The vehicle was purchsed new with 7 miles on odometer from charles gabus ford in des moines, ia. A few days after purchase, I noticed and reported to dealer that the accelerator pedal would stick at the top, meaning that it required extra pressure to push it down. Initially the cable was looked at and lubrication applied, but did not alleviate the problem. Charles gabus ford then suggested replacement of the throttle body. This was accomplished within 2 months of purchase and alleviated the problem for a few months. When the problem reoccured, charles gabus kept the vehicle for 3-4 days to further inspect the problem to see whether disconnecting the cruise control had any effect. It did not, so the throttle body was changed again. This was around february 1998. The problem once again started occuring in august 1998. At that time, I had just moved to st. Louis, but was still working with the service manager at charles gabus ford in des moines. I was told that ford had now redesigned the throttle body and I was given that new part number, which was ordered and replaced by a dealership in st. Louis (mcmahon ford) in september 1998. The vehicle was still under warranty at that time. In may 1999, I received a letter from ford that it was providing additional warranty coverge for the throttle body for 6 years or 72,000 miles under service program number 99m02. In september 1999, the problem resurfaced and the throttle body is scheduled to be replaced this week. The concern is that I have just verified that the throttle body touted as the solution in the letter is the same throttle body part number replaced a year ago. Therefore, it seems probable ford has not found the fix, and why should owners pay for this defect (and the resulting diminshed value of the vehicle) regardless of mileage? A year from now, when the accelerator starts sticking again, I will have more than 72,000 miles. Any suggestions?
1997 Ford Explorer acceleration complaints
Page 6 of 8: complaints 131 to 160 of 202, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Poor design of throttle linkage cable sticks causing the vehicle to lurch forward or backward and causes the vehicle to continue to accelerate when foot is removed from gas pedal. Nlm
Parking lever assembly. Throttle valve assembly.
Consumer contacted the dealer regarding recallnumber 97v074000/mfr recall 98r03 regarding throttle linkages and control. Dealer stated parts did not need replacing.
Consumer contacted the dealer regarding recall the federal safety agency 99v074000/manufacturer's recall 98r03, throttle linkages and control. Dealer refused to replace parts. Dealer stated that vehicle would need to be inspected to determine if parts needed to be replaced. Owner took vehicle to another dealer to have repairs done. *ak
Vehicle recall denied (97v‑074) due to location of state. Mjs
Ongoing / intermittent problem with front brakes locking up whenever vehicle makes a turn, and on three occasions vehicle would suddenly accelerate while at a stop position . Vehicle been inspected by dealer, and nothing could be founded. Can the federal safety agency help in this matter.
Accelerator sticks at various times. Mjs
Upon purchase in june 1997, throttle stuck in closed position, especially when first starting up. Ford replaced the throttle plate once in approximately august 1997. The replacement throttle plate failed and was replaced by ford in approximately november 1998. In june 1999, the throttle has again begun to stick and will probably have to be replaced for the 3rd time. Ford has recognized the problem and extended the warranty on this part to 72,000 miles, but it seems that they are still just replacing the part with another defective part.
Recall notice sent to consumer (97v074/98r03), however dealership refuses repair due to state in which consumer lives does not match description on recall. Mjs
The throttle body design on 1997 and 1998 ford explorers with the 4.0 litre sohc engine sticks or binds in a closed position after the vehicle has been parked with the engine off. When the accelerator is depressed, the bind will result in no gas to the engine. Then the binding stops and the car lurches forward often at speeds high enough to chirp the tires. This can be a dangerious situation in traffic.
Coming to stop, applying foot on brakes, vehicle will lunge foward, engine will rev up. Consumer must reapply the brakes in order to stop vehicle. Dealership unable to correct problem.
Consumer was traveling at 40 MPH and upon depressing brake pedal vehicle continued to accelerate to 70 MPH, causing extended stopping distance and unwanted speed. Consumer therefore had to place the vehicle in park to stop the vehicle. Consumer has contacted the dealer, consumer awaiting service from manufacturer. Please provide any further details.
When consumer was trying to turn off the engine the vehicle suddenly accelerated. Driver couldn't stop vehicle by applying brakes, and he had to move the pawl to neutral and turn switch off. *ak cruise control failed. The entire keyless entry electronic system failure caused the starter kept turning over and over, but the engine did not start.
While sitting at a light vehicle suddenly accelerated with brakes being applied, and without driver stepping on the accelerator. Dealer has been contacted.
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 began to accelerate rapidly and could not be controlled by driver. The gas pedal was not being pressed. The only way the car could be controlled was by turning the engine off and coasting to the side. This was a very scary incident and could have caused a crash and fatalities.
Upon touching gas pedal vehicle suddenly acceleratred, causing a collision. Driver sustained minor injuries, and vehicle was totaled. Manufacturer will be notified.
Accelerator is sticking. The dealer has been notified.
Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration due to failure of a broken throttle return spring. (attorney for consumer). Mjs
The throttle is sticking in the closed position. Consumer must press hard on pedal in order for it to unstick which then causes the vehicle to lunge forward.
There is a recall for the speed control on '97 explorers (the federal safety agency #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.
Accelerator sticks to the point where consumer has to put foot behind the pedal to release it from the floor. Even by applying the brakes, it will not decrease speed. Dealer has been contacted.
Each time I start the vehicle and put my foot on the gas pedal, it sticks. Then it is necessary to step on it even harder. It eventually catches and then I surge forward or backward (depending on whether I am in drive or reverse). The dealership says that I must wait until my vehicle identification number comes up to get it fixed. In the meantime, I just have to live with it. Is there anything I can do to speed up the process? My vehicle is still under warranty.
Everytime I drive my ford explorer, the gas pedal sticks in the off position. As a result, I have to step on the gas pedal harder, and sometimes I go flying out the driveway. I spoke with delacy service department and they said that there is no recall yet on the vehicle and since it is out of warrenty, they wouldn't get paid to do it and anyway they don't know how to fix it.
When vehicle is cold and first started, gas pedal will stick and has to be pressed extremely hard to get vehicle to move. Throttle body replaced once and seemed to correct problem for a year. Problem now back, it appears to be a problem with injection system which may cause vehicle to jump forward as gas pedal has to be pushed extremely hard to move vehicle after first started.
When starting cold engine races and gas pedal sticks, I live in florida so it doesn`t happen unless its 50 deg or less, engine also almost stalls, dealer could not find the problem.
Gas pedal gets stuck, will not go down , consumer has to keep stepping on pedal when suddenly pedal will go down, causing vehicle to surge forward, almost resulting in an accident.
1) throttle cable binds up. When it breaks free it adds 1,000 RPM to engine speed. Most pronounced after using cruise control on the freeway and deactivating cruise with brake pedal. Almost rearended car in front of me due to sudden acceleration. 2) seat belt retractor locks up. Restrains passenger to the point of pain. Very difficult to release. Retractor replaced once under warranty.
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.
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