1997 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK GAUGE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT, THE CONTROL ARMS, THE FRONT OXYGEN SENSOR, AND THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 147,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN HIS DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC FLUID WAS LEAKING DUE TO THE FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH CAUSING THE FIRE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKED OUT WHEN IT GETS WARM EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE NOT RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 23,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF

RUNNING ON THE HIGHWAY THE RIGHT AXLE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL BROKEOFF AND THE WHEEL CAME OFF WITH THE BRAKE CALIPER AND BRAKE HOSE AND BECAUSE OF THIS CAUSE LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH .THE VEHICLE IS TOTAL LOSS.

I RECENTLY FOUND OUT MY VEHICLE HAS AN OPEN RECALL REGARDING THE POSSIBLE LEAKAGE OF THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH, WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING OR NOT. THE FORD MANUFACTURER'S RECALL #09S09 AND THE NHTSA RECALL #09V399000. THIS IS STILL AN OPEN RECALL.I CONTACTED FORD RECALL CENTER TODAY AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO REMEDY THIS HAZARDOUS RECALL DUE TO THE AGE OF THE RECALL AND THE AGE AND MILES OF MY VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD SHOULD FIX IT AS BODILY INJURY OR EVEN POSSIBLE DEATH COULD OCCUR IF THIS RECALL IS NOT REMEDIED. MY VEHICLE IS RUNNING PROPERLY FOR THE MOMENT BUT SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, FORD MOTOR CO. SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FIX IT NO MATTER THE AGE OF MY VEHICLE.

ON DECEMBER 23RD, 2016 I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK AROUND 6:00 PM. MY CAR WAS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. I HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AND TURNED ONTO MY ROAD WHEN I BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE, SO, I PULLED OFF INTO AN EMPTY PARKING LOT BESIDE A WALKING TRAIL. I COULD TELL THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE, BUT, IT TOOK ME QUITE A WHILE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. I CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD - BUT NOTHING SEEMED TO BE WRONG THERE. THEN, I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR AND THE SMOKE KEPT GETTING HEAVIER. I BEGAN FEELING AROUND FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS HOT. I CHECKED THE DASH, THE VENTS, THE STEERING WHEEL, THE SEATS - ALMOST EVERYTHING BEFORE I CHECKED THE CENTER COMPUTER CONSOLE. IN THE MIDDLE OF MY CAR - DIRECTLY UNDER THE RADIO - THERE IS A COMPUTER MODULE THAT DISPLAYS THE GAS MILEAGE, OIL STATUS, AND IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHTS ON THE CAR. THE MODULE HAD RECENTLY STARTED DISPLAYING A "CHECK HEADLAMPS" MESSAGE. WELL - I HAD DONE SO AND THEY WERE WORKING FINE - SO I DID NOT THINK ANYTHING OF IT. TURNS OUT THAT THE FIRE HAD STARTED UNDER THE CENTER COMPUTER MODULE. I GUESS THAT THE CAR SHOULD HAVE BLOWN A FUSE BUT INSTEAD - STARTED A FIRE. I TRIED TO RIP THE COVER AND THE CONSOLE UP - BUT IT WAS SCREWED DOWN AND I HAD NO LUCK. AT THAT POINT, THE FLAMES STARTED TO SPREAD VERY QUICKLY AND THE ENTIRE CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. I CALLED 911 AND GOT AS FAR AWAY AS I COULD WITH MY BELONGINGS. THE FIRE TRUCK AND FIRE FIGHTERS CAME WITHIN FIVE MINUTES OR SO AND PUT OUT THE FIRE BEFORE IT REACHED THE GAS TANK. THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE CAR REMAINED UNTOUCHED, HOWEVER, THE INTERIOR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE SEATS HAD BURNT OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY GONE. I'M STILL IN MY TEENAGE YEARS - SO I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS SITUATION PROPERLY. I AM JUST GLAD I AM ALIVE AND THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IN TIME.

