1997 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

PINION SEAL LEAKING.

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WITH FORD, EXPLORER 1997, P23575R15, DOT VD. CONSUMER OWNED VEHICLE FOR 3 DAYS WHEN TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. CONSUMER REPLACED TIRE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE IN 1997. CURRENTLY, WITH THE FIRESTONE RECALL ,MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REIMBURSE CONSUMER.*AK

CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE WHEN GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK, DID NOT MOVE, CAUSING ACCELERATION. THIS IS A INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK

ACCELERATOR STICKS AND CAUSES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION DUE TO A DIRTY THROTTLE ASSEMBLY.

PE00 020 ; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH ON HIGHWAY. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDER, AND NOTICED THAT RIGHT REAER TIRE SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE. FIRESTONE, RADIAL ATX, P23575R15 DEALERSHIP AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK DOT V2HL1PM296, VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRE BECAME FLAT, A LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER STATED THAT A SOMEWHAT ANGULAR BASALT ROCK HAD PENETRATED THE TREAD AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO GO FLAT, DEALER ALSO STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT DESIGNED TO BE DRIVEN OFF OF PAVED ROADS, CONSUMER FEELS THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE THE TIRES HAVE VERY THIN TREADS AND SIDEWALLS, A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST TIRE FAILURE ANOTHER TIRE FAILED EXACTLY THE SAME WAY, CONSUMER HAD THE FRONT TWO TIRES REPLACED AFTER THE FIRESTONE DEALER LOOKED AT THE NUMBERS ON THE TIRES. *ET

PARKING LEVER ASSEMBLY. THROTTLE VALVE ASSEMBLY.

MY 1997 EXPLORER WILL TEMPORARLY STALLS WITHOUT WARNING SINCE NEW, USUALLY WHEN PULLING OUT INTO A STREAM OF TRAFFIC.THIS CAUSES A SEVERE SAFETY PROBLEM FOR THE OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR. I HAVE TAKED THE VEHICLE TO TALLAHASSEE, FORD, TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA SEVERAL TIMES (REMAINING OVERNIGHT THERE FOR OVER 10 DAYS) AND THE ONLY EFFORT TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WAS TO INSTALL A SET OF SPARK PUUGS. THE SERVICE MANAGER ADVISED ME NOT TO BRING THE CAR BACK SINCE THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND CAN'T BE FIXED. I FEEL NO ONE HAS TAKEN MY COMPLAINTS SERIOUSLY AND NO REAL EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO HAVE THE PROBLEM, NOTICIBLY WORSE IN HOT WEATHER AND I HAVE NO MORE SUPPORT FROM FORD MOTOR COMAPNY DESPITE WRITING AND CALLING FORD'S CONSUMER COMPLAINT DIVISION. THE CAR REMAINS TO BE HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE AND I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. I AM REALLY SUPRISED AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR PLACING A LONG TIME CUSTOMER IN A DANGEROUS VEHICLE WITH NO SUPPORT IN MAKING NECESSARY REPAIRS.

TRANSMISSION PROBLEM OCCURRED BEGINNING IN OCTOBER 1997 UNTIL NOVEMBER 1998 WHEN VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO FORD PER A LEMON LAW SETTLEMENT. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS INCLUDED LACK OF POWER, LOSS OF POWER, ERRATIC IDLE AND THROTTLE. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR MORE INFORMATION PER YOUR INVESTIGATION.

I HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT FOR NO APPARANT REASON WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM A BUSINESS TRIP. WHEN I WENT TO A FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP TO GET A NEW TIRE UNDER WARRANTY, THEY INDICATED THAT IT WAS NOT COVERAGED AS IT WAS CAUSED BY A ROAD HAZARD. WHEN I ARGUED THAT I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, THEY STILL REFUSED TO COVER THE TIRE UNDER WARRANTY. JUST PRIOR TO BLOWOUT, I NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT SECTION OF THE VEHICLE, BUT DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT. *AK( DOT NUMBER: COIL TIRE SIZE: 225/70R15 )

TRANSMISSION LEAKED ON THE CONVERTER CAUSING FIRE.

