1997 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

MY HEATER TEMPERATURE CONTROL BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE BLEND DOOR INSIDE THE PLENUM CHAMBER IS BROKEN AND NO LONGER MOVES (ON FULL HEAT). THE NEW PLENUM CHAMBER NOW CONTAINS A NYLON DOOR IN STEAD OF PLASTIC. THIS LOOKS LIKE FORD KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE OLD STYLE DOORS BUT WILL NOT GIVE ANY ASSISTANCE ON REPAIRS. THE COST OF REPAIR IS STEEP! I WAS QUOTED $108.00 FOR THE PLENUM CHAMBER AND $598.00 TO INSTALL IT. FROM WHAT I HAVE LEARNED THE PROBLEM IS NOT ISOLATED TO ME, IN FACT THE DEALER I PHONED HAD JUST SOLD A REPLACEMENT PLENUM THE PREVIOUS DAY AND WAS WAITING FOR ONE TO ARRIVE TO FILL THERE STOCK. WHEN A DEALER STOCKS A PART THERE USUALLY IS A LARGE DEMAND FOR IT! *NLM

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE TORSION BAR SNAPPED. *JB

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS STATED IN RECALL#98V06000- FUEL SYSTEM, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

FORD EXPLORER HEATER PLENUM/ACTUATOR STOPPED WORKING THIS PAST WINTER. CLIMATE CONTROL IS STUCK ON COLD AND DEFROST DOES NOT WORK IN COLD WEATHER. DURING A ROAD TRIP TO A NEARBY CITY EARLY THIS SPRING I WAS BARLEY ABLE TO SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE OF THE ICE AND FOG ON MY WINDSHIELD. I BELIEVE THIS IS A KNOWN MECHANICAL DEFECT BY FORD AND DEALERS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. IN CONTACTING SEVERAL SEATTLE-AREA DEALERS, ALL REFUSED TO FIX AS A SAFETY PROBLEM, SAID NO RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED, SAID I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THIS IS ABSURD FOR A PROBLEM THEY CAUSED WITH FAULTY DESIGN AND PARTS THAT CAUSES SERIOUS VISIBILITY PROBLEMS IN MANY OLDER EXPLORERS. *JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING STEERING BOLTS ARE LOSE AND IT IS CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO JUMP AROUND, MAKING IT HARD FOR CONSUMER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

CONSUMER INDICATED THE GAS TANK CAP WAS NOT TIGHTENED SECURELY, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. *JB

INVALID DESIGN OF PLENUM DOOR LEADS TO PART FAILURE RESULTING IN INABILITY TO CONTROL TEMPERATURE SETTING. CONDITION CAUSES INABILITY TO CONTROL INSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE AND POSSIBLY FAILURE OF DEFROST/DEFOGGING SYSTEM (SAFETY ISSUE). COST TO REPAIR IS PROHIBITIVE ($500 TO $1000) DUE TO THE NEED TO REMOVE THE DASHBOARD AND THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE AIR CHANNEL (BECAUSE PLENUM DOOR ITSELF CANNOT BE PURCHASED/INSTALLED ALONE). *NLM

ENGINE SURGING WHEN COLD. I HAVE HAD THE CODES READ AND WILL NOT TELL WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. POOR GAS MILEAGE. VALVES RATTLING WHEN START UP OF ENGINE FOR SEVERAL SECOUNDS AND THEN STOPS RATTLING. BLACK SUTT IN EXHAUST PIPE.*AK

I HAVE A 1997 FORD EXPLORER THAT IS DIFFICULT AND SOMETIMES IMPOSSIBLE TO GET INTO FIRST AND REVERSE. IT EXHIBITS TYPICAL PREMATURE SLAVE CYLINDER FAILURE. *JB

CONSUMER NOTICED WHEN TURNING DIALS ON HEATER UNIT FROM HOT OR COLD THE UNIT ONLY BLEW HOT AIR. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE HEATER BLEND DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*JB *TT

THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION IS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER WITH 38643KM. THE A/C HEATER UNIT WAS BLOWING OUT ONLY COOL AIR. DOES NOT HELP WHEN YOU GET -30C WEATHER AND YOU TRY TO DEFROST YOUR WINDSHIELD WITH COLD AIR. YES IT IS OUT OF THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD BUT CERTAINLY NOT THE 60000KM. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 40000KM CAN HAVE SUCH A PROBLEM ? FORD'S ANSWER IS AS FOLLOWS: CAUSE: DIAGNOSED-TEMP BLEND DOOR IS BROKE. CORRECTION: REPLACED INTERIOR HEATER CASE. FORD REFUSES TO PAY ANY PORTION BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. OTHER WEBSITES WITH SAME PROBLEM LISTED: HTTP://WWW.MIGHTYAUTOPARTS.COM/DATA/OTL1200.PDF HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWCOMMENTS_REVIEW_16717.HTML HTTP://WWW.EPINIONS.COM/CONTENT_66590314116

HEAD GASKET - LEAKING ANTI FREEZE

THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT BACK TO AUTO, ITS STUCK ON AUTO LOW. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH

1997 FORD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM. THE PLASTIC AIR BLEND DOOR IN THE HEATER PLENUM HAS BROKEN, PREVENTING THE SYSTEM FROM REGULATING THE TEMPERATURE.

