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FaultScore report

1997 Ford Explorer Sport problems

Owners have filed 44 complaints about the 1997 Ford Explorer Sport with NHTSA between 2000 and 2015. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 8 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Ford Explorer Sport All 1997 cars
C

FaultScore 43/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Ford Explorer Sport.

How this is worked out

The numbers

44

Complaints

4

Crashes reported

6

Fires reported

3

Injuries reported

1 complaint reports a death.

100,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

10%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 19 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 16 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 19
Against the median year of the Ford Explorer Sport. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
31.8% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 16
10% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1997 compares with every other Ford Explorer Sport

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1997 Ford Explorer Sport

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 9 20.5%

0 crashes, 2 fires · median 45,000 mi

Transmission & Drivetrain 8 18.2%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 136,800 mi

Seats 5 11.4%

0 crashes, 2 fires · median 175,000 mi

Tires 4 9.1%

Median failure at 180,000 miles

Brakes 4 9.1%

Median failure at 47,181 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 3 6.8%

Median failure at 96,500 miles

Other & Unspecified 2 4.5%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Equipment & Accessories 2 4.5%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Seat Belts 2 4.5%

Median failure at 127,076 miles

Electrical System 2 4.5%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 100,000 mi

Fuel & Propulsion 1 2.3%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 95,000 mi

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 2.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 69,650 mi

Suspension 1 2.3%

Median failure at 107,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 4.8%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 3 14.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 3 14.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 3 14.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 7 33.3%
150,000+ miles 4 19.0%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Sep 2000 peak 6 Jan 2015

NHTSA investigations into the 1997 Ford Explorer Sport

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

DP05005 Opened 22 Sep 2005 Closed 4 Jan 2006 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN A...

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Wichita Falls, TX Crash

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE INFORMATION REGARDING AN ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED IN SEPT 2010.

NHTSA complaint #10662798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 148,600 miles Belton, MO Crash

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE WHEN IT ROLLED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,700.

NHTSA complaint #10454279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 175,000 miles Wyncote, PA Fire

SEATS

1997 FORD EXPLORER AND BEGAN TO BACK OUT OF MY PARENTS DRIVEWAY ON THE WAY TO WORK. I USED THE ELECTRICAL SEAT MOVER BUTTON TO MOVE MY SEAT BACK A FEW INCHES AND WITHIN ONLY 10 SECONDS SMOKE WAS IN MY FACE. I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR, TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND RAN IN MY HOUSE. I GOT WATER TO TRY AND EXTINGUISH THE SMOKE AND OPENED MY BACK DOOR AND LOOKED UNDER THE SEAT AND THERE WAS INTENSE SPARKING WHICH TURNED INTO FLAMES AND WITHIN MINUTES MY ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE AND POLICE CAME AND EXTINGUISHED IT AFTER FLAMES REACHED ABOUT 20 FEET. THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE, WITH ALONG LOSING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE (ENGINE WAS SOMEHOW IN FINE SHAPE), BUT LUCKILY, IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY AS I AM ALIVE. I SENT FORD 40 PICTURES, POLICE REPORT, VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT THAT WE CAUGHT, TITLE OF VEHICLE, ETC. IT HAS CAUSED ME AN INCREDIBLE INCONVENIENCE IN MY LIFE, I NOW WALK A MILE TO A SUBWAY STATION WHICH TAKES ME TO A TRAIN STATION WHICH THEN GETS ME TO WORK. KNOWING IT WAS AN OLDER CAR, BUT A POPULAR ONE AT THAT, I FIGURED THAT FORD WOULD REIMBURSE ME WITH A USED CAR AND THE PROPERTY DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY GIVEN HOW LUCKY THAT NO DEATH OR INJURIES RESULTED. THEY INFORMED TODAY THEY WOULDN'T GIVE ME A DIME BECAUSE THEY DON'T DEEM THAT A DEFECT THROUGH THEIR ANALYSIS (THOUGH THE CAR SITS LIKE A TOXIC WASTELAND IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH NO ONE FROM FORD EVEN INSPECTING IT). THEY CAME TO THEIR DECISION WITHIN ONE DAY OF HAVING MY MATERIALS.

