1997 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

TRANSFER CASE HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPON INVESTIGATION THERE WAS A SAFETY NOTICE FROM FORD, BUT NO RECALL. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID IT WAS THE THIRD EXPLORER THEY HAD FIXED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IN A WEEK.*AK

HEATER IN VEHICLE BECAME INOPERATIVE DURING A SLEET AND ICE STORM. HEATER BLEND DOOR FAILED CAUSING ONLY COLD AIR TO BLOW OUT OF HEATER AND DEFROSTER, WINDSHIELD AND WINDOWS FOGGED UP AND I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD. HEATER BOX AND BLEND DOOR REPLACED THAT COST ME $700.00. 8NM

THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SWAY BAR FRACTURED. RECALL 00V402000 WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK.....SWAY BAR BROKE IN JULY 2004. CAR FELT LIKE BOAT WHEN DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN JANUARY 2005. *AK

VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH. THIS ALMOST CAUSED VEHICLE TO RUN DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE SWAY BAR LINKS WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. HE STATED THAT IN 2004 WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED HE NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE AT 50,000 MILES. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKE LINE SYSTEM FOR $880.00. IN DECEMBER OF 2009, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE FAILING OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED. THE REAR BRAKE LINE WAS REPLACED FOR $135 00. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT, BUT NO ASSISTANCE OR CALL BACK WAS OFFERED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. UPDATED 2/17/10 *CN

THE HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNAL FAILSEDTO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER STATED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED VEHICLE ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK

FEW MONTHS AGO I HAVE PURCHASED A SET OF BOSCH SPARK PLUGS (PLATINUM 2 PART # 4305). ABOUT 3 WEEKS AFTER I INSTALLED THEM WILE DRIVEN ON THE EXPRESSWAY ONE OF THEM EXPLODED RUINING THE WIRE AND CAUSING TO FLIP FLOP ALL OVER SPARKING LUCKY I STOP RIGHT AWAY. THE CERAMIC PORTION OF THE SPARK HAS COME OUT OF IT CLEAN CAN NOT EVEN FIND A TRACE OF CERAMIC ON THE PLUG BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE ELECTRODE OR PORTION OF IT FELL IN TO THE CYLINDER ,CAUSING AN IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE, I HAVE REPORTED THE DAMAGE AND DETAILS TO THE MANUFACTURER AND EVEN SEND THEM THE PLUG FOR INSPECTION AND EXPLAIN EVERY THING, BUT THEY HAVE RETURN THE PLUG AND A LETTER SATING THAT THE REASON THE PLUG EXPLODED WAS BECAUSE IMPROPER TORQUE. I HAVE BEEN INSTALLING THE PLUGS ON MY VEHICLES FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS AND PEOPLE I TALKED TO SAID THE PLUG SHOULD NOT EXPLODE FOR THAT REASON. I THAT IS THE CASE I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ON THIS PARTICULAR PLUGS AND THERE IS NOTHING ON THE PACKAGE INDICATING TO THE CONSUMER OF THIS DANGER. *AK

ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND BRACKET FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. GAS CABLE WAS PULLED TO IDLE CAR OFF ROAD. THE PEDAL WAS BOLTED BACK ON BY AUTO BODY SHOP BUT IS NOT GUARANTEED TO HOLD. *JB

I HAVE TWO 1997 FORD EXPLORERS (AN XLT AND AN EDDIE BAUER) BOTH VEHICLES HAVE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH DOOR LATCHES AND POWER LOCKS. OCCUPANTS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DUE TO INOPERABLE HANDLES AND/OR LOCKS. I BELIEVE SOMEONE COULD BECOME TRAPPED IN ONE OF THESE VEHICLES IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.*AK

WHEN I LIFTED OFF OFF THE GAS PEDAL TO BRAKE FOR STOPPED TRAFFIC, THE GAS PEDAL SEEMED TO STICK AND REV THE ENGINE AS I WAS TRYING TO STOP. I HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO STOP, BUT BECAUSE OF THE SPEED OF THE ENGINE IT TOOK LONGER TO SLOW DOWN, AND I HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO ME AND AT LEAST ONCE WITH MY WIFE OVER A 3 YEAR PERIOD. THE OCT 15TH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *JB