WHEN ENGINE IS WARM AND VEHICL IS AT A STOP, DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE HARD TO GET INTO TRAFFIC THE ENGINE WILL STALL OR HESITATE. *AK

I WANT TO ADD OUR NAME TO THE LIST OF THOSE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS TIRE. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. BUT THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING RUSHHOUR IN SEATTLE TRAFFIC WHEN IT WAS COLD (NOT HOT). THE INCIDENT HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING. I WAS LUCKY TO MANEUVER T( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT CURVE THE DEFECTIVE SUSPENSION LEAF SPRING BROKE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FLIP IN THE AIR. HAD A ROLLOVER AND LANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER SAID THE LEAF SPRING BROKE DUE TO THE OCCUPANT'S DRIVING. *AK

BRAKES FAILED INTERMITTENTLY.

REAR DOOR LOCKS FAIL TO UNLOCK, TRAPPING REAR PASSENGERS IN VEHICLE, SEVERAL REPAIRS MADE HOWEVER CONTINUES TO FAIL. (QCAW)

CONSUMER WAS GOING TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC, MERGED INTO LANE WHEN VEHICLE COMPLETELY STOPPED/NO MOTION, BUT ENGINE WAS STILL ON/RUNNING/AND IN GEAR. PUSHED PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, HEARD NOISE, NO RESPONSE. GRADUALLY PICKED UP SPEED AFTER WAITING ABOUT 30 SECONDS TO 1 MINUTE. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

WHEN DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN THROUGH PUDDLES, THE BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO RUN BUT THE POWER STEERING CEASES TO OPERATE AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SOMETIMES FAIL. THIS LASTS FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE TO TWO MINUTES.

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR 97V-074 000 AND THE DEALER HAD TRUCK FOR 3 WEEKS AND THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE PARTS FOR THIS TRUCK. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 70 MPH THE GAS PEDAL BROKE, CAUSING OWNER NOT TO HAVE CONTROL OVER VEHICLE. DEALER NOTED THAT SHOULDER BOLT WHICH HOLDS GAS PEDAL IN PLACE BROKE. *AK CONSUMER STATED THE SHOULDER BOLT DID BREAK THE SHOULDER BOLT IS THREADED, DUE TO THE PEDAL ACTION, SHOULDER BOLT WORKED LOOSE ALLOWING THE GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO FALL TO THE FLOOR CAUSING CONSUMER NOT TO HAVE CONTROL OVER VEHICLE.*JB

EMMISSION/EXHAUST CONTROL SENSOR FAILED CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. MJS

REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR OPENS INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, AND THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE BY THE HEAD LIGHTS OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. DEALER LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, AND SAID THAT THE FUEL PUMP CAUSED THE FIRE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS REASON DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE. *AK

CONSUMER PUT AUTOMOBILE ON CRUISE CONTROL MODE AND IT TOOK OFF, CAUSING AUTOMOBILE TO ACCELERATE. CONSUMER STATES WHEN TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THEY WOULD NOT LET HER. HAD TO TURN AUTOMOBILE OFF AFTER RUNNING OFF ROAD. *AK

RECALL # 97V074000, DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO HONOR RECALL BECAUSE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT COVER THE COST. DEALER STATED THAT RECALL NEEDS TO BE PERFORMED IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HAS SUDDEN ACCELERATIONS. SOMETIMES WHEN THIS HAPPENS WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WILL STILL ACCLERATE. ONE TIME, THE ONLY TIME, THE VEHICLE WILL STOP IS SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE THROTTLE 97V-07 000. DEALER SAYS THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY COMPLAINT ON THIS VEHICLE. *AK FORD REPLACED VEHCLE. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH OWNER WAS IN DIRECT FRONTAL CRASH, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVERS OR PASSENGERS AIRBAGS. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT DEALERS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK

SEAT BELT WHEN WORN CUTS ACROSS DRIVER'S NECK AND RUBS SIDEWAYS. *AK

6 TIRE FAILURES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS ON AN AVERAGE OF EVERY 5000 MILES ON THE FAILED TIRES, UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P225/70R15 )

VEHICLE HAD A TIRE BURST WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *LA THE CONSUMER WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR AWHILE AND WAS ON LIFE SUPPORT FOR A SEVERAL DAYS. SHE DIDN'T RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR MEDICAL BILLS, EXTENDED THERAPY NOR FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF A TIRE. *PH