SEAT RECLINER LEVERS BREAK OFF. BACK SEAT PASSENGER(S) MUST CLIMB OVER SEAT TO ENTER OR EXIT. IF THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY REAR SEAT PASSENGERS WOULD HAVE DIFFICULTY EXITING VEHICLE. THE CHEAP METAL PART THAT FRACTURED IS ATTACHED TO A $70.00 PART THAT WITH LABOR WOULD BE $240.00 FOR BOTH DRIVER AND PASSEENGER REPAIR. THIS IS MORE THAN INCONVENIENCE.

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN OCCUPANT. AS A RESULT, DRIVER SUSTAINED MASSIVE HEAD INJURIES. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

THE AUTOMATIC 4WD SYSTEM SELECTS 4WD ON DRY PAVEMENT DURING SHARP TURNS CAUSING THE GEARS TO BIND, INTERMITTENTLY - ABOUT HALF THE TIME. HOWEVER THE SAME "AUTOMATIC" 4WD SELECTION DOES NOT RESULT IN 4WD WHEN WHEELS ARE SLIPPING. IN FACT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 4WD WHEN "AUTO" IS SELECTED SEEMS TO BE COMPLETELY RANDOM. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY SAID "IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO THAT." I AM ABOUT TO REWIRE THE SYSTEM TO A MANUAL SELECTOR AS I AM NOW ON MY OWN WITH THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. HOWEVER FORD HAS SEEN THE LAST OF MY MONEY. *CB

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND OPTION WAS TURNED ON. WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A NOISE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING AND TRANSMISSION STARTED CLUNKING ALMOST CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *JB

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION BUT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. *NLM *TS *SCC *NLM

FIRST EVIDENCE OF NOISE REPORTED TO DEALER ON 7/22/98. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. NOISE BECAME UNBEARABLE AND ENGINE BEGAN LOSSING POWER. TOOK IT TO DEALER ON1/2/01 AND FOUND OUT THE FRONT CAM TENSIONER DISINTEGRATED CAUSING SEVERE METALIC NOISES FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. BANKSTON FORD SUPPOSIDLY DID THE WELL KNOWN RECALL. MY PAPERWORK SHOWS THEY REPLACED THE TENSIONER CASSETTE AND CHANGED THE OIL. I OBTAINED THEIR OWN PROCEEDURES FOR THIS ISSUE BECAUSE MANY ENGINES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACE DUE TO THE PIECES OF THE BROKEN TENSIONER CLOGGING OIL PASSAGES AND DESTROYING THE ENGINES. THE INSTRUCTIONS THEY SHOULD HAVE FOLLOWED INCLUDED INSPECTING THE HEADS FOR CLOGGED PASSAGES AND OTHER THINGS. I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE ENGINE THEN, BUT THEY MADE ME TAKE IT. AS SOON AS I LEFT DEALER, THE NOISE WAS BACK. CALLED THEM AND THEY SAID TO GIVE IT A WEEK AND SEE IF IT GOES AWAY. IT GOT WORSE AND I BROUGHT IT BACK IN TO THE DEALER. THIS TIME THEY SAID IT WAS THE REAR TENSIONER (THE ONE NOT COVERERED BY THEIR RECALL SINCE IT REQUIRES REMOVING THE ENGINE. SAME PART- SAME DEFECT, BUT NOT COVERED DUE TO COST). SINCE FORD WAS LOSING TOO MUCH MONEY ON THEIR DEFECT REPLACING ENGINES, THEY STOPPED HELPING THEIR CUSTOMERS. THE DEALER OFFERED A $500 AND 75,000 MILE WARRANTEE DEALER CONCESSION, BUT I EXPECTED IT TO BE TAKEN CARE OF LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. THE DEFECTIVE PART RUINED THE ENGINE AND IT SHOULD BE REPLACED, OR AT LEAST REPAIRED PROPERLY. HAVE BEEN AT A STAND-STILL FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS NOW WITH A NON-FUNCIONING VEHICLE. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WILL NOT DO ANYTHING AND THE DEALER NOW WANTS $5000 FOR A NEW ENGINE.*AK