I BOUGHT THE EXPLORER LAST APRIL AND THE A/C WORKED FINE, BUT WHEN WINTER GOT HERE THE HEATER WOULD NOT BLOW WARM AIR. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE THERMOSTATE AND LOOKED AT OTHER THINGS, BUT COULD NOT FIX IT. I THEN TOOK IT TO A SECOND MECHANIC WHO LOOKED AT IT AND TOLD ME THAT HE HAD JUST FIXED THE SAME PROBLEM ON ANOTHER 97 FORD EXPLORER--AND IT WAS THE BLEND DOOR. THAT THE DOOR WAS A FACTOR DEFECT AND WOULD COST ABOUT $650.00 TO REPLACE IT. I DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO HAVE IT REPLACED, AND IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN IT IS STUCK ON A/C AIR AND YOU CAN NOT DEFROST YOUR WINDSHILD WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING. IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND RESTRICTS VISION OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD WHEN FOGGED OR ICED WHICH COULD CAUSE ME TO HAVE A BAD WRECK.

WHILE DRIVING BRAKE FAILED COMPLETELY. *BF THERE WAS NO WARNING. *SC *JB

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILS TO LOCK WHEN CLIP IS INSERTED OR SOMETIMES APPEARS TO LOCK BUT COMES UNLOCK IF OCCUPANT TAKES A BREATH. *NM

SPARE TIRE IS STORED UNDERNEATH REAR OF CAR SECURED BY A WINCH AND CABLE WHICH RUSTED AND BROKE, DROPPING SPARE TIRE TO GROUND, CREATING A HIGH SPEED HAZARD FOR TRAFFIC FOLLOWING ME.*AK

CONSUMER STATED FRONT STABILIZER BAR BROKE. AS A RESULT, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE SWERVED TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND ALMOST ROLLED OVER WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL OFF THE GROUND.*AK

WHILE SHIFTING GEARS VEHICLE JERKED AND VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 40 MPH BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE WHEN DEPRESSED. VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES, CUTS, AND WHIP LASH. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY AWAITING A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE TO INVESTIGATE THE BRAKE FAILURE. *AK

DT: 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONSUMER STATES THE FOUR WHEEL/ TWO WHEEL LIGHTS ARE FLASHING ON AND OFF. THIS WILL HAPPEN UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGES INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. THE ONLY WAY ONE CAN TELL THIS HAS HAPPENED IS FROM THE POPPING AND CRACKING NOISES COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CUMBERLAND FALLS FORD TWICE. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE SWITCH. THE TRANSFER SWITCH WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SLOWS DOWN WHEN IT GOES INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE.*AK

I HAVE HAD MY1997 FORD EXPLORER FOR TWO YEARS, THE SAME PROBLEM KEEPS RECURRING. IT BECOMES SULIGISH ON THE ON SET, THAN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. 12 TIMES NOW I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS, 3 TIMES I HAVE DONE FUEL ENJECTION CLEANS, 2 TIMES I HAVE CHANGED THE O2 SENSOR. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER OWNERS THAT SPEAK OF THE SAME PROBLEMS.*AK

SWAY BAR LINK FAILURE.*AK

I PURCHASED A 1 OWNER,USED 1997 FORD EXPLORER IN APRIL 2004.IT HAS 105.000.3 MONTHES LATER,THE TRANSFER CASE WENT.WHEN MY MECHANIC HAD IT ON THE LIFT,HE SAW THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD ALREADY BEEN REBUILT.NOW 6 MONTHES LATER,THE TRANSFER CASE,WHICH CAME OFF OF A 1997 EXPLORER WITH 60,000 MILES ON IT,IS GOING BAD.I HAVEN'T EVEN PUT 10,000 MILES ON IT SINCE HAVING IT REPLACED IN AUGUST.I SPOKE TO OTHER FORD EXPLORER OWNERS,AND THEY TOO HAVE HAD TO REPAIR,OR REPLACE THE TRANSMISSIONS AND OR TRANSFER CASES MULTIPLE TIMES IN THEIRS.IT IS GETTING EXTREMELY COSTLY TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED.AS WELL AS THE INCONVENIENCE OF HAVING TO FIND A RIDE WHILE ITS IN FOR SERVICE.IS THIS A FAMILIAR COMPLAINT? I WAS NOT TOLD BY THE DEALER OF ANY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS,OR THE FACT THAT THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION WAS PREVIOUSLY FIXED.IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO?PLEASE HELP.*AK