NHTSA complaint #10413385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 175,000 miles Wyncote, PA Fire

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

1997 FORD EXPLORER AND BEGAN TO BACK OUT OF MY PARENTS DRIVEWAY ON THE WAY TO WORK. I USED THE ELECTRICAL SEAT MOVER BUTTON TO MOVE MY SEAT BACK A FEW INCHES AND WITHIN ONLY 10 SECONDS SMOKE WAS IN MY FACE. I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR, TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND RAN IN MY HOUSE. I GOT WATER TO TRY AND EXTINGUISH THE SMOKE AND OPENED MY BACK DOOR AND LOOKED UNDER THE SEAT AND THERE WAS INTENSE SPARKING WHICH TURNED INTO FLAMES AND WITHIN MINUTES MY ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE AND POLICE CAME AND EXTINGUISHED IT AFTER FLAMES REACHED ABOUT 20 FEET. THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE, WITH ALONG LOSING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE (ENGINE WAS SOMEHOW IN FINE SHAPE), BUT LUCKILY, IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY AS I AM ALIVE. I SENT FORD 40 PICTURES, POLICE REPORT, VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT THAT WE CAUGHT, TITLE OF VEHICLE, ETC. IT HAS CAUSED ME AN INCREDIBLE INCONVENIENCE IN MY LIFE, I NOW WALK A MILE TO A SUBWAY STATION WHICH TAKES ME TO A TRAIN STATION WHICH THEN GETS ME TO WORK. KNOWING IT WAS AN OLDER CAR, BUT A POPULAR ONE AT THAT, I FIGURED THAT FORD WOULD REIMBURSE ME WITH A USED CAR AND THE PROPERTY DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY GIVEN HOW LUCKY THAT NO DEATH OR INJURIES RESULTED. THEY INFORMED TODAY THEY WOULDN'T GIVE ME A DIME BECAUSE THEY DON'T DEEM THAT A DEFECT THROUGH THEIR ANALYSIS (THOUGH THE CAR SITS LIKE A TOXIC WASTELAND IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH NO ONE FROM FORD EVEN INSPECTING IT). THEY CAME TO THEIR DECISION WITHIN ONE DAY OF HAVING MY MATERIALS.

NHTSA complaint #10413385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Iowa City, IA Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH SHE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING IN THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN SAW A BIT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND A PERSON CAME UP TO THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED HER TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. ANOTHER PERSON APPROACHED THE SCENE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, BUT BY THIS TIME THE FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THEY USED UP THE ENTIRE FIRE EXTINGUISHER, BUT COULD NOT PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE TIRES EXPLODED AND ALL OF THE WINDOWS BLEW OUT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME, THEY TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE, BUT THERE WASN'T ENOUGH WATER PRESSURE BY THE TIME THE SECOND FIRE TRUCK CAME OUT THE FIRE WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE GASOLINE TANK. LUCKILY THEY WERE ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BEFORE IT GOT TO THE GAS TANK, BUT THE THING THAT IS LEFT OF THE VEHICLE IS THE METAL FRAME. SHE HAS NOT YET CALLED FORD, BUT BELIEVES THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE DAMAGES WERE SO SEVERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO TELL WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. ALL SHE KNEW WAS THAT THE FIRE STARTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TRIGGERED THE FIRE. SHE NEVER RECEIVED ANY SORT OF RECALL NOTICE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 5/18/09 *CN ACCORDING TO THE FIRE INSPECTOR, A FUEL TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE FROM RETURN HOSE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. UPDATED 05/20/09

NHTSA complaint #10266570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Roseville, CA Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DRIVING ALONG EVERYTHING IS FINE, LOSE POWER PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE I SEE BLACK SMOKE AND THEN FLAMES, COULDN'T GET OUT BECAUSE OF POWER WINDOWS AND LOCKS. WENT TO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AND KICKED MY WAY OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN MINUTES AND BURNED TO THE GROUND.

NHTSA complaint #10207800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Wichita Falls, TX Crash

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE INFORMATION REGARDING AN ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED IN SEPT 2010.

NHTSA complaint #10662798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 148,600 miles Belton, MO Crash

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE WHEN IT ROLLED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,700.

NHTSA complaint #10454279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 175,000 miles Wyncote, PA Fire

