 10/11/06. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20MPH A VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THIS WAS A SIDE AND FRONTAL IMPACT AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. UPON INSPECTION THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SEPARATED THREE MILLILITERS AS IF THE AIR BAG WAS GOING TO DEPLOY. THE AIRBAG WARNING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.
REGARDING RECALL 00V402000 ON SWAY BAR PROBLEMS I ALSO WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS BEYOND THE RECALL DATE HOWEVER THE SAME PARTS HAVE BROKEN JUST AS THE RECALL STATES. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY. THE SIDEWALL DRYROTTED ACCORDING TO THE TIRE DEALER. THE TIRES HAD ABOUT 50000 MILES OF USE ON THEM BEFORE THE BLOWOUT. THE TIRES WERE RECOMMENDED AT 50 PSI AND WERE REGULARLY CHECKED FOR AIR PRESSURE. THE TIRES HAD BEEN REGULARLY ROTATED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NO VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING HOWEVER A BULGE WAS NOTICED ON IT MINUTES BEFORE IT POPPED. THE TIRE WAS A MICHELIN, SIZE LT23575R15.
I HAVE 2 COMPLAINTS ONE OF WHICH WHILE LOOKING ONLINE SEE THAT MANY OTHER FORD OWNERS ALSO SEEM TO HAVE. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEATER BLEND BOX DOOR NOT WORKING AND BLOWING HOT AIR WHEN IN THE VENT POSITION. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM NOT ONLY ON EXPLORER MODELS BUT RANGES, F150 AND OTHER FORD VEHICLES. THE REPAIR AS STATED ONLINE BY OTHERS AS WELL AS FROM THE DEALER IS OVER $1000.00. IT SEEMS THAT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PART WITH SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO THE SEAT BELTS GET STUCK ON OUR EXPLORER IT IS THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH SOMETIMES TAKES 10 TO 15 MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL WORK. *JB
THE HEATER BLEND DOOR FAILED ON MY 1997 FORD EXPLORER WHILE DRIVING IT IN SNOWY CONDITIONS. I ONLY HAD COLD AIR BLOWING ON MY WINDOWS. AFTER REVIEWING WEB SITES, I HAVE FOUND THAT THE TOP PIECE OF MY HEATERS HOT AND COLD BLEND DOOR IS BROKEN. THE COST OF REPLACING THIS ONE PIECE OF PLASTIC IS AROUND $1000. FORD HAS A REPLACEMENT PART THAT IS NOW STRONGER, BUT FAILS TO REALIZE THE DEFECT IN THE OLDER DOORS. *NM
I HAVE A 1997 FORD EXPLORER XLT. MY AC BLEND DOOR FAILED THIS WINTER. I CAN GET EITHER FULL HEAT OR FULL COLD AND NO IN BETWEEN. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THIS COSTS ABOUT $1000 TO HAVE FIXED. IT IS A RIDICULOUS PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO HAPPEN FAIRLY OFTEN IN FORD VEHICLES. THE AFFECTED MODELS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED. THANK YOU. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND IT WENT THROUGH THE STOP SIGN AND THEN CAME TO A STOP WHEN PLACED INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY TWO MORE TIMES BEFORE THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TAKE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT OCCURRED WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. AGAIN THE BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD AND THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO NEUTRAL TO GET IT TO STOP. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHICH HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED AT THIS TIME. *AK UPDATED 12/27/2005 - WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED COLD IT WOULD NOT STAY ON AND IDLED ERRATICALLY. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM AND IDLE PROBLEM WERE DUE TO A FAULTY THROTTLE SENSOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE VALVE ASSEMBLY BUT THAT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*NM
CRUISE CONTROL UNDER THE HOOD CAUSED POWER OUTAGE TO OVERHEAD TEMPERATURE/DIRECTION DISPLAY. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR THE TECH ALONG WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER,INDICATED THAT SPARKS AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD WHEN POWER WAS APPLIED. THIS IS THE SAME CRUISE CONTROL THAT HAS CAUSED ACCIDENTS AND DEATH. THIS CRUISE CONTROL IS THE SAME ONE THAT HAS SPARKED A LARGE RECALL FROM FORD BUT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY ELECTED NOT TO INCLUDE THE EXPLORER. *NM