AIR CONDITIONING SWITCH ASSEMBLY FAILED.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY BRAKES AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, NOT ALLOWING CONSUMER TO SLOW DOWN. CONSUMER TRIED TO AVOID AN AUTOMOBILE IN FRONT OF HIM , RAN UP ON THE CURB AND HIT REAR END OF AUTOMOBILE IN FRONT OF HIM. *AK

DRIVING 68MPH ON HIGHWAY WHEN VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING EXCESSIVELY. SLOWED DOWN FOR 1ST EXIT & VIBRATIONS DECREASED; BUT STARTED UP AGAIN. TOOK TO MECHANIC AT GAS STATION TO CHECK OUT & INFORMED WAS DRIVESHAFT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST DEALER. *AK *JB

THE BUMPER HOLE IS TOO LARGE TO ACCOMMODATE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATION ON SHANK DIAMETER. *AK

GAS PEDAL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE, CAUSING MISAPPLICATION OF THE PEDAL WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH SUDDENLY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE CUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE DEALER SAID THAT THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK

ENGINE STALLS

I AM SENDING THIS FORM AS I HAVE HAD 2 WILDERNESS TIRES PEEL APART WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. I FEEL THESE TIRES ARE VERY UNSAFE, BUT, THE COST OF TIRES PROHIBIT ME FROM REPLACING. BOTH TIMES THE TIRES RIPPED APART WHILE MY BABY GIRL WAS IN THE CAR AND WE WERE LUCKY THAT OUR SWERVING DID NOT CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. I HAVE NO DOUBT THESE TIRES ARE UNSAFE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED BY FORD AND FIRESTONE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

SEAT BELTS: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH ,VEHICLE AHEAD OF US SLOWED DOWN TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP I HIT BRAKES AND MY NEPHEW CAME FORWARD INTO THE BACK OF THE FRONT SEAT. THERE IS NO CLIP TO LOCK THE BELT INTO.

DRIVING 35 MPH ON GRAVEL ROAD, TURNING CORNER WHEN VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER TWICE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WEARING SEAT BELT. VEHICLE THEN FLIPPED BACK ONTO 4 WHEELS. VEHICLE TOWED TO RENTAL AGENCY DUE TO BEING TOTALED. DRIVER HAS BROKEN RIBS. *AK

PE00-020; WILDERNESS AT 1000 MILES, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WITH FORD, EXPLORER 1997, P235/75R15, AND DOT W2HL. WHILE DRIVING AT 60-70 MPH SUDDENLY REAR RIGHT TIRE BLEWOUT ,SOME OF THE OUTER TREAD CAME OFF. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND PULL OVER. CONSUMER TOOK TIRE TO FIRESTONE/ MERCHANT DEALER, BUT DEALER DID NOT REPLACE TIRE OR ASSIST. CONSUMER WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL OCCURRENCE. *AK DOT VD ARE BEING RECALLED AND THE CUSTOMER'S BLOWN OUT TIRES HAS DOT CODE W2HL. *YH

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL KEEPS STICKING AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE DRIVER IS TRYING TO STOP IT. WHEN ITS IN PARK THE ENGINE KEEPS REVVING. *AK

SQUEAKING NOISES FROM VEHICLE.

WHEN CHANGING GEAR INTO REVERSE DEFECT IN TRANSMISSION WILL CAUSE A TEN SECONDS DELAY, VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE BEFORE IT WILL ACTUALLY ENGAGE THE REVERSE GEAR. DEALER HAS REBUILT TRANSMISSION, NOW SAYING THIS IS NORMAL WITH VEHICLE. *AK

ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS IN THE CLOSED POSITION.

REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED. YH

TWO-TONE HORN FAILURE.

WHENEVER ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PRESSED DOWN, IT WOULD STICK. WOULD HAVE TO PRESS HARD FOR IT TO CATCH. TOOK TO DEALER & MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE PROBLEM. ITS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. BEEN TO DEALER AT LEAST 4 TIMES. *AK

ONGONING PROBLEM WITH FUEL SYSTEM VAPOR LEAKAGE. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT DEALER SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS. VEHICLE HAVE BEEN INSPECTED / REPAIRED, BUT VAPOR LEAKEGES STILL EXIST. NEEDS HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK