Turned into parking space at low speed. When brakes were applied vehicle surged forward and struck building trapping a lady between vehicle and building, killing her. Gas was not applied at anytime, you could feel the anti-lock brakes trying to engage and the vehicle could not be stopped.
1997 Ford Explorer brakes complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 96, newest first, as owners wrote them.
1997 ford explorer developed two failures of the brake line.***no answer required***. *mr the consumers wife experienced a loss of brakes due to the failure of the brake line above the rear axle. The incident happened a second time, but there was no accident, both failures were caused by corrosion.
Brake failure leaving personnel residence (noted above). Rear steal brake line burst leaking brake fluid and de-mobilizing brake system (pedal went to the floor, stopped the vehicle with emergency brake). Leak was in the middle of the vehicle. Brake line between the rear axle and spare tire. Brake line was rusted away. Local repair shop replaced the line.
1997 ford explorer. With malfuction car would not stop fast idellig after afer using cruise control. Could not get it to stop caused the brakes to catch fire ad burn. Due to trying to keep the car at a slow speed. Till I was at asafe area were I could abtain help.
While driving brake failed completely. *bf there was no warning. *sc
While driving on highway at 40 MPH brakes failed to stop vehicle when depressed. Vehicle stopped when it collided with another vehicle. Driver sustained bruises, cuts, and whip lash. Vehicle is currently with the insurance company awaiting a factory representative to investigate the brake failure.
While driving the ABS engaged, which caused the truck to flip over. As a result the driver was ejected from the vehicle, then two seconds later, the vehicle caught fire. *jb the consumer contacted the manufacturer about the failure but the responded with a letter which said " sorry there is nothing we can do for you at this time."
Consumer complaining about grinding noise and pulsing at the brake pedal. Dealership said that sensors are defective and needed replacement. Also, dealership added that it's a common problem on the particular model. *la
While driving serpentine belt came off, and driver lost control of the vehicle. Also, when braking there was a grinding noise.
When applying brakes vehicle lurches forward. Dealer notified.
Preparing to brake for a corner on a rainy night, the anti-lock brakes locked the wheels and slid me into an oncoming traffic lane at about 35 miles per hour. The oncoming vehicle swerved and avoided a head on collision with me. About 20 seconds later down the road the anti-lock brakes locked again as I turned into my development and again I slid. Vehicle has been serviced through its life and has a little over 52,000 miles on it. I could be dead right now had I not been a slower highway. It appears this problem has existed since the vehicle was produced after reading all of the complaints on this site.
Consumer stated while driving, the emergency brake engaged without warning which caused the back tires to lock up and skid. Consumer had a collision as a result.
Consumer has taken vehicle back to dealer 4-5 times, and no one could find out why there was a roaring noise in driver's side and passenger's side wheels. After taking vehicle to goodyear, she was told that vehicle needed new brake pads and shoes. This would be the second set of brake pads and shoes put on this automobile.
Abs would engage during normal braking and on dry pavement. Vehicle been to dealer on three occasions, and they were unable to locate the problem. Feel free to provide any further information.
Engine accelerated during braking to a stop. Unable to stop vehicle with brakes.
Vehicle never taken off road/dealer has no idea why all front end parts failed/dealer states it never should have happened with 1997 vehicle/ other expoloer owners I have talked with have similar front end problems / I feel there is something wrong with design or parts used in front end and ABS system
Front and rear brake pads and shoes are prematurely wearing, cause unknown. Please give any further details.
When applying brakes heard a grinding noise. Dealer replaced both front hubs and sensors. *ak consumer stated the front brake sensors are confused, they think they are on wet pavement, when really driving on dry pavement.
Consumer was traveling about 35mph on road to pass another vehicle., and without prior warning, vehicle acellerated about 100mph. Had foot on brakes, but vehicle was still running. Consumer turned vehicle off. Dealership was aware of problem.
Brakes would make a groaning sound and pedal would vibrate when applying brakes. Vehicle was taken to dealer shop, and had both front caliper and pads replaced. But, still making noise. Vehicle was returned to dealer shop. Dealer informed consumer that ABS sensor needed to be replaced. Seeking assistance from the federal safety agency, is it normal wear for this part to go out under 40,000 miles. *ak
While consumer was driving on highway vehicle started to shift from side to side, and when consumer slammed on the brakes, vehicle started to smoke. Please provide more information.
Failed annual veh.inspection due to defective front brakes. Cause of failure extremely heavy rust in hub area that spread onto the outside rotor surface heavily damaging the rotor surface and brake pad. This was not a wear & tear situation as the inside pad and rotor were not damaged & showed no abnormal wear. Mechanic reported seing this problem on a number of low-mileage ford explorers. He felt that this amount of rust was due to a defective casting.
Abs brakes sytem would not shut off. Abs brake system continued to function through dry weather any time brakes were applied.
While driving down a canyon lost all brake power and fluid. Brake pedal went to floor. Also, vent hose came out of rear differential, laying on top of brake line, and wore a hole in line. Please add VIN. *ak a worn hole in the rubber brake line caused the failure.
Consumer states the routing of the parking brake cable on this particular model of explorer's is no more than 1/16 of an inch from the tire and in some cases the cable rubs against the tire and causes a blowout. *slc consumer feels this problem develops when the left brake cable is installed, the cable has to loop over very close to the tire, if the cable sags a little, it will touch the tire, when it touches the tire, the downward notation at the point of contact it will pull the cable further downward increasing the contact, consumer also states tire pressure of 26 psi or less would contribute to the problem.
The parking cable had flipped over against the left rear tire causing wear and a cut all the way around the tire. Nlm
I have not been notified of any recalls on this vehicle by ford or the dealer.
3 of the 4 brake shoe linings came off of their metal supports when I had them inspected. I was told this was a common problem with the explorers. The ford garage said that my SUV was out of mfg warranty. They were not reponsible. There is no recall on this problem.
Accelerator pedal had stuck while driving. This increased speed of vehicle while going 60mph. Was trying stop vehicle by stepping on brakes. But, vehicle hit a building, tires were still spinning after impact. Air bags failed to deploy.
While making a stop wheels locked up, causing vehicle to go into a spin, resulting in a collision. There were minor injuries. *ak the 4 wheel drive steering mechanism had been damaged.
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