TEMPERATURE OUT OF CONTROL, DEFOGGING/DEFROSTING CHALLENGED ON A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. WAS TOLD IT WILL IT IS DUE TO DEFECT IN THE AIR BLEND DOOR. I CAN'T DEFROST THE WINDOWS WHICH COULD BE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *NM
I THINK THE REAR DOOR OF FORD EXPLORERS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. I HAVE A 1997 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE WELD THAT HOLDS THE REAR DOOR AT THE TOP IS STARTING TO COME APART. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT ON FORD EXPLORERS BY A FORD BODY SHOP. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE? I HAVE ALSO SEEN THIS ON SEVERAL OTHER EXPLORERS. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS OCCURS BECAUSE THE SHEET METAL USED ON THE DOOR IS SO THIN THAT IT DOES NOT SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE REAR DOOR THAT GOOD.*JB
BRAKE FAILURE LEAVING PERSONNEL RESIDENCE (NOTED ABOVE). REAR STEAL BRAKE LINE BURST LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AND DE-MOBILIZING BRAKE SYSTEM (PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, STOPPED THE VEHICLE WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE). LEAK WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE. BRAKE LINE BETWEEN THE REAR AXLE AND SPARE TIRE. BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED AWAY. LOCAL REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE LINE. *JB
I HAVE A 1997 FORD EXPLORER THAT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE ORIGINATED AROUND THE WIRING HARNESS IN AND AROUND THE MASTER CYLINDER. WHEN MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE I LOST MY BRAKES INSTANTLY.*JB
OVER ROUGH PAVEMENT OR ENTERING RAMPED DRIVEWAYS AT AN ANGLE, VEHICLE ROCKED SIDE-TO-SIDE MORE THAN NORMAL, WITH AN OCCASIONAL "CLUNK". INSPECTION REVEALED A BOLT HOLDING THE ANTI-ROLL BAR TO THE UPPER CONTROL ARM HAD RUSTED AND FAILED, RENDERING THE ANTI-ROLL BAR NON-FUNCTIONAL. GIVEN THE PROPENSITY OF THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER IF DRIVEN IMPROPERLY, THIS FAILURE INCREASES THE RISK / DECREASES THE ROLLOVER THRESHOLD. *NM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE BEING SERVICED FOR THE RADIO. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSED THE FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. AS OF NOVEMBER 1, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
I OWNED A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. ON JULY 29, 2005 MY TRUCK WAS IN MY YARD AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. I WAS NOT HOME AT THE TIME. MY INSURANCE PAID A PORTION OF THE LOAN I STILL HAD ON THE VEHICLE. FORD MOTOR HAS NOT RECALLED 1997 EXPLORERS BUT HAVE 1998. THE FIRE REPORT ISSUED CLAIMS IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. MY VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *JB
1997 FORD EXPLORER DEVELOPED A DEFECT IN THE DEFROSTER AND DEFOGGER SYSTEM. *MR THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A BROKEN PLASTIC DOOR IN THE A/C/HEATER PLENUM. THIS CREATED A CONDITION OF FOGGING THE WINDSHIELD UNCONTROLLABLY AND IMPAIRING THE DRIVERS VISION. *SC
WHILE DRIVING ON THE I15 INTERSTATE FREEWAY AND MAKING A MERGE ONTO CALIFORNIA STATE HIIGHWAY 78 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THE ACCELERATOR PEDDLE BRACKET BROKE AWAY FROM THE ENGINE FIREWALL WHERE IT HAD BEEN SPOT WELDED. AFTER SEVERAL NEAR COLLISIONS, I MANAGED TO PULL OFF OF THE FREEWAY. UPON CLOSE INSPECTION I SAW THAT THE SPOT WELDS HOLDING THE BRACKET TO THE ENGINE FIREWALL HAD FAILED, ALLOWING THE BRACKET TO PULL AWAY FROM SUPPORT RENDERING THE ACCELERATOR PEDDLE USELESS. AS OF TODAY, 7/25/2005, I HAVE NOT YET REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AS I WANTED TO FIND OUT IF SIMILAR INCIDENTS ON THE 1997 FORD EXPLORER HAVE BEEN REPORTED.
