Eight problems related to front suspension stabilizer bar have been reported for the 1997 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
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.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that when driving approximately 35-40 mph over a road bump, the vehicle would sway from left to right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who advised that the front stabilizer bar needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired three times however, the failure recurred after each repair. The manufacturer was notified and stated that there were no recalls for the vehicle and offered no other assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that when driving approximately 35 to 40 mph over a road bump, the vehicle would seem to shift to the left. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and they advised her that the front stabilizer bar needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.
Over rough pavement or entering ramped driveways at an angle, vehicle rocked side-to-side more than normal, with an occasional "clunk". Inspection revealed a bolt holding the anti-roll bar to the upper control arm had rusted and failed, rendering the anti-roll bar non-functional. Given the propensity of this type of vehicle to roll over if driven improperly, this failure increases the risk / decreases the rollover threshold.
Consumer heard noise on driver's side wheel and front stabilizer bar broke. Consumer called the dealer, and Ford was told consumer's vehicle was not included in recall due to VIN number. Other vehicles of same year were recalled. Contact felt this vehicle should have been recalled. At low speed vehicle was responding normally but at increased speed vehicle becomes unstable for a short instance. Consumer could not continue to drive unsafely, so consumer purchased two new stabilizer links from Ford dealership for $22. Mechanic replaced both of them for an additional $40. Consumer feels that this incident is unfortunate for the Ford company not to stand behind their vehicles because the links are not moving parts of the vehicle and should last a lifetime.
After pulling off the interstate I noticed my 1997 Ford Explorer was making awful noises and didn't handle well. When I got home I realized the sway bar link had snapped. After looking at your website I saw that the 1997 Ford Explorer was recalled for sway bar links breaking. After bringing my Explorer to the dealership to get the item fixed I was told my vehicle wasn't part of the recall and that they go by VIN #'s. So my question is why are only certain 1997 Explorers recalled. Just because my vehicle's VIN # doesn't qualify does that mean that I should loose control on the interstate going 75 mph. Only certain color Explorers get recalled? maybe only Explorers built on wednesdays in 1997 qualify. Do I have to crash and die until my VIN # qualifies? it will be too late then but maybe my parents can sue Ford and get rich. Ford already tried to kill me with their firestone tires and now this. I'm glad the NHTSA has the knowledge to know exactly which 1997 Explorers had faulty parts, seems like a coincidence that I had the same problem that resulted in a recall for the 1997 Explorer but yet I am refused service by Ford. Could you please tell me how this can happen. I am furious with Ford but I guess I should be more angry with the NHTSA since they issue the recalls. Please let me know how you determine which lives to save and which ones aren't as important. Thanks for your time, joe.
Consumer stated front stabilizer bar broke. As a result, while driving 40 mph vehicle swerved to avoid another vehicle, and almost rolled over with the front passenger side wheel off the ground.
I was driveway down highway at approx 65 mph. Car started shifting left to right excessively. I had also hear a piece of metal hit the underside of my ruck. When I reached home I checked suspension and foudn stabilizer bar hanging loose. On right side. I checked drivers side and found that stabilizer bar loose with missing components and slightly rusted. Had probably been loose for some time. Both are currentlycompletely disconnected.