1997 Ford Explorer Suspension Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11414983

Incident

Jul 13, 2020

Mileage

147,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11195896

Incident

Mar 15, 2016

Mileage

175,000 mi

TL* 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.

NHTSA ID

10504527

Incident

Mar 26, 2012

Mileage

135,000 mi

SINCE THE EXPLORER WAS 5 YEARS OLD THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE TRUCK WAS STARTING TO SETTLE/ BE LOWER THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE. UNTIL IT WAS SO BAD THE SHOP STATED WE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE REAR SPRINGS, SHOCKS AND STABILIZER AND *** THE REAR WAS ALSO LOWER THAN THE FRONT. SO WE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT SHOCKS AND SEVERAL SUSPENSION PARTS TO TRY TO LEVEL THE VEHICLE BACK TO NORMAL. NOW WITH THE ENGINE BLOWN THE TRUCK AGAIN WAS SETTLING TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND TOWARD THE REAR!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10499338

Incident

Feb 3, 2010

Mileage

42,000 mi

TL* 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.

NHTSA ID

10419990

Incident

Aug 1, 2011

Mileage

189,000 mi

MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH VEHICLE WHEN TURNING EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOPS THEN A VERY LOUD BANG IS HEARD, TOLD IT WAS HUB BUT REPLACED HUB AND STILL HAPPENS, WAS ALSO TOLD IT WAS U-JOINT ON DRIVE SHAFT HAVE YET TO REPLACE IT HAVE NOT NOTIFIED DEALER AS OF YET. *TR

NHTSA ID

10349491

Incident

Jun 1, 2010

Mileage

196,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND AND THE VEHICLE BEGIN SWAYING FROM BACK AND FORTH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR LINK WAS BROKEN AND SHEARED. A MECHANIC LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THAT THE BAR WAS BROKEN. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT RECALL# 00V402000 COMPONENT: SUSPENSION IS RELATED; HOWEVER, THE VIN DOES NOT APPLY TO THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

NHTSA ID

10293195

Incident

Nov 10, 2009

Mileage

126,000 mi

WEAK REAR SPRINGS ON LEFT REAR OF FORD EXPLORER, MAKING VEHICLE LEAN TO THE LEFT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10291521

Incident

Nov 9, 2009

Mileage

59,000 mi

LETTER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT SEEKING INFORMATION IDENTIFYING RECALLED OF DEFECTIVE SWAY BARS IN CERTAIN 1997 FORD EXPLORER VEHICLES. *NJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 00V40200, HOWEVER THE RIGHT AND LEFT SWAY BAR LINKS FAILED EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ID

10289608

Incident

Jun 1, 2009

THE RIGHT REAR LEAF SPRING IS BAD AND THIS CAUSES THE TIRES TO WARE WHICH HAS CAUSED US SEVERAL DOLLARS TO REPLACE TIRES. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT LEAF SPRINGS DON'T GO BAD BUT MINE HAS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10245301

Incident

May 20, 2007

Mileage

730,000 mi

THE FRONT SUSPENSION BAR LINKS ARE BROKEN, THE FOG LIGHTS OF THE EXTERIOR DOES NOT WORK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10227083

Incident

Apr 15, 1997

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING VIBRATED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE SWAY BAR LINK FAILED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V402000 (SUSPENSION). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF

NHTSA ID

10218500

Incident

Jan 21, 2008

Mileage

98,000 mi

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A LOUD POPPING SOUND EACH TIME SHE MADE A RIGHT TURN, THE SOUND SEEMED AS IF IT WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT AREA. THE ROAD AND WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE GREAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IF SHE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE THE SAME LOUD POPPING SOUND. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP ON 12/28/06, AND TOLD THE MECHANIC OF THE PROBLEM SHE WAS HAVING, AND THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONTACT ABOUT THE RECALL CAMPAIGN # 00V402000 FOR SUSPENSION. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED SWAY BAR LINK REPLACED BECAUSE IT BROKE. THE CONTACT DID PAY $92.67 FOR THIS REPAIR. THE CONTACT FELTTHAT SINCE THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE WRONG WITH VEHICLE, THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REIMBURSE HER FOR THE REPAIR AMOUNT. *AK UPDATED 01/30/07. *JB

NHTSA ID

10177243

Incident

Dec 22, 2006

Mileage

12,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED A BURNING SMELL CAME FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE JERKED TO THE LEFT. FURTHERMORE, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP TO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEMS. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE EXCEPT ON THE THROTTLE BODY. THERE WERE RECALLS ON ALL THREE COMPONENTS. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #99V062000 REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. A NHTSA RECALL, #00V402000 CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION. ALSO, A NHTSA RECALL #00V422000 CONCERNING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OF THE RECALLS.

NHTSA ID

10172348

Incident

Oct 31, 2006

Mileage

167,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH ON ANY ROAD CONDITION, THE VEHICLE SWAYED VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE SWAY BAR WAS REPLACED IN 2003. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #00V402000, REGARDING THE SUSPENSION. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THAT A DIAGNOSTICS TEST NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED BEFORE ANY WORK WAS TO BE DONE. THE TEST SHOWED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS ALONG WITH THE CAMBER CASTOR KIT WERE DAMAGED. ALSO THE PASSENGER AND BOTH REAR DOORS DID NOT OPEN. THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR HAD DIFFICULTIES CLOSING ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER WHICH OFFERED $6000 FOR A TRADE IN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE LOCKS WERE INOPERATIVE, THE HEADLAMP SWITCH WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE NEEDED UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER DECLINED ALL REPAIRS. UPDATED 10/11/06. *JB

NHTSA ID

10166541

Incident

Mar 1, 2006

Mileage

176,000 mi

I SEE ALL OF THE RECALLS ON THE FORD EXPLORER DATE 1997 BUT I OWN A FORD EXPLORER 1997 AND THE ONLY RECALL NOTICE THAT I RECEIVED IS THE ONE FOR THE TIRES BACK IN 2000. I NEVER RECEIVED THE OTHERS AND I KNOW THE FORD COMPANY IS AWARE OF ME OWNING THIS VEHICLE FOR I GET NOTICES IN THE MAIL CONSTANTLY ABOUT SELLING IT BACK TO FORD. WHY ARE NOT MY SUSPENSION LINES OR GAS LINES BEING REPAIRED LIKE THE OTHER FORDS WITH THE 4.0 LITER ENGINE? *JB

NHTSA ID

10164618

Incident

Aug 5, 2006

REGARDING RECALL 00V402000 ON SWAY BAR PROBLEMS I ALSO WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS BEYOND THE RECALL DATE HOWEVER THE SAME PARTS HAVE BROKEN JUST AS THE RECALL STATES. *JB

NHTSA ID

10150260

Incident

Feb 14, 2006

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. *NM

NHTSA ID

10132515

Incident

Aug 5, 2005

Mileage

133,000 mi

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.*AK 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. *SB *NM

NHTSA ID

10119436

Incident

Apr 2, 2005

Mileage

85,500 mi

1997 FORD EXPLORER LOWER BALL JOINTS ON EXPLORER, BOTH SIDES, LEFT AND RIGHT, HAD A CLUNK WHEN GOING OVER DIPS IN ROAD. FORD DID NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WAS THERE FROM NEW, I HAVE 57,000 MILES ON THE EXPLORER. THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND AT FIRESTONE WHEN ROTATING THE TIRES AND GETTING READY FOR A FRONT END ALINEMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE BAD ON BOTH SIDES . NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. I TALKED TO FORD, THEY SAY THE WARRANTY IS GONE AND WILL DO NOTHING, BUT WILL TURN IT OVER TO THE ENGINEERS

NHTSA ID

10121630

Incident

Apr 2, 1997

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

NHTSA ID

10116161

Incident

Mar 31, 2005

Mileage

120,000 mi

VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH. THIS ALMOST CAUSED VEHICLE TO RUN DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE SWAY BAR LINKS WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ID

10106854

Incident

Dec 1, 2004

Mileage

46,000 mi

THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SWAY BAR FRACTURED. RECALL 00V402000 WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK.....SWAY BAR BROKE IN JULY 2004. CAR FELT LIKE BOAT WHEN DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN JANUARY 2005. *AK

NHTSA ID

10103613

Incident

Dec 8, 2004

Mileage

144,000 mi

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.*AK

NHTSA ID

10092552

Incident

Sep 13, 2004

Mileage

65,000 mi

THE VEHICLE STABILIZER BOLT SNAPPED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION THE VEHICLE ROLLS. A RECALL(00V-402000) WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER IS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE. *LA *SC

NHTSA ID

10083275

Incident

Jul 14, 2004

Mileage

80,000 mi