1997 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

VEHICLE LEANS TO THE LEFT, VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, ADJUSTMENT TO TORSION BAR MADE, DID NOT APPEAR TO CORRECT PROBLEM, VEHICLE TAKEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP, OWNER WAS TOLD BAR OR UNDERLYING SPRINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED. CJ

THE CONSUMER SUBMITTED A CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF FAULTY FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES, THE TIRES WERE CLEAR THE RECALLED TIRE BEARING VDHL IN THE DOT SERIAL NUMBER, THE MANUFACTURER DENIED REIMBURSEMTN STATING THE THE TIRES WERE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 00T-005. NLM

THE CONSUMERS FIRESTONE WILDERNESS ATM TIRES WERE DETERMINED TO BE DEFECTIVE BY THE DEALER, THE DEALER HAD NO TIRES AVAILABLE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ONES SO THE CONSUMER PURCHASED TIRES FROM ANOTHER TIRE CENTER, THE CONSUMER RETURNED THE DEFECTIVE TIRES TO FIRESTONE THEN WAS TOLD THAT HIS TIRES WERE NOT A MATCHED SET AND THAT ONLY TWO WERE ELEGIBLE TO BE RETURNED, THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR FAULTY TIRES. NLM

SEE ATTACHMENT LETTER (NO ATTACHMENT LETTER) DEFECTIVE TIRE

TWO FIRESTONE TIRES HAD BELT SEPARATION, THE CONSUMER HAD ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED, ONE OF THE REPLACEMENT TIRES EXPERIENCED BELT SEPARATION, THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT THE CLAIM WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED PRIOR TO AUGUST 9, 2000 ON A NON PRO-RATED BASIS (FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT). NLM

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND LOST ALL POWER, THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIMING CHAIN, 2 DAYS AFTER THIS REPAIR THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN AGAIN, THIS TIME IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. NLM

AFTER ANY STOP VEHICLE IDLES HIGH, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE STOPPING AT A LIGHT CONSUMER HAD TO PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL DUE TO ENGINE IDLING HIGH.*AK CONSUMER STATES THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW, THE ENGINE IDLES AT 1400 RPM, DEALER CAN NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *SLC

FROM ALL DOCUMENTATION THE CONSUMER RECEIVED FROM FIRESTONE AND THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE TIRES BY THE FORD DEALER THE CONSUMER WAS ASSURED THAT THE TIRES WERE INCLUDED IN RECALL 00T-005, AFTER SUBMITTING ALL REIMBURSEMENT FORMS THE CONSUMER WAS SENT A LETTER STATING THAT THE TYPE OF TIRE INDICATED ON THE REFUND REQUEST FOR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL (FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT). NLM

ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL DUE TO OVERHEATING. CAUSE UNKNOWN, DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHY VEHICLE OVERHEATED. COMPLETE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK

ALTHOUGH NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM, I BELIEVE MY RUSTING RUNNING BOARDS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP ME. 1998 MODELS AND NEWER MODELS HAVE PLASTIC RUNNING BOARDS SO OBVIOUSLY FORD REALIZED THEY CREATED A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND CHANGED IT.*AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION (00V422000), CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER WHICH WAS A SALVAGE TITLE AND MANUFACTURER IS REFUSING TO HONOR RECALL AS WELL AS INSTALL TETHER KIT FREE OF CHARGE AS THEY PREVIOUSLY STATED. *JB

3 OF THE 4 BRAKE SHOE LININGS CAME OFF OF THEIR METAL SUPPORTS WHEN I HAD THEM INSPECTED. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE EXPLORERS. THE FORD GARAGE SAID THAT MY SUV WAS OUT OF MFG WARRANTY. THEY WERE NOT REPONSIBLE. THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.*AK

FAILURE OF METAL AT THE LOCATION WHERE THE HINGE ATTACHES TO THE DOOR. HAD DOOR CHECKED IN MARCH OF 2000 BECAUSE DOOR WASN'T WORKING PROPERLY. THEY FOUND NOTHING AND NO VISUAL SIGNS.CONTINUAL AND NORMAL USE OF THE DOOR HAS CAUSED THIS OBVIOUS WEAKNESS OR DEFECT IN THE METAL TO RUPTURE AND MAKE THE DOOR INOPERABLE.*AK

TRUCK WILL NOT START. SOMETIMES DRIVER HAS TO POP THE CLUTCH. SOMETIMES THE TRUCK HAS TO BE PUSH BEFORE IT WILL START.

PASSENGER'S REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE EVEN WITHOUT CHILD PROOF LOCK ON.*AK

CONSUMER WAS STARTING TO ACCELERATE ALMOST REACHING SPEED OF 25-30MPH WHEN ENGINE SHUT OFF DUE TO CRANKSHAFT THAT FELL OFF. NO PRIOR WARNING . DEALER HAS TO REPLACE MOTOR, BUT CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE. *AK

CONSUMER STATES AFTER VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, THE LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK, LIGHTS WOULD GO ON AND STAY ON, AND THE ALARM WOULD GO OFF AT ALL HOURS, POSSIBLY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *SLC

FORD IS AWARE OF A RECURRING PROBLEM, THE PARTICULAR PROBLEM BEING A WORN OR BROKEN CAM CHAIN GUIDE WHICH CREATES A NOISY SYMPTOM WHICH MY VEHICLE HAS, THEN FORD SHOULD BE WILLING, IF NOT LIABLE, TO FIX IT.

I PURSHASED A FORD EXPLORER SPORT 4X4 WITH 16 INCH TIRES AND I WENT TO REPLACE MY TIRES BECAUSE OF THE RECALL ON THE FIRESTONE TIRES AND I FOUND OUT THAT THE SPARE TIRE IS ONLY A 15 INCH SO I CALLED THE DEALER AND CUSTOMER SERVICE TO ASK THEM WHY I RECIEVED A 15 INCH TIRE AS A SPARE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS O.K. TO USE A 15 INCH TIRE UNTIL I COULD HAVE MY OTHER TIRE FIXED IN CASE OF A FLAT.I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS WRONG AN A SAFETY ISSUE BUT THEY ASSURED ME THAT IT WOULD BE O.K. SO I WAS TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THAT WAS TRUE IF YOU COULD PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THAT IS SAFE OR NOT YOU CAN E-MAIL ME AT JENET97@AOL.COM. THANK YOU. *AK

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO TRI-LAKE FORD TO HAVE RECALL 00V402000 REPAIRS PERFORMED. BUT, DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM REPAIRS BECAUSE CONSUMER DID NOT BUY VEHICLE FROM THAT DEALER. *AK

CONSUMER STATES THE ROUTING OF THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE ON THIS PARTICULAR MODEL OF EXPLORER'S IS NO MORE THAN 1/16 OF AN INCH FROM THE TIRE AND IN SOME CASES THE CABLE RUBS AGAINST THE TIRE AND CAUSES A BLOWOUT. *SLC CONSUMER FEELS THIS PROBLEM DEVELOPS WHEN THE LEFT BRAKE CABLE IS INSTALLED, THE CABLE HAS TO LOOP OVER VERY CLOSE TO THE TIRE, IF THE CABLE SAGS A LITTLE, IT WILL TOUCH THE TIRE, WHEN IT TOUCHES THE TIRE, THE DOWNWARD NOTATION AT THE POINT OF CONTACT IT WILL PULL THE CABLE FURTHER DOWNWARD INCREASING THE CONTACT, CONSUMER ALSO STATES TIRE PRESSURE OF 26 PSI OR LESS WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROBLEM. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO, OPENED HOOD TO CHECK, AND FOUND A HOLE IN ENGINE BLOCK, SIZE OF A SILVER DOLLAR. CONSUMER HAD GOTTEN NOTICES FOR CAMSHAFT GUIDE AND RETENTIONER, BUT WAS NOT HONORED BECAUSE VEHICLE HAD GONE OVER THE MILEAGE. CONTACTED DEALER, COULD FIND NOTHING, BUT DID SEE METAL SHAVINGS.*AK

DOOR HANDLES ON FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM INSIDE OF VEHICLE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

