general problems of the 1997 Ford Explorer - part 1

The drivers side seatbelt will not engage to the lock position.

The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, the accelerator pedal became detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 215,000.

Tl- the contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that when he started the vehicle it began to accelerate on independently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and was informed speed control deactivation switch had began to leak internally and caused the failure. The contact was informed of the recall for NHTSA campaign id number: 09v399000 (vehicle speed control). However the dealer informed him that they were only required to stop the leak but not replace the part. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance and referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 201,000. Dt.

When I drive my vehicle, I press the gas pedal and it feels heavier than normal. Then when I press the brakes to slow down it has a clocking sound. And it pulls back when I press the gas pedal to go faster.

Accelerator pedal came off while driving on highway I-95, had the car towed back to the house, inspected the pedal area and noticed there are 3 missing screws and one of the three openings is no longer usable. I've seen a lot of complaints on the internet about the accelerator pedal coming off on Fords. Contacted sawgrass Ford in fort lauderdale, FL. A local dealer and they said it would be $180. 00 to take a look at the car plus the cost of the part. Ford should be looking at this as a safety measure, someone could really be injured and killed due to this issue. Hopefully they wont wait till a life is lost for them to look into this and possibly have a recall.

The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at 45 mph, the vehicle independently decelerated. The contact moved the vehicle of the roadway and found that the accelerator pedal was hanging from the assembly by three tiny spot welds. The weld had also fractured and the entire accelerator pedal assembly had detached from the vehicle. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to his residence where he made unknown repairs to the vehicle. Neither the dealer or the manufacturer were contacted. The failure and current mileages were 103,000.

Tl * the contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. While driving at speeds of 45 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact coasted into a nearby parking lot and suddenly, noticed a fire had erupted near the drivers side window. The contact did not report any injuries. The fire department was called to the scene but a fire report was not taken. The vehicle was towed to her place of residence and has not yet been repaired. The failure mileage and current mileages were 100,000.

We were lucky this time, we had the Explorer in the shop and I got a call from the lead tech that stated while the were servicing the brakes no less than 3 lines rotted through, but*** the antilock controller sprung a leak and sprayed fluid all over the hot engine causing a small fire!!! no damage but we were lucky. . .

The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. While driving on October 3, 2008 without warning the front end of the vehicle caught fire. The driver and passenger were able to exit the vehicle. The passenger sustained injuries to the arm and shoulder. The manufacturers recall letter 00v422000, vehicle speed control was received in November 2009. Report 378123209 was filed with the manufacturer; however, the failure could not be investigated, because the vehicle was destroyed. The sumner county sheriff report number was 9386782. The failure and the current mileages were 130,000.

Tl- the contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while trying to accelerate, the vehicle would not respond unless an excessive amount of pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the throttle body had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 00v422000 (vehicle speed control). The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 170,000. Kmj.

The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a small motor bike lodged under the vehicle, which somehow caused it to catch fire. The entire front end of the vehicle and the front cabin seats were destroyed. There are three vehicle speed control recalls on this year, make, and model vehicle, but it has not been determined if the VIN was included. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The recall numbers and VIN were unknown. The failure mileage was 159,000.

The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. While driving 35 mph, he noticed smoke coming from the under the hood. In addition, flames erupted from the engine compartment after he opened the hood. The dealer stated that the vehicle speed control switch caused the fire. There is a recall for the vehicle speed control (NHTSA campaign id 07v336000) however the dealer stated that his VIN was not included. As of January 30, 2008, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 160,000. Updated 02-19-08 updated 02/19/08.

Owner of 1997 Ford Explorer that had a recall issued in 2001 for throttle body problem. Nhtsa #00v-42200. My Explorer was not one of the recalled vehicles (not built in st. Louis or louisville) and I never knew anything about this problem. About 8 months ago I began experiencing a problem with a sticking accelerator. Result of a web search about a month ago to see if a problem exists for this condition because I feel I'm going to crash into something going forward or reverse, I found out about this recall. By calling Ford motor company customer service. Line today I was told that a Ford dealer will fix the problem but I have to pay for it. I had the cust. Serv. Rep. Make an "on the record" of my call and my question is this: if this was a safety issue in 2001 for certain factory built Explorers, why couldn't it become a future safety issue (in 2007) if the vehicle (mine) was built in another factory? couldn't this problem arise at another time, as it has with me? the problem I am experiencing is identical to every word stated in the recall. The original throttle body is installed on my Explorer.

