Vehicle experienced several engine problems, consumer stated that the engine sounded like no oil was in it when started, dealer has replaced gaskets, upper intake cam tensioner three times, and there was a coolant leak. Left front door hinge replaced, it was making noise. Power steering pump was replaced, it was noisy when turning the wheel. Vanity mirror on driver's side would not close all the way and popped when opened, dealer replaced it. The right front of the vehicle was lower than the left front. Brakes were squeaky, dealer replaced front brake pads and turned rotors. A tap noise was heard while playing cd's. vehicle experienced several transmission problems, while going over bumps and railroad tracks, transmission jumped out of gear, dealer intalled overhaul kit because the clutch had burned. 4 wheel drive was inoperable and made a rubbing/groan noise, when reversing and putting intor drive, consumer heard popping noise, dealer replaced rear transfer case flange and removed driveshaft. Vehicle would not start, it would turn over, dealer found the PCM was not wiring, dealer replaced PCM.

- Steilacoom, WA, USA

See description from another dissatisfied owner at ODI id: 702324. No safety defect listed in summary.( dot number: )

- Saline, MI, USA

Intermittently when driving overdrive light flashes and jerks forward. Dealer has inspected vehicle.

- Taunton, MA, USA

Connector seal between the engine and the transmission was leaking causing a bang when vehicle was put into reverse. Nlm

- Dallas, PA, USA

Mechanic made comment that seals in transmission were defective and were supposed to be replaced but dealer neglected to do so when vehicle was traded in or in for prior services.

- Deland, FL, USA

The 4-wheel drive lites (4-wheel dr-low & 4-wheel dr) and the cruise control lite began flashing on the dash. I stopped at a Ford dealership, pocatello, Idaho. They put on computer, but said they could find nothing in the GEM memory, so advised me to drive on to salt lake city, but do not put in cruise control, and this would not harm the car's equipment or be unsafe. I returned from my trip and stopped at a retirement home's parking lot in Idaho falls on July 1, 2000 and the car made "banging" noises when reversed out of the parking slot. The dash lites that had been flashing previously were not showing. I called the broadway Ford dealership that services the car to haul it in for repair. They found the sensors were not working properly. Then they test drove the car and said it had a noise in the transfer case and thought they should investigate. They found shavings in the fluid, and have parts on order. I am alarmed at what might have happened while driving on the interstate to and from salt lake city at 75 mph, as the car lurched and banged in reverse and forward gear when I tried to drive out of the parking lot at the retirement home. It seemed to have the gears locked up, or the two 4-wheel drive transmissions not working together. They cannot assure me that the transmission might also be damaged from these sensors not working.

- Victor, ID, USA

Engine "ticks" primarily at cold startup. Problem becoming more prevelant however, now it occurs also at a warm startup. Engine also "hisses" at low speeds to idle. Rear end leaks fluid and also shudders at high speeds. "clunking" noise often heard and felt from rear end when vehicle stops.

- Livonia, MI, USA

EA99001, throttle body system malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to jump forward or backward. Also, while starting vehicle, it will stall out when placing it in gear. Owner thinks part should be recalled.

- Middletown, OH, USA

Automobile jumped out of park and rolled forward and hit a pole. No injuries were sustained.

- Cypress, CA, USA

4 wheel drive stuck in low. If switched out of low the transmission disengages from both the front and rear axel so the vehicle just stops. Even though the lights on dash indicate the vehicle is in 4 wheel high the vehicle remains in 4 wheel low. We have had the vehicle for 2 1/2 years and never once used 4 wheel low. With the snow this week I used 4 wheel low to get out of the driveway. I did not go more then 3 feet forward when the transmission became stuck. Nothing I did would fix the problem. When I contacted Ford all they told me was my vehicle was out of warrenty so I had to pay for it. I know from other Explorer owners that this is a common problem. The fear here is that the 4 wheel drive system completely disengages and my vehicle with my family is put at risk as others come up on us at speed. Thanks for the site. Kevin

- Germantown, MD, USA

We (herndon, va residents - jane, my son tj-15, my daughter bobbie-13, and I) were returning from spending christmas with jane's sister, anne, and our brother-in-law, jack, in detroit. We departed from farmington hills mi (detroit) at 9:30am in a light snow. It worsened as we got into Ohio, but the roads were cleared and in some areas were salted. Most traffic was moving at approximately 50 mph in one lane, the far right one closest to the shoulder. That is where I was when the accident occurred. Shortly after we started the trip I heard a series of loud noises from under the car. My sport utility vehicle (SUV), a 1997 Ford Explorer, has a series of settings for 4 wheel drive (4WD), I.e., auto 4WD, 4WD high, and 4WD low. At the time I believed the noise to be the car shifting from 2wd to 4WD as it sensed the road conditions. I attempted to set it to 4WD, but the noise continued. Since the noise did not stop I set it back to the setting I had it in most of the time. At approximately 1pm, I am certain the transmission failed locking the wheels, which put me into a spin. During the spin the car rolled over, went in and out of a ditch (located to the right of the shoulder of the road) on its side, and eventually settled right side up with the front of the car pointed downward into the ditch toward the highway. I contacted my insurance company and the car is currently located at Suburban collision center, 1151 West bagley road, burea, oh 44017 (440) 243-5533.

- Herndon, VA, USA

Ford powertrain system disengaged while driving down a highway with a steep grade. Auto engine braking control was lost with loud gear tearing sounds. Vehicle speed immediately encreased to a dangerous level during curved down-hill setion of the road. Heavy application of brakes kept us from sliding off the highway and down the mountain side. There was no warning that the Ford GEM control module was failing and subsequently instructing the transmission "transfer" case to release/engage in such a manner as to destroy the powertrain and disconnect the vehicle from the powertrain.

- Grants Pass, OR, USA

Transmission problem occurred beginning in October 1997 until November 1998 when vehicle was returned to Ford per a lemon law settlement. Transmission problems included lack of power, loss of power, erratic idle and throttle. Please contact me for more information per your investigation.

- West Caldwell, NJ, USA

Vehicle is not consitent switching in/out of overdrive/4 wd -sticks-Ford denies there is a problem.

- Gambrills, MD, USA

When changing gear into reverse defect in transmission will cause a ten seconds delay, vehicle will not move before it will actually engage the reverse gear. Dealer has rebuilt transmission, now saying this is normal with vehicle.

- Lockport, IL, USA

Brought vehichle into different Ford dealer to complain of noise, was told that it was the air presssure valve and to wait till it got louder till they would fix, one week later transmission failed, they say it is a cracked drum and replaced entire transmission...never had an air valve problem

- Pottstown, PA, USA

Transmission leaked on the converter causing fire.

- Plantation, FL, USA

When backing up, the gas pedal may stick. You must tap the pedal to disengage it. If the transmission is in drive, the vehicle may lurtch forward and if you're on an incline it may roll backwards before engaging.

- Greeneville, TN, USA