NHTSA Complaint #740896 — 1997 FORD EXPLORER

WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, THE ENGINE SIEZED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN IMMEDIATE STOP. UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE, I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION WHERE INSPECTION BY A MECHANIC REVEALED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT HAD BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO CONLON-COLLINS FORD IN CRYSTAL LAKE, IL WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT WAS BROKEN AND THE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $4,500. I REPORTED THE MATTER TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER. THEY INDICATED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED PREVIOUSLY AND NO RECALL NOTICES OR SERVICE BULLETINS HAVE BEEN ISSUED WITH REGARD TO THIS PROBLEM. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS BEEN RELUCTANT TO DISCUSS BEARING ANY PART OF THE COST FOR REPAIRS OR INCIDENTAL EXPENSES SUCH AS TOWING OR RENTAL OF A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE WHILE REPAIRS ARE UNDER WAY. A CRANKSHAFT SHOULD NEVER BREAK AND ONE CERTAINLY SHOULD NOT EXPECT IT TO FAIL AFTER ONLY 52,000 SUBURBAN MILES. IN MY OPINION, THIS REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT HAD THIS INCIDENT OCCURED AT HIGH SPEED OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURIES AND/OR FATALITIES. *AK