1997 EXPLORER 4.0 SOHC PURCHASED IN 1999.MADE KNOCKING NOISE WENT TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD MY MOTOR WAS PULLED AND TENSIONER (PULLEY, CAM TENSIONER) WAS REPLACED.AFTER RECIEVING NOTIFICATION FROM FORD OF "IN WARRANTY" SERVICE BULLETIN,DIFFERENT DEALER SAID IT HADNT BEEN REPLACE OR DOCUMENTED BY PREVIOUS SERVICE.SO,IT WAS SUPPOSEDLEY REPLACED AGAIN (2 TIME).STILL MAKING THE NOISE AFTER SO LONG, AND TOLD SEVERAL TIMES "WE CANT FIND ANYTHING WRONG" KEPT DRIVING.NOW, I AM IN DEALERSHIP FOR ABOUT 10TH TIME AND MY TESNIONERS,POSSIBLY MY TIMING CHAIN,AND POSSIBLE OTHER COMPONENTS (HOPEFULLY NOT MOTOR)NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN(3TIME,MORE DAMAGE)??!!THIS TIME THERES NO WARRANTY OR REASON WHY I SHOULDENT "HAVE TO PAY" SO IT IS COSTING ME $1600 SO FAR...POSSIBLY MORE IF THERE WAS MORE DAMAGE.THIS MUST BE DOCUMENTED BECAUSE I HAVE TRIED IN GOOD FAITH AND NUMEROUS,TIRING EFFORTS TO REPAIR THIS FROM DAY ONE!DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO REPLACE MOTOR IN NEAR FUTURE LIKE OTHERS.*AK

THE VEHICLE STABILIZER BOLT SNAPPED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION THE VEHICLE ROLLS. A RECALL(00V-402000) WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER IS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE. *LA *SC

SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS AUTO, IT SEEMS TO BE FALLING APART. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT NO LONGER LATCHES. WE HAVE TO LOOP THE DRIVER SIDE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT APPEARS THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH SEVERAL OF THESE MODELS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND SEAT BELTS ARE MANDATORY BY LAW. IS THERE ANYTHING BEING DONE? THE LEFT TURN INDICATOR HAS HAD ELECTRICAL ISSUES FOR YEARS. IT MAKES A ZZZZ SOUND AND NO LONGER WORKS. I AM ALSO DOWN TO ONLY ONE DOOR THAT THE KEY WORKS ON. THAT IS THE BACK LIFT. THE DOOR KEY HAD NOT WORKED ON THE DRIVER SIDE FOR YEARS, THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE WENT. I HAVE THE SAME HEAT PROBLEM THE OTHERS ARE HAVING. YOU EITHER GET FULL ON HEAT AND HAVE TO TURN IT ON AND OFF WHEN IT GETS TOO HOT OR YOU GET PARTIAL AC, ALWAYS A LITTLE WARM. BOTH THE AC AND HEAT HAS BEEN SERVICED, THE PROBLEM IS IN THE SWITCH SOMEWHERE. AND NOW THE REASON I'M WRITING IS I HAVE MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. FUSES AND SOLINOIDS HAVE BEEN LOOKED AT, THERE ARE NO LONGER LIGHTS IN THE DASH AREA. THE LIGHTS ON ALARM (DING DING DING DING) REMAINS ON WHEN THE CAR IS OFF, THE KEYS OUT AND THE DOOR SHUT WHICH HAS DRAINED MY BATTERY COMPLETLY. I HAVE JUMPED STARTED IT TWICE AND NOW IT SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE IT WILL COST A FORTUNE TO HAVE THE ELECTRICAL LOOKED AT. IF THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH ANYONE ELSE IT SHOULD BE REPORTED TO FORD. NOT ONLY CAN I NO LONGER DRIVE THIS CAR, IT WOULD BE TOTALLY UNSAFE TO USE IT. I NEED 4WHEEL DRIVE JUST TO GET OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY IN WINTER AND HAVE NO IDEA HOW I'M GOING TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY FOR ALL THESE REPAIRS. PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS THAT ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. THE INCIDENT DATE I LISTED BELOW IS FOR THE TIME THE SEATBELT STARTED TO FAIL COMPLETLY. WE WERE ON A VACATION TRIP!

