26 problems related to brake electric antilock have been reported for the 1997 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Turned into parking space at low speed. When brakes were applied vehicle surged forward and struck building trapping a lady between vehicle and building, killing her. Gas was not applied at anytime, you could feel the anti-lock brakes trying to engage and the vehicle could not be stopped.
While driving the abs engaged, which caused the truck to flip over. As a result the driver was ejected from the vehicle, then two seconds later, the vehicle caught fire. The consumer contacted the manufacturer about the failure but the responded with a letter which said " sorry there is nothing we can do for you at this time. ".
Preparing to brake for a corner on a rainy night, the anti-lock brakes locked the wheels and slid me into an oncoming traffic lane at about 35 miles per hour. The oncoming vehicle swerved and avoided a head on collision with me. About 20 seconds later down the road the anti-lock brakes locked again as I turned into my development and again I slid. Vehicle has been serviced through its life and has a little over 52,000 miles on it. I could be dead right now had I not been a slower highway. It appears this problem has existed since the vehicle was produced after reading all of the complaints on this site.
Engine accelerated during braking to a stop. Unable to stop vehicle with brakes.
Consumer was traveling about 35mph on road to pass another vehicle. , and without prior warning, vehicle acellerated about 100mph. Had foot on brakes, but vehicle was still running. Consumer turned vehicle off. Dealership was aware of problem.
While consumer was driving on highway vehicle started to shift from side to side, and when consumer slammed on the brakes, vehicle started to smoke. Please provide more information.
Abs would engage during normal braking and on dry pavement. Vehicle been to dealer on three occasions, and they were unable to locate the problem. Feel free to provide any further information.
Abs brakes sytem would not shut off. Abs brake system continued to function through dry weather any time brakes were applied.
I have not been notified of any recalls on this vehicle by Ford or the dealer.
While driving about 20 mph stepped on brakes pedal to stop, but brakes did not work, resulting in extended stoping distanc. This problem happened twice the same day.
While making a stop wheels locked up, causing vehicle to go into a spin, resulting in a collision. There were minor injuries. The 4 wheel drive steering mechanism had been damaged.
Was driving approximately 20mph through a construction zone. Applied brakes (abs), and brake pedal went to the floor. Vehicle failed to stop. Rearended another vehicle. Air bags deployed.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
When brakes were applied the pedal collapsed, causing an extended stopping distance. Dealer has repaired the vehicle.
Ongoing / intermittent problem with front brakes locking up whenever vehicle makes a turn, and on three occasions vehicle would suddenly accelerate while at a stop position . Vehicle been inspected by dealer, and nothing could be founded. Can NHTSA help in this matter.
Consumer has been experiencing some problems with anti-lock brakes. When applying brakes, vehicle accelerated. The manufacturer has been contacted.
While drving at 35mph and coming to a light consumer tried to stop. Vehicle had enough time to stop, the pedal was normal and gave no signs of a problem. However, consumer hit vehicle in front. Dealer has been contacted.
When brakes were applied in a panic stop the pedal went to the floor, resulting in extended stopping distance, causing a collision. Driver sustained minor injuries.
Vehicle does not stop when the abs brakes are applied. Also,there is extended stopping distance. The dealer cannot duplicate the problem.
While driving applied the brakes and the vehicle would not stop, causing the vehicle to hit another vehicle.
Brake lost 3 times where the brakes went to the floor before stopping. The brakes slowed the vehicle down, but took a long time to stop. Felt like a loss of power in the brakes.
The brakes does not stop the Explorer within any allowed time, even if one set of wheels are on dry payment. I have close to 3 collision because the vehicle would not stop, even though I did exactly what I was suppose to with abs brakes.
While consumer was driving and another vechicle hit him from the right side. Consumer lost control because the brakes wouldn't hold. The car took him onto front steps of someone's house.
Consumer was traveling at 40 mph and upon depressing brake pedal vehicle continued to accelerate to 70 mph, causing extended stopping distance and unwanted speed. Consumer therefore had to place the vehicle in park to stop the vehicle. Consumer has contacted the dealer, consumer awaiting service from manufacturer. Please provide any further details.
Vehicle never taken off road/dealer has no idea why all front end parts failed/dealer states it never should have happened with 1997 vehicle/ other expoloer owners I have talked with have similar front end problems / I feel there is something wrong with design or parts used in front end and abs system.
Abs malfunctioned while driving, when accelerating experienced intermittent front wheel lockup, vehicle skidded, resulting in near accidents, no warning dlr can't recreate incidents and cannot fixed it.