Engine problems of the 1997 Ford Explorer

The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. While driving 30 mph, the contact smelled smoke and then noticed smoke rising from the engine compartment. He pulled over approximately two minutes later and discovered flames coming from the engine compartment. There was a small explosion on the driver side of the vehicle. The vehicle was destroyed and a police report was filed. As of November 1, 2007, the dealer and manufacturer had not inspected the vehicle. His VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 07v336000 (vehicle speed control). The contact felt that a leak in the engine compartment caused the fire. The current and failure mileages were 130,000.

I have experienced loss of power in the engine in my 1997, Ford\explorer(purchased used, in June of 1999) causing me to lose my brakes while driving, I have taken this vehicle to several mechanics (for diagnosis) and have been told that this is a recurring problem, that Ford knows about, and that there is something defective in the timing system, and I should take it to the dealer, for further diagnostics, after taking it to the dealer I was told, that the timing chain and timing casette had went and that there had been a service bulletin out pertaining to this problem and that owners had been notified, however I was never notified that there were problems with the engine in this vehicle, the dealer also told me that it would cost me $4500. 00 for a remanufactured engine-replacement because the car was beyond the milage of the service bulleten. After paying $28,000. 00 for a vehicle, as a consumer I would not expect to be subject to repetitive safety concerns for self, family and the public at large, especially when the manufacturer knows of the defective product (1997 Explorer), and then told that I must pay the amount it would cost fora down payment ($4500. 00) on a new vehicle, just to keep my investment safely on the road. Everytime I have taken this vehicle to the dealer I have been robbed of my finances and dignity. I should not have to keep paying for repairs of this car, when Ford knows they have manufactured a defective product. This is not the first time I have had to take this vehicle to the dealer for expensive repairs for defects that Ford knows about and refuses to take responsibility for. Merican auto manufacturers want to know why the american citizen has stopped buying american cars? well the answer is simple. We want to get what we are paying for ($28,000. 00 worth)!! and Ford auto manufacturer, is not giving us what we are paying for. . . Instead they are taking us to the cleaners financially. .

Idle not returning after cruise control was disengaged and brakes would not work. Cruise control kept accelerating. My three children were in the car, was able to stop the car by putting it in neutral, at that point the brakes worked. Pulled to the side of the interstate and shut the car off. When trying to start car again, engine revved to the point where it sounded like it was going to blow up.

Head gasket - leaking anti freeze.

Broken crankshaft on a 97 Ford Explorer. Crank broke while driving on the interstate at 55 mph. All dash lights came on and engine quit. Ford dealer confirmed crank was broken and new engine was needed at a cost of $4400. 00.

Type "e" motor failure at only 90,000 miles resulting in replacement motor.

I was making a left turn in my 1997 Ford Explorer. All of a sudden the car engine just died and I lost steering power and the car would not start again. After having it towed to the dealer they examined the vehicle and told me that the crankshaft had broken and that it was unrepairable, and that my only option was to have the engine replace. From my understanding if I had been travling at a high rated speed I could have been seriously injured from that piece breaking off.

The consumer stated, while driving, the crankshaft sheared off. The consumer contacted the dealer and was told that there was nothing they can do.

While driving crankshaft sheared off. Vehicle then completely shut down. Consumer contacted the dealer. However, problem has not been resolved as of yet.

While backing out of our yard , the engine just stopped working. Had it towed to a local automotive repair service. Was told that the crankshaft was sheared off . Ford motor CO. Will not admit any equipment fault, leaving me with a $4200. 00 price tag to get it fixed. . I have been told that crankshafts do not just shear or break off by other mechanics that I have talked to. Looking at your site has shown me that this is not just an isolated case and it should be looked into by Ford. I am thankful that this didn't happen while traveling at highway speeds which could have caused injury. Thank you.