MY LIGHTS DON'T WORK STABILIZING BAR IS BAD,SPEED CONTROL DOSE NOT WORK SECURITY KEY CODE NOT WORKING,DOOR CONTROLS DO NOT WORK.WIPER WORK SOMETIMES.BALL JOINT ARE BAD, TIRES WEARING BAD,,BUSHINGS ARE VERY BAD.TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO SLIP,ALL WHEEL DRIVE DOES NOT WORK, IT GRINDING SOUND.HEAF LIGHT ONLY BRIGHTS WORK.

THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT ENGAGE TO THE LOCK POSITION.

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NO LONGER SECURELY LATCH. *TR

WITH NO WARNING OR HINT OF ANYTHING GOING WRONG ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM, AS TRAFFIC SLOWED TO STOP FOR A LIGHT, THE BRAKES WENT COMPLETELY OUT ON MY FORD EXPLORER. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND PUMPING HAD NO EFFECT. I WAS IN MID DAY TRAFFIC AND HAD ALMOST 2 CAR LENGTHS BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE SUV IN FRONT OF ME, WHICH UNFORTUNATELY, WAS WHAT STOPPED ME. THANKFULLY, I WAS ONLY GOING 20 MPH AND NO ONE WAS HURT NOR DID AIR BAGS DEPLOY. AFTER THE POLICE ARRIVED AND HAD US PULL INTO A PARKING LOT, THE PEDAL FELT LIKE IT HAD THE BRAKES BACK HOWEVER, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AFTER CRANKING UP. I WAS ABLE TO STOP FROM ROLLING OUT THE OTHER SIDE OF A PARKING SPACE IN THE BACK OF THE LOT BY USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKES. EVEN THOUGH THE TRUCK HAS SHOWS HIGH MILEAGE,MOST OF WHICH IS HIGHWAY MILES, THE TRUCK AS BEEN MAINTAINED. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE SHOP AND TWO MECHANICS COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. I HAD THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BOOSTER WAS CHANGED EVEN THOUGH I WAS ASSURED IT WAS FINE. THAT SEEMED TO HELP MY PEACE OF MIND FOR ABOUT A WEEK UNTIL I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND THE BRAKE PEDAL EASED DOWN TO THE FLOOR. I RAN AN INTERNET SEARCH TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM AND SURPRISED TO SEE IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH EXPLORER. I'M SURE EVERYONE WHO MENTIONED HAVING THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT REPORTED IT THAT SHOULD HAVE.

THE 1997 FORD EXPLORER 4D EDDIE BAUER EDITION HAS A COMPUTER CONTROLLED MESSAGE CENTER. THE MESSAGE CENTER CONTROLS AMONG OTHER THINGS THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS AND FOG LAMPS. THE LIGHT OUT MODULE (LOM) ALSO KNOWN AS THE INDICATOR WARNING SYSTEM CONTROL IS LOCATED INSIDE THE MESSAGE CENTER CONSOLE AND RUNS "HOT" IN TEMPERATURE BECAUSE OF A FLAWED DESIGN. THE CURRENT DESIGN LEADS TO INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURES THAT RESULT IN A LOSS OF THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO NOTIFY THE DRIVER OF A HEADLIGHT OR LAMP FAILURE, ETC, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OF THE NOTIFICATION SYSTEM CAUSES THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS (AND FOG LAMPS AS THEY ARE ON THE SAME CIRCUIT) TO FAIL. ON JUNE 25, 2014, THE SECOND FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM OCCURRED (WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS AND HAVE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE INDICATOR WARNING SYSTEM CONTROL OR LIGHT OUT MODULE (LOM) AT GREAT EXPENSE). FORD MOTOR COMPANY MUST RECALL THE 1997 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION AND ANY OTHER LIKE DESIGNED FORD PRODUCT WITH A LIGHT OUT MODULE (LOM) THAT FAILS LEAVING THE DRIVER WITHOUT LOW BEAMS AND NO MEANS OF FIXING THE SAID DEFECT WITHOUT AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER'S REPAIR (AT GREAT EXPENSE) THAT IS LIFE THREATENING IN THE INTERIM. SUCH REPAIRS ARE NOT POSSIBLE IF ON AN EXTENDED TRIP IN RURAL SETTINGS. THE ABSENCE OF LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AFTER SUNSET AND BEFORE SUNRISE IS LIFE THREATENING AND UNACCEPTABLE TO THE OCCUPANTS OF A 1997 FORD EXPLORER AS WELL AS TO PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER VEHICLES WHO CANNOT SEE THE FORD EXPLORER OPERATING WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS. THE CORRECTIVE SOLUTION NEEDS A VENTING SYSTEM SUCH THAT THE MESSAGE CENTER DOES NOT CONTINUALLY MELT THE INDICATOR WARNING SYSTEM CONTROL OR LIGHT OUT MODULE (LOM). THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND FOR YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION TO THIS DEFECT REQUIRING A CORRECTIVE RECALL. *TR