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE JERKED AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT APPEAREED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT. VEHICLE ENDED UP IN A GULLY FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. CONSUMER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE TREAD PEELED COMPLETELY OFF OF THE RIGHT REAR TIRE.*AK

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED TO LOCK. THE LATCH PLATE DID NOT LOCK IN THE BUCKLE. THIS RENDERED THE SEAT BELT INOPERATIVE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE STARTED SWAYING UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO A DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SWAY BAR SHEARED OFF WHILE DRIVING, AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK

I HAD PURCHASED A 1997 FORD EXPLORER XLT FROM MK AUTO IN AUBURN, CA AND THE CAR FAX I RECIEVED SAID THERE HAD BEEN NO RECALLS AND NO ACCIDENTS ON THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER FROM MK AUTO ASSURED ME MANY TIMES THAT THE FEHICLE WAS IN GOOD RUNNING CONDITION. THE DAY AFTER I BAUGHT THE VEHICLE IT BROKE DOWN IN ME. MK AUTO TOOK IT BACK 3 TIMES IN HOPES THEY COULD FIX IT, BUT NEVER DID. 10 MONTHS LATER THE CAM CHAIN GUID BROKE IN THE ENGINE. MY HUSBAND AND I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THERE HAD BEEN 13 RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE I NEVER KNEW ABOUT. THIS CAR IN VERY UNSAFE FOR MY FAMILY AND I AM OUTRAGED I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED! I HAVE NOW TRIED TO BUY ANOTHER CAR, BUT THE FORD EXPLORER IS WORHT SO LITTLE AND NOW I HAVE SO MUCH NEGATIVE EQUATY ITS HARD.......I FINALLY FOUND A CAR, BUT AM PAYING DEARLY FOR IT BECAUSE OF THE EXPLORER WHICH HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE CAR LOT OF A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR OVER A MONTH!*AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO HAVE TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE EXTERIOR OR INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC TO HAVE THE DOORS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD THE DOORS REPAIRED THREE TIMES FOR THE RECURRING FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,100. *JS

WHILE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, ACCELERATOR PEDAL BROKE AWAY FROM THE FIREWALL. WAS ABLE TO ROLL OVER TO SHOULDER. I WAS ABLE TO REACH UNDER THE DASH AND PULLED ON THE PEDAL TO DRIVE. APPARENTLY THE WELDS (3) FAILED (TORE OUT). I REPAIRED IT BY DRILLING OUT HOLES AND SCREWING THE BRACKET BACK TO THE FIREWALL. *AK

1997 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED. WHILE DRIVING GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY BROKE OFF FROM FIREWALL. UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. HAD TO REACH UNDER DASH TO GRASP THROTTLE LINKAGE TO GET OFF ROAD. (THANKFUL MY WIFE WASN'T DRIVING AT THE TIME). *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE WHEN ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH REPLACEMENT, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HAD MELTED IN THE INTERIOR DASH PANEL AREA. NO FIRE WAS SEEN. AFTER NEW WIRING WAS INSTALLED, THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V388000, REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 9/22/2006 - *NM

DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK. REAR WINDOW WOULD BE ROLLED DOWN SO THAT DRIVER CAN ENTER AND EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL. *AK

