Consumer was starting to accelerate almost reaching speed of 25-30mph when engine shut off due to crankshaft that fell off. No prior warning. Dealer has to replace motor, but cannot determine cause.

- Southington, OH, USA

Timing chain belt broke while travling at 35 mph with no prior warnings. Has not contacted dealer.

- Westland, MI, USA

While traveling at low speed, engine seized and car stopped abruptly, consumer had vehicle towed and was advised by mechanic that crankshaft broke and a new engine was needed. (check ODI # 740940)

- Barrington, IL, USA

While driving about 65 mph engine malfunctioned. Then, stopped and found that crankshaft was out of engine. Vehicle had to be towed, and engine had to be replaced at dealer.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

Consumer was driving less than 30 mph and stalled. All lights came on. Towed to dealer who found crankshaft had broken. Crank pulley had broken off engine. No prior warning.

- Houston, TX, USA

While driving all lights on dashboard came on, humming sound, had vehicle towed. Crankshaft had broken.

- Miami, FL, USA

Consumer was informed by dealer that the chain tensioner broke and the engine needed replaced, consumer had used engine put in vehicle, consumer received a letter (O00M12) extending the warranty on the camshaft chain tensioner (00M12) and lower intake manifold gaskets, if any repairs were performed because of a faulty camshaft chain prior to December of 2000, Ford would give a full reimbursement, the used engine that was installed has the same defect and consumer is requesting a new engine be installed plus refund of the used engine, Ford stated they would not replace the engine, only give reimbursement for the used engine.

- Lodi, NJ, USA

While traveling at low speed in light traffic, the crankshaft on my 1997 Ford Explorer broke causing the vehicle to stop quite abruptly. The motor must be replaced at a cost of $4500. This is a part failure that places individuals at considerable risk. Had this incident occurred at high speed in relatively heavy traffic, e.g. freeway traffic at 55 mph or higher, there would certainly have been serious injuries and probably fatalities. To date, Ford Motor Company steadfastly refuses to acknowledge any responsibility for the problem and, further, refuses to participate in paying for any portion of the necessary repairs or associated costs such as towing bills and car rentals while the necessary repairs are being made. Also see 560357.

- Barrington, IL, USA

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.

- Hoffman Estates, IL, USA

While driving the tensioner failed causing the engine to stall without warning or indication of trouble, consumer request reimbursement. Nlm

- Laurel, MD, USA

I heard a noise while leaving parking lot. Immediately there was a rattling sound in the motor, then the truck stalled.. the vehicle was towed into the dealership. Their diagnosis is the engine needs to be replaced because of a timing chain failure that jumped loose and knocked a hole in the left valve cover. There was no prior warning or occurence before this happened.

- Sherwood, AR, USA

While driving about 25 mph and all of a sudden vehicle just died. This happened without any warning. Vehicle would not restart. This was due to a broken time chain tensioner. Entire engine was being replaced. Ford refused to help consumer with this matter. Manufacturer changed the design due to timing chain tensioner problem with this make of vehicles.

- Louisville, KY, USA

Engine crankshaft broke. While sitting in vehicle heard a funny noise. Then, vehicle died, and would not start again. Consumer felt this was a manufacturing defect because of the way the crankshaft fell off.

- Slowds Knobs, IN, USA

When driving consumer noticed a rattling noise coming from engine comparment. Vehicle cut off without prior warning. Consumer contacted dealer, dealer noted that engine had a hole which was caused by the timing belt that came off. Engine needed to be replaced.

- North Little Roack, AR, USA

Timing chain accesories are made of a poor material causing it to break. Whats worry all the costumer is that the people the have does not know how to deal with this situation in time(warraty time) making this problem prolong so much that the costumers have to deal with the problem and it cost having the situation during the warranty time.

- Arroyo, PR, USA

Engine crankshaft failed.

- Delray Bea, FL, USA

4.0liter SOHC has defect in the design of timming chain idler. This caused engine to stall and severe valve damage. Ford is recomending complete engine replacement ( $4,800 ) with 2000 model. Ford is obviously aware of the defect but I was never notified.

- Seymour, CT, USA

Timing chain needs replacement? $1,700 and truck isn't even 3 years old.

- Ramona, CA, USA

Stopped for a red light and all of a sudden engine shutoff and all of the lights on the dashboard came on. Looked under the hood belt, came off, and noticed the pulley was laying against the radiator. Towed the car to the dealer. Dealer notice crankshaft broke outside of the engine.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

1-21-00 took car into magic Ford in santa clarita, ca. For warranty work, replace catalytic converter. I was informed by tim heming that the timing chain tensioners were bad. About $1500 to fix. I asked if it was a warranty item. He said no, but I can call the Ford customer assistance guide to see if I can get finacial help. I did and they said no. 1-27-00 I had my own service tech. Pick up car and start the repairs. 2-1-00 my service tech., ken wagner lic.#0706-121676 informed me that the timing chain tensioners were broken and sucked up in the engine and desstroyed the engine. He also informed me that the timing chain tensioners have been upgraded from some kind of plastic material to metal. He also informed me that the dealer he ordered the parts from has ordered 104 of them. The dealer is antelope valley Ford lancaster, ca. The cost to buy and install the new engine was $4000 I had to pay to ken wagner. I think that do to the fact that the parts have been upgraded and so many are being ordered that Ford is aware of this problem and I should be reimbursed for my out of pocket expense.

- Lake Hughes, CA, USA