First evidence of noise reported to dealer on 7/22/98. They said there was no problem. Noise became unbearable and engine began lossing power. Took it to dealer ON1/2/01 and found out the front cam tensioner disintegrated causing severe metalic noises from the engine compartment. Bankston Ford supposidly did the well known recall. My paperwork shows they replaced the tensioner cassette and changed the oil. I obtained their own proceedures for this issue because many engines have had to be replace due to the pieces of the broken tensioner clogging oil passages and destroying the engines. The instructions they should have followed included inspecting the heads for clogged passages and other things. I believe they should have replaced the engine then, but they made me take it. As soon as I left dealer, the noise was back. Called them and they said to give it a week and see if it goes away. It got worse and I brought it back in to the dealer. This time they said it was the rear tensioner (the one not coverered by their recall since it requires removing the engine. Same part- same defect, but not covered due to cost). Since Ford was losing too much money on their defect replacing engines, they stopped helping their customers. The dealer offered a $500 and 75,000 mile warrantee dealer concession, but I expected it to be taken care of like everyone else. The defective part ruined the engine and it should be replaced, or at least repaired properly. Have been at a stand-still for almost 2 years now with a non-funcioning vehicle. Ford customer service will not do anything and the dealer now wants $5000 for a new engine.

- Plano, TX, USA

I had purchased a 1997 Ford Explorer XLT from mk auto in auburn, ca and the car fax I recieved said there had been no recalls and no accidents on the vehicle. The owner from mk auto assured me many times that the fehicle was in good running condition. The day after I baught the vehicle it broke down in me. Mk auto took it back 3 times in hopes they could fix it, but never did. 10 months later the cam chain guid broke in the engine. My husband and I looked on the internet and found there had been 13 recalls on my vehicle I never knew about. This car in very unsafe for my family and I am outraged I was never notified! I have now tried to buy another car, but the Ford Explorer is worht so little and now I have so much negative equaty its hard.......I finally found a car, but am paying dearly for it because of the Explorer which has been sitting in the car lot of a Ford dealership for over a month!

- Nevada City, CA, USA

Engine is a 1997 4.0L SOHC. There is a very noticible miss in the timing at idle. When the vehicle is sitting still, it bucks and shudders the whole truck, but the idle speed never varies more than 100 RPM. Had same problem with 1991 Explorer 4.0L. Dealer ran on the vehicle and could not find any problems. Mechanic said this is common with these engines.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

My vehicle suddenly started accelerating when I was proceeding down the interstate. I could slow the vehicle down somewhat by aggressively applying the brakes. However, this would just get me slowed down a little until I would release the brake. The vehicle would suddenly speed up again. I was traveling on a fairly busy stretch of interstate at the time of the incident. I luckily did not have a need to stop quickly while this problem occurred. I tried hitting the accelerator a few times to get it to stop sticking in the "wide open" position. I even tried manipulating the cruise control (which was off). After several failed attempts to remedy the problem, I started trying to think of a quick game plan to get out of this potential disaster. I am very thankful that my wife was not driving at the time and that I did not have others in the car during this nightmare. I was finally able to find a shoulder where I could pull off the road. As I said, the road was extremely busy and I was very worried about getting off the road safely with a semi-truck not far behind me. I pulled toward the shoulder and put the car into "neutral". the RPM's, which had been running extremely high for about 3 minutes, moved even higher at this point. The RPM's were pegged to the top of the gauge for about 30 seconds. As soon as I felt I was off of the roadway enough, I turned the key to the "off" position. When I got out of the car there was a horrible burning odor coming from the front of the car. I am not only concerned about the problem that may have triggered this incident, but I am also very worried about collateral damage that this undoubtedly caused. I feel that this caused an excessive amount of wear and tear to the engine and the braking system. On top of all of the physical damage done to the car, the experience was scary to say the least. My wife refuses to even get in the car at this point. Needless to say, she doesn't want my kids to ride in it either.

