Two problems related to power train have been reported for the 1997 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
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!!!!!!!!.
While driving about 55 mph vehicle suddenly accelerated without prior warning, and odometer will stay stuck in place. Consumer states vehicle has been repaired, and transmission has been rebuilt.