ON 7/29/2013 WE PURCHASED A SET OF 4 KUMHO SOLUS KR21 TIRES. THE CAR IS USED PRIMARILY FOR HIGHWAY TRAVEL ? ONCE WEEKLY WORK COMMUTE AND FOR VACATION ROAD TRIPS. WE HAD NOT YET DRIVEN IT OFF PAVEMENT WITH THE NEW TIRES. ON 4/16/2014 I STARTED THE CAR TO GO TO WORK. I HEARD AN ODD NOISE FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE, ALMOST LIKE A RHYTHMIC POPPING SOUND, BUT IT STOPPED, AND SINCE IT WASN'T IDENTIFIABLE I PROCEEDED TO LEAVE MY DRIVEWAY. ABOUT A BLOCK AWAY, I HEARD THE NOISE AGAIN, BUT AGAIN IT STOPPED. AT THIS POINT THE CAR WAS HANDLING FINE. AS SOON AS I GOT ON THE FREEWAY (APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES FROM MY HOUSE), I NOTICED I WAS HAVING TROUBLE ACCELERATING TO SPEED (65MPH). I ALSO BEGAN TO HEAR A RHYTHMIC BUMPING NOISE, SO BEGAN TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. BY THE TIME I GOT OVER, I COULD FEEL THE BUMPING AND KNEW I HAD A FLAT. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL HAD SUFFERED A COMPLETE SIDEWALL SEPARATION (SEE PHOTO). THE TIRES ONLY HAD 6,624 MILES ON THEM ? ALL PAVED ROAD, NO DIRT. THEY WERE SUPPOSEDLY WARRANTIED TO 85,000 MILES. IN RETROSPECT, I BELIEVE THE SOUNDS I HEARD IN MY DRIVEWAY WERE THE INITIAL SIDEWALL SEPARATION. THE SEPARATION DID NOT CAUSE IMMEDIATE LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE OR STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY; THAT ONLY HAPPENED ONCE I GOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND STARTED DRIVING AT 60MPH. THERE WAS NO EXPLOSIVE NOISE LIKE A BLOWOUT. IN SUBSEQUENTLY RESEARCHING KUMHO TIRES, I DISCOVERED THAT THIS BRAND HAS A LONG HISTORY WITH SUDDEN SIDEWALL SEPARATION AND/OR BLOWOUTS ? ALL AT LOW MILEAGES. THIS OCCURS ACROSS SEVERAL TIRE MODELS AND YEARS. THE COMPLAINTS WERE SO CONSISTENT THAT I WENT BACK TO THE TIRE DEALER AND REQUESTED A DIFFERENT BRAND. THEY REPLACED THEM AND I NOTIFIED THEM OF MY RESEARCH RESULTS. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT KUMHO IS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE SELLING TIRES WITH SUCH A SAFETY RISK. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT I DID NOT LOSE CONTROL AND THAT TRAFFIC AT THAT MOMENT WAS LIGHT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER WITH WINSTON WIN WINNER AT TIRES, SIZE: 255/70R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDE WALL OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS LEAKING AND THE OTHER THREE TIRES HAD DEVELOPED CRACKS THROUGHOUT THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED BY THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE AND TIRES WAS 170,000. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

