35 of the 2,150 complaints about the 1997 Ford Explorer are about the steering — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 196,000 miles.
35
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STEERING
MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH VEHICLE WHEN TURNING EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOPS THEN A VERY LOUD BANG IS HEARD, TOLD IT WAS HUB BUT REPLACED HUB AND STILL HAPPENS, WAS ALSO TOLD IT WAS U-JOINT ON DRIVE SHAFT HAVE YET TO REPLACE IT HAVE NOT NOTIFIED DEALER AS OF YET.
NHTSA complaint #10349491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING STEERING BOLTS ARE LOSE AND IT IS CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO JUMP AROUND, MAKING IT HARD FOR CONSUMER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10026174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
TRANFER CASE WILL LOCK UP FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. AND THERE WAS DIFFICULTY IN STEERING. SEE SERVICE BULLENTIN 99-14-2.
NHTSA complaint #8018241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
THE KEYLESS NUMBER PAD ON VEHICLE QUIT WORKING, THEN THE REMOTE FOR ANTI THEFT SYSTEM QUIT WORKING AND FINALLY THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS QUIT WORKING
NHTSA complaint #764850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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WHILE TRAVELING 10-15MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, CONSUMER WAS TURNING LEFT APPROCHING HER DRIVEWAY AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RACK AND PINION PART OF THE STEERING UNIT FAILED. FORD MOTOR COMPANY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8014462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHILE TRAVELING 10-15MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, CONSUMER WAS TURNING LEFT APPROCHING HER DRIVEWAY AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO TURN. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RACK AND PINION PART OF THE STEERING UNIT FAILED. FORD MOTOR COMPANY REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8014462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
THE STEERING COLUMN KNUCKLE THAT HOLDS THE TWO-PIECE COLUMN TOGETHER (UNDER THE DASH) WAS IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED OR MANUFACTURED. ONE OF TWO ASSEMBLY PINS WAS MISSING CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO FREE-SPIN, RESULTING IN COMPLETE STEERING LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #762921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
WHILE MAKING A SLOW TURN TO PARK THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE. VEHICLE STOPPED , CONSUMER TRIED TO BACK UP, BUT AGAIN VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE. CONSUMER SAW LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS TILTED TO ONE SIDE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER WHO NOTICED THE FRONT STEERING KNUCKLE HAD BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #896790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
WHEN TURNING THERE WOULD BE MOANING NOISES. NO EFFECT ON STEERING ABILITY. TOOK VEHICLE TO FIRST DEALER, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE. AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS INFORMED INNER TIE ROD WAS CAUSING MOANING NOISES.
NHTSA complaint #894967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL AND VEHICLE DROPPED TO RIGHT SIDE. DEALER IS REPLACING BROKEN RIGHT TIE ROD. IN OCT 1997, LEFT TIE ROD HAD BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #891838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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WHEN TRUNING THE STEERING IT WOULD GET HARD IN DIFFERENT PLACES.
NHTSA complaint #889891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
PIN AND BOLT THAT CONNECT TIE ROD TO FRONT END FELL OFF, CAUSING TIRE TO BLOW. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE. *AK TIRE BLEW IN DRIVEWAY.
NHTSA complaint #888245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
TWO FRONT INNER TIE RODS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK ALSO, THE OUTER TIE RODS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #888133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
CAMBER CASTER AND TOE MISADJUSTED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #560426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY MPH COULD LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE DUE TO STEERING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY FOUND OUT THAT RACK AND PINION WAS LEAKING OIL AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #883875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHILE DRIVING LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND SIDE DRIVING A ROCK WALL. THEN, VEHICLE STOPPED AND FOUND OUT THAT LEFT FRONT AND LEFT REAR TIRES WERE BLOWNOUT WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER SAID IT FELT LIKE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. FIRESTONE, WILDENESS AT, T-255/70R16 109S RADIO.
