10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 6 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 14 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 56,632 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
My lights don't work stabilizing bar is bad, speed control dose not work security key code not working, door controls do not work.wiper work sometimes.ball joint are bad, tires wearing bad, ,bushings are very bad.transmission is starting to slip, all wheel drive does not work, it grinding sound.heaf light only brights work.
- Bend, OR, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that when driving approximately 35-40 mph over a road bump, the vehicle would sway from left to right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who advised that the front stabilizer bar needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired three times however, the failure recurred after each repair. The manufacturer was notified and stated that there were no recalls for the vehicle and offered no other assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
- Egg Harbor Township, NJ, USA
Since the Explorer was 5 years old the driver side of the truck was starting to settle/ be lower than the passenger side. Until it was so bad the shop stated we needed to replace the rear springs, shocks and stabilizer and *** the rear was also lower than the front. So we had to replace the front shocks and several suspension parts to try to level the vehicle back to normal. Now with the engine blown the truck again was settling to the passenger side and toward the rear!!!!!
- Kenosha, WI, USA
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.
- Brentwood, NY, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. When she started the vehicle there was a clicking sound and the vehicle begin swaying from back and forth. The contact stated that the right front sway bar link was broken and sheared. A mechanic looked under the vehicle and observed that the bar was broken. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that recall# 00V402000 component: Suspension is related; however, the VIN does not apply to the recall. The failure mileage was 126,000.
- Front Royal, VA, USA
Letter on behalf of constituent seeking information identifying recalled of defective sway bars in certain 1997 Ford Explorer vehicles. The consumer was informed his vehicle was not included in recall 00V40200, however the right and left sway bar links failed exactly as described in the recall.
- Gardiner, ME, USA
The right rear leaf spring is bad and this causes the tires to ware which has caused us several dollars to replace tires. I've been told that leaf springs don't go bad but mine has.
- Bronson, MI, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. While driving various speeds, the steering vibrated and the contact lost control of the steering wheel on two separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and they discovered that the sway bar link failed. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 00V402000 (suspension). The current mileage was 100,000 and failure mileage was 98,000. Updated 03-04-08
- Falls Church, VA, USA
- the contact stated was driving 25 mph when the vehicle started making a loud popping sound each time she made a right turn, the sound seemed as if it was coming from under the driver's seat area. The road and weather conditions were great. The contact stated that while driving if she hit a bump in the road the vehicle would make the same loud popping sound. The contact took the vehicle to a repair shop on 12/28/06, and told the mechanic of the problem she was having, and the mechanic told the contact about the recall campaign # 00V402000 for suspension. The mechanic told the contact that she needed sway bar link replaced because it broke. The contact did pay $92.67 for this repair. The contact feltthat since there was nothing else wrong with vehicle, the manufacturer should reimburse her for the repair amount. Updated 01/30/07.
- Ashland, KY, USA
: the contact stated while driving various speeds with the cruise control activated a burning smell came from the steering wheel. Also, while driving 55 mph the vehicle jerked to the left. Furthermore, the vehicle surged forward without warning. The vehicle was driven to an independent repair shop to diagnosed the problems. There were no repairs made except on the throttle body. There were recalls on all three components. There was a NHTSA recall, #99V062000 regarding the vehicle speed control. A NHTSA recall, #00V402000 concerning the suspension. Also, a NHTSA recall #00V422000 concerning the vehicle speed control. The VIN was not included in any of the recalls.
- Saint Augustine, FL, USA
: the contact stated while traveling 50 mph on any road condition, the vehicle swayed violently from side to side. The sway bar was replaced in 2003. A few months later, the contact noticed there was a NHTSA recall, #00V402000, regarding the suspension. The service dealer was contacted and determined that a diagnostics test needed to be performed before any work was to be done. The test showed the upper and lower ball joints along with the camber castor kit were damaged. Also the passenger and both rear doors did not open. The front driver's door had difficulties closing on two occasions. The contact received a letter from the manufacturer which offered $6000 for a trade in. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The locks were inoperative, the headlamp switch was broken. The vehicle needed upper and lower ball joints, however the consumer declined all repairs. Updated 10/11/06.
- Denver, CO, USA
I see all of the recalls on the Ford Explorer date 1997 but I own a Ford Explorer 1997 and the only recall notice that I received is the one for the tires back in 2000. I never received the others and I know the Ford company is aware of me owning this vehicle for I get notices in the mail constantly about selling it back to Ford. Why are not my suspension lines or gas lines being repaired like the other Ford with the 4.0 liter engine?
- Memphis, TN, USA
Regarding recall 00V402000 on sway bar problems I also was told my vehicle was beyond the recall date however the same parts have broken just as the recall states.
- Elkhorn, NE, USA
The vehicle stabilizer bolt snapped without warning. As a result, when turning in either direction the vehicle rolls. A recall(00V-402000) was issued, however the vehicle's VIN number is outside of the remedy scope.
- Littleton, CO, USA
NHTSA#00-V-402-000 sway bar link can fracture. The vehicle handling could be affected increasing the risks of a crash. Consumer states while wife was driving the vehicle at 65mph, the sway bar link bolts were broken, forcing the driver to pull off the road. The dealer has been notified. Mr Ford stated that the vehicle wasn't covered, in reference to the recall, due to the vehicle year. The link bolts on the left and the right sides were replaced. The passenger side bolts were in bad shape. Scc
- Pound, WI, USA
While driving 10mph heard grinding noise, said it soundes is if it wascoming from under vehicle.
- Princton Junction, NJ, USA
While driving 20mph heard grinding noise, sounded as if it was coming from bottom of vehicle.
- Princton Junction, NJ, USA
Grinding noise coming from the steering while driving. Vehicle been to the dealer on three occasions, and problem reoccurring. Feel free to provide any further information.
- Apex, NC, USA
The vehicle pulled to the right and the consumer noticed a major shimmy which caused the steering wheel to shake resulting in front tires making noise. The cause was discovered to be a missing part called a camber kit. The consumer wants a refund from the manufacturer of the vehicle for fixing this problem.
- Scottsdale, AZ, USA
- Rawlins, WY, USA