The front suspension bar links are broken, the fog lights of the exterior does not work.
1997 Ford Explorer suspension complaints
Page 2 of 5: complaints 11 to 40 of 105, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer. While driving various speeds, the steering vibrated and the contact lost control of the steering wheel on two separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and they discovered that the sway bar link failed. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 00v402000 (suspension). The current mileage was 100,000 and failure mileage was 98,000. Updated 03-04-08
Tl*- the contact stated was driving 25 MPH when the vehicle started making a loud popping sound each time she made a right turn, the sound seemed as if it was coming from under the driver's seat area. The road and weather conditions were great. The contact stated that while driving if she hit a bump in the road the vehicle would make the same loud popping sound. The contact took the vehicle to a repair shop on 12/28/06, and told the mechanic of the problem she was having, and the mechanic told the contact about the recall campaign # 00v402000 for suspension. The mechanic told the contact that she needed sway bar link replaced because it broke. The contact did pay $92.67 for this repair. The contact feltthat since there was nothing else wrong with vehicle, the manufacturer should reimburse her for the repair amount. *ak updated 01/30/07.
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.
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 50 MPH on any road condition, the vehicle swayed violently from side to side. The sway bar was replaced in 2003. A few months later, the contact noticed there was a the federal safety agency recall, #00v402000, regarding the suspension. The service dealer was contacted and determined that a diagnostics test needed to be performed before any work was to be done. The test showed the upper and lower ball joints along with the camber castor kit were damaged. Also the passenger and both rear doors did not open. The front driver's door had difficulties closing on two occasions. The contact received a letter from the manufacturer which offered $6000 for a trade in. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The locks were inoperative, the headlamp switch was broken. The vehicle needed upper and lower ball joints, however the consumer declined all repairs. Updated 10/11/06.
I see all of the recalls on the ford explorer date 1997 but I own a ford explorer 1997 and the only recall notice that I received is the one for the tires back in 2000. I never received the others and I know the ford company is aware of me owning this vehicle for I get notices in the mail constantly about selling it back to ford. Why are not my suspension lines or gas lines being repaired like the other fords with the 4.0 liter engine?
Regarding recall 00v402000 on sway bar problems I also was told my vehicle was beyond the recall date however the same parts have broken just as the recall states.
Over rough pavement or entering ramped driveways at an angle, vehicle rocked side-to-side more than normal, with an occasional "clunk". Inspection revealed a bolt holding the anti-roll bar to the upper control arm had rusted and failed, rendering the anti-roll bar non-functional. Given the propensity of this type of vehicle to roll over if driven improperly, this failure increases the risk / decreases the rollover threshold.
Consumer heard noise on driver's side wheel and front stabilizer bar broke. Consumer called the dealer, and ford was told consumer's vehicle was not included in recall due to VIN number. Other vehicles of same year were recalled. Contact felt this vehicle should have been recalled.*ak at low speed vehicle was responding normally but at increased speed vehicle becomes unstable for a short instance. Consumer could not continue to drive unsafely, so consumer purchased two new stabilizer links from ford dealership for $22. Mechanic replaced both of them for an additional $40. Consumer feels that this incident is unfortunate for the ford company not to stand behind their vehicles because the links are not moving parts of the vehicle and should last a lifetime. *sb
1997 ford explorer lower ball joints on explorer, both sides, left and right, had a clunk when going over dips in road. Ford did not find the problem. The problem was there from new, I have 57,000 miles on the explorer. The problem was found at firestone when rotating the tires and getting ready for a front end alinement. I was told that the ball joints were bad on both sides . Nothing has been done. I talked to ford, they say the warranty is gone and will do nothing, but will turn it over to the engineers
After pulling off the interstate I noticed my 1997 ford explorer was making awful noises and didn't handle well. When I got home I realized the sway bar link had snapped. After looking at your website I saw that the 1997 ford explorer was recalled for sway bar links breaking. After bringing my explorer to the dealership to get the item fixed I was told my vehicle wasn't part of the recall and that they go by VIN #'s. So my question is why are only certain 1997 explorers recalled. Just because my vehicle's VIN # doesn't qualify does that mean that I should loose control on the interstate going 75 MPH. Only certain color explorers get recalled? Maybe only explorers built on wednesdays in 1997 qualify. Do I have to crash and die until my VIN # qualifies? It will be too late then but maybe my parents can sue ford and get rich. Ford already tried to kill me with their firestone tires and now this. I'm glad the federal safety agency has the knowledge to know exactly which 1997 explorers had faulty parts, seems like a coincidence that I had the same problem that resulted in a recall for the 1997 explorer but yet I am refused service by ford. Could you please tell me how this can happen. I am furious with ford but I guess I should be more angry with the federal safety agency since they issue the recalls. Please let me know how you determine which lives to save and which ones aren't as important. Thanks for your time, joe
Vehicle lost steering control while driving 35-40 MPH. This almost caused vehicle to run down an embankment. Vehicle taken to the dealer, who informed the consumer that the problem was caused by the sway bar links which needed to be replaced.