NHTSA complaint #883699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
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.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
THIS PROBLEM STARTED THIS YEAR WHEN RAINING. TODAY 9/16/00 IN TAMPA FL. THERE IS A HURRICAN APPROCHING I WAS GETTING SUPPLIES. THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP 2X AS TRING TO RETURN HOME IN HEAVY RAIN. I CALLED & TOOK THIS VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY TO AUTOWAY FORD IN ST. PETERSBURG WHO PREVESIOUSLY NOTED THIS PROBLEM AT LAST RAIN.[SAID MANUFACTURE DEFECT] BUT DID NOTHING OR CHARGE AT THAT TIME. NOW WITH A MAJOR HURRICANE APPROCHING!! THEY DOCUMENTED THE PROBLEM & WANTED TO KEEP THE CAR TIL MONDAY! I SAID NO! STORM TO HIT THIS AREA SUN/MON.MORN, & I WOULD BE STRANDED> TOOK CAR BACK HOME WHICH IS ON THE GULF. I AM VERY FRIGHTENED & WILL CALL THE LOCAL NEWS ON THIS MATTER. IT,S NOT JUST TIRES NOW WITH THE FORD EXPLORER.
NHTSA complaint #731663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WAS DRIVING TO GEORGIA & STEERING WAS NOT HANDLING PROPERLY. TOOK TO DEALER IN GA & VEHICLE PLACED ON MACHINE. NOTHING WAS FOUND. MOVED TO NC 1 1/2 YR LATER & HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE. ALSO HAD STEERING CHECKED AGAIN DUE TO SAME PROBLEM. NOTHING FOUND AGAIN. VEHICLE WENT FOR INSPECTION & FAILED DUE TO PROBLEM WITH STEERING. TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC & INDICATION WAS RACK & PINION WAS MESSING UP. TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP & MECHANIC INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE RACK & PINION & IT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #866150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING ON I-95 IN FLORIDA IN THE PASSING LANE ALL OF A SUDDEN HAD NO CONTROL OF STEERING. CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL, FLIPPED OVER INTO THE GRASSY MEDIAN , AND WAS TOTALLED. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE INSURANCE AGENCY.
NHTSA complaint #858686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER'S WHEEL COLLASPED, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. DEALER REPLACED BALL JOINTS AND TIE RODS.
NHTSA complaint #855059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
ENGINE MISSES AND STALLS IN VARIOUS SITUATIONS INCLUDING HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND FROM A STOP. DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR AFTER REPLACING IGNITION WIRES AND VACCUUM ASSEMBLY. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. IT ALSO CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO ACT AS IF THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED CAUSING A STOP FROM HIGH SPEEDS.
NHTSA complaint #712776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
VEHICLE LOST CONTROL OVER VEHICLE WHILE TOWING TRAILER, RESULTING IN CRASHING INTO BARRIERS. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORTS). MJS
NHTSA complaint #548236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND MAKING ANY TYPE OF TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL IS JUMPING AND CONSUMER ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #843566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RACK AND PINION STEERING IS DEFECTIVE. ALSO, POWER STEERING MAKES LOUD NOISES WHEN TURNING. WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING FLUID. WILL BE TAKING TO DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED.
NHTSA complaint #840178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
RACK AND PINION STEERING IS DEFECTIVE. ALSO, POWER STEERING MAKES LOUD NOISES WHEN TURNING. WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING FLUID. WILL BE TAKING TO DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED.
NHTSA complaint #840178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ENTIRE SPINDLE ASSEMBLY DISENGAGED, CAUSING A COLLISION TO OCCUR. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #836109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING
NOISE IN FRONT END DUE TO FAILURE OF THE ROD ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #543566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. ALSO,BRAKES COMPLETELY FADED. VEHICLE STOPPED BY TURNING ENGINE OFF, STOP MADE WITHOUT POWER STEERING OR BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #781527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
VEHICLE HAS VERY SENSITIVE STEERING WHEN DRIVING 50 MPH OR MORE.
NHTSA complaint #533061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.