42 of the 2,150 complaints about the 1997 Ford Explorer are about the equipment — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 87,107 miles.
42
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
1997 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER'S SEAT BELT LATCH RECEIVER FAILURE. AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR 12 TO 13 YEARS, THE LATCH/RECEIVER WOULD NOT ENGAGE THE STRAP. I REPLACED IT WITH ONE FROM A SALVAGE YARD AND AFTER THREE YEARS THIS REPLACEMENT LATCH/RECEIVER HAS FAILED ALSO.
NHTSA complaint #10550750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
SPARE TIRE HOIST CABLE FAILED ON 1997 FORD EXPLORER XLT, RESULTING IN SPARE TIRE BREAKING FREE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION.
NHTSA complaint #10348009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
FAR LEFT DASH LIGHTS AND LIGHTS BEHIND INDICATORS ON LEFT SIDE OF STEERING WHEEL WENT OUT SHORTLY AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE IN 1998; THIS WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY; THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AGAIN SOMETIME AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD EXPIRED. THE SOUND SYSTEM AMPLIFIER GOES OUT INTERMITTENTLY WITH NO DISCERNIBLE CAUSE; THIS HAS GONE ON FOR YEARS; THE DEALER SAYS IT WOULD COST OVER $600 TO REPLACE THE AMPLIFIER.
NHTSA complaint #10224359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE CHANGING THE TIRE, THE BOTTOM METAL PLATE FOR THE JACK POPPED OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN LIFTED FOR TEN MINUTES. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE JACK WAS USED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT MAKE A REPLACEMENT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 186,000.
NHTSA complaint #10211060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
PARKED ON A SLIGHT SLOPE WITH THE ENGINE OFF, MY 97 FORD EXPLORER ROLLED BACK 5 FEET BY ITSELF, COMING CLOSE WITH COMING TRAFFIC!
NHTSA complaint #10156477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
CONSUMER IS A VICTIM OF ODOMETER FRAUD, ENCOUNTERING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE THAT'S UNCHARACTERISTIC FOR THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. (NAR) *PH EXHAUST SYSTEM, BALL JOINT, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10058093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
BLEND DOOR FAILURE ON AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE. REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $700. THIS IS A KNOWN AND COMMON FAILURE ON THIS CAR AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL BUT IS NOT.
NHTSA complaint #10062714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE DIAL THAT CONTROLS THE HOT/COLD FEATURE OF THE HEATING/AIR-CONDITIONING UNIT IN MY 1997 EXPLORER MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN TAKEN IN TO DEALER THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SEEING ALOT OF THIS PROBLEM IN EXPLORERS AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID HE WAS CONCERNED WITH IT HAPPENING IN HIS MOTHER'S CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10049042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
CANNOT ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE OF THE HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM - ALWAYS BLOWS COLD AIR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE MANUFACTURER INSTALLED THE WRONG PARTS AT TIME OF PRODUCTION. THE PART FAILS AND THEN YOU CANNOT ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE - IT ALWAYS BLOWS COLD AIR. THIS, IT SEEMS TO ME, IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP WINDOWS CLEAR IN COLD CLIMATES.
NHTSA complaint #10046950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
SEAT BELTS IN BACK SEAT AND SPEED CONTROL WILL NOT CANCEL AFTER BEING SET. A LADY HAD LATCH HER SEAT BELT IN THE RIGHT REAR SEAT,AND IT WOULD NOT RELEASE HAD TO CUT THE BELT TO GET HER OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10032716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER DOES NOT COOL AND DRIVER SIDE LOCK DOES NOT WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10025467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #766580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE AC ACCUMULATOR HAS RUSTED THROUGH. THE ACCUMULATOR HAS A THERMAL WRAP-AROUND BLANKET AND EVIDENTLY EXCESS MOISTURE IS TRAPPED BETWEEN IT AND THE ALL-STEEL ACCUMULATOR. REMOVING IT EASILY EXPOSES THE RUST.
NHTSA complaint #763546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
A/C WAS BLOWING WARM AIR. FORD DEALERSHIP SAID ACCUMULATOR WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (QUOTED $895). THIS PART RUSTS BECAUSE IT IS WRAPPED IN FOAM. IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1996-1998 EXPLORERS. THE 1999 AND LATER MODELS DO NOT HAVE THE WRAPPING ON THE ACCUMULATOR.
NHTSA complaint #763232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL DOES NOT CONTROL THE TEMPERATURE OF THE A/C-HEATER THAT RESULTS IN A FAILURE TO DEFOG/DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA complaint #763223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
A/C QUIT WORKING, WENT TO HAVE IT SERVICED. THE A/C ACCUMULATOR HAS RUST HOLES IN IT .THE FOAM AROUND IT KEPT THE ACCUMULATOR WET AND CAUSED IT TO RUST THROUGH. LETTING OUT THE FREON.WHAT IF ALL EXPLORER'S DO THIS ? IF I HAD KNOWN THE DAY IT WAS BOUGHT. IT WAS GOING TO DO THIS , I WOULD HAVE PULLED THE FOAM OFF. IT RUSTED BECAUSE OF THE WAY FORD WRAPPED IT.THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. JUST LOOK AT ALL THE FREON THAT IS GOING TO BE LOST IN THE AIR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND INTREST ; TIM CARGLE.
NHTSA complaint #760369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
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.
NHTSA complaint #8006223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
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.