FORD EXPLORER 1997 XLT 4 DOOR 4.0L Y AIR BLEND DOOR IS NO LONGER WORKING SUCH THAT THE HEATING SYSTEM IS PERMANENTLY ON HOT AND WITH A 9 MONTH BABY THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT WE CANNOT COOL THE CAR TO THE COMFORTABLE TEMPERATURE DURING SUMMER. I FOUND ON THE INTERNET THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHICH FORD HAS FIXED IN LATER MODELS WITH REVISED SYSTEM PART #F87Z-18471-DA. *AK

WHILE HAVING THE TIRES ROTATED DEALERSHIP NOTICED THAT THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WORE OUT PREMATURELY, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *LA

WITHOUT ANY WARNING, LOST ALL POWER, ENGINE TOTALLY SHUT OFF AT 45 MPH. HAD TOWED AND WAS TOLD CRANKSHAFT BROKE. FORD KNOWS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE CRANKSHAFT AND HAS ACTUALLY REPLACED SOME BUT AS MORE ARE BREAKING, REFUSES TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM. HAD THIS HAPPENED THE PREVIOUS WEEKEND WHILE TRAVELING RT. 95 THIS COULD HAVE HAD SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. PLEASE LOOK INTO THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 1997/1998 FORD EXPLORER CRANKSHAFT PROBLEMS. *JB

THE REAR LIFT GATE DOOR IS TEARING AWAY FROM THE WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE LIFT GATE DOOR HINGE ON THE LEFT SIDE (DIRVERS SIDE). THE DOOR HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM TO CLOSE AND WAS AJAR FROM WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT WOULD COME ON ALL THE TIME, AND OF COUSE THE NUMBEROUS TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY COULD NEVER "DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM". NOW IT IS BEYOND THE POINT OF AJUSTMENT. THE WHOLE LIFTGATE HAS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIAMETLY $1,200. IT IS A SAFETY HAZZARD AS I HAVE TO PULL OUT THE FUSETO GET THE LIGHTS TO GO OUT, IN ORDER TO DRIVE IT AT NIGHT. THE LIGHTS WON'T GO OFF WHEN THE DOOR IS AJAR. WHEN IT RAINS I HAVE TO STOP TO PUT THE FUSE BACK IN AND DRIVE WITHT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ON, WHICH IS VERY HARD TO SEE. ALSO FUMES COME IN FROM THE EXHAUST SO I CAN'T GO FOR LONG TRIPS N IT. IF I DIDN'T LIKE THE CAR SO MUCH I WOULD TRADE IT IN, BUT I REALLY LOVE MY EXPLORER EXCEPT FOR THIS DEFECT IN CONSTRUCTION. (IT HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT.) I AM TAKING IT IN TO BE FIXED NEXT WEEK.*AK

OPERATOR WAS EXITING PARKING LOT ONTO MAIN ROAD WHEN VEHICLE PICKED UP SPEED, OPERATOR TRIED TO STOP VEHICLE, BY BREAKING, BUT VEHICLE ACCELERATED FASTER, CAUSING OPERATOR TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE , VEHICLE STILL ACCELERATING TURNED BACK TOWARDS OTHER END OF PARKING LOT CRASHING INTO LARGE METAL SIGN POST. OPERATOR HAD TO BE TAKEN TO NEARBY HOSPITAL, AND THEM EVACUATED TO MASS GENERAL HOSPITAL, FOR EMERGENCY HEAD OPERATION AS A RESULT OF INJURY TO HEAD. (SUBDURAL HEMOTOMA). *TR

PATHFINDER LUXURY SUV P235/75R15 105S TIRES PURCHASED IN 6/03. THREE OF FOUR TIRES HAVE FAILED. THE FIRST FAILED IN 8/03 WHILE DRIVING 70MPH. THE SECOND WAS FOUND DEFECTIVE DURING TIRE ROTATION IN 12/03. THE THIRD FAILED ON 3/12/04 WHILE DRIVING 70MPH. NO APPARENT ROAD HAZARD. OUTER SIDEWALL WAS COMPLETELY SPLIT BELOW THE TIRE SHOULDER. *AK