THIS LETTER IS INTENDED TO ADDRESS INEFFECTIVE SERVICE BY AAMCO THAT LED TO FAILURE OF A TRANSMISSION IN MY VEHICLE. AS YOU SEE BY THE ATTACHED LETTER, I VOICED CONCERN ABOUT THIS LAST YEAR AND ALL AAMCO SUGGESTED WAS TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER THAT PERFORMED THE INEFFECTIVE SERVICE. I REQUESTED THE RIGHT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER AAMCO CENTER, BUT YOUR RESPONSE WAS TO TAKE IT TO THE CENTER THAT I ALREADY HAD DOUBTS ABOUT. LET ME SET THE SCENARIO AGAIN. ?WITH INITIAL GRINDING SOUNDS AND LACK OF REVERSE, I TOOK TO CLINTON TRANSMISSIONS IN 2011 AND THEY INFORMED ME THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED UNTIL 2012. ?IN 2012, I CALLED THE WALDORF AAMCO CENTER AND THEY INFORMED ME IT MAY NOT BE THE TRANSMISSION AND TO LET THEM LOOK AT IT. IT WAS TOWED IN AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FINE BUT THE TRANSFER CASE WAS BAD. ?ALL TOTALED, I PAID $1534.76 FOR TRANSFER CASE, $430.03 FOR PARTS, AND $600 FOR LABOR. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE OTHER SERVICES THAT THE CENTER SAID I NEEDED. ?THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TWICE FOR AN OD LIGHT THAT CAME ON AS SOON AS I LEFT THE CENTER. THEY SEEMED UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. ?I FELT CONCERN FOR THE PERIOD I WAS DRIVING AND WROTE CORPORATE TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE. ?EARLIER THIS YEAR WHILE DRIVING TO SOUTH CAROLINA, THE GRINDING SOUND STARTED AGAIN AND REVERSE WENT OUT. I NOTIFIED CORPORATE AND THE WALDORF CENTER AND WAS TOLD TO GO TO THE NEAREST AAMCO. ?I WENT TO THE COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA AAMCO AND AFTER DIAGNOSTIC, TOLD ME THE SAME THING THAT THE CLINTON TRANSMISSION TOLD ME IN 2011. THE TRANSMISSION HAD INTERNAL DAMAGE AND NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. ?I LEFT THE VEHICLE IN COLUMBIA AND HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. WITH THESE FACTS IN MIND, AAMCO CAN SURELY SEE WHERE INEFFECTIVE SERVICE LED TO A SAFETY FAILURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON A STEEP UPHILL GRADE, THE BRACKET THAT SUPPORTED THE GAS PEDAL SUDDENLY BROKE AWAY FROM THE FIREWALL AND THE BRACKET AND GAS PEDAL SLID INTO THE FLOOR BOARD AND UNDER THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS BACKED DOWN THE HILL IN NEUTRAL AND MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN LIGHT ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ASSISTANCE WAS SUMMONED AND UPON INSPECTION THE GAS PEDAL WAS FOUND WITH THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHED TO THE FIREWALL IN A NEW LIKE CONDITION, EXCEPT WHERE THREE SPOT WELDS ATTACHED TO THE GAS PEDAL BRACKET TO THE FIREWALL HAD BROKEN AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS RIGGED TO A RUNNING CONDITION TO TRAVEL APPROXIMATELY TWO MILES OR LESS TO THE OWNERS RESIDENCE WHERE A MORE RELIABLE REPAIR WAS MADE. THE REPAIR WAS OVER SEEN BY A LICENSED A&P MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BY THE OWNER OF THE WELD FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS WELL OVER 100,00 AND IS CURRENTLY BACK IN SERVICE. UPDATED 06/18/13*LJ

I HAVE NO EXPLANATION FOR THE FIRE, THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN ABOUT A BLOCK FROM MY HOME AND THEN IT WAS RETURNED TO THE DRIVEWAY. MY UNCLE SON SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM WHEN THEY HEARD THE CAR ALARM AND LOOKED OUT OF THE WINDOW TO SEE CLOUDS OF BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE TRUCK. MY SON ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BUT IT WAS TO INTENSE, MY SON CALLED 911. THIS WOULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE IF THEY HAD BEEN IN THE CAR. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE. FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT SAY WHAT CAUSED THIS FIRE. THE TIRES EVEN MELTED. ALL SEVERE DAMAGE WAS TO THE FRONT END. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN IN ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT, THERE IS NO EXPLANATION FOR THIS FIRE. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR PHOTOS. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO BUT I NEED TO MAKE SURE NO FAMILIES. *TR

THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN AND JUST QUIT. WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY *AGAIN* AND FOUND OUT THAT *2 (TWO)* TIMING CHAINS WENT OUT. THE DRIVERS SIDE SNAPPED IN TWO AND THE PASSENGER SIDE (REAR) HAD OVER 1 1/2 INCHES OF PLAY IN IT AND OBVIOUS STRETCHING OF THE TIMING CHAIN. THE FRONT BROKEN ONE TOTALED THE ENGINE, ALL TENSIONERS, SPACERS ETC WERE NOR IN PIECES LYING IN THE ENGINE. AND GUESS WHAT TO REPLACE THE REAR TIMING CHAIN YOU HAVE TO COMPLETELY REMOVE THE ENGINE FROM THE VEHICLE! THANKS AGAIN FORD!!!!!!!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH HAD BEGAN TO LEAK INTERNALLY AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THEY WERE ONLY REQUIRED TO STOP THE LEAK BUT NOT REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 201,000. UPDATED 01/05/13*LJ UPDATED 2/13/2013 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER 2 DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD BECOME UNLATCHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE SEAT BELT NEEDED REPLACING. THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 187,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING THE RPMS TO INCREASE CONTINUOUSLY. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 256,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIMS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

APPROX. 2AM, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPT. REPORT CONFIRMED ELECTRICAL FIRE. *TR

I OWN A FORD EXPLORER XLT 1997 AND THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE ONLY OPENS FROM THE INSIDE WHILE THE OTHER REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUT (CHILD LOCK NOT ACTIVATED). THE DRIVERS DOOR DOESN'T LOCK AND WHEN IT DOES LOCK, IT DOESN'T UNLOCK OR STICKS SO BAD IT HAS BE UNLOCKED WITH PLIERS, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HAVE TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE CAR THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE INTERIOR MAP LIGHT AND REAR INTERIOR DOOR LIGHT ABOVE THE BACKSEATS STAY ON CONSTANTLY EVEN WHEN SWITCHED OFF AND THE LIGHTBULBS HAD TO BE REMOVED BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T TURN OFF AND WERE OVERHEATING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THAT THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER EACH REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE AND OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DISENGAGE THE SEAT BELT WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BUCKLE. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT DOES NOT FEEL SAFE HAVING HIS CHILD'S SAFETY RESTRAINT SEAT INSTALLED IN THE REAR SEAT DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 223,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 224,500.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A DRIVING TRAFFIC STOP, THE ENGINE GROWLED LOUDLY AS THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE A DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING IN A DRIVE-THRU WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO HOLD THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD DROP TO ZERO AND I WOULD NOT KNOW HOW FAST I AM ACTUALLY DRIVING. THE TACHOMETER IS ALSO AFFECTED AND, PROBABLY, THE ODOMETER. MY MECHANIC HAS CHANGED THE SPEED SENSOR BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINS. AN INTERNET SEARCH HAS TURNED UP NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE RESULT BEING A FAULTY PROGRAMMABLE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER MODULE (PSOM), WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE DASH. THIS IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. SOME INDIVIDUALS ARE JUST PURCHASING GPS UNITS TO DETERMINE HOW FAST THEY ARE DRIVING. IT IS MY OPINION THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE PSOM. ASIDE FROM THE OBVIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM OF NOT KNOWING HOW FAST I AM DRIVING, THIS PROBLEM ALSO CAUSES THE ODOMETER TO READ INCORRECTLY. *TR

I WAS IN A FRONTAL CRASH ON 01/24/2012 THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.CAUSING INJURIES, SEAT BELTS WERE WORE. *TT

WHEN I DRIVE MY VEHICLE, I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND IT FEELS HEAVIER THAN NORMAL. THEN WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN IT HAS A CLOCKING SOUND. AND IT PULLS BACK WHEN I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO GO FASTER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 40 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SEEM TO SHIFT TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 189,000.

