1997 EXPLORER VAN FORD EXPLORER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

1997 FORD EXPLORER, BOUGHT AS A PROGRAM VEHICLE (RETURNED) WITH 40,000 MILES.EHICLE NOW HAS 103,000 EASY MILES. MOSTLY SITS IN CARPORT. NOT DRIVEN DAILY. VECHICLE HAS HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS 1. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, HAVE REPLACED )2 SENSOR TWICE. CAME BACK ON SHORTLY AFTER. RUNS ROUGH IN THE MORNING. 2. BLEND DOOR FAILED (THIS CAUSES EITHER WARM OR COOL AIR TO BLOWN INTO THE VEHICLE), RENDERING EITHER AC OR HEATER INOPERABLE. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION, WHEN DEFROSTER IS NEEDED QUICKLY. FORD DEALER SAID FORD USED DEFECTIVE PART, NOW HAS NEW AND IMPROVED BLEND DOOR. ESTIMATED COST $574.00 3. SPARE TIRE WINCH FAILED AFTER 1 USE. 4. THROTTLE BODY FAILED (RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, HAD REPAIRED AT DEALER, FAILED AGAIN 6 MONTHS LATER).THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION, ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS HARD TO DEPRESS, CAUSING OPERATOR TO STEP HARDER, POTENTIALLY CAUSING VEHICLE TO LURCH DANGEROUSLY. 5. TIMING CHAIN FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MILES, INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR MECHANIC (WHOM I TRUST) STATED SHOP MANUAL SAID ENTIRE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO REMOVED AND HEAD REMOVED TO REPAIR. ESTIMATED COST $1000.00 LOOKED INTO ENGINE SWAP, EST. COST $1500.00 6. SEAT RECLINIING HANDLE (TO RECLINE SEAT) SIMPLY BROKE OFF, WAS NOT EVEN IN USE.*AK

IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION AFTER 5 TRIPS TO THE SERVICE DEPT. THAT MY 1997 FORD EXPLORER NEEDS A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS WAS AFTER SENSORS WERE REPLACED THE FIRST 4 TIMES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON ALMOST CONSTANTLY SINCE THE PURCHASE IN JUNE. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE EXPLORER AND FORD WOULD NOT RECALL THEM FOR THIS MAJOR DEFECT. I DID NOT PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE TO CONSTANTLY MAKE REPAIRS TO A DEFECTIVE PART OR PARTS. FORD SHOULD MAKE THIS RIGHT. PLEASE CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY. [XXX]. *LA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR BLEND ON MY VEHICLE. FORD STATES THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER, ANY WEBSITE YOU GO TO THAT HAS FORD OWNERS ON IT HAVE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS. I HAVE CHANGED THE THERMOSTAT, TRACED ALL VACUUM LINES, CHECKED THE HEATER COR ETC. THE BLOWER THROWS OUT COLD AIR ONLY. FORD WANTS IN EXCESS OF $1,100 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I WILL NOT PAY THIS AMOUNT. I PLAN ON CONSULTED WITH MY FAMILY ATTORNEY, AND POSSIBLY SEE IF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT CAN BE FILED. THEY REFUSE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR BLEND, AND DENY ANY REPORTS OF PROBLEMS.

REAR END COLLISION- AT 35-40MPH THE DRIVER SEAT WENT ALL THE WAY BACK & THE BACK OF THE SEAT WENT TO A RECLINING POSITION. I RECEIVED A CONTUSION ON THE BACK OF MY HEAD AND WAS KNOCKED UNCONSIOUS FOR ABOUT 50 FT. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE PERSON BEHIND ME HIT A SPEED BUMP I HAD JUST GONE OVER.

THE SPARE TIRE ON MY 1997 FORD EXPLORER FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE IF I HAD BEEN GOING DOWN A BUSY STREET OR HIGHWAY. THE SPARE IS STORED UNDER THE VEHICLE WITH A CABLE WHICH SNAPPED, DROPPING THE TIRE INTO THE ROAD. FORD DOES NOT THINK I SHOULD WORRY ABOUT IT. I BELIEVE IT IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.*AK