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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
15 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 1
Average Mileage:
6,319 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 brakes problems

brakes problem

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1997 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #44

Jun 292006

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,590 miles

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

Turned into parking space at low speed. When brakes were applied vehicle surged forward and struck building trapping a lady between vehicle and building, killing her. Gas was not applied at anytime, you could feel the anti-lock brakes trying to engage and the vehicle could not be stopped.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #43

Sep 012004

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles
While driving on highway at 40 mph brakes failed to stop vehicle when depressed. Vehicle stopped when it collided with another vehicle. Driver sustained bruises, cuts, and whip lash. Vehicle is currently with the insurance company awaiting a factory representative to investigate the brake failure.

- Skokie, IL, USA

problem #42

Dec 052003

Explorer 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles
While driving the ABS engaged, which caused the truck to flip over. As a result the driver was ejected from the vehicle, then two seconds later, the vehicle caught fire. The consumer contacted the manufacturer about the failure but the responded with a letter which said " sorry there is nothing we can do for you at this time."

- Colonial Beach, VA, USA

problem #41

May 162003

Explorer 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,459 miles

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

Preparing to brake for a corner on a rainy night, the anti-lock brakes locked the wheels and slid me into an oncoming traffic lane at about 35 miles per hour. The oncoming vehicle swerved and avoided a head on collision with me. About 20 seconds later down the road the anti-lock brakes locked again as I turned into my development and again I slid. Vehicle has been serviced through its life and has a little over 52,000 miles on it. I could be dead right now had I not been a slower highway. It appears this problem has existed since the vehicle was produced after reading all of the complaints on this site.

- Mechanicsburg, PA, USA

problem #40

Jul 012001

Explorer

  • miles
ABS would engage during normal braking and on dry pavement. Vehicle been to dealer on three occasions, and they were unable to locate the problem. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Cohasset, MN, USA

problem #39

Feb 122002

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Engine accelerated during braking to a stop. Unable to stop vehicle with brakes.

- Mayslick, KY, USA

problem #38

Feb 122002

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

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

Engine accelerated during braking to a stop. Unable to stop vehicle with brakes.

- Mayslick, KY, USA

problem #37

Jan 312002

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
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

- Newtonville, NY, USA

problem #36

Nov 012001

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When applying brakes heard a grinding noise. Dealer replaced both front hubs and sensors. Consumer stated the front brake sensors are confused, they think they are on wet pavement, when really driving on dry pavement.

- De Pere, WI, USA

problem #35

Oct 172001

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer was traveling about 35mph on road to pass another vehicle., and without prior warning, vehicle acellerated about 100mph. Had foot on brakes, but vehicle was still running. Consumer turned vehicle off. Dealership was aware of problem.

- Fairlawn, NJ, USA

problem #34

Aug 222001

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

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

Brakes would make a groaning sound and pedal would vibrate when applying brakes. Vehicle was taken to dealer shop, and had both front caliper and pads replaced. But, still making noise. Vehicle was returned to dealer shop. Dealer informed consumer that ABS sensor needed to be replaced. Seeking assistance from NHTSA, is it normal wear for this part to go out under 40,000 miles.

- Holland, MI, USA

problem #33

Jul 242001

Explorer

  • miles
While consumer was driving on highway vehicle started to shift from side to side, and when consumer slammed on the brakes, vehicle started to smoke.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #32

Mar 012001

Explorer

  • miles
ABS brakes sytem would not shut off. ABS brake system continued to function through dry weather any time brakes were applied.

- Muskegon, MI, USA

problem #31

Feb 012001

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
I have not been notified of any recalls on this vehicle by Ford or the dealer.

- South Bend, IN, USA

problem #30

Mar 272001

Explorer

  • miles
Accelerator pedal had stuck while driving. This increased speed of vehicle while going 60mph. Was trying stop vehicle by stepping on brakes. But, vehicle hit a building, tires were still spinning after impact. Air bags failed to deploy.

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #29

Jan 142001

Explorer

  • miles
While making a stop wheels locked up, causing vehicle to go into a spin, resulting in a collision. There were minor injuries. The 4 wheel drive steering mechanism had been damaged.

- Fleetwood, NC, USA

problem #28

Jan 302001

Explorer

  • miles
While driving about 20 mph stepped on brakes pedal to stop, but brakes did not work, resulting in extended stoping distanc. This problem happened twice the same day.

- Garyson, MN, USA

problem #27

Jan 112001

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
The brakes does not stop the Explorer within any allowed time, even if one set of wheels are on dry payment. I have close to 3 collision because the vehicle would not stop, even though I did exactly what I was suppose to with ABS brakes.

- Sterling, VA, USA

problem #26

Aug 012000

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Was driving approximately 20mph through a construction zone. Applied brakes (ABS), and brake pedal went to the floor. Vehicle failed to stop. Rearended another vehicle. Air bags deployed.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #25

Aug 121999

Explorer

  • miles
Experiencing on going problem with vehicle brake system; 1. ABS light remain on, and 2. rear rotors wear excssively. Faulty brake senor have been replace /repairs on four occasion by dealer and problem still reoccurring. Please feel free to provide any further details:

- Bellevue, IA, USA

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