SEATS

1997 FORD EXPLORER AND BEGAN TO BACK OUT OF MY PARENTS DRIVEWAY ON THE WAY TO WORK. I USED THE ELECTRICAL SEAT MOVER BUTTON TO MOVE MY SEAT BACK A FEW INCHES AND WITHIN ONLY 10 SECONDS SMOKE WAS IN MY FACE. I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR, TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND RAN IN MY HOUSE. I GOT WATER TO TRY AND EXTINGUISH THE SMOKE AND OPENED MY BACK DOOR AND LOOKED UNDER THE SEAT AND THERE WAS INTENSE SPARKING WHICH TURNED INTO FLAMES AND WITHIN MINUTES MY ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE AND POLICE CAME AND EXTINGUISHED IT AFTER FLAMES REACHED ABOUT 20 FEET. THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE, WITH ALONG LOSING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE (ENGINE WAS SOMEHOW IN FINE SHAPE), BUT LUCKILY, IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY AS I AM ALIVE. I SENT FORD 40 PICTURES, POLICE REPORT, VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT THAT WE CAUGHT, TITLE OF VEHICLE, ETC. IT HAS CAUSED ME AN INCREDIBLE INCONVENIENCE IN MY LIFE, I NOW WALK A MILE TO A SUBWAY STATION WHICH TAKES ME TO A TRAIN STATION WHICH THEN GETS ME TO WORK. KNOWING IT WAS AN OLDER CAR, BUT A POPULAR ONE AT THAT, I FIGURED THAT FORD WOULD REIMBURSE ME WITH A USED CAR AND THE PROPERTY DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY GIVEN HOW LUCKY THAT NO DEATH OR INJURIES RESULTED. THEY INFORMED TODAY THEY WOULDN'T GIVE ME A DIME BECAUSE THEY DON'T DEEM THAT A DEFECT THROUGH THEIR ANALYSIS (THOUGH THE CAR SITS LIKE A TOXIC WASTELAND IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH NO ONE FROM FORD EVEN INSPECTING IT). THEY CAME TO THEIR DECISION WITHIN ONE DAY OF HAVING MY MATERIALS.

NHTSA complaint #10413385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 175,000 miles Wyncote, PA Fire

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

1997 FORD EXPLORER AND BEGAN TO BACK OUT OF MY PARENTS DRIVEWAY ON THE WAY TO WORK. I USED THE ELECTRICAL SEAT MOVER BUTTON TO MOVE MY SEAT BACK A FEW INCHES AND WITHIN ONLY 10 SECONDS SMOKE WAS IN MY FACE. I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR, TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND RAN IN MY HOUSE. I GOT WATER TO TRY AND EXTINGUISH THE SMOKE AND OPENED MY BACK DOOR AND LOOKED UNDER THE SEAT AND THERE WAS INTENSE SPARKING WHICH TURNED INTO FLAMES AND WITHIN MINUTES MY ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE AND POLICE CAME AND EXTINGUISHED IT AFTER FLAMES REACHED ABOUT 20 FEET. THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE, WITH ALONG LOSING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE (ENGINE WAS SOMEHOW IN FINE SHAPE), BUT LUCKILY, IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY AS I AM ALIVE. I SENT FORD 40 PICTURES, POLICE REPORT, VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT THAT WE CAUGHT, TITLE OF VEHICLE, ETC. IT HAS CAUSED ME AN INCREDIBLE INCONVENIENCE IN MY LIFE, I NOW WALK A MILE TO A SUBWAY STATION WHICH TAKES ME TO A TRAIN STATION WHICH THEN GETS ME TO WORK. KNOWING IT WAS AN OLDER CAR, BUT A POPULAR ONE AT THAT, I FIGURED THAT FORD WOULD REIMBURSE ME WITH A USED CAR AND THE PROPERTY DAMAGE, ESPECIALLY GIVEN HOW LUCKY THAT NO DEATH OR INJURIES RESULTED. THEY INFORMED TODAY THEY WOULDN'T GIVE ME A DIME BECAUSE THEY DON'T DEEM THAT A DEFECT THROUGH THEIR ANALYSIS (THOUGH THE CAR SITS LIKE A TOXIC WASTELAND IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH NO ONE FROM FORD EVEN INSPECTING IT). THEY CAME TO THEIR DECISION WITHIN ONE DAY OF HAVING MY MATERIALS.

NHTSA complaint #10413385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 229,000 miles Covington, GA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH SHE HEARD A TICKING NOISE. SHE WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY WHERE THE NOISE WAS LOCATED. SHE STATED THAT NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. SHE CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. TWO HOURS LATER SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE, SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND IT CONTINUED TO MAKE A NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED THE NOISE WAS NOT THERE BUT AS SOON AS SHE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, NEUTRAL OR ANY GEAR THE NOISE BEGAN AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER OR LOCAL MECHANIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2010. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 229,000.

NHTSA complaint #10356855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Adams Center, NY

SEATS

FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT TILT LEVER BROKE OFF, PASSENGER SIDE BENT. THERE ARE OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER OWNERS.

NHTSA complaint #10321693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Mesa, AZ

SEATS

BOTH SEAT TILT LEVERS BEND AND THEN BREAK OFF AFTER ATTEMPTING TO STRAIGHTEN THEM ONCE TOO MANY TIMES. NEW DESIGN STRENGTHENS THE BRACKETS. IF THE BRACKETS BREAK OFF AND THERE IS A SMALL CHILD IN THE BACK, ADULTS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REMOVE SMALL CHILDREN QUICKLY DURING AN EMERGENCY SINCE THEY CAN'T TILT THE SEATS FORWARD OUT OF THE WAY.

