The temperature control failed to regulate temperature I researched and found the blend door to be broken leaving me without the ability to defrost the winshield or regulate heat /cool this is a safety issue since I live in a climate that has snow /ice and cold as well as hot temperatures. This is a known problem and is dangerous and requires a nearly $1000.00 fix to replace the blend door it was explained to me they had to remove the dash etc. This appears to be a ford design issue and a known safety issue. Nlm
1997 Ford Explorer visibility complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 90, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Heater runs at full heat no mater what temperature selected.
This heater has the potential to be a serious safety issue. The defroster will not work properly because only hot air will exit the vents, which leads to a foggy windshield. This problem appears to be very well documented and ford has a tsb for it, 99-8-8 and 97-24-25.
Defogger/defroster will not operate as blend door is stuck on air conditioner.
The temperature control does not control the temperature of the A/C-heater that results in a failure to defog/defrost the windshield.
I feel that ford should address the issue of the air blend door / HVAC system at a safety level due to the fact this these problems could result in hazardous driving conditions.
Sealant used around front windshield is dissolving and causingt water to leak into passenger compartment. Dealer has been notified . Feel free to provide any further information.
Ford has been well aware of the blend door breaking problem for several years now and still is doing nothing to appease their customers. Mine is stuck blowing cold air, so should I need it to defog or defrost my windows during a rain or snowstorm (of which we have many in minnesota) I cannot. I've found numerous reports of this part failing and complaints written to ford all over the internet. The problem is prevalent in several ford models, yet they refuse to compensate their customers for a part that is obviously defective.
1995 thru 1999 explorers and 1997-99 mountaineers, built through 4/98 were manufactured with a plastic air blend door which breaks due to poor design and prevents temperature regulation . Ford revised this plenum using nylon as a reinforcement , which is stronger and less susceptible to breakage. If the air blend door breaks and the system is locked in the A/C mode, defogging/defrosting the windshield is a challenge. This is a safety issue that should be addressed. Thank you.
Heater defroster/defogger is blowing out cold air,.dealer and manufacturer were notified . Feel free to provide any further information.
This is an example of very poor design; this part should never fail - it is a simple part, subjected to very minor loads. Worse, the entire dashboard must be disassembled to replace it, and rather than replacing just the blend door (a little flapper that controls the mix of hot and cold air), you have to replace the entire heater plenum assembly.
Temperature control switch broke, cold air was being distributed. Consumer unable to defrost windshield.*ak
Defroster is not working properly. Contacted dealer, and the dealer is not willing to do anything.
Heater plenum hot/cold air blend; door breaks, causing no temperature control for heater & defroster.
In middle of a snow storm, defroster would not work, causing vehicle not to have any heat and poor visibility to drive. Consumer found a technical service bulletin, the federal safety agency sb618546 relating to the problem. Dealer was contacted to resolve the issue.*akjg
The heater and defroster stopped working because of a plastic part on the heater door that fails after to much use. The part has to be replace by a part called the actuator value.ford must have know about this problem, because it has a replacement part already to go when the part fails. (nylon blend door and plenum #f87z-18471-da.) the problem beening that it cost $784.40 in labor to put the part in. If ford new it had this problem , why wasn`t it on a recall list to replace???
Windshield washer comes on intermittently while driving. Vehicle taken to dealer twice, multi function switch was replaced the first time. It did not remedy the problem. Second time dealer could not find cause. *ak the consumer stated that the vehicle was at the dealer for one day in cold weather outside, problem was replicated and they found relays overheating and sticking caused by shorted malfunction switch on prior repair and they replaced both relays.
Cylinder heads or head gasgets failed causing coolant leak into cylinders and out exhaust. Suspect faulty heater valve leaked coolant causing engine to overheat and damage heads or gasgets.
Well, the first thing that stopped working was the thermostat, then the window regulator and seat bealt, I went to the dealer and just to see the problem I was charged 160usd . I think it's unfair but they said I had to pay and nothing was done to the car. The tires were replaced at sears because I was scared and simply replaced them 4 months after I bought the car. I called the dealer and firestone recall but they are now asking for a dot code in which sears did not give me. Now I am only asking to please try to refund something. I will never buy a ford vehicle because they give too many problems and the dealer gets away with problems in which they need to fix because they are factory problems. *ak (tiresize: 15inches)
On the first occasion, the headlights would go out when the turn signal was turned on. The vehicle was out of warranty(over 36,000 miles) so we had our regular mechanic repair, but we asked to keep the replaced part. The most recent problem (only 11/2 years& approx 8000 miles later)was that the windshield wipers would not work. This time we took it to a ford dealer. The service manager mentioned that there had been a problem with this part and that ford had made an upgrade, but no recall had been enacted. Again we asked to keep the replaced part (both are ford parts#13k359). If there are any questions regarding this claim, please leave message on home phone, or contact diane rutt between the hours of 9-5 at 717 336-7534.
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.
Broken air blend door, causing no heat for defrosters or heater.
Windshield washer will not spray fluid. Safety concern as visibility can be impaired, especially in the winter. Have seen ford discussion groups that this is a common problem, possibility related to excessive grease in the electrical contacts of the wiper and washer spray switch.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Ignition wires and plugs need replaced, consumer feels dealer should make these repairs.
Rear view mirror is causing poor visibility. Consumer on many counts has had close encounters of accidents. Dealer said that it was nothng they could do about it.*ak the rear view mirror is at eye level and is hard to see vehicles that are behind. The service center said that it can not be adjusted or replaced.
Heater control valve also broke.
Heater will not control due to manufacturers wrong part installed from the factory. This is the third one we have had to replace
Pe99049, windshield wipers malfunction, causing poor visibility which may result in a crash. High mode goes too slowly, and the low mode goes too fast. Please provide further information.
While driving in a rain storm with windshield wipers on high speed, consumer thoughtthat blades came loose, but instead it was the arm connector to the motor tha tloosened. Contacted the dealer to have vehicle serviced.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1997 Ford Explorer?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history