1997 FORD EXPLORER, 5.0 L ENGINE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE CAR'S ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY RACES TO THE POINT THAT ITS BRAKES WILL NOT HOLD IT BACK. THIS SOMETIMES HAPPENS WHEN BACKING FROM A COLD START AND SOMETIMES WHEN BRAKING FOR A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE IS TO SHIFT INTO PARK AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. THE EFFECT IS LIKE BEING SLAMMED INTO BY A LARGE VEHICLE. IT ALMOST KILLED MY PREGNANT DAUGHTER AND ME EARLIER THIS MONTH WHEN IT HAPPENED AS I WAS BRAKING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT. IT FELT LIKE WE HAD BEEN HIT FROM THE REAR, BUT IT WAS THE ENGINE PULLING ITS OLD TRICK AGAIN. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM. ONE YEAR AGO HE SAID THAT IT WAS THE PCV VALVE AND HE REPLACED THE VALVE. THE CAR THEN BEHAVED FOR ABOUT ONE YEAR. THEN, WITHOUT WARNING, WITH MY WIFE AT THE WHEEL, THE CAR, IN REVERSE, RACED OUT OF OUR GARAGE INTO THE STREET. IT WAS UNSTOPABLE. LATER IT DID THE SAME THING, WHILE IN DRIVE, AT INTERSECTIONS. I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER WHO COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. IT THEN HAPPENED TO ME AND MY DAUGHTER AND I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER WHO TESTED IT FOR A WEEK WITHOUT RESULTS.
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILS TO STAY LATCHED, OR SOMETIMES BECOMES UNLATCHED WITH DRIVERS FORWARD BODY MOTION (EXTEND LINE OF SIGHT, CHANGE RADIO/CLIMATE SETTINGS, TURN ON LIGHTS, ETC.). AS A RESULT, THE SEAT BELT IS NOT A RELIABLE SAFETY RESTRAINT. I AM HAVING PROBLEMS FIND A REPLACEMENT PART.
SEAT BELT BUCKLE LATCH MECHANISM HAS FAILED FOR THE DRIVERS SEAT IN MY 1997 FORD 4 DOOR 4X4 EXPLORER
DT: THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ,WHO SAID THEY COULD NOT GET IT IN UNTIL SATURDAY FOR REPAIRS. TUESDAY THE VEHICLE CAUGHTON FIRE WITH THE ENGINE NOT RUNNING. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED WITH ENGINE TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES , AND WHEN CONSUMER RETURNED THE VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS MOST PROMINENT IN THE FRONT. THE FIRE DEPT CAME, AND THEY SAID THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE DASH AND HEAD AREA AND IT WAS ELECTRICAL IN NATURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE ARE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS AS WELL AS PHOTOGRAPHS. NO OTHER INDICATION AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED. *AK
DT: CONTACT STATED WHILE USING THE DEFROSTER SYSTEM THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED FROM THE OUTSIDE TO THE INSIDE. VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, BUT WAS SCHEDULED TO BE TAKEN IN THIS WEEK. *AK
1997 FORD EXPLORER TRAVELING EAST BOUND ON I-16 WHEN LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD CAME OFF A COOPER FUTURA TIRE CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL VEHICLE FLIPPED SEVERAL TIMES THEN RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAME OFF COMPLETELY CAUSING ANOTHER FLIP THIS TIME TAIL OVER NOSE CAUSE ALL 4 KIDS TO BE THROWN OUT KILLING ONE ON IMPACT AND ANOTHER DIED 2 DAYS LATER FROM INJURIES IN HOSPITAL. *NM
AIR BLEND DOOR FAILURE. I ONLY HAVE HOT AIR.
