1997 Ford Explorer: engine failure

Filed Feb 19, 2013 · Engine, Suspension · 42,000 miles · WI

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!!!!!

Filed Feb 9, 2011 · Engine · 150,000 miles · WA

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20-30 MPH, the vehicle would misfire and seem as if it would stall. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who informed the contact that she needed to replace the engine. The manufacturer was then contacted and advised her that her vehicle was included in any recalls. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Feb 28, 2008 · Engine · 68 miles · NJ

My 1997 ford explorer died while I was driving. I had the vehicle towed to a ford dealership and was informed that the cam shaft chain was broken or let go. I was advised by ford they knew about this problem, but didn't notify everyone who owned them because they didn't have enough parts to repair or replace and they only told the ford dealerships about this problem and not the public. And they also purged all the "old records" as they call them and cannot tell if they notified the ford dealership where I purchased my vehicle. I was told by hackettstown ford when I purchased my vehicle that it was one of the sales managers wifes car and it is in mint condition and well maintained. When I found out about the problem with my vehicle., I was told by ford that there are over 5 million ford exploreres and mercury SUV still on the road. There is no way a consumer can tell if this is going to happen youor vehicle just dies, and I cannot imagine how many people have been in accidents or even killed because of this problem or are still driving these vehicles and wont know until it happens. It cost me $14,999 when I purchased this vehicle and it cost me over $6,000. For a new engine. Who is watching out for us? If I was told to have my vehicle checked I would have it only cost about $100.00 to pull they engine down to the cam shaft chain and check for the problem. I had my vehicle looked at by four mechanics who knew right away what the problem was. Please help me and the public with this problem, I am disabled and had to borrow the money for the engine and will have to pay the money back for the next 4 years. I couldn't buy a new vehicle because my vehicle fits me perifect because of having 35 surgeries from a auto accident in 1974.if I see another explorer I stay far away from it. . The funny thing is when you call ford in detroit they ask you how many fords you have purchased in your lifetime and would you ever buy another one.

Filed Nov 23, 2004 · Engine · 15,743 miles · TX · fire

First evidence of noise reported to dealer on 7/22/98. They said there was no problem. Noise became unbearable and engine began lossing power. Took it to dealer on1/2/01 and found out the front cam tensioner disintegrated causing severe metalic noises from the engine compartment. Bankston ford supposidly did the well known recall. My paperwork shows they replaced the tensioner cassette and changed the oil. I obtained their own proceedures for this issue because many engines have had to be replace due to the pieces of the broken tensioner clogging oil passages and destroying the engines. The instructions they should have followed included inspecting the heads for clogged passages and other things. I believe they should have replaced the engine then, but they made me take it. As soon as I left dealer, the noise was back. Called them and they said to give it a week and see if it goes away. It got worse and I brought it back in to the dealer. This time they said it was the rear tensioner (the one not coverered by their recall since it requires removing the engine. Same part- same defect, but not covered due to cost). Since ford was losing too much money on their defect replacing engines, they stopped helping their customers. The dealer offered a $500 and 75,000 mile warrantee dealer concession, but I expected it to be taken care of like everyone else. The defective part ruined the engine and it should be replaced, or at least repaired properly. Have been at a stand-still for almost 2 years now with a non-funcioning vehicle. Ford customer service will not do anything and the dealer now wants $5000 for a new engine.

Filed Jan 22, 2003 · Engine · CA

Backed out of driveway and proceeded down street at about 10 MPH. Engine made a "thunk" noise and went into a "no start" condition. My '97 explorer was towed to the dealer who diagnosed the problem as a snapped crankshaft. At 103k miles the dealer did not acknowledge that this was any sort of manufacturing defect and emphatically stated that they'd never heard of this problem. They refused customer request that they review the federal safety agency webiste for history of prior reports. The dealer stated that the engine was only designed to last 100k miles but that might be extended with regular oil changes. This customer asked if engine replacement at 100k miles was an expected event and the dealer repeated that it could be. Ford's national customer service was no help. The zone manager would not meet to discuss the problem. Customer paid $4,800 to replace the engine. Customer kept the broken shaft which shows multiple internal surface textures. To date there have been other complaints about this same problem without a response on this safety and manufacturing issue from ford. Other websites report ford employees aware of this problem, loosely referred to as a "stacking of tolerences" whereby the tolerences exert pressure on the crankshaft just behind the key where it attaches to the dampner. This is reportedly not a condition that the owner can prevent, diagnose or otherwise be aware of until the crankshaft breaks. Ford reportedly cannot make a prior determination either, seemingly leaving it to chance whether a vehicle will have problems. Certain engine compnents are expected to fail during engine life such as water pumps, alternators and so forth but major components should not. Ford should address this issue by revealing the design life of the crankshaft. J.d. Powers relayed to this customer that crankshafts are routinely designed to last 200 - 250k miles, contrary to dealer assertations. The federal safety agency needs to investigate this issue and take appropriate action.

