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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
19 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
15 / 1
Average Mileage:
5,526 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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1997 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #19

Jan 212007

Explorer 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

- the contact called regarding a 1997 Ford Explorer. The airbags did not deploy. The driver of the vehicle was driving around a curve, and the road conditions were icy and snowy. The driver hit an embankment head on and the vehicle flipped over. The driver sustained fatal injuries. There were two other passengers in the vehicle that were not injured. It is unclear whether the driver was wearing the seat belt. One of the passengers removed the seat belt and the other passenger's seat belt was not on so that they could get out of the vehicle. It was unclear whether the passenger removed the seat belt from the driver as well. The vehicle was towed to a tow shop where it remained. The contact did not take possession of the vehicle at this time. The tow shop planned to sell parts of the vehicle. Itwas unknown whether there were pictures taken of the vehicle. The contact had a police report the contact stated that the previous owner said that the vehicle had been involved in a recall for the airbags in the past.

- Logan, OH, USA

problem #18

Feb 152006

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,000 miles
: the contact stated while driving 20mph a vehicle collided with the contact's vehicle. This was a side and frontal impact and the driver's side air bag did not deploy. The seat belts were in use. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop. Upon inspection the steering wheel was separated three milliliters as if the air bag was going to deploy. The airbag warning and check engine light were illuminated. The manufacturer has not been alerted and no repairs were made.

- Gwinn, MI, USA

problem #17

Nov 122002

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer called complaining about been in a collision and air bags did not deployed. Dealer was not contacted at this present time.

- Pittsburg, PA, USA

problem #16

Sep 262002

Explorer

  • miles

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

Consumer states while driving 40 mph had head on collision the air bags did not deploy.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #15

Nov 242001

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer was traveling about 60mph on highway and a bear was in the lane, she hit the bear and dual airbags didn't go off. Dealership was aware of problem.

- Ovid, NY, USA

problem #14

Jun 152001

Explorer

  • miles
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.

- Plandome, NY, USA

problem #13

Feb 152001

Explorer

  • miles

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

I was involved in an accident in February that was not my fault. The other driver failed to stop at a stop sign and came into the intersection as I was coming from through it. I was wearing my seat belt and the airbag did deploy, causing the majority of my injuries. I had several lacerations on my cheeks, chin and mouth. My upper lip was split open and I sustained a serious injury to my jaw. All of these injuries were caused when my head went forward as the airbag cover popped back and the airbag was inflating. The airbag hit me in the face with such force that it left my jaw permenantly injured. I am an 5' 5 1/2" tall and do not sit particularly close to the steering wheel. There is an obvious flaw with the design of the airbag.

- Lakewood, OH, USA

problem #12

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 #11

Aug 152000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
PE 00020: While driving 75mph vehicle started to vibrate. Was pulling to side when a loud explosion was heard. Lost control of vehicle, went towards median & hit guardrail. Air bags failed to deploy. When vehicle finally stopped, got out & checked. Noticed no tread on left rear tire. No serious injury. Firestone wilderness, size P235/75R15 with 61,000 miles on it. Did not have the tire.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #10

Feb 082000

Explorer

  • miles
Air bag did not deploy in front end collision.

- Spokan, WA, USA

problem #9

Nov 231999

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Vehicle was involved in an accident. Another vehicle ran a red light and hit consumer's vehicle on the driver's front fender area. Upon impact, both air bags did not deploy. Speed of vehicle was not determined. Dealer / manufacturer was not contacted at this time.

- Glenwood, IA, USA

problem #8

Oct 021999

Explorer

  • miles
While waiting at the stop light a van had failed to stop properly & rearended Explorer. Vehicle then rearended another vehicle in front. Upon impact with other vehicle, the air bags did not deploy. Vehicle was towed to dealer.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #7

Jul 161999

Explorer

  • miles
While driving at 40 mph another vehicle ran a stop, causing consumer to hit the other vehicle on the side. Upon impact, driver side and passenger's side air bags didn't deploy.

- Midlothian, IL, USA

problem #6

Jun 141999

Explorer

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
While driving at 55 mph and trying to avoid being hit by another vehicle, Explorer ran into a guardrail, and shoulder belt didn't prevent consumer from hitting her head on windshield and falling on passenger's side of vehicle. Also, driver's side air bag didn't deploy, althought the passenger side air bag did.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #5

May 291998

Explorer

  • miles
No deployment of driver's side air bag during a collision resulted in driver sustaining injuries. Vehicle totaled.

- Stone Moun, GA, USA

problem #4

Mar 131998

Explorer

  • miles
Started applying brakes after going 30mph. Vehicle did not slow down or stop. Rearended several vehicles. Upon impact, airbags did not deploy. Left front wheel came off. Prior to impact, cv joint made knocking noise when turning. Took to dealer twice for knocking noise.

- Plantation, FL, USA

problem #3

Feb 221998

Explorer

  • miles
Air bags failed to deploy during head on collision at approximately 55 mph.

- Tomball, TX, USA

problem #2

Aug 021997

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at 30 mph owner was in direct frontal crash, there was no deployment of drivers or passengers airbags. The cause has not been determined. Vehicle is currently at dealers.

- Roslyn Estate, NY, USA

problem #1

Jun 191997

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Car was hit in the right front at 50mph and then hit in rear when the airbags and seatbelts did not work.

- Chatsworth, GA, USA

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