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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
13,762 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Ford Explorer accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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1997 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Mar 052004

Explorer

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While vehicle was parked consumer was trying to recline/adjust the seat. The seat reclining handle snapped. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Dacula, GA, USA

problem #20

Feb 012002

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles
Rear doors won't open from inside and it is not the child deterrent lever on door, heating system overrides A/C heater sometimes dosen't work. Recline lever broke off.

- Dover, DE, USA

problem #19

Nov 152003

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 76,000 miles
The consumer noticed the driver side seat back reclined backwards after opening the driver's side door. Prior to this incident, the consumer had informed the dealership that the seat was loose and rocked. The dealer provided no assistance. Recall 03V281000 was issued for the high back seat, however, this vehicle was not included in recall due to the vehicle identification number.

- Audubon, NJ, USA

problem #18

Sep 242003

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving driver's seat back fell, causing the vehicle to veer across the road.

- Traverse City, MI, USA

problem #17

Jan 312003

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles
Seat recliner levers break off. Back seat passenger(s) must climb over seat to enter or exit. If there was an emergency rear seat passengers would have difficulty exiting vehicle. The cheap metal part that fractured is attached to a $70 part that with labor would be $240 for both driver and passeenger repair. This is more than inconvenience.

- Blairstown, NJ, USA

problem #16

Aug 272001

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
The drivers side seatback lever was broke.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

problem #15

Jul 172001

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Consumer stated as he leaned back in the drivers seat, the back of the seat fell onto the rear seat, consumer was not able to get the seat back up by using the seat handle, vehicle was taken into the dealership and consumer was informed that the latch holding the seat back in place had let go and had to be replaced.

- Holyoke, MA, USA

problem #14

Jul 172001

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer stated as he leaned back in the drivers seat, the back of the seat fell onto the rear seat, consumer was not able to get the seat back up by using the seat handle, vehicle was taken into the dealership and consumer was informed that the latch holding the seat back in place had let go and had to be replaced.

- Holyoke, MA, USA

problem #13

Aug 272001

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
The drivers side seatback lever was broke.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

problem #12

Apr 011997

Explorer

  • miles
Front passenger seat handle keeps breaking off. Consumer has yet to contact dealer. Please provide any further infomation.

- Center, AL, USA

problem #11

Jun 012001

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driver's side seatbelt would not release. Consumer had to use scissors to cut seatbelt off. Consumer has contacted dealer. Also, the ignition assembly unit failed and the back seat latch was missing.

- Delta, PA, USA

problem #10

Apr 102000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
This broken lever is a design problem, not a safety issue.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #9

Jul 071999

Explorer

  • miles
Vehicle experiencing ongoing problem with fuel vapor smell coming inside the vehicle. Dealer notified, and was unable to locate the problem. Also, seat moves back and forth, and driver's shoulder belt would not latch properly. Dealer notified.

- Blue Spring, MO, USA

problem #8

Feb 112000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Rear brakes are shot and the seat handle is broken. My dealer says that vehicle is not cover under my extended warranty. But, there is a tsb # 98-25-15 for the seat handle, and I can't believe that my brakes or rear rotors are warped. Already they did replacethe front ones and they should have done the rear at the same time but they did not. Now I am the one who has to suffer because of them. This should be a warranty item taht all there is to it. Hope I here from some one but I dought it.

- Owosso, IA, USA

problem #7

Sep 301999

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Seat recliner handle broke while driving and readjusting seat. Nlm

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #6

Dec 011999

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Vehicle was rear ended at 70mph, and the driver's side seatback collapsed. Dealer has not seen vehicle.

- Charlottesville, VA, USA

problem #5

Sep 021999

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Driver was rearended by smaller vehicle that was driving at high rate of speed, causing driver's seatback to fall back into a reclining position, resulting in loss of control. Vehicle was totaled.

- Apalachin, NY, USA

problem #4

Jul 081998

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer has been experiencing problems with seat tracks and anchors. When the driver slammed on brakes, back seat tilted up and the passenger was ejected into the air. As a result, the passenger jammed her head against the ceiling. The manufacturer has been contacted. On 2-door model.

- Hollywood, CA, USA

problem #3

Apr 011998

Explorer

  • miles
Seat latch metal broke off from the seat, and the seat is unusuable. Incident occurred two times. Dealer cannot duplicate the problem.

- Laguna Beach, CA, USA

problem #2

Jan 041998

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Vehicle will not accelerate when gas pedal is pressed. Also, the rear seat bottoms do not lock in position, causing passengers fall when entering or exiting vehicle. Seat bottom flips forward when weight is positioned on the front edge.

- Pinckney, MI, USA

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