Filed Jan 12, 2003 · Engine · 125,000 miles · GA

Broken crankshaft on a 97 ford explorer.crank broke while driving on the interstate at 55 MPH. All dash lights came on and engine quit.ford dealer confirmed crank was broken and new engine was needed at a cost of $4400.00.

Filed Jan 24, 2002 · Engine, Transmission · NY

Consumer stated when vehicle was being started it sounded like a diesel engine, the engine light was appearing on the dashboard, consumer was informed that a new engine was needed, consumer states vehicle is now on its 3rd engine.

Filed Sep 2, 2001 · Engine · TX

New engine needed. I have had ford replace the cam tensioners, only to have had it fail now for the 3rd time in 8 mos. I am going to request the engine be replaced at dealer cost, as it was a recalled part. The warranty was extended to 72k miles back in jan 0f '01. I now have 90k and the problem has reocurred. The problem was never really corrected, so its my opinion that ford is obligated to correct this. Was told engine needs replacement. Have had a constant 'ticking' since purchased. Now very loud clattering and 'rapping' noises in timing chain area. I was told there are 6 chains on this engine and they only replaced the front, saying if the back ones are bad, the engine needs to be replaced...and that that is the problem since the first 2 replacements have gone bad again.

Filed Aug 28, 2001 · Engine · CT

An unknown cause lead to the head gasket cracking and the cyclinders blowing-out on the vehicle, which now requires a new engine. Vehicle was purchased with 46m miles and the return of a lease orignated with the delaership that sold the same vehicle to us. This was ford certified lease vehicle we were told, which means it supposedly wnet through the highest inspection upon it being turned in from the lease. The vehicle broke-down on 8/12/01 on busy interstate 84 at the juction of the merge of interstate 91 and 84, stranding my wife ( who ws driving) between two heavily used highways. Both the dealership and ford have refused to take responsibility for the inherent defect in the manufacturing of the vehicle. Acordig to the dealership a their ford representative, taryn, stated ford refuses to pay fany part of the repair becuse the vehicle was bought used and we did not do our service (oil changes) with the dealership, although we did do so at other places. We want ford and the delearship to pay for the full cost of repairing this vehicle.

Filed Jun 12, 2001 · Engine · MS

30 MPH, camshaft breaks. Dealer says new engine required, $4500 est. Ford contacted and offers $2000 assistance. This should be a safety recall and ford should be forced to pay for all damages b/c the forceful stop caused by engine failure could have caused serious injury to passengers or other vehicle due to skidding. This is not normal wear on a vehicle, is obviosly a ford defect.

Filed May 21, 2001 · Electrical · WA

Approx 1 month ago, vehicle failed just after leaving the freeway and had to be towed to dealer. The problem was found to be the main fuse controlling all drive-train components, including computer, fuel injectors, transmission, etc. The dealer ( harris ford) could not find the cause after two days of investigation. I was returned the vehicle with two extra 30 amp fuses (and a $500 bill) in case the problem recurred. Approx. Two weeks later, the vehicle again died, this time in portland, or. Fortunately it did not happen on the freeway, since all power was lost when the engine died. The vehicle has been at a portland dealer for the past week, again with no explanation of the cause. Despite the fact that the vehicle will not run, and I have an esp, ford nor its dealers will commit to covering repairs under warranty. Had this happened at freeway speed of 60 or 70 MPH, a serious accident could occur, potentially with fatal injuries.

Filed Apr 4, 2001 · Engine · IL

Engine failed while driving, causing vehicle to stall due to overheating. Cause unknown, dealer does not know why vehicle overheated. Complete engine needs to be replaced.