1997 Ford Explorer: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Jun 8, 2020 · Engine · 23,000 miles · TN · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire while parked in his driveway. The contact stated that an independent mechanic diagnosed that the hydraulic fluid was leaking due to the faulty cruise control switch causing the fire. The contact mentioned that the hydraulic fluid leaked out when it gets warm even when the vehicle not running. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnostic testing and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Mar 15, 2010 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 58,000 miles · NJ

Stuck accelerator on 1997 ford explorer with 58,000 miles. While driving on interstate 287/78 in nj I tried to turn off the cruise control but instead the car accelerated uncontrollably to over 85 MPH. I gained control by turning the engine on and off until reaching a safe place to stop. An njdot truck helped me and later that day I emailed what happened to ford's customer assistance. I wanted them to have a dealer examine my explorer to see if this was caused by a material defect of normal wear and tear, in which case I would repair it. They refused to help so I wrote a letter to dearborn and received a response saying the matter was closed (case # 1510510480). My wife said (and I believe her) that if she were driving it would have resulted in a crash. I noted that there was a recall on the 2002 escape that sounds like the same problem. I just want to prevent potential loss of life due to this, in my opinion, faulty design or manufacturer glitch. Njdot documented the case since I sent them a "thank you" and they responded. The vehicle put me and others on the highway in a life-threatening situation (viz a viz toyota) but ford is unwilling to consider the case. They want to treat this as an "out of warranty" condition but I believe it is potentially a product liability that if not corrected will cost lives and damage.

Filed Mar 8, 2010 · Acceleration · OR · fire

A 1997 ford explorer cruise control deactivation switch caused a fire resulting in the death of the driver.

Filed Nov 1, 2007 · Acceleration · 70,000 miles · NC · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire while being serviced for the radio. The dealer stated that the cruise control caused the fire. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 07v336000 (vehicle speed control). The dealer disconnected the vehicle speed control. As of november 1, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The failure mileage was 70,000 and current mileage was 106,000.

Filed Apr 4, 2007 · Acceleration · 170,000 miles · IN

Tl*- the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer. The mechanic informed the contact that there was a recall for the cruise control deactivation switch. The dealer informed the contact that this vehicle was not part of the recall. Therewas recall 06v286000 for 1998 ford explorer. The contact felt that this vehicle should be included as part of this recall. The vehicle has currently 170000 miles.

Filed Mar 19, 2007 · Acceleration · 162,248 miles · VA · fire

While driving my 1997 ford explorer on I-64 e at approximately 60 MPH, smoke started to pour into the car from under the dashboard. I pulled over as fast as possible and was met by a virginia dot truck who noticed me suddenly cross two lanes to get to the breakdown lane. He grabbed his fire extinguisher and put the fire out within seconds of my stopping. The fire department was not called because it was put out so quickly. After having it towed to a shop, I was informed that it appears to have started in the cruise control switch and burned through the master cylinder. The fire was extinguished within 15-30 seconds from the time I stopped but the mechanic said that the car does not have any brakes as a result of the fire. I consider myself lucky to have been able to stop at all. My car was not and still has not been recalled. After contacting ford they have declined to help us with any repairs. Had I known about the switchfire problems earlier, I would have called the fire department to do a formal investigation of the cause. The car has not been fixed as of yet.

Filed Mar 13, 2007 · Engine, Transmission · NE

On a 1997 ford explorer had problems with transfer case. First noticed when driving on interstate with cruise control on vehicle made grinding noise and would not decelerate had to put into neutral to stop. When decelerating while driving vehicle it would also make grinding noise almost sounding like it was not down shifting. Few weeks later when vehicle was put into reverse it would make a grinding noise and would not go into gear. Did not feel safe to drive. Ending up having to have a mechanic rebuild transfer case, cost almost $1000.00. Now five months later having problems with check engine light continuously coming on. Replaced sensors and spark plug on #4 cylinder twice. This will be replacement number 3 for spark plug in four month period. Mechanics cannot seem to figure out why.

Filed Dec 26, 2006 · Acceleration · 121,000 miles · NY

Tl* - the contact stated that while driving with cruise control on at a speed of 65 MPH the cruise control did not disengage. The weather was clear and about 30 degrees fahrenheit, and the odometer reading was 121000 miles. The failure did not allow the throttle to return to idle. He was able to stop the vehicle by shifting gears and putting it into park on the side of the highway. The vehicle was at the dealership, and he was concerned because vehicle should be covered under the federal safety agency campaign recall 99v062001. Presently, the dealer was asking the contact to pay for the repair. *ak updated 1/22/2007 - the dealer indicated that the cruise control off button had shorted out. As a result the cruise control could not be turned off once turned on.

Filed Nov 1, 2006 · Acceleration, Suspension · 167,000 miles · FL

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 the federal safety agency recall, #99v062000 regarding the vehicle speed control. A the federal safety agency recall, #00v402000 concerning the suspension. Also, a the federal safety agency recall #00v422000 concerning the vehicle speed control. The VIN was not included in any of the recalls.

Filed Sep 6, 2006 · Acceleration, Electrical · 98,197 miles · CA

Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds the cruise control was inoperative when engaged. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined the cruise control switch needed to be replaced. After the cruise control switch replacement, the problem persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop who determined the electrical wiring had melted in the interior dash panel area. No fire was seen. After new wiring was installed, the problem was corrected. There was a the federal safety agency recall, # 05v388000, regarding the vehicle speed control. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The manufacturer was alerted. Updated 9/22/2006 -

Filed Aug 30, 2006 · Acceleration · 86,500 miles · VA

Dt*: the contact stated the cruise control was set at 55 MPH while driving on the highway when the vehicle accelerated on its own. The cruise control would not disengage. The vehicle revved to 85 MPH before the contact turned the key to the off position and pulled off of the road. Each time the vehicle was restarted the vehicle continued to accelerate on its own. Finally the contact disengaged the cruise control under the engine and drove the vehicle one mile to a dealership where it was determined the cruise control switch was faulty. Updated 09/11/06.

Filed Aug 4, 2006 · Electrical · FL

Dt*: the contacted stated while starting the vehicle the fuses for the horn, cruise control, dashboard lights and compass burned out. While driving at 40 MPH. With out replacing the fuse, the engine warning lights illuminated. When the engine compartment was inspected, brake fluid was observed to be leaking. The vehicle has not been to service dealer however the manufacturer contacted. The manufacturer informed the contact, that the vehicle was not included in the recent ford recall expansion, which the contact heard about on the news, due to the VIN.