NHTSA complaint #10270139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Iowa City, IA Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH SHE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING IN THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN SAW A BIT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND A PERSON CAME UP TO THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED HER TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. ANOTHER PERSON APPROACHED THE SCENE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, BUT BY THIS TIME THE FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THEY USED UP THE ENTIRE FIRE EXTINGUISHER, BUT COULD NOT PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE TIRES EXPLODED AND ALL OF THE WINDOWS BLEW OUT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME, THEY TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE, BUT THERE WASN'T ENOUGH WATER PRESSURE BY THE TIME THE SECOND FIRE TRUCK CAME OUT THE FIRE WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE GASOLINE TANK. LUCKILY THEY WERE ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BEFORE IT GOT TO THE GAS TANK, BUT THE THING THAT IS LEFT OF THE VEHICLE IS THE METAL FRAME. SHE HAS NOT YET CALLED FORD, BUT BELIEVES THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE DAMAGES WERE SO SEVERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO TELL WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. ALL SHE KNEW WAS THAT THE FIRE STARTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TRIGGERED THE FIRE. SHE NEVER RECEIVED ANY SORT OF RECALL NOTICE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 5/18/09 *CN ACCORDING TO THE FIRE INSPECTOR, A FUEL TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE FROM RETURN HOSE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. UPDATED 05/20/09

NHTSA complaint #10266570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Roseville, CA Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DRIVING ALONG EVERYTHING IS FINE, LOSE POWER PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE I SEE BLACK SMOKE AND THEN FLAMES, COULDN'T GET OUT BECAUSE OF POWER WINDOWS AND LOCKS. WENT TO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AND KICKED MY WAY OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN MINUTES AND BURNED TO THE GROUND.

NHTSA complaint #10207800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Lauderdale, FL

TIRES:SIDEWALL

TIRE FAILURE RESULTING IN A BLOWOUT.

NHTSA complaint #10202478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,663 miles Wayne, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD. HE NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE RUSTED AND CAUSED THE LEAK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE LINE, AND THE REAR BRAKE HOSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REMAINING BRAKE LINES ON THE VEHICLE WERE RUSTED, HOWEVER THEY WERE NOT LEAKING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,663.

NHTSA complaint #10192925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,000 miles Everett, WA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE OFF AND WENT INTO THE FAN SHIELD. THE FORD MECHANIC SAYS HE HAS NOT SEEN THIS BEFORE AND IT LOOKS LIKE A DEFECT IN THE METAL. IT WAS GOOD THAT I WAS GOING ONLY 30MPH AT THE TIME OR IT WOULD HAVE GONE THROUGHT THE FAN ITS SELF. IT COULD HAVE HAD MANY CONSEQUENCES.

NHTSA complaint #10192477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 116,000 miles North Babylon, NY

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AT ANY SPEED OTHER THAN HIGH DIDN'T OPERATE NORMALLY. WHEN THE RAIN WAS HEAVY OR LIGHT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY OPERATED ON HIGHER SPEEDS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116000 ,AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126000.

NHTSA complaint #10188862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 58,700 miles Wilmington, DE

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

FORD EXPLORER SPORT (1997, ~58700 MI) WAS DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED. A STOP WAS MADE AT A SHOPPING CENTER. UPON LEAVING THE SHOPPING CENTER THE BRAKE PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR AS AN ATTEMPT TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION WAS MADE. FORTUNATELY SWERVING AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT. AT THIS POINT THE VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKES (OTHER THAN PARKING). HYDRAULIC FLUID WAS DRIPPING FROM AN AREA ABOVE THE REAR AXLE, DRIVER SIDE. THE ABRUPT LOSS OF BRAKES WITH NO WARNING COULD HAVE LEAD TO A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. WE WERE JUST PLAIN LUCKY.