DT: 1997 FORD EXPLORER THE DRIVER FRONT DOOR AND THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. CONTACT STATES SHE CALLED THE SERVICE DEALER, BUT IT COSTS TOO MUCH TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT, PARTS AND LABOR WOULD BE MORE.*AK
1997 FORD EXPLORER REAR WHEEL BOUNCED AND TIRE TREAD CAME OFF. *TS *JB
DT: THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY CAME ON. DEALER SAID IT COULD EITHER BE A LOOSE CONNECTION OR MOISTURE IN THE SYSTEM. AFTER ABOUT FIVE MILES ON THE ROAD, THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. PULLS IN SECOND GEAR. TRANSMISSION FINALLY FAILED.*AK *SB
THE PROBLEM I'M HAVING INVOLVES A 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT (4.0L-5SPD-NON-AUTO CLIMATE CONTROL)--THE TEMP IS NOT CONTROLLABLE AND REMAINS HOT ALL THE TIME EXCEPT FOR MAX A/C--THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO COMMONLY INVOLVE BUT IS NOT NECCESSARILY LIMITED TO THE BLEND DOOR, BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR AND HEATER BOX--TO MY KNOWLEDGE THERE HAVE BEEN NO DEATHER OR INJURIES CAUSED BY THIS PROBLEM BUT IT IS SIGNIFICANT NON THE LESS . *AK
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON ITS OWN. PULLED OVER, AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK
CONSUMER HEARD NOISE ON DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL AND FRONT STABILIZER BAR BROKE. CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER, AND FORD WAS TOLD CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN NUMBER. OTHER VEHICLES OF SAME YEAR WERE RECALLED. CONTACT FELT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED.*AK AT LOW SPEED VEHICLE WAS RESPONDING NORMALLY BUT AT INCREASED SPEED VEHICLE BECOMES UNSTABLE FOR A SHORT INSTANCE. CONSUMER COULD NOT CONTINUE TO DRIVE UNSAFELY, SO CONSUMER PURCHASED TWO NEW STABILIZER LINKS FROM FORD DEALERSHIP FOR $22. MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH OF THEM FOR AN ADDITIONAL $40. CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS INCIDENT IS UNFORTUNATE FOR THE FORD COMPANY NOT TO STAND BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES BECAUSE THE LINKS ARE NOT MOVING PARTS OF THE VEHICLE AND SHOULD LAST A LIFETIME. *SB *NM
AFTER PULLING OFF THE INTERSTATE I NOTICED MY 1997 FORD EXPLORER WAS MAKING AWFUL NOISES AND DIDN'T HANDLE WELL. WHEN I GOT HOME I REALIZED THE SWAY BAR LINK HAD SNAPPED. AFTER LOOKING AT YOUR WEBSITE I SAW THAT THE 1997 FORD EXPLORER WAS RECALLED FOR SWAY BAR LINKS BREAKING. AFTER BRINGING MY EXPLORER TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET THE ITEM FIXED I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WASN'T PART OF THE RECALL AND THAT THEY GO BY VIN #'S. SO MY QUESTION IS WHY ARE ONLY CERTAIN 1997 EXPLORERS RECALLED. JUST BECAUSE MY VEHICLE'S VIN # DOESN'T QUALIFY DOES THAT MEAN THAT I SHOULD LOOSE CONTROL ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 75 MPH. ONLY CERTAIN COLOR EXPLORERS GET RECALLED? MAYBE ONLY EXPLORERS BUILT ON WEDNESDAYS IN 1997 QUALIFY. DO I HAVE TO CRASH AND DIE UNTIL MY VIN # QUALIFIES? IT WILL BE TOO LATE THEN BUT MAYBE MY PARENTS CAN SUE FORD AND GET RICH. FORD ALREADY TRIED TO KILL ME WITH THEIR FIRESTONE TIRES AND NOW THIS. I'M GLAD THE NHTSA HAS THE KNOWLEDGE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHICH 1997 EXPLORERS HAD FAULTY PARTS, SEEMS LIKE A COINCIDENCE THAT I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THAT RESULTED IN A RECALL FOR THE 1997 EXPLORER BUT YET I AM REFUSED SERVICE BY FORD. COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME HOW THIS CAN HAPPEN. I AM FURIOUS WITH FORD BUT I GUESS I SHOULD BE MORE ANGRY WITH THE NHTSA SINCE THEY ISSUE THE RECALLS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW YOU DETERMINE WHICH LIVES TO SAVE AND WHICH ONES AREN'T AS IMPORTANT. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME, JOE