1997 FORD EXPLORER AND BEGAN TO BACK OUT OF MY PARENTS DRIVEWAY ON THE WAY TO WORK. I USED THE ELECTRICAL SEAT MOVER BUTTON TO MOVE MY SEAT BACK A FEW INCHES AND WITHIN ONLY 10 SECONDS SMOKE WAS IN MY FACE. I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR, TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND RAN IN MY HOUSE. I GOT WATER TO TRY AND EXTINGUISH THE SMOKE AND OPENED MY BACK DOOR AND LOOKED UNDER THE SEAT AND THERE WAS INTENSE SPARKING WHICH TURNED INTO FLAMES AND WITHIN MINUTES MY ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE AND POLICE CAME AND EXTINGUISHED IT AFTER FLAMES REACHED ABOUT 20 FEET. THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE, WITH ALONG LOSING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE (ENGINE WAS SOMEHOW IN FINE SHAPE), BUT LUCKILY, IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY AS I AM ALIVE. I SENT FORD 40 PICTURES, POLICE REPORT, VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT THAT WE CAUGHT, TITLE OF VEHICLE, ETC. IT HAS CAUSED ME AN INCREDIBLE INCONVENIENCE IN MY LIFE, I NOW WALK A MILE TO A SUBWAY STATION WHICH TAKES ME TO A TRAIN STATION WHICH THEN GETS ME TO WORK. KNOWING IT WAS AN OLDER CAR, BUT A POPULAR ONE AT THAT, I FIGURED THAT FORD WOULD REIMBURSE ME WITH A USED CAR AND THE PROPERTY DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY GIVEN HOW LUCKY THAT NO DEATH OR INJURIES RESULTED. THEY INFORMED TODAY THEY WOULDN'T GIVE ME A DIME BECAUSE THEY DON'T DEEM THAT A DEFECT THROUGH THEIR ANALYSIS (THOUGH THE CAR SITS LIKE A TOXIC WASTELAND IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH NO ONE FROM FORD EVEN INSPECTING IT). THEY CAME TO THEIR DECISION WITHIN ONE DAY OF HAVING MY MATERIALS. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE WHEN IT ROLLED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,700.

SEVERE RUST ON THE FRAME OF A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. *TR

THE DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING UNSEATED RESULTING IN INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE THAT DOES NOT RETURN TO THE FULLY STOWED POSITION AFTER ACTUATION. IF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING IS UNSEATED, COULD THE DOOR UNLATCH IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE IMPACT CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY? *TR

ABOUT A MILE FROM AN INTERSECTION I NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. APPROACHING THE TRAFFIC LIGHT MY BRAKE PEDAL HAD LOST PRESSURE AND WENT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. I NOTICED SOME SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE HOOD BUT THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE FROM THE OLD PICKUP TRUCK NEXT TO ME. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND THE VEHICLE "SPUTTERED" SUFFERING A LOSS OF HORSE POWER BUT I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR ABOUT 150 YARDS AND COASTED INTO A GAS STATION WHERE I PARKED AT THE FAR END AWAY FROM THE PUMPS. AT THIS TIME I NOTICED MORE SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE HOOD SO I WENT INSIDE TO ASK FOR A FIRE EXTINGUISHER BUT THE CASHIER SAID HE HAD NONE. I THEN ASKED TO HIM DIAL 911 BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. I WENT BACK TO MY VEHICLE AND REMOVED SOME PAPERWORK FROM THE SEAT AND WAITED FOR HELP TO ARRIVE. I JUST HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY COVERT FORD ON MARCH 16, 2011 FOR THE FACTORY RECALL OF THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH, (BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH) WHICH IS WHAT I BELIEVE CAUSE THE FIRE. I BELIEVE THAT WHEN I HAD TO PUMP MY BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. ACCORDING TO THE FIRE OFFICIALS AT THE SCENE THERE WAS NO WAY TO DETERMINE THE POINT OF ORIGIN OF THE FIRE BUT THE DAMAGED AREA IS RIGHT BELOW THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. (I HAVE PICTURES AND VIDEO). THANK GOD THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO PROPERTY OR LIVES. I ONLY HAD LIABILITY COVERAGE SO I SIGNED THE TITLE OVER TO THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND LOST MY TRANSPORTATION. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE ON APRIL 19, 1999, TOOK CARE OF IT FOR ALMOST 12 YEARS WITHOUT INCIDENT AND A WEEK AFTER HAVING IT SERVICED FOR A FIRE SAFETY ISSUE, IT CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED. I PUT ABOUT 100 MILES ON IT AFTER IT WAS SERVICED BY THE DEALER BEFORE THE FIRE BEGAN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BOLTS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE SEATS TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME. THE BOLTS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V281000 (SEATS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE AS 330,000.

