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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,714 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 #7

Jan 242012

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 160,000 miles

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

I was in a frontal crash on 01/24/2012 the air bags didn't deploy.causing injuries, seat belts were wore.

- Independence, MO, USA

problem #6

Jan 262004

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer hit a telephone pole at 25 mph and the air bags didn't deploy.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #5

Aug 062003

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
About three months ago air bag light illuminated. Consumer took vehicle to an independent mechanic last month which stated clockspring had to be replaced.

- Englewood, NJ, USA

problem #4

Jan 112003

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

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

The vehicle was involved in a head on collision but none of the airbags deployed upon impact.

- Kerrville, TX, USA

problem #3

Sep 262002

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer states while driving 60mph had collision and air bag did not deploy causing injuries. Nlm

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #2

Apr 152001

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While traveling at approximately 50 mph consumer's vehicle collided with a deer when it crossed directly in front of vehicle. Insurance adjuster stated that frontal air bags should have deployed. *note: Connsumer's wife was injured, suffered back injuries.

- Bicknell, IN, USA

problem #1

Dec 121998

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
The absence of a driver side airbag disable switch has failed the safety standards of the country, morally. I am appauled the manufacturers won't recall these vehicles, or give owners the option for free disable switches to be installed. In addition, with all the reports of deaths to infants and teens with driver side airbags, I'm insulted that I need my governments permission to install a disable switch to protect my family. This is a design defect, everyone knows it. The manufacturer is responsible. It should be a massive recall. NHTSA should mandate all manufacturers to retrofit all vehicles with passenger side airbags with disable switches. It's the right thing to do.concern about air bag on-off switch. Added on 09-07-1999.

- Yorba Linda, CA, USA

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