- Scott Depot, WV, USA

Consumer states that there is a significant safety hazard with this vehicle. The vehicle is experiencing revving and stalling. Consumer feels that the vehicle is unable to be corrected. The problem has been able to be fixed temporarily to reduce the severity of the problem, even in consultation with Ford Motor Company engineers. Consumer has continued to experience several unexpected surges in the engine revs in different situations.

- Savannah, GA, USA

The engine locked up and was replaced twice, the dealership refused to pay for any repairs.

- Holbrook, NY, USA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Marion, IN, USA

Consumer stated when vehicle was being started it sounded like a diesel engine, the engine light was appearing on the dashboard, consumer was informed that a new engine was needed, consumer states vehicle is now on its 3rd engine.

- Holbrook, NY, USA

I ha D a warranty through Ford Motor Co. They will not honor it nor will the dealership I complained about this loud metallic rattling noise they (the dealerships service writers) said that the problem was fixed back in October it was not nearly a half a year later there was enough engine damage that it needed to be replaced my extended warranty states "if the front cam chain guide is not functioning properly it will be replaced by Ford free of charge any other engine damage clearly resulting from a worn or broken front cam chain guide is also covered by this extended coverage" again this extended coverage is not being honored by Ford or the servicing dealership.

- Lansing, MI, USA

Consumer stated when vehicle was being started it sounded like a diesel engine, the engine light was appearing on the dashboard, consumer was informed that a new engine was needed, consumer states vehicle is now on its 3rd engine.

- Holbrook, NY, USA

While driving pressed on gas pedal to accelerate, and vehicle would die. When car was in park it did not cut off. But, soon as consumer pressed gas pedal it shut off.

- Steeleville, IL, USA

Check engine light illuminated, possibly engine related.

- Plainfield, IL, USA

Cam chain tensioner failed, as described in technical service bulletins 00M12, 01M01, 12150, 6926. Ford customer relations refuses to cover the repair. They claim this is not a safety issue. I claim it is. When mine failed, I was nearly run over by a semi tractor trailer following behind me due to instantaneous loss of power without warning. Ford should be compelled to issue a general recall on all such engines with this known defect.

- Tall Timbers, MD, USA

While driving the vehicle shut down and lost all power, the dealer replaced the timing chain, 2 days after this repair the vehicle broke down again, this time it was determined that the vehicle needed a new engine. Nlm

- Unk, UN, USA

After cutting car off and parking for a while, consumer tried to restart car and it would not start.

- Wallkill, NY, USA

Faulty serpentine belt causes squealing noise at times, there is also an oil leak from the vehicle. Nlm

- La Grange, KY, USA

Engine failed while driving, causing vehicle to stall due to overheating. Cause unknown, dealer does not know why vehicle overheated. Complete engine needs to be replaced.

- Crystal Lake, IL, USA

Ongoing problem with defective engines. Dealer / manufacturer notified, and replaced engine. Later on, problem reoccurred again. Engine needs to be replaced again. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.

- Vero Beachh, FL, USA

I am sending this information as requested but my major concern is that I have not been personally informed for the recalls to the Ford XLT Explorer except the one for the Firestone tires and the one for the motor oil pump. My wife and myself contacted bayamon Ford dealer for information on other recalls that appeared in the news and no response was received from the dealer. Could you update me in this issue" should I contact the Ford company"

- Bayamon, PR, USA

On 12/18/00-I had my car towed to romeo Ford, because my motor died sitting at a red light waiting to turn, romeo Ford informed me that something in the upper half of the motor let go and that Ford Motor Company did not recomend the motor be repaired-that a factory rebuild is recomended-my cost would be 1,600.00-and that Ford would pick up the rest-I thought great a new motor for $1,600 dollars-I said fix it-I got the car back 01/18/01-runs great-on 01/24/01 I get in the mail a safty recall packet from Ford Motor Company-in this packet is a warranty extension on the camshaft chain tensioner-(thats what let go to kill my motor) I thought great my new motor is covered under warranty-I get my $1,600 back! -nope- romeo Ford -Ford Motor Company-will not honor the warranty extension-can you help me?

- Utica, MI, USA