NHTSA complaint #8006223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE ORIGINAL DRYER UNIT WAS WRAPPED WITH A PIECE OF RUBBER. THIS PART, AS A NORMAL PART OF IT'S OPERATION WILL SWEAT. THIS PIECE OF RUBBER HELD THE CONDENSATION TO THE UNIT AND CAUSED THE DRYER TO RUST. THE REPLACEMENT PART DOES NOT HAVE THIS RUBBER WARPPING. I BELIEVE THAT THE ORIGINAL PART WAS DESIGNED TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #752313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITION UNIT IS NOT WORKING. DRYER IS LEAKING AND WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED AT A COST ESTIMATE OF $450.
NHTSA complaint #750598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER BLOING ONLY COLD AIR DURING WINTER MONTHS HERE IN NY. MECHANIC SAID BLEND DOOR WAS BROKE AND IN CLOSED POSOTION AND THEREFORE ONLY ABLE TO BLOW COLD COLD AIR. NO HEATER, NO DEFROSTER ONLY COLD AIR FROM ALL DUCKS.MECHANIC REPLACED THE COMPLETE HEATER PLENUM BOX ASSEMBLY SHOING ME BROKEN CHEP PLASTIC PART. THE WHOLE DASHBORD CAME OUT AND WAS 2 DAYS OF WORK. COST OF PLENUM BOX ASSEMBLY WAS 160.00 AND BLEND CONTROL UNIT WAS 80.00. THE REST WAS LABOR. FORD GETS 850.00 FOR JOB AS WELL AS 150. TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #739632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONING SWITCH WAS STUCK AND OWNER COULD NOT DEFROST WINDOWS, RESULTING IN DECREASED VISIBILITY. MECHANIC REPLACED BLENDER UNIT.
NHTSA complaint #878442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ENGINE PROBLEMS, CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE NO OIL WAS IN IT WHEN STARTED, DEALER HAS REPLACED GASKETS, UPPER INTAKE CAM TENSIONER THREE TIMES, AND THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK. LEFT FRONT DOOR HINGE REPLACED, IT WAS MAKING NOISE. POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED, IT WAS NOISY WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. VANITY MIRROR ON DRIVER'S SIDE WOULD NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY AND POPPED WHEN OPENED, DEALER REPLACED IT. THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOWER THAN THE LEFT FRONT. BRAKES WERE SQUEAKY, DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS AND TURNED ROTORS. A TAP NOISE WAS HEARD WHILE PLAYING CD'S. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, WHILE GOING OVER BUMPS AND RAILROAD TRACKS, TRANSMISSION JUMPED OUT OF GEAR, DEALER INTALLED OVERHAUL KIT BECAUSE THE CLUTCH HAD BURNED. 4 WHEEL DRIVE WAS INOPERABLE AND MADE A RUBBING/GROAN NOISE, WHEN REVERSING AND PUTTING INTOR DRIVE, CONSUMER HEARD POPPING NOISE, DEALER REPLACED REAR TRANSFER CASE FLANGE AND REMOVED DRIVESHAFT. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, IT WOULD TURN OVER, DEALER FOUND THE PCM WAS NOT WIRING, DEALER REPLACED PCM. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #877202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
THE ROOF RACK RIPPED OFF WHILE DRIVING, THE THUMB SCREWS DESIGNED TO LOOSEN THE CROSSBAR VIBRATED LOOSE COMPLETELY. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #784293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
TIRE PLACARD IS NOT REQUIRED IN SUV'S, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE SUV TO A SHIPPING COMPANY OR AN INSPECTION STATION TO GET THE VEHICLE'S CORRECT WEIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #557399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
BOTH RUNNING BOARDS ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HAVE A SERIOUS RUST PROBLEM. BOTH SIDES ARE RUSTING THROUGH IN THE EXACT SAME WAY, IN THE SAME AREA. THIS AREA IS ON TOP MAINLY NEAR THE PLASTIC TREAD. IN THE PAST 4 MONTHS I HAVE SEEN NEARLY 12 OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. THIS IS ON THE IDENTICAL MODEL, THE IDENTICAL PART. IN SOME CASES, THE PROBLEM ON THE OTHERS IS MORE ADVANCED AND SEVERE. I HAVE TOLD LOCAL FORD DEALER AS WELL AS FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, THERE RESPONSE IS NOT COVERED OUTSIDE 3YR./36 MONTH WARRANTY. MAINLY CONTACTING YOU TO SEE IF THIS SIMULAR PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHERS.
NHTSA complaint #729678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
HOT CIGARATTE LIGHTER EJECTED FULLY FROM THE ASSEMBLY. AFTER TESTING, OCCURS EVERY TIME .
NHTSA complaint #723340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
WHILE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN SPARE TIRE CABLE SHEARED OFF, CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE CABLE WAS SWINGING BACK AND FORTH AND RUBBING AGAINST METAL. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. *AK
NHTSA complaint #860114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
A/C SERVICE PLENUM PLASTIC DOOR BROKE, NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WITH STRONGER NYLON BLEND DOOR AS PER TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. PART NUMBER F87Z-1847-DA. CLEARLY DEFECTIVE PART SHOULD BE REPLACED BY MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #719085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
JACK HANDLE SHATTERED IN JACK BASE WHILE LOWERING VEHICLE AFTER CHANGING TIRE. WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO LOWER JACK USING SCREWDRIVER. HOWEVER, JACK HANDLE IS ALSO REQUIRED TO RETRACT THE SPARE-TIRE HOLDING CABLE, SO THAT HAD TO BE LEFT LOOSE UNTIL WE GOT TO A TIRE STORE. HANDLE IS MADE OF VERY WEAK METAL, AND IT IS THINNEST AT THE POINT OF MOST STRESS, WHERE IT IS INSERTED INTO THE JACK.
NHTSA complaint #710917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.