NHTSA complaint #10182067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Memphis, TN

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

I HAVE 2 COMPLAINTS ONE OF WHICH WHILE LOOKING ONLINE SEE THAT MANY OTHER FORD OWNERS ALSO SEEM TO HAVE. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEATER BLEND BOX DOOR NOT WORKING AND BLOWING HOT AIR WHEN IN THE VENT POSITION. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM NOT ONLY ON EXPLORER MODELS BUT RANGES, F150 AND OTHER FORD VEHICLES. THE REPAIR AS STATED ONLINE BY OTHERS AS WELL AS FROM THE DEALER IS OVER $1000.00. IT SEEMS THAT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PART WITH SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO THE SEAT BELTS GET STUCK ON OUR EXPLORER IT IS THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH SOMETIMES TAKES 10 TO 15 MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10179206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Memphis, TN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAVE 2 COMPLAINTS ONE OF WHICH WHILE LOOKING ONLINE SEE THAT MANY OTHER FORD OWNERS ALSO SEEM TO HAVE. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEATER BLEND BOX DOOR NOT WORKING AND BLOWING HOT AIR WHEN IN THE VENT POSITION. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM NOT ONLY ON EXPLORER MODELS BUT RANGES, F150 AND OTHER FORD VEHICLES. THE REPAIR AS STATED ONLINE BY OTHERS AS WELL AS FROM THE DEALER IS OVER $1000.00. IT SEEMS THAT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PART WITH SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO THE SEAT BELTS GET STUCK ON OUR EXPLORER IT IS THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH SOMETIMES TAKES 10 TO 15 MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10179206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Bowdon, GA

TIRES

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE THREAD SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE DEALER WHERE THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. A RECALL LETTER #[XXX] WAS RECEIVED REGARDING THE TIRES. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED FOR REIMBURSEMENT AND DETERMINED THE TIRE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10168868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sicklerville, NJ Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE ENGINE ON MY 1997 FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT ON FIRE AND DESTROYED MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10164563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Verona, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I OWNED A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. ON JULY 29, 2005 MY TRUCK WAS IN MY YARD AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. I WAS NOT HOME AT THE TIME. MY INSURANCE PAID A PORTION OF THE LOAN I STILL HAD ON THE VEHICLE. FORD MOTOR HAS NOT RECALLED 1997 EXPLORERS BUT HAVE 1998. THE FIRE REPORT ISSUED CLAIMS IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. MY VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA complaint #10164469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hinesvile, GA Crash 2 injured 2 killed

EQUIPMENT

1997 FORD EXPLORER TRAVELING EAST BOUND ON I-16 WHEN LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD CAME OFF A COOPER FUTURA TIRE CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL VEHICLE FLIPPED SEVERAL TIMES THEN RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAME OFF COMPLETELY CAUSING ANOTHER FLIP THIS TIME TAIL OVER NOSE CAUSE ALL 4 KIDS TO BE THROWN OUT KILLING ONE ON IMPACT AND ANOTHER DIED 2 DAYS LATER FROM INJURIES IN HOSPITAL.

NHTSA complaint #10164249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 127,076 miles Connersville, IN

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

SAFETY PROBLEM WITH BACK SEAT BELTS. WHEN ON VACATION WE HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM THE BACK SEAT BELTS LOCKING UP SEVERAL TIMES EACH DAY. THE SEAT BELTS ON ONE OR BOTH SIDES WOULD NOT RELEASE SO THEY COULD BE APPLY AROUND 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND WE HAD TO PULL & YANK THE BELTS SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE BELTS TO RELEASE. THE SUV WAS OFF AND THE BRAKE WAS NOT APPLY AT THE TIME OF THE PROBLEMS. THIS PROBLEM COULD DISCOURAGE SEAT BELT USEAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10161902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 107,000 miles Pataskala, OH

SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR

A FRONT SWAY BAR LINK DID FRACTURE CAUSING A NEAR CRASH.

NHTSA complaint #10161635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Milford, NH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE PROBLEM I'M HAVING INVOLVES A 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT (4.0L-5SPD-NON-AUTO CLIMATE CONTROL)--THE TEMP IS NOT CONTROLLABLE AND REMAINS HOT ALL THE TIME EXCEPT FOR MAX A/C--THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO COMMONLY INVOLVE BUT IS NOT NECCESSARILY LIMITED TO THE BLEND DOOR, BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR AND HEATER BOX--TO MY KNOWLEDGE THERE HAVE BEEN NO DEATHER OR INJURIES CAUSED BY THIS PROBLEM BUT IT IS SIGNIFICANT NON THE LESS .

NHTSA complaint #10116719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dallas,, PA

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

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.

NHTSA complaint #10112402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 96,500 miles NEW Lisbon, WI

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

BLEND DOOR CRACKED ON 1997 FORD EXPLORER, CAUSING LACK OF ABILITY TO DEFROST WINDOWS. I LIVE IN WISCONSIN AND THE WINDOWS FOGGED UP BADLY. VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE WHEN IT'S 20 BELOW OUT AND THE DEFROSTER DOESN'T WORK. COST TO REPLACE AIR PLENUM WITH REVISED, REDESIGNED ONE ABOUT $900.

NHTSA complaint #10110647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.