general problems of the 1997 Ford Explorer

I recently found out my vehicle has an open recall regarding the possible leakage of the speed control deactivation switch, which could cause a fire whether the vehicle is running or not. The Ford manufacturer's recall #09s09 and the NHTSA recall #09v399000. This is still an open recall. I contacted Ford recall center today and they are refusing to remedy this hazardous recall due to the age of the recall and the age and miles of my vehicle. This is a safety issue and Ford should fix it as bodily injury or even possible death could occur if this recall is not remedied. My vehicle is running properly for the moment but since this is a safety issue, Ford motor CO. Should be required to fix it no matter the age of my vehicle.

On December 23rd, 2016 I was coming home from work around 6:00 pm. My car was a 1997 Ford Explorer eddie bauer edition. I had just gotten off of the highway and turned onto my road when I began to smell smoke, so, I pulled off into an empty parking lot beside a walking trail. I could tell that it was an electrical fire, but, it took me quite a while to figure out where it was coming from. I checked under the hood - but nothing seemed to be wrong there. Then, I got back into the car and the smoke kept getting heavier. I began feeling around for something that was hot. I checked the dash, the vents, the steering wheel, the seats - almost everything before I checked the center computer console. In the middle of my car - directly under the radio - there is a computer module that displays the gas mileage, oil status, and if there is a problem with the lights on the car. The module had recently started displaying a "check headlamps" message. Well - I had done so and they were working fine - so I did not think anything of it. Turns out that the fire had started under the center computer module. I guess that the car should have blown a fuse but instead - started a fire. I tried to rip the cover and the console up - but it was screwed down and I had no luck. At that point, the flames started to spread very quickly and the entire car went up in flames in a matter of minutes. I called 911 and got as far away as I could with my belongings. The fire truck and fire fighters came within five minutes or so and put out the fire before it reached the gas tank. The bottom half of the car remained untouched, however, the interior was completely destroyed. The seats had burnt off and the steering wheel was completely gone. I'm still in my teenage years - so I did not know how to deal with this situation properly. I am just glad I am alive and that I was able to get out of the car in time.

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.

I have no explanation for the fire, the car was parked in my driveway. It had been driven about a block from my home and then it was returned to the driveway. My uncle son sitting in the living room when they heard the car alarm and looked out of the window to see clouds of black smoke coming from the truck. My son attempted to put the fire out but it was to intense, my son called 911. This would have killed someone if they had been in the car. Photos are available. Fire department could not say what caused this fire. The tires even melted. All severe damage was to the front end. The car had not been in any kind of accident, there is no explanation for this fire. Please contact me for photos. Not sure what to do but I need to make sure no families.

Approx. 2a. M, the vehicle caught on fire. Fire dept. Report confirmed electrical fire.

While driving my 1997 Ford Explorer sport the speedometer would drop to zero and I would not know how fast I am actually driving. The tachometer is also affected and, probably, the odometer. My mechanic has changed the speed sensor but the problem remains. An internet search has turned up numerous complaints of the same issue with the result being a faulty programmable speedometer/odometer module (psom), which is located in the dash. This is a very costly repair. Some individuals are just purchasing gps units to determine how fast they are driving. It is my opinion that Ford knows about this issue and should be required to repair/replace the psom. Aside from the obvious safety problem of not knowing how fast I am driving, this problem also causes the odometer to read incorrectly.

About a mile from an intersection I noticed the check engine light turned on. Approaching the traffic light my brake pedal had lost pressure and went to the floor. I had to pump the brakes to get the vehicle to stop. I noticed some smoke coming from the driver side of the hood but thought it might be from the old pickup truck next to me. The light turned green and the vehicle "sputtered" suffering a loss of horse power but I was able to drive the car about 150 yards and coasted into a gas station where I parked at the far end away from the pumps. At this time I noticed more smoke and flames coming from the driver side of the hood so I went inside to ask for a fire extinguisher but the cashier said he had none. I then asked to him dial 911 because my vehicle was on fire. I went back to my vehicle and removed some paperwork from the seat and waited for help to arrive. I just had the vehicle serviced by covert Ford on March 16, 2011 for the factory recall of the speed control deactivation switch, (brake pressure switch) which is what I believe cause the fire. I believe that when I had to pump my brakes to stop the vehicle the brake fluid was leaking onto the exhaust manifold. According to the fire officials at the scene there was no way to determine the point of origin of the fire but the damaged area is right below the brake master cylinder. (I have pictures and video). Thank god there was no other damage to property or lives. I only had liability coverage so I signed the title over to the tow truck driver and lost my transportation. I bought the vehicle on April 19, 1999, took care of it for almost 12 years without incident and a week after having it serviced for a fire safety issue, it caught fire and burned. I put about 100 miles on it after it was serviced by the dealer before the fire began.

Today is the first time since I have owned the truck as I was driving it and started right back up, and about 6 hours later my neighbor noticed my truck on fire. Flames were coming from behind the left front wheel well. My mechanic said looks like e-brake cable started to weld it self and caught the body mount on fire. E-brake cable melted plastic housing inside the truck.

My 1997 Ford Explorer started fire in the engine area after practicing football for 45 min in the school. It was a total loss by the time fire men arrived. They said it was either fuel or electrical related.

The cars heat/ac would switch between high heat to max cool. I took it to the local Ford dealer and was told it was a problem with the blend door and would cost about $1100. 00 to repair. The repair would include a updated blend door motor and a new air plenum the service person also stated this problem is very common in Explorers and it is just a matter of time before they all fail.

Our 1997 Ford Explorer was parked in the driveway while we were asleep. It caught on fire and burnt completely up destroying a 6000. 00 stereo system, 2 sets of golf clubs, part of a deck, and parts of another vehicle.

: 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.

The engine light came on. Consumer took vehicle to dealer ,who said they could not get it in until Saturday for repairs. Tuesday the vehicle caughton fire with the engine not running. The vehicle had been parked with engine turned off for about 5 minutes , and when consumer returned the vehicle was in flames. The fire was most prominent in the front. The fire dept came, and they said the vehicle caught fire from the dash and head area and it was electrical in nature. The vehicle was totaled. There are police and fire department reports as well as photographs. No other indication as to why this happened.

While driving 55 mph vehicle caught on fire on its own. Pulled over, and the fire department extinguished the fire. Vehicle was towed to a garage for inspection. The cause had not been determined at this time.

While driving at 35 mph consumer heard a noise, then vehicle stalled. The spark plugs blew out. An independent technician indicated that engine cylinder need to be replaced.

The vehicle automatically popped into 4x4 mode without warning. When that happened the vehicle made a loud grinding noise and stopped in the middle of traffic. The vehicles wipers also became inoperable. The windows could not be opened. The interior lights failed. It was later determined that all these failures were as a result of a faulty gem module. The module has been recalled in canada.

While driving the consumers vehicle caught on fire under the dash. It was later determined that the consumer never receive a recall notice related to this failure because she moved but the mail was later routed to her. The consumer wants to know what action can be taken since the recall has expired.

Intermittently various components will become inoperable due to a deffect in the electrical system. Dealer has inspected the vehicle.

Electrical fire originating behind radio section of dash.

Consumer states after vehicle was shut off, the locks would not work, lights would go on and stay on, and the alarm would go off at all hours, possibly an electrical problem.

Truck will not start. Sometimes driver has to pop the clutch. Sometimes the truck has to be push before it will start.

Consumer states of having electrical problems with the vehicle. Please add more information. Mr.

Dash panel will go out. Headlights will stay on , but tail lights will not. Dealer has tried 4 times to remedy the problem. Sometimes it will work properly for about 2 weeks, but then defect will reoccur. This is an intermittent problem.

Nov '00 - truck would not start, had to get jump start. Took into the dealer for service. Diagnosis - idle air control valve replaced. Dec '00 - truck would not start, had to jump start. Took to a local mechanic. Diagnosis - gem module replaced. Jan '01 - truck would not start or jump start. Towed to dealer. Diagnosis - crank positioning sensor replaced. Told by dealer that these all were electronic parts. No explanation as to why they would fail with such low mileage. Currently, the 4wd indicator lights on the dash flash periodically. Left voice message with dealer service on 2/5 to discuss/fix.