1997 FORD EXPLORER Complaints

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE UP, AND ABOUT TWO MINUTES AFTERWARDS THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. *AK

I SAW A TV REPORT ABOUT EXPLORER OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT WIPERS. MINE DON'T WORK IN COLD OR DAMP WEATHER. THEY ONLY WORK AFTER THE SUV HAS BEEN DRIVEN SEVERAL MILES. DEALERSHIP HAS NO CLUE ON HOW TO FIX PROBLEM.

ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH FRONT BRAKES LOCKING UP WHENEVER VEHICLE MAKES A TURN, AND ON THREE OCCASIONS VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE WHILE AT A STOP POSITION . VEHICLE BEEN INSPECTED BY DEALER, AND NOTHING COULD BE FOUNDED. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

HAVE REPORTED THIS BEFORE. CONSUMER COMPLAINT IDS 538918, 702648, 827786, 829733 ALSO APPLY. VERY DANGEROUS, REAR DOORS LOCK AND CAN'T OPEN WITHOUT EXITING VEHICAL TO OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. ACTING LIKE MALFUNCTION OF CHILDLOCKS, ONLY CHILDLOCKS ARE DISENGAGED. SERIOUS ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. DEALER DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX PROBLEM AND DOESN'T RECOGNIZE IT AS A PROBLEM. NEED TO PUT DEALER IN REAR SEAT TO GET ANY REACTION, AND STILL NO RESOLUTION. RECALL WARRANTED. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM!! FORD WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM.

CONSUMER WAS REMOVING SPARE TIRE FROM BOTTOM OF TRUCK. THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE TIRE IN PLACE WAS ALMOST BROKE IN TWO, WITH TIRE HANGING UNDERNEATH. *ML

THE CRANK SENSOR WIRING, FOR THE STARTER (IGNITION), WILL NOT START THE VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED WHAT PROBLEM WAS. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY & DEALER REFUSED REPAIRS UNLESS PAID UP FRONT FIRST. VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY IN BEGINNING.*AK

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND MAKING ANY TYPE OF TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL IS JUMPING AND CONSUMER ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH THE HOOD FLEW UP, OBSTRUCTING THE VIEW OF THE DRIVER. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON LATER MODEL/ YEAR. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DIRVING 25-35 MPH. VEHICLE HAD NO POWER/ BRAKES. VEHICLE COASTED TO A PARKING LOT TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. WAS NOT ABLE TO STEER CAR. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE ON THE SIDE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK