The drivers side seatbelt will not engage to the lock position.
1997 Ford Explorer acceleration problems
202 complaints (12% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 100,000. 28 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 202
- of this car's complaints
- 12%
- typical mileage
- 100,000
- crashes
- 28
- recalls
- 4
Which part fails
- Accelerator pedal60
- Cruise control16
- Linkages14
- Springs1
- Cables1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ford Explorer acceleration problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Ford Explorer acceleration
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
- Risk
- A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1‑888‑222‑2751.
Recall number 09V399000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 4.0l sohc engines and still retain the original throttle body (part numbers 97jf-9e926ab or 97jf-9e926-AC). Some of the original throttle bodies installed allowed a gap between the plate and bore to be built too narrow. This reduced clearance allowed the engine deposits normally present in the throttle body to contact or bridge the gap. If the engine deposits bridged the gap between the throttle plate and bore and then hardened, on the initial application of the accelerator pedal after the engine has cooled, the operator would need to apply additional force to the accelerator pedal to break the bridge.
- Risk
- This could result in engine surge when the accelerator pedal breaks free.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the original throttle bodies.
Recall number 00V422000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: certain 1997-1999 rhd explorer equipped with 4.0l ohv/sohc engines and cruise control built from may 29, 1996 through march 4, 1999; 1998-1999 explorer/mountaineers equipped with 4.0l ohv/sohc or 5.0l engines or 1998-1999 rangers equipped with 2.5l, 3.0l ffv/efi or 4.0l engines and cruise control built from january 5, 1998 through march 4, 1999; 1998-1999 mustangs equipped with 3.8l, 4.6l 2-valve or 4-valve engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999; 1999 f250/f350/f450/f550 (over 8,500 lbs.) trucks equipped with 5.4l or 6.8l engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999; and 1999 f-53 stripped chassis equipped with 5.4l or 6.8l engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999. A cruise control cable can interfere with the speed control servo pulley and not allow the throttle to return to idle when disengaging the cruise control.
- Risk
- If the cruise control is used and this condition is present, a stuck throttle could result, which could potentially result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the cruise control cables. At the present time, the replacement cables are not available. Customers are being advised not to use the cruise control system until a replacement can be made.
Recall number 99V062001 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with 5.0l engines originally sold or currently registered in the states of alaska, idaho, iowa, maine, michigan (upper peninsula only), minnesota, montana, nebraska, new hampshire, new york, north dakota, south dakota, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming. These vehicles, when operated for extended periods of time at highway speeds and temperatures below -20 degrees farenheit, do not return to idle due to ice in the throttle body.
- Risk
- Although the vehicle can be controlled by either applying the service brakes or shifting the transmission to neutral, increased brake pedal efforts or some increase in stopping distance can result.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a revised pcv system with water heated vacuum source.
Recall number 97V074000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Throttle sticking
On january 23, 1997, ford motor company issued special service message (ssm) 10240, announcing that a revised throttle body would be available during the first quarter of 1997 for 1997 model year ford explorers equipped with the 4.0l single overhead cam (sohc) engine.the ssm stated the revised throttle body would address increased throttle efforts that had been experienced on these vehicles.on july 31, 1998, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened service query sq98-014 to determine whether a safety recall was warranted for the problem addressed by ssm 10240.at that time odi had 14 reports alleging throttles sticking open, including three crashes, on 1997 explorers with the 4.0l sohc engine.ea99-001 investigated alleged throttle body sticking, and loss of throttle control, in the subject vehicles.on december 22, 2000, ford motor company filed a defect information report concerning throttle body sticking in 1997-1998 model year explorer and mountaineer vehicles with 4.0 sohc engines that still retain the original throttle body; safety recall 00v‑422.the engineering analysis closing report is attached.
EA99001
Throttle sticking
There is no summary currently available
SQ98014
What 1997 Ford Explorer owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* 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 while driving approximately 20 MPH on a steep uphill grade, the bracket that supported the gas pedal suddenly broke away from the firewall and the bracket and gas pedal slid into the floor board and under the seat. The vehicle was backed down the hill in neutral and maneuvered to the side of the road in light oncoming traffic. Assistance was summoned and upon inspection the gas pedal was found with the bracket that attached to the firewall in a new like condition, except where three spot welds attached to the gas pedal bracket to the firewall had broken away. The vehicle was rigged to a running condition to travel approximately two miles or less to the owners residence where a more reliable repair was made. The repair was over seen by a licensed a&p mechanic. The manufacturer was notified by the owner of the weld failure. The approximate mileage was well over 100,00 and is currently back in service. Updated 06/18/13
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...
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer. The contact stated that as soon as the vehicle was started, it accelerated independently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the speed control deactivation switch had began to leak internally and caused the failure. The contact was informed of a recall for the failure under the federal safety agency 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 defective part. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 201,000. Updated 01/05/13*lj updated 2/13/2013
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 the federal safety agency campaign id number 00v422000 (vehicle speed control). The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 170,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer eddie bauer edition. The contact stated that while accelerating from a driving traffic stop, the engine growled loudly as the vehicle abnormally accelerated rapidly. The brakes were engaged and the vehicle came to a stop. The contact was able to resume as normal. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis but they were unable to locate a defect. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer. The contact stated that while sitting in a drive-thru with the brakes engaged, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and there was an increase in engine rpms. The contact stated that he attempted to hold the brakes but the vehicle would not stop. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 190,000.
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign id number: the federal safety agency campaign id number: 00v422000 (vehicle speed control). The vehicle was inspected by a dealer and they advised the contact to return after the first of the year to have the recall repair performed. A few months later while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel and brakes froze without warning. The contact crashed into a pole as the vehicle independently shifted into reverse and accelerated backward. The driver sustained major injuries and was transported to the hospital via ambulance. The police were called and a report was filed and available. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was deemed as destroyed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 06/02/11 *bf updated 1/18/2012 *ln
Questions about the 1997 Ford Explorer acceleration
Does the 1997 Ford Explorer have acceleration problems?
Owners have filed 202 complaints about the acceleration of the 1997 Ford Explorer, 12% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Explorer acceleration problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 100,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Ford Explorer acceleration?
Yes, 4 recalls: 09V399000, 00V422000, 99V062001. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Explorer have the most acceleration problems?
The Ford Explorer model years with the most acceleration complaints are 1998 (280 complaints), 1997 (202 complaints) and 2002 (152 complaints).
Other 1997 Ford Explorer problems
Tires 668Engine 202Suspension 105Transmission 104Brakes 96Visibility 90Electrical 80Fuel system 56Seat belts 54Body 50Seats 38Steering 33Locks 32Airbags 27Lights 22Wheels 12Driver assistance 4
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