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO RECLINE/ADJUST THE SEAT. THE SEAT RECLINING HANDLE SNAPPED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, AT 55-60 MPH A TIRE FELL OFF. CONSUMER SAW THE TIRE ROLL DOWN THE FREEWAY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT, CALLED AAA, AND HAD TIRE REPLACED. *AK

THE BLEND DOOR IS BROKEN ON MY HEATER...EVER TRY TO DEFROST A WINDOW WHEN IT IS MINUS 5 WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON..? THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IN A RECALL CAMPAIGN IT IS POORLY DESIGNED AND DANGEROUS! *AK

FORD DID NOT APPLY NHTSA RECALL 98V060 PROPERLY TO MY 1997 FORD EXPLORER VIN [XXX]. THE DO NOT GROUND WARNING WAS APPLIED TO THE INCORRECT BRACKET. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE, I USED THE FUEL LINE BRACKET SINCE THERE WAS NO WARNING LABEL. THE BRAIDED FUEL LINE COVERS OVERHEATED AND MELTED THE FUEL LINE RESULTING IN A SIGNIFICANT LEAKAGE OF FUEL WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. FORD CLAIMS THE RECALL WAS DONE PROPERLY. I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS WHICH SHOW IT WAS NOT DONE PROPERLY. I BELIEVE THAT THIS POSES A SERIOUS RISK TO THE 300, 000+ VEHICLES THAT HAD THIS RECALL DONE. SUMMARY 1.THE WARNING LABEL WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE CORRECT BRACKET WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER THE RECALL 2.THERE IS NO LABEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT INDICATING THAT THE REVISED ALTERNATOR BOLT IS A JUMP START GROUND LOCATION 3.FORDS POSITION IS THAT THE REPAIRS WERE DONE PROPERLY. MY CONTENTION IS THAT THEY WERE NOT DONE PROPERLY. 4.THIS SITUATION POSES AN IMMINENT DANGER TO DRIVERS, PASSENGERS AND BYSTANDERS. 5.THERE ARE STILL SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF THESE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. 6.FORD SHOULD PROVIDE A LABEL INDICATING THAT THE ALTERNATOR BOLT IS A GROUND LOCATION AND THEY SHOULD CHECK VEHICLES THAT WERE SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL TO ENSURE THAT THE LABELS WERE PROPERLY APPLIED. *AK UPDATED 07/30/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ON FEBRUARY 16, 2004 AT APPROXIMATELY 2:30 PM I WAS PULLING MY WIFE'S 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT INTO A DIAGONAL PARKING STALL. I HAD ALMOST COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO ROAR AND THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AGAINST MY BRAKING. I PRESSED AS HARD AS I COULD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD UNTIL IT STRUCK A CAR OPPOSITE MY PARKING STALL. I PUSHED THE GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I CHECKED MY RIGHT FOOT POSITION AND CONFIRMED THAT I WAS ONLY PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN I RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR ROLLED BACK A COUPLE OF FEET. I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO PARK AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND BACKED THE CAR UP ANOTHER 3 FEET. THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION HAS NOT RECURRED BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT IT MIGHT AGAIN. *JB

THE HEAT ACTUATOR "BROKE" AND ELIMINATED ANY HEAT TO DEFROST MY WINDOWS. *AK

THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAS GONE BAD IN MY 97, 4WD, FORD EXPLORER FOR THE SECOND TIME. IT HAS 93,000 MILES, IT WAS REPLACED THE FIRST TIME AT 58,000 MILES. THIS IS DUE TO A MAUNFACTURERS DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REVIEWED FOR CONSIDERATION AS A NATIONAL RECALL OR COVERED BY FORD AS A OUT OF WARRANTY REPAIR. THIS IS A HAZARD TO ALLOW IT TO REMAIN UNREPAIRED THE COST SHOULD BE PAID BY FORD. *AK

CONSUMER HIT A TELEPHONE POLE AT 25 MPH AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *PH *MR

IT IS HARD TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE LANE WHEN ON THE FREEWAY. THE FRONT END HAS BEEN DONE AND THE TIRES REPLACED. MANUFACTURER STATED THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.*AK