: the contact stated while driving 30 mph, the vehicle lurched forward out of control and was difficult to stop when the brake pedal was depressed. The second incident happened when the vehicle was started from the parked position. The brake pedal was depressed and the gear was shifted from park to drive when it accelerated out of control. The vehicle was taken to two independent service dealers and one service dealer, but the problem could not be recreated. The third occurrence resulted in a collision with another vehicle parked in the driveway when acceleration reached 50 mph. No injuries were reported, although a police report and photos were taken. The manufacturer was contacted. The contact's phone number was the son of the vehicle's owner. Updated 11/30/2006 - the driver of the vehicle reported some neck pain later that night which was not apparent at the time of the accident.

: the contact stated the vehicle had a brake fluid leak that was leaking onto the vehicle speed control switch. There was a recall #97v074000 pertaining to the vehicle speed control. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The vehicle has not been to a dealer.

Operator was exiting parking lot onto main road when vehicle picked up speed, operator tried to stop vehicle, by breaking, but vehicle accelerated faster, causing operator to lose control of vehicle , vehicle still accelerating turned back towards other end of parking lot crashing into large metal sign post. Operator had to be taken to nearby hospital, and them evacuated to mass general hospital, for emergency head operation as a result of injury to head. (subdural hemotoma).

Engine idle surges without warning at stop signs. It is very dangerous, and has almost caused five accidents. It surges beween 3000-4000 rpms.

Consumer states that there having the same problem as recall#0v422000 throttle. Dealer will not repair.

When the vehicle was put in reverse, it accelerated, resulting in a crash. Cause unknown and the dealer was notified. The consumer states that his wife started to back out of the leveled driveway, when the vehicle immediately went into full throttle and crossed the street onto the neighbors property. The vehicle traveled approxiamately 500 feet before she was able to stop. (cause damage to the property and the vehicle) the consumer feels that there is a malfunction on the part of the Explorer and that Ford is responsible.

Throttle causing vehicle to surge.

While pulling into a parking space vehicle took off forward ,and consumer barely touched gas pedal, and vehicle hit a pole.

Periodically while driving consumer would let accelerator pedal go and then began to press it, vehicle would not pick up speed. Vehicle began to stall, causing consumer to pull over. In order for vehicle to start and pick up speed, consumer would turn off engine and restart. Dealer was not able to replicate defect and was not able to provide remedy.

While coming to a stop, consumer applied brakes and vehicle revved and went forward.

While driving the accelaerator bracket(arm) detached from the firewall where it was welded. This is the same incident that was reported on odi id 858739.

This has happened three times. Once in December 1997. Once in June 1998. And once on June 19, 2000. Each time as I am coming to a normal stop at an intersection, the car accelerates. The last two times I was sitting at the intersection with both feet on the brake with the wheels spinning, burning rubber, until I managed to shift into park. The dealer has offered to "trade me out" but I am afraid they will just resell the car. Plus I feel that they have not accepted that the car has endangered my life. After the first two incidents, santa fe Ford tested the car and replaced some parts (in June 1998) I have a copy of that repair sheet. So the incident this week occured after two years of no problems. I was at a busy, small-town intersection.

Accelerator bracket that holds onto firewall came off while driving due to failure of the 2 spot welds which were the size of an eraser tip on firewall. Dealer repaired bracket by re-spot welding the bracket.

After coming to a complete stop consumer applies accelerator and vehicle hesitates, has very little power. Consumer has to almost floor it to get vehicle to move. Rpm's will be high, but speed is very slow. This happens 4-5 times a week. Check engine light is on intermittently. Took vehicle to dealer 8-9 times in last year and a half, cant' find cause. Dealer took motor apart, found nothing. Please provide additional comments.

Vehicle revved and speeded up on its own . This has happened 3 times, resulting in a rear end accident.

Throttle body prevents the driver from depressing the accelerator. A service recall has been issued . Dealer has repaired the vehicle under the service recall; however it has also been repaired 2 times since the recall, and 3 times prior to the recall. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified.

Consumer was at a complete stop with her foot on th brakes, all of a sudden the vehicle lurched forward, resulting in a collision.

Vehicle recall denied (97v-074) due to location of state. Mjs.

The throttle body was replaced at 17,000 miles and at 30,000 miles I was told by Ford I needed an air induction cleaning. At 37,000 miles I now have the same gas pedal problem and was told it was the throttle body again.

While stopped at a stop light the vehicles engine began to race and move forward although consumer foot was depressing the brake, consumer touched the other vehicle and the truck started pushing it forward, consumer had to turn off vehicle to stop the movement. Nlm.

On a local street going 25 mph applied the accelerator then something cliced and jetisoned with speed. Vehicle ended up between 2 trees and overturned a couple of times on the railroad tracks.

There is a recall for the speed control on '97 Explorers (NHTSA #9054 & 9047). Ford has not included my vehicle; however, my car suffers from the speed control problem described in the recalls. How do I make Ford fix this problem. (99v-062001) denied repair.