ENGINE IDLE SURGES WITHOUT WARNING AT STOP SIGNS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED FIVE ACCIDENTS. IT SURGES BEWEEN 3000-4000 RPMS. *AK

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING WHICH CAUSED THE BACK TIRES TO LOCK UP AND SKID. CONSUMER HAD A COLLISION AS A RESULT.*JB

NHTSA#00-V-402-000 SWAY BAR LINK CAN FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE AFFECTED INCREASING THE RISKS OF A CRASH. CONSUMER STATES WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 65MPH, THE SWAY BAR LINK BOLTS WERE BROKEN, FORCING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. MR FORD STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WASN'T COVERED, IN REFERENCE TO THE RECALL, DUE TO THE VEHICLE YEAR. THE LINK BOLTS ON THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT SIDES WERE REPLACED. THE PASSENGER SIDE BOLTS WERE IN BAD SHAPE. SCC

I HAVE A GENERAL RECALL, I HAVE A 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, MY FRONT CAMSHAFT CHAIN GUIDE NEEDS REPLACING, I TOOK IT IN AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED, HE TOLD ME MY VECHILE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY(102000), I NED HELP WITH THIS MATTER. THANKS

BROKEN CRANKSHAFT ON A 97 FORD EXPLORER.CRANK BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 55 MPH. ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND ENGINE QUIT.FORD DEALER CONFIRMED CRANK WAS BROKEN AND NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED AT A COST OF $4400.00.

TYPE "E" MOTOR FAILURE AT ONLY 90,000 MILES RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT MOTOR. *AK

THE LEND DOOR IS BROKEN...FORD KNOWS THAT THEY PUT FAULTY BLEND DOORS IN AND WILL NOT REPLACE THEM! HOW DO I DEFROST MY WINSHIELD WITH A/C???? IS A FROSTED WINSHIELD NOT A HAZARD???? THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY!

CONSUMER IS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND STATED HAS HAD TO REPLACE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH 3 TIMES IN 5 YEARS. SWITCH CONTROLS FUNCTIONS OF HEAD LIGHTS, WIPERS, HIGH/LOW BEAMS, ETC. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM SWITCH AND STEERING COLUMN THAT FILLED UP THE ENTIRE CABIN. HAD TO PULL OVER TO AVOID A COLLISION.

WITH HEATER FAILURE FROST BUILDS UP ON THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING SERIOUS DRIVING HAZARD. DT

ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK WHEN APPLIED TO PASS ON AN INCLINE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS DEALERSHIP REMOVED THROTTLE CABLE AND FOUND FRAYED FRAGMENTS INSIDE CABLE COVERING. THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THIS CONDITION HOWEVER, VEHICLE'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH HOOD LATCH. CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED ON ITS OWN. *TT

THE A/C AND HEAT WAS UNABLE TO COME OUT OF THE BLEND AIR DOOR. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. FORD FOUND THAT THEY INSTALLED THE WRONG BLEND AIR DOOR ACUATOR DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. TS SCC

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HER SON 11 YEARS OLD GOT THE REAR SEAT BELT TANGLE AROUND HIS NECK AND BODY AND STARTING TO TIGHT AROUND HIS NECK. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, CONSUMER STATES "THERE WAS A SUDDEN BIG BANG AND THEN SOUND LIKE A MACHINE GUN". CONSUMER TRIED TO KEEP DRIVING, WHEN A BIG CLOUD OF SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE REAR. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. DEALER STATES TRANSFER CASE HAD COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MECHANISM FAILED, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO UNHOOK WITH JUST A SLIGHT AMOUNT OF FORCE. PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE, THE BELT WOULD COME LOOSE ON OCCASION, I THOUGHT THIS WAS DO TO MY FAILURE TO PROPERLY HOOK THE BELT INTO THE BUCKLE. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A GRADUAL FAILURE OF A CRITICAL SAFETY ITEM, THAT FOR QUITE SOME TIME WOULD HAVE FAILED TO PROTECT THE DRIVER IN A CRASH AS IT WOULD HAVE FAILED TO HOLD THE SEATBELT. THE DANGER OF THIS IS THAT AFTER IT FAILS, IT SOMETIMES WORKS AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT, WHICH COULD PUT THE DRIVER AT DANGER AS THEY WON'T KNOW THE SEATBELT WON'T STAY CONNECTED IN A CRASH. I HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART IN MY POSSESSION, I WILL FORWARD IT TO YOU IF YOU REQUEST ME TO. DT

FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE TO FIX VIA RECALL. THIS FAILURE COULD BE QUITE DANGEROUS DURING WINTER CONDITIONS. IT IS APPARENT THAT FORD KNOWS OF THIS AND HAS MADE CHANGES IN THE WAY THIS DOOR IS CONSTRUCTED. DT

CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL#0V422000 THROTTLE. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR.

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. TS

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 60MPH HAD COLLISION AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING INJURIES. NLM

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH HAD HEAD ON COLLISION THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *MR

THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL FAILED TO REGULATE TEMPERATURE I RESEARCHED AND FOUND THE BLEND DOOR TO BE BROKEN LEAVING ME WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO DEFROST THE WINSHIELD OR REGULATE HEAT /COOL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE I LIVE IN A CLIMATE THAT HAS SNOW /ICE AND COLD AS WELL AS HOT TEMPERATURES. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND IS DANGEROUS AND REQUIRES A NEARLY $1000.00 FIX TO REPLACE THE BLEND DOOR IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME THEY HAD TO REMOVE THE DASH ETC. THIS APPEARS TO BE A FORD DESIGN ISSUE AND A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE. NLM

LOSS OF DRIVE ACCOMPANIED BY A RATCHETING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSFER CASE DURING COAST OR DECELERATION OR WHEN IN REVERSE. AFTER RESEACHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE NET I HAVE FOUND MANY WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAYS THE TRANSFER CASE MUST BE REPLACED AT COST OF $3000.00. THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF GEARS MAGIZINE HAS AN ARTICLE ON PAGE 64 THAT ADDRESS THE CAUSE AND HOW TO CORRECT IT. AND STATES THAT THIS IS A DEFECT. HOWEVER THE ARTICLE SAYS THAT IT IS CHEAPER AND MORE EFFICIENT TO BUY A NEW UNIT. YOU WOULD THINK THAT A PROBLEM LIKE THIS SHOULD AT LEASED BE ADDRESSED BY FORD. DT

I HAVE DISCOVERED MANY FORD EXPLORER OWNERS HAVE THIS FAILURE--DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. WHEN DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS ACCIDENT. MR

DOOR COMPARTMENT BETWEEN THE HEATER AND THE AIR CONDITIONER, MADE OF PLASTIC IS BROKE, CAUSING NOT TO HAVE A HEATER. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. CONSUMER WILL ADD MORE INFORMATION ON THIS ISSUED. MR

TIRES WERE CUPPING AT 29,000 MILES IN SEPT. 01. DEALER REPLACED BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS. NEW TIRES WERE INSTALLED AND VEHICLE ALIGNED. CUPPING HAS RETURNED 12 MO AND 8,000 MILES LATER. FORD REFUSES TO ADDRESS PROBLEM WITHOUT ME HAVING TO PAY A NON-REFUNDABLE "DIAGNOSTIC" CHARGE. TS

CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER 4-5 TIMES, AND NO ONE COULD FIND OUT WHY THERE WAS A ROARING NOISE IN DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEELS. AFTER TAKING VEHICLE TO GOODYEAR, SHE WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS AND SHOES. THIS WOULD BE THE SECOND SET OF BRAKE PADS AND SHOES PUT ON THIS AUTOMOBILE. *AK

THE FAILURE OF THE HEATER BLEND DOOR CAUSES UNCONTROLLED WINDSHIELD FOGGING AND ICING. VISIBILITY IS OFTEN REDUCED TO ZERO. MR

TRANFER CASE WILL LOCK UP FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. AND THERE WAS DIFFICULTY IN STEERING. SEE SERVICE BULLENTIN 99-14-2. *AK

EGR VALVE FAILED AT COST OF OVER $250. THIS IS PART OF THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM AND IS COVERED BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. I REQUESTED WARRANTY STATUS FOR THIS PART FROM FORD MOTOR CO. CUSTOMER RELATIONS CENTER IN LETTER OF 7/17/03 WITH 76,172 MILES ON VEHICLE. INITIAL "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" FOR THIS FAILURE WAS AT ABOUT 66,000 ON 8/30/02. FORD DID NOT ANSWER MY INQUIRY, INSTEAD REFERRING ME TO THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE REPS IN INDIA, AGAINST MY WISHES. *JB

THIS HEATER HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEFROSTER WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY BECAUSE ONLY HOT AIR WILL EXIT THE VENTS, WHICH LEADS TO A FOGGY WINDSHIELD. THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE VERY WELL DOCUMENTED AND FORD HAS A TSB FOR IT, 99-8-8 AND 97-24-25.*AK

DEFOGGER/DEFROSTER WILL NOT OPERATE AS BLEND DOOR IS STUCK ON AIR CONDITIONER. *AK