WE MAINTAINED OUR VEHICLES REGULARLY, AFTER REPLACING THE TRANSFER CASE NOT 8 MONTHS AGO NOW THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. SPENT $2400 FOR A REBUILD. SHOP STATES THIS MODEL IS A PIECE OF [XXX], AND THE HAVE MADE A LOT OF MONEY FROM FORDS POOR ENGINEERING ON THIS MODEL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD MISFIRE AND SEEM AS IF IT WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT A FIRE HAD ERUPTED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND EXIT THE VEHICLE JUST AS IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE POLICE ARRIVED TO ASSIST AND A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE PICTURES OF THE FAILURE AND DAMAGES. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V060000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS), WHICH COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 234,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE AND AFTER LOOKING UNDERNEATH THE HOOD HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING FROM A BRACKET BEHIND THE MOTOR. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V060000, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL HAD CLOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 118,034.

WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE SUNROOF SHATTERED NOTHING BUT RAIN HAD FALLEN ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V422000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO RETURN AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. A FEW MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES FROZE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A POLE AS THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND ACCELERATED BACKWARD. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED AND AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 06/02/11 *BF UPDATED 1/18/2012 *LN *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE WOULD NOT ATTACH. IF IT DID ATTACH, IT WOULD RELEASE WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 160,000.

AFTER TURNING A CORNER AT LESS THAN 15 MPH A LOUD SOUND WAS HEARD AND THE ENGINE RACED BUT STOPPED MOVING. TRIED ALL GEARS AND AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE BROKE.I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED. *TR

ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY I-95, HAD THE CAR TOWED BACK TO THE HOUSE, INSPECTED THE PEDAL AREA AND NOTICED THERE ARE 3 MISSING SCREWS AND ONE OF THE THREE OPENINGS IS NO LONGER USABLE. I'VE SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL COMING OFF ON FORDS. CONTACTED SAWGRASS FORD IN FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. A LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WOULD BE $180.00 TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE CAR PLUS THE COST OF THE PART. FORD SHOULD BE LOOKING AT THIS AS A SAFETY MEASURE, SOMEONE COULD REALLY BE INJURED AND KILLED DUE TO THIS ISSUE. HOPEFULLY THEY WONT WAIT TILL A LIFE IS LOST FOR THEM TO LOOK INTO THIS AND POSSIBLY HAVE A RECALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH SHE HEARD A TICKING NOISE. SHE WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY WHERE THE NOISE WAS LOCATED. SHE STATED THAT NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. SHE CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. TWO HOURS LATER SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE, SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND IT CONTINUED TO MAKE A NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED THE NOISE WAS NOT THERE BUT AS SOON AS SHE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, NEUTRAL OR ANY GEAR THE NOISE BEGAN AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER OR LOCAL MECHANIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2010. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 229,000.

FORD 1997 EXPLORER BRAKE LINE FAILED. ON MY CAR LAST YEAR AND MY FRIENDS THIS YEAR. DANGEROUS. *TR

1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE INFORMATION REGARDING AN ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED IN SEPT 2010. *TA

SPARE TIRE HOIST CABLE FAILED ON 1997 FORD EXPLORER XLT, RESULTING IN SPARE TIRE BREAKING FREE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION. *TR