Grinding noise coming from the steering while driving. Vehicle been to the dealer on three occasions, and problem reoccurring. Feel free to provide any further information.
1997 Ford Explorer suspension complaints
Page 3 of 5: complaints 41 to 70 of 105, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Ball joints again on 3/15/02.
Alldata.com and other sites show a safety recall for this vehicle year/model for the front sway bar. However, upon numerous requests to the service dept. At said dealer, they say it doesn't affect our particular vehicle. But, our vehicle's sway bar has been making a popping/squeeking noise almost since it was purchased. We want ford to cover the replacement, before a serious accident occurs.
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
The sway bar links broke prior to the recall notice, consumer was sent a check for the repairs of the front sway bar links, however the left front drive shaft was also replaced due to the links breaking which caused damage to the drive shaft, consumer is requesting reimbursement for the drive shaft as well.
The crankshaft fell out while driving, as the crankshaft fell out it caused the vehicle to lockup resulting in the vehicle not steering or braking very well. Nlm
The vehicle pulled to the right and the consumer noticed a major shimmy which caused the steering wheel to shake resulting in front tires making noise. The cause was discovered to be a missing part called a camber kit. The consumer wants a refund from the manufacturer of the vehicle for fixing this problem.
Vehicle was traveling at 40 to 50mph, when it was rearended by another vehicle. Vehicle completely rolled over, and landed upside down. Consumer has yet to contact dealer. None of airbags deployed. There were four injuries.
Consumer took vehicle to tri-lake ford to have recall 00v402000 repairs performed. But, dealer refused to perform repairs because consumer did not buy vehicle from that dealer.
While driving about any MPH and when making a turn could hear a clicking noise. Consumer said it is just like recall 00 v 402 000 sway bar. Please provide more information.
While driving at highway speeds driver changed lanes, and streering wheel went to the right, resulting in a collision/ minor injuries. Vehicle was totalled. Dealer has been notified.
Consumer went to dealer because when making turns vehicle felt shaky, like it would roll over. Consumer had to make turns at crawling speed. Dealer found sway bar missing from vehicle. There is a recall on sway bar, but this vehicle not affected. *ak recall number is 00v402, consumer states sway bar blew out from vehicle causing a huge bang and vehicle to sway to the right almost causing an accident.
While driving straight vehicle is making a humming. When making a turn feels like vehicle is going to turn over. When taking off consumer can feel a hard bang on drivers side.
While traveling at 25 MPH or less I hit a slight bump and heard a very load bang. The front left drivers side of the vehicle abruptly dropped, the vehicle swerved into the opposing lane and tend to roll. Luckily there was no oncoming traffic and I quickly stopped. The ford dealer replaced the torsion bar and acknowledged that this was a very dangerous failure. However they refused to cover the repair cost. The repair cost me $171.67. Due to their refusal to cover a significant safety issue and other media coverage of explorer problems, I sold the vehicle this week.
The problem persist and de dealers never fixes the problem in my vehicle what I've to do to resolve that delicate prblem. No safety defect listed.
Vehicle leans to the left, vehicle taken to dealership, adjustment to torsion bar made, did not appear to correct problem, vehicle taken back to dealership, owner was told bar or underlying springs need to be replaced. Cj
Front ball joints are wearing excessively due to a lack of lubricant. New ball joints do not require lubrication. Mechanic refuses to replace old ball joints with newer ball joints.
When making a right turn steering wheel would pull and pop. A recall has been issued on vehicle for sway bar;however, this vehicle was not included due to VIN.*ak the problem was solved after 21/2 years.
While driving could hear popping noise coming from bottom of vehicle. Had taken vehicle to repair shop, and they said it was a problem with suspension.
Call red hickey for important cause finding of tire wear in suspension 828 253 4311 he has investigated it on many explorers. As soon as you rotate your tires the trouble starts. The wear on our vehicle at both front is not the air preasure. Hickey says it is a ford design flaw known and ignored for years and overlooked by most shops. He is in the allignment business the last 40 years and known as an expert in the area for problems others can't fix.*ak (dot number: w2hlipy tiresize: p235/75r15)
Vehicle leans to the left front. Left front of vehickle is lower than the right side. Makes turning to the right tricky.
Vehicle experienced several engine problems, consumer stated that the engine sounded like no oil was in it when started, dealer has replaced gaskets, upper intake cam tensioner three times, and there was a coolant leak. Left front door hinge replaced, it was making noise. Power steering pump was replaced, it was noisy when turning the wheel. Vanity mirror on driver's side would not close all the way and popped when opened, dealer replaced it. The right front of the vehicle was lower than the left front. Brakes were squeaky, dealer replaced front brake pads and turned rotors. A tap noise was heard while playing cd's. Vehicle experienced several transmission problems, while going over bumps and railroad tracks, transmission jumped out of gear, dealer intalled overhaul kit because the clutch had burned. 4 wheel drive was inoperable and made a rubbing/groan noise, when reversing and putting intor drive, consumer heard popping noise, dealer replaced rear transfer case flange and removed driveshaft. Vehicle would not start, it would turn over, dealer found the PCM was not wiring, dealer replaced PCM.
No summary listed for abov evehicle.
I was driveway down highway at approx 65 MPH. Car started shifting left to right excessively. I had also hear a piece of metal hit the underside of my ruck. When I reached home I checked suspension and foudn stabilizer bar hanging loose. On right side. I checked drivers side and found that stabilizer bar loose with missing components and slightly rusted. Had probably been loose for some time. Both are currentlycompletely disconnected.
Serious noise problem at right front end during any movement of the vehicle. Unsure if this is a safety issue and currently concerned to travel any lengthy distance.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Firestone wilderness at tires (p235 75 r15) experienced abnormal wear, consumer replaced two of the tires, even with the replacements the firestone tires were wearing prematurely, the consumer replaced all tires with a different brand and has had no further problems, consumer is requesting reimbursement for the replacement tires, the front and rear bearings also had to be replaced at 35000 miles.
Firestone wilderness at tire experienced blowout, a replacement tire was put on and it was noisy.
While driving about 50 MPH explorer began to sway back and forth, became air borne and flipped over 4 times. Driver did not go into any other lane, and did not hit other vehicle. Driver and one other passenger were in the explorer. Both were injured. Tires were firestone, wilderness at. Please provide tire size and dot # and any other information.
I brought this vehicle to the dealer four separate times because I thought the front end was out of alignment. They charged me all four times and it turns out the tires were defective. They are not the recall tires but I have since replaced them (at my own cost) and the vehicle seems to be running fine now (last two weeks). I would like to know why all the wilderness brand tires were not recalled? They clearly are defective! If it was a design problem then would'nt every plant have the same design problem? If it is a quality control issue than would'nt that also be the same problem at other plants, companies like firestone write one set of procedures for safety and inspections of tires. They don't have different inspection procedures for each plant! They certainly don't have separate procedures for the same brand of tires. You guys drop the ball, and now we are paying for it!!!!*ak( dot number: w2hlipy426 tire size: p235/75r15 )
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