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH TRANSMISSION ENGAGED ITSELF INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE LOST POWER, AND WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. DEALER STATED TRANSMISSION BURNED ITSELF OUT, AND NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. *AK
I DRIVE A 1997 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT TODAY BECAME UNLATCHED WHEN I HIT THE BREAKS HARD. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. HAD I HIT ANOTHER CAR, I WOULD HAVE GONE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. FORD WANTS TO CHARGE ME $100 FOR THE REPAIR. *JB
DT: THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH STOPPED WORKING, THE CONSUMER LIFTED UP THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING AROUND THE MASTER BRAKE UNIT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM AND THEY REPLACED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH ABOUT A WEEK AGO. *JB
THE CRUISE CONTROL ON OUR 1997 FORD EXPLORER STOPPED WORKING. I CALLED AND CHECK TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE WE KNOW OF THE EXPEDITION HAVING PROBLEMS WHERE THIS WAS CAUSING FIRES TO START WITH THE VEHICLE. WE WERE TOLD THIS DID NOT INVOLVE THE EXPLORER. I WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE I FEEL THAT THERE COULD BE A CONNECTION. WE HAD THE REPAIRS DONE BUT I FELT THAT THIS NEEDED TO BE REPORTED. I ALSO FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPORT TO THE NHTSA EACH TIME THE FORD EXPLORER HAS TO REPAIR CRUISE CONTROL FAILURES TO HELP DETERMINE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT IS WIDESPREAD. *JB
BLEND DOOR CRACKED ON 1997 FORD EXPLORER, CAUSING LACK OF ABILITY TO DEFROST WINDOWS. I LIVE IN WISCONSIN AND THE WINDOWS FOGGED UP BADLY. VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE WHEN IT'S 20 BELOW OUT AND THE DEFROSTER DOESN'T WORK. COST TO REPLACE AIR PLENUM WITH REVISED, REDESIGNED ONE ABOUT $900. *AK
1997 FORD EXPLORER. WITH MALFUCTION CAR WOULD NOT STOP FAST IDELLIG AFTER AFER USING CRUISE CONTROL. COULD NOT GET IT TO STOP CAUSED THE BRAKES TO CATCH FIRE AD BURN. DUE TO TRYING TO KEEP THE CAR AT A SLOW SPEED. TILL I WAS AT ASAFE AREA WERE I COULD ABTAIN HELP.*AK
DT: THE CONTACT STATE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIR UNDER NHTSA RECALL 98V060000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 98S09 BEFORE BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. WHEN SHE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE ON JANUARY 9, 2001. SHE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND HAD TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE ON JANUARY 24, 2005. IMMEDIATELY AFTER HE HAD DONE SO HE SMELLED FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP THEY FOUND TWO HOLES IN THE FUEL LINE. THEY HAD THE FUEL LINE REPLACED AT THEIR EXPENSE. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN ON OCTOBER 15, 2005. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND HAD TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE AGAIN. AFTER EXAMINING THE FUEL LINE HE FOUND THERE WERE TWO HOLES IN THE EXACT SAME SPOTS. SHE TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER, AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. *AK
(1) CRUISE CONTROL, NORMAL USEAGE (2) WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ON FOR MORE THAN FIVE MINUTES, THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH CONTROLLING ACCEL, COAST, RESUME, ON THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES HOT. FURTHERMORE, APPROXIMATELY 30% OF THE TIME, THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATE WHEN THE COAST BUTTON IS DEPRESSED, RESULTING IN TWO NEAR MISSES, WITH TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. (3) THE FAILURE STILL EXISTS, HOWEVER I HAVE NOT USED THE CRUISE CONTROL FOR TWO MONTHS. I HAD CONTACTED A FORD DEALERSHIP FULLY EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL; I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN AND PAY FOR IT.