The front passenger side sway bar fractured. Recall 00v402000 was issued, however, this vehicle was not covered under the recall due to VIN. *ak.....sway bar broke in july 2004. Car felt like boat when driving. Vehicle was repaired in january 2005.
Consumer stated front stabilizer bar broke. As a result, while driving 40 MPH vehicle swerved to avoid another vehicle, and almost rolled over with the front passenger side wheel off the ground.
The vehicle stabilizer bolt snapped without warning. As a result, when turning in either direction the vehicle rolls. A recall(00v-402000) was issued, however the vehicle's VIN number is outside of the remedy scope. *la
Sway bar link failure.
While having the tires rotated dealership noticed that the upper and lower ball joints wore out prematurely, and needed to be replaced. *ak
Last fall we noticed that there was a "burning rubber smell" coming from the rear right wheel well. It only seemd to manifests itself when we drove on the highway at an approximate speed of 60 MPH. When we drove on the city streets at the posted rate of speed, we found there was no smell whatsoever. We had our mechanic check things out and later our local tires plus, in both instances nothing was found. Today we went to our local ford dealer and had them check it out and they found nothing. This worries us, for recently on the local news there have been reports of car fires and I just happened to view one of the videos that showed one of the vehicles on fire. It was a ford explorer and the source of the fire was coming from the right rear wheel well. I hope this information helps you find exactly what's going on with this right rear wheel well. P.s. The wheel is fine.
Consumer is a victim of odometer fraud, encountering problems with the vehicle that's uncharacteristic for the mileage on the vehicle. (nar) *ph exhaust system, ball joint, and instrument panel had to be replaced.
While driving driver heard a loud noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Consumer had the vehicle towed to a dealership. Mechanic informed consumer that wheel bearings failed.
Front tire wear and alignment.
When the vehicle was parked, the torsion bar snapped.
The sway bar broke, which caused a noise.
The federal safety agency#00-v-402-000 sway bar link can fracture. The vehicle handling could be affected increasing the risks of a crash. Consumer states while wife was driving the vehicle at 65mph, the sway bar link bolts were broken, forcing the driver to pull off the road. The dealer has been notified. Mr ford stated that the vehicle wasn't covered, in reference to the recall, due to the vehicle year. The link bolts on the left and the right sides were replaced. The passenger side bolts were in bad shape. Scc
Tires were cupping at 29,000 miles in sept. 01. Dealer replaced both lower ball joints. New tires were installed and vehicle aligned. Cupping has returned 12 mo and 8,000 miles later. Ford refuses to address problem without me having to pay a non-refundable "diagnostic" charge. Ts
While driving 10mph heard grinding noise, said it soundes is if it wascoming from under vehicle.
While driving 20mph heard grinding noise, sounded as if it was coming from bottom of vehicle.
While driving steering was stiff, and consumer could hear a grinding noise in front end of vehicle. When making a turn felt like wheels were going to lock up. Vehicle was towed to a ford dealer, and they stated that front and rear sensor in transfer case had gone bad. Consumer stated that on may 4th problem reoccurred. Please provide any further information.
Front sway bar broke, could puncture tire. Manufacturer will be notified. Please provide further information
Squeaking noise would come from front suspension system while driving. Vehicle been to the dealer on three occasions, and the problem still reoccurring. Feel free to provide any further information.
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