ACCELERATOR THROTTLE WOULD STICK WHEN PEDAL IS PRESSED. PROBLEM ONLY HAPPENS WHEN AT A STOP LIGHT OR SIGN, AND THEN LEAVING. HAVE BEEN TO DEALER , AND MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THROTTLE CABLE WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

WHEN TURNING THERE WOULD BE MOANING NOISES. NO EFFECT ON STEERING ABILITY. TOOK VEHICLE TO FIRST DEALER, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE. AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS INFORMED INNER TIE ROD WAS CAUSING MOANING NOISES.*AK

THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND THE CONSUMER NOTICED A MAJOR SHIMMY WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE RESULTING IN FRONT TIRES MAKING NOISE. THE CAUSE WAS DISCOVERED TO BE A MISSING PART CALLED A CAMBER KIT. THE CONSUMER WANTS A REFUND FROM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE FOR FIXING THIS PROBLEM. *YH

WHILE TRAVELING AND WHEN DEPRESSING GAS PEDAL IT WAS STUCK ,CAUSING VEHICLE NOT TO GAIN ANY SPEED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

CONSUMER REPLACED ALL THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES, DUE TO CRACKS AROUND THE TREAD IN DEC 2000, HOWEVER IN MAY 2001 THE ORIGINAL TIRES WERE RECALLED AND CONSUMER IS NOW SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT, BUT IS GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM THE DEALER.*JB

WHEN A MICHELIN DEALER RECENTLY REPLACED THE FOUR 16 INCH 255 FIRESTONE TIRES, HE COMMENTED THAT THE SPARE IS A FIRESTONE 15 INCH 225 TIRE. IS IT SAFE TO MIX THES SIZES? THE 16 INCH TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIUPMENT ON THE CAR -- NOT PURCHASED AS AN OPTION. FORD HAS NOT RESPONDED TO MY INQUIRY. *AK

WELL, THE FIRST THING THAT STOPPED WORKING WAS THE THERMOSTAT, THEN THE WINDOW REGULATOR AND SEAT BEALT, I WENT TO THE DEALER AND JUST TO SEE THE PROBLEM I WAS CHARGED 160USD . I THINK IT'S UNFAIR BUT THEY SAID I HAD TO PAY AND NOTHING WAS DONE TO THE CAR. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AT SEARS BECAUSE I WAS SCARED AND SIMPLY REPLACED THEM 4 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. I CALLED THE DEALER AND FIRESTONE RECALL BUT THEY ARE NOW ASKING FOR A DOT CODE IN WHICH SEARS DID NOT GIVE ME. NOW I AM ONLY ASKING TO PLEASE TRY TO REFUND SOMETHING. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY GIVE TOO MANY PROBLEMS AND THE DEALER GETS AWAY WITH PROBLEMS IN WHICH THEY NEED TO FIX BECAUSE THEY ARE FACTORY PROBLEMS. *AK (TIRESIZE: 15INCHES)

AFTER THE CAR WAS BROKEN ON HIGHWAY 20 WEST, :MAKING A LOT OF NOISE [ SOUND LIKE THE FLAT , BUT LUCKY, THE TIRES ARE GOOD ] . THE CAR LOST CONTROL AND STOP NEAR THE EXIT , ABOUT 1 MILE TO THE " MILLBURY FORD DEALER ". , L LOOKED DOWN UNDER THE CAR : SEEING THE AXLE WHICH CONNECTED TO THE REAR DIFFDERENTIAL ASSEMBLY BY THE "U JOIN " WAS BROKEN , IT PULL APART , AND DROP ON THE GROUND . THEN CALL A TOW-TRUCK , AND A POLICEMAN STOPPED BY FOR GUIDING THE TRAFFIC TO AVOID ,PREVENT ACCIDENT ..ETC.. FOR SAFETY .*AK

WHILE TRAVELING AND WHEN DEPRESSING HORN IT DID NOT SOUND OFF . DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, CAUSE UNKNOWN. ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE DASH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, AND VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.*AK

VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A "GRINDING" NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING AND STOPPING. A DEALERSHIP AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT NOISE WAS COMING FROM TRANSFER CASE, V8 ENGINE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ALL-WHEEL DRIVE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION. *AK

VEHICLE NEVER TAKEN OFF ROAD/DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHY ALL FRONT END PARTS FAILED/DEALER STATES IT NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH 1997 VEHICLE/ OTHER EXPOLOER OWNERS I HAVE TALKED WITH HAVE SIMILAR FRONT END PROBLEMS / I FEEL THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH DESIGN OR PARTS USED IN FRONT END AND ABS SYSTEM

CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING REVVING AND STALLING. CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO BE CORRECTED. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ABLE TO BE FIXED TEMPORARILY TO REDUCE THE SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM, EVEN IN CONSULTATION WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY ENGINEERS. CONSUMER HAS CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE SEVERAL UNEXPECTED SURGES IN THE ENGINE REVS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS. *SCC

UPON PURCHASE OF VEHICLE, THERE WERE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES (NO OTHER SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION MENTIONED) THAT WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON VEHICLE, CONSUMER REPLACED WITH 4 NEW TIRES, HOWEVER, AFTER REPLACEMENT, FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES WERE RECALLED, CONUMER SUBMITTED REFUND FORM, BUT WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT. *TT

ALLDATA.COM AND OTHER SITES SHOW A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE YEAR/MODEL FOR THE FRONT SWAY BAR. HOWEVER, UPON NUMEROUS REQUESTS TO THE SERVICE DEPT. AT SAID DEALER, THEY SAY IT DOESN'T AFFECT OUR PARTICULAR VEHICLE. BUT, OUR VEHICLE'S SWAY BAR HAS BEEN MAKING A POPPING/SQUEEKING NOISE ALMOST SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. WE WANT FORD TO COVER THE REPLACEMENT, BEFORE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OCCURS. *AK

DRIVERS DOOR LOCK NOT WORKING PROPERLY, GASKET CYLINDER FRONT COVER, TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, RT BANK EXHAUST MANIFOLD; THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN CORRECTED, BUT NEW ONES MOUNT EVERY WEEK. NOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING, BEING CHECKED TOMORROW. *AK

THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE REGARDING FAULTY FIRESTONE TIRES BUT BY RESEARCHING FOUND OUT THAT THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE SUBJECT TO THE RECALL, ONE TIRE WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER BECAUSE IT LOOKED SUSPICIOUS, THE CONSUMER HAD THE TIRES REPLACED AT AN OUTSIDE TIRE DEALER, WHEN THE CLAIM WAS SUBMITTED FOR REIMBURSEMENT IT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AND INSTALLED ONE DAY AFTER THE NON, 15TH DEADLINE (FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES). NLM

CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSFER CASE IN THE FRONT AND REAR FELL OUT, DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM COMPLETELY, THE VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY SOLD.*JG

WHILE IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. THE CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE FAILURE WAS THE CRANKSHAFT. THE CRANKSHAFT HAD A CRACK HALF WAY THROUGH WHICH HAS BEEN THERE FOR A WHILE DUE TO WEATHERING ON THE AREA. *JG

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

MECHANISM WHICH HOLDS SPARE TIRE HAD TO BE CUT BEFORE CONSUMER COULD USE TIRE. ALSO ,WRONG JACK WAS WITH THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, AND IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. *AK

LAST DAY OF RECALL..... ACCORDING TO NEWSPAPER..... UNABLE TO FIND DEALER WHO CAN REPLACE. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK (TIRESIZE: P23575R15)

SEAT BELT LOCKED UP ON PASSENGER'S SIDE,HAD TO CUT BELT TO REMOVE INFANT. CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING.*AIK

FRONT SWAY BAR BROKE, COULD PUNCTURE TIRE. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION*AK

CRANCKSHAF/PULLEY DISCONNECTED FROM ENGINE. *AK

TRANSFER CASE BEARING BROKE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING EXCESSIVE SHIMMERING AND SHAKING, DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY. AFTER REPAIRS, MAIN DRIVESHAFT BEARING FAILED WITH SAME RESULT.*AK