1997 Ford Explorer Body & Structure Problems

Your driver's side interior door handle has a return spring that came loose, so the handle doesn't snap back to its normal position after you pull it. This could potentially allow the door to unlatch during a side-impact crash, which raises a safety concern. The fix would likely involve reinstalling or replacing the return spring inside the door handle assembly.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO HAVE TO ENTER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE EXTERIOR OR INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC TO HAVE THE DOORS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD THE DOORS REPAIRED THREE TIMES FOR THE RECURRING FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,100. *JS

SEVERE RUST ON THE FRAME OF A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. *TR

I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL FORD EXPLORERS RANGING FROM YEARS 1995-2001 THAT THE FRAMES ARE RUSTING THROUGH AND BREAKING. I FEEL THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THERE IS A SEVERE RUST PROBLEM WITH THESE FRAMES AND THEY APPEAR TO BE MANUFACTURED QUITE THIN TO BEGIN WITH. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN ON OVER A DOZEN OF THESE CARS IN MY AREA, THE FRAME IS RUSTING THROUGH AND BREAKING ON THE LEFT REAR CORNER ANYWHERE FROM THE FRONT MOUNT ON THE LR LEAF SPRING TO WHERE THE BUMPER MOUNTS AT THE BACK OF THE FRAME. THE CROSS MEMBER HOLDING THE BODY MOUNTS IS ALSO RUSTING THROUGH IN THIS AREA AND COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE GAS TANK AND ALSO MAKING THE SPARE TIRE LOOSE AND AT RISK OF FALLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND BECOMING A HAZARD FOR FOLLOWING MOTORISTS. THERE IS NO GOOD WAY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND I FEEL THAT THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED TO GET THEM OFF OF THE ROAD. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND I AM NOT SURE HOW THERE HAVEN'T BEEN CRASHES AND OR DEATHS AS A RESULT OF THIS VERY POOR DESIGN AND QUALITY VEHICLE. ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM IS JUST NOW STARTING TO REALLY TAKE EFFECT BECAUSE OF THE AGING VEHICLES. *TR

I THINK THE REAR DOOR OF FORD EXPLORERS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. I HAVE A 1997 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE WELD THAT HOLDS THE REAR DOOR AT THE TOP IS STARTING TO COME APART. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT ON FORD EXPLORERS BY A FORD BODY SHOP. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE? I HAVE ALSO SEEN THIS ON SEVERAL OTHER EXPLORERS. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS OCCURS BECAUSE THE SHEET METAL USED ON THE DOOR IS SO THIN THAT IT DOES NOT SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE REAR DOOR THAT GOOD.*JB

DT: 1997 FORD EXPLORER THE DRIVER FRONT DOOR AND THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. CONTACT STATES SHE CALLED THE SERVICE DEALER, BUT IT COSTS TOO MUCH TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT, PARTS AND LABOR WOULD BE MORE.*AK

THE REAR LIFT GATE DOOR IS TEARING AWAY FROM THE WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE LIFT GATE DOOR HINGE ON THE LEFT SIDE (DIRVERS SIDE). THE DOOR HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM TO CLOSE AND WAS AJAR FROM WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT WOULD COME ON ALL THE TIME, AND OF COUSE THE NUMBEROUS TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY COULD NEVER "DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM". NOW IT IS BEYOND THE POINT OF AJUSTMENT. THE WHOLE LIFTGATE HAS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIAMETLY $1,200. IT IS A SAFETY HAZZARD AS I HAVE TO PULL OUT THE FUSETO GET THE LIGHTS TO GO OUT, IN ORDER TO DRIVE IT AT NIGHT. THE LIGHTS WON'T GO OFF WHEN THE DOOR IS AJAR. WHEN IT RAINS I HAVE TO STOP TO PUT THE FUSE BACK IN AND DRIVE WITHT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ON, WHICH IS VERY HARD TO SEE. ALSO FUMES COME IN FROM THE EXHAUST SO I CAN'T GO FOR LONG TRIPS N IT. IF I DIDN'T LIKE THE CAR SO MUCH I WOULD TRADE IT IN, BUT I REALLY LOVE MY EXPLORER EXCEPT FOR THIS DEFECT IN CONSTRUCTION. (IT HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT.) I AM TAKING IT IN TO BE FIXED NEXT WEEK.*AK

FORD EXPLORER 1997 XLT 4 DOOR 4.0L Y AIR BLEND DOOR IS NO LONGER WORKING SUCH THAT THE HEATING SYSTEM IS PERMANENTLY ON HOT AND WITH A 9 MONTH BABY THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT WE CANNOT COOL THE CAR TO THE COMFORTABLE TEMPERATURE DURING SUMMER. I FOUND ON THE INTERNET THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHICH FORD HAS FIXED IN LATER MODELS WITH REVISED SYSTEM PART #F87Z-18471-DA. *AK

VEHICLE DEVELOPED UNDERCARRIAGE PROBLEMS AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. *MR *SC *JB

HEATER BLEND DOOR HAS BROKEN, SO DEFROSTER DOES NOT WORK. DIFFICULTY SEEING OUT FRONT WINDOW IN COLD WEATHER. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM, FOR WHICH I WAS QUOTED A $900 REPAIR. *LA

DOOR COMPARTMENT BETWEEN THE HEATER AND THE AIR CONDITIONER, MADE OF PLASTIC IS BROKE, CAUSING NOT TO HAVE A HEATER. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. CONSUMER WILL ADD MORE INFORMATION ON THIS ISSUED. MR

BRACKET ATTACHED TO FIRWALL BY THREE SMALL RIVETS. RIVETS BROKE LOOSE, PEDAL BECAME INOPERATIONAL WHILE DRIVING. *AK

TAILGATE WHILE IN LIFTED POSITION FELL/FAILED DUE TO LEFT REAR BRACKET COMING OFF, CAUSING MINOR INJURY TO OWNER. CHILD ALMOST INJURIED DUE TO BRAKET FAILURE. *AK

I FIXED THIS ONCE WITH GLUE AND REPLACED. THE ACTUATOR BROKE THE DOOR AGAIN. THIS CAN BE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM CONSIDERING IF WILL MAKE WINDOW DEFROSTER NON FUNCTIONAL. *AK

DOOR HANDLES ON FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM INSIDE OF VEHICLE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

BOTH REAR DOOR HINGES, LEFT AND RIGHT ARE BROKEN. CONSUMER UNABLE TO OPEN DOORS. *AK *JB

FAILURE OF METAL AT THE LOCATION WHERE THE HINGE ATTACHES TO THE DOOR. HAD DOOR CHECKED IN MARCH OF 2000 BECAUSE DOOR WASN'T WORKING PROPERLY. THEY FOUND NOTHING AND NO VISUAL SIGNS.CONTINUAL AND NORMAL USE OF THE DOOR HAS CAUSED THIS OBVIOUS WEAKNESS OR DEFECT IN THE METAL TO RUPTURE AND MAKE THE DOOR INOPERABLE.*AK

FAILURE OF METAL AT THE LOCATION WHERE THE HINGE ATTACHES TO THE DOOR. HAD DOOR CHECKED IN MARCH OF 2000 BECAUSE DOOR WASN'T WORKING PROPERLY. THEY FOUND NOTHING AND NO VISUAL SIGNS.CONTINUAL AND NORMAL USE OF THE DOOR HAS CAUSED THIS OBVIOUS WEAKNESS OR DEFECT IN THE METAL TO RUPTURE AND MAKE THE DOOR INOPERABLE.*AK

ALTHOUGH NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM, I BELIEVE MY RUSTING RUNNING BOARDS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP ME. 1998 MODELS AND NEWER MODELS HAVE PLASTIC RUNNING BOARDS SO OBVIOUSLY FORD REALIZED THEY CREATED A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND CHANGED IT.*AK

VEHICLE HAS FOUR DOORS, DOORS IN REAR WILL NOT OPERATE UNLESS UNLOCKED DOORS FROM INSIDE. WHEN OPERATING FROM OUTSIDE TOO OPEN, DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPEARATE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY DOORS WILL NOT OPERATE UNLESS CONSUMER IS OUTSIDE TO OPEN THEM. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK *JB

REAR TAILGATE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OF VEHICLE. DEALR HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

THERE IS METAL FATIGUE OF DOOR PANEL AT HINGE AT THE UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER OF THE REAR LIFT GATE. THE COMPANY SAYS THE DOOR HAS TO BE REPLACED, THAT IT CANNOT BE FIXED AS A FIX WOULD FURTHER FATIGUE THE METAL. THE BENDING OF THE METAL IS TAKING PLACE WHERE THE HINGE ATTACHES AND IS BENDING THE PANEL UP SO THAT WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, THE BENT BODY WORK ACTS AS A SCOOP, DRAWING RAIN WATER, AIR AND, I ASSUME, EXHAUST FUMES INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I COMPLAINED TO FORD AND THEY HAVE SAID THEY WILL COVER APPROX. $1,000 OF THE $1300 ESTIMATE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER GENEROUS THAT MAY BE, I FEEL THIS IS A PROBLEM THAN IS A DESIGN PROBLEM AND THAT IT MAY AFFECT MANY MORE THAN JUST MY UNIT. I HAVE NOT YET TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR THE REPAIR....THE EARLIEST I CAN GET AN APPT. IS 12/11. THE DEALER HAS BEEN MOST COOPERATIVE