1997 FORD EXPLORER Complaints

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

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

THE HEATER AND DEFROSTER STOPPED WORKING BECAUSE OF A PLASTIC PART ON THE HEATER DOOR THAT FAILS AFTER TO MUCH USE. THE PART HAS TO BE REPLACE BY A PART CALLED THE ACTUATOR VALUE.FORD MUST HAVE KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BECAUSE IT HAS A REPLACEMENT PART ALREADY TO GO WHEN THE PART FAILS. (NYLON BLEND DOOR AND PLENUM #F87Z-18471-DA.) THE PROBLEM BEENING THAT IT COST $784.40 IN LABOR TO PUT THE PART IN. IF FORD NEW IT HAD THIS PROBLEM , WHY WASN`T IT ON A RECALL LIST TO REPLACE???*AK

THE SWAY BAR LINKS BROKE PRIOR TO THE RECALL NOTICE, CONSUMER WAS SENT A CHECK FOR THE REPAIRS OF THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS, HOWEVER THE LEFT FRONT DRIVE SHAFT WAS ALSO REPLACED DUE TO THE LINKS BREAKING WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE DRIVE SHAFT, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE DRIVE SHAFT AS WELL.*YH

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

CONSUMER STATED WHEN VEHICLE WAS BEING STARTED IT SOUNDED LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE, THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS APPEARING ON THE DASHBOARD, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED, CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS NOW ON ITS 3RD ENGINE. *JB

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON HIGHWAY AND A BEAR WAS IN THE LANE, SHE HIT THE BEAR AND DUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK *JB

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

TAILGATE WHILE IN LIFTED POSITION FELL/FAILED DUE TO LEFT REAR BRACKET COMING OFF, CAUSING MINOR INJURY TO OWNER. CHILD ALMOST INJURIED DUE TO BRAKET FAILURE. *AK

GETTING ON HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH, STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT OF CAR BEGAN EXCESSIVE VIBRATING (SHAKING AND SPUTTERING). CAR CUT OFF AT SIDE OF ROAD. TOWED TO DEALER WHO SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF SYMPTOMS AND COULD NOT REPRODUCE PROBLEM (AFTER 4 DAYS). ON DAY 4 THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY DRIVESHAFT WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAS NOT BEEN THE SAME SINCE AND STILL MAINTAINS A CONSTANT VIBRATING ALTHOUGH SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT THAN FIRST EPISODE. CAR STILL HAS TROUBLES AT 70-75 MPHS.*AK