Ten problems related to engine and engine cooling have been reported for the 1997 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Tl the contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 50 mph, the vehicle started to shake abnormally, the contact was unable to drive in 4 wheel drive. The contact stated the check gauge warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the front drive shaft, the control arms, the front oxygen sensor, and the front and rear brakes needing to be replaced. The control arms were replaced however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire while parked in his driveway. The contact stated that an independent mechanic diagnosed that the hydraulic fluid was leaking due to the faulty cruise control switch causing the fire. The contact mentioned that the hydraulic fluid leaked out when it gets warm even when the vehicle not running. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnostic testing and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000. The VIN was not available.
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.
The engine slowed down and just quit. Would not restart. Had it towed to a repair facility *again* and found out that *2 (two)* timing chains went out. The drivers side snapped in two and the passenger side (rear) had over 1 1/2 inches of play in it and obvious stretching of the timing chain. The front broken one totaled the engine, all tentioners, spacers etc were nor in pieces lying in the engine. And guess what to replace the rear timing chain you have to completely remove the engine from the vehicle! thanks again Ford!!!!!!!!.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The contact was driving approximately between 35-40 mph when he smelled a burning odor. The vehicle was immediately taken to a local repair facility. While exiting the vehicle, the contact noticed flames erupting from under the hood. There was no prior warning. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The cause of failure had not been determined at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 190,000.
My 1997 Ford Explorer died while I was driving. I had the vehicle towed to a Ford dealership and was informed that the cam shaft chain was broken or let go. I was advised by Ford they knew about this problem, but didn't notify everyone who owned them because they didn't have enough parts to repair or replace and they only told the Ford dealerships about this problem and not the public. And they also purged all the "old records" as they call them and cannot tell if they notified the Ford dealership where I purchased my vehicle. I was told by hackettstown Ford when I purchased my vehicle that it was one of the sales managers wifes car and it is in mint condition and well maintained. When I found out about the problem with my vehicle. , I was told by Ford that there are over 5 million Ford Exploreres and Mercury SUV still on the road. There is no way a consumer can tell if this is going to happen youor vehicle just dies, and I cannot imagine how many people have been in accidents or even killed because of this problem or are still driving these vehicles and wont know until it happens. It cost me $14,999 when I purchased this vehicle and it cost me over $6,000. For a new engine. Who is watching out for us? if I was told to have my vehicle checked I would have it only cost about $100. 00 to pull they engine down to the cam shaft chain and check for the problem. I had my vehicle looked at by four mechanics who knew right away what the problem was. Please help me and the public with this problem, I am disabled and had to borrow the money for the engine and will have to pay the money back for the next 4 years. I couldn't buy a new vehicle because my vehicle fits me perifect because of having 35 surgeries from a auto accident in 1974. If I see another Explorer I stay far away from it. . The funny thing is when you call Ford in detroit they ask you how many Fords you have purchased in your lifetime and would you ever buy another one.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. While driving 5 mph, the vehicle began to shake. The contact placed the vehicle in park and shut off the engine. He exited the vehicle, raised the hood, and noticed that the engine was on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to his residence and has not been to a mechanic. The cause of the fire and the dealer information were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 15,200.
When I stopped using my ac and turned on the heat in my 97 Ford Explorer all I get is cold air. This happens at all heat settings including defrost. I talked to a Ford dealership and the service man there said it is probably the blend door and that it would cost $800-1000 to repair. Nothing has been done yet as I don't have that much spare cash for this repair. The vehicle does have 116,000 miles on it but I have been checking this out on the internet and it seems to be a major safety issue with 95-99 Explorers. Is there any recourse from Ford on this?.
The vehicle in question is a 1997 Ford Explorer with 38643km. The a/c heater unit was blowing out only cool air. Does not help when you get -30c weather and you try to defrost your windshield with cold air. Yes it is out of the 3 year warranty period but certainly not the 60000km. I do not understand how a vehicle with less than 40000km can have such a problem ? Ford's answer is as follows: cause: diagnosed-temp blend door is broke. Correction: replaced interior heater case. Ford refuses to pay any portion because it is out of warranty. . Read more...
Ford is aware of a recurring problem, the particular problem being a worn or broken cam chain guide which creates a noisy symptom which my vehicle has, then Ford should be willing, if not liable, to fix it.