An unknown cause lead to the head gasket cracking and the cyclinders blowing-out on the vehicle, which now requires a new engine. Vehicle was purchased with 46m miles and the return of a lease orignated with the delaership that sold the same vehicle to us. This was Ford certified lease vehicle we were told, which means it supposedly wnet through the highest inspection upon it being turned in from the lease. The vehicle broke-down on 8/12/01 on busy interstate 84 at the juction of the merge of interstate 91 and 84, stranding my wife ( who ws driving) between two heavily used highways. Both the dealership and Ford have refused to take responsibility for the inherent defect in the manufacturing of the vehicle. Acordig to the dealership a their Ford representative, taryn, stated Ford refuses to pay fany part of the repair becuse the vehicle was bought used and we did not do our service (oil changes) with the dealership, although we did do so at other places. We want Ford and the delearship to pay for the full cost of repairing this vehicle.

The crankshaft fell out while driving, as the crankshaft fell out it caused the vehicle to lockup resulting in the vehicle not steering or braking very well. Nlm.

Vehicle had shutdown while driving. Dealer was notified, and informed consumer that camshaft had failed. Part was not covered under a manufacturer's recall, and was out of its warranty. Feel free to provide any further information.

While driving about 65 mph engine malfunctioned. Then, stopped and found that crankshaft was out of engine. Vehicle had to be towed, and engine had to be replaced at dealer.

While traveling at low speed, engine seized and car stopped abruptly, consumer had vehicle towed and was advised by mechanic that crankshaft broke and a new engine was needed. (check odi # 740940).

While traveling at low speed in light traffic, the crankshaft on my 1997 Ford Explorer broke causing the vehicle to stop quite abruptly. The motor must be replaced at a cost of $4500. This is a part failure that places individuals at considerable risk. Had this incident occurred at high speed in relatively heavy traffic, e. G. Freeway traffic at 55 mph or higher, there would certainly have been serious injuries and probably fatalities. To date, Ford motor company steadfastly refuses to acknowledge any responsibility for the problem and, further, refuses to participate in paying for any portion of the necessary repairs or associated costs such as towing bills and car rentals while the necessary repairs are being made. Also see 560357.

While accelerating from a traffic signal, the engine siezed and the vehicle came to an immediate stop. Unable to restart the engine, I had the vehicle towed to a service station where inspection by a mechanic revealed that the crankshaft had broken. The vehicle was then towed to conlon-collins Ford in crystal lake, IL where they confirmed that the crankshaft was broken and the engine must be replaced at a cost of approximately $4,500. I reported the matter to Ford motor company's customer assistance center. They indicated that this problem has not been reported previously and no recall notices or service bulletins have been issued with regard to this problem. Ford motor company has been reluctant to discuss bearing any part of the cost for repairs or incidental expenses such as towing or rental of a replacement vehicle while repairs are under way. A crankshaft should never break and one certainly should not expect it to fail after only 52,000 suburban miles. In my opinion, this represents a significant safety hazard. There is no question that had this incident occured at high speed or in heavy traffic, there would have been injuries and/or fatalities.

Ford Explorer 1997, consumer paid for replacement of engine prior to Ford recall. The consumer was denied reimbursement under the recall because the replacement engine was not purchased from Ford.

Ever owner I know who owns a Ford Explorer has a failure on this valve. I feel this should be recalled by Ford.

Timing chain needs replacement? $1,700 and truck isn't even 3 years old.

Engine crankshaft failed.

There is a faulty timing chain with the Ford Explorers. Ford has admitted that they know there is a problem. They also said there is no fix right now. This has been going on for over a year. The problem has gotten so bad that they are replacing the engine. They can not guarentee me that this problem will hapen again.

Rocker arm cover out of order.

Timing chain accesories are made of a poor material causing it to break . Whats worry all the costumer is that the people the have does not know how to deal with this situation in time(warraty time) making this problem prolong so much that the costumers have to deal with the problem and it cost having the situation during the warranty time.

While driving at 65 mph vehicle suddenly started to decrease in speed without warning. Engine had blown.

Timing chain broke, causing the engine to blow up. Dealer replaced the engine. Problem with timing chain has occurred again.

Timing chain broke, causing vehicle not to run at all. Dealer said itwas defective, and the manufacturer doesn't make part anymore.

While in motion, the vehicle developed a problem with the engine. The cause of the vehicle failure was the crankshaft. The crankshaft had a crack half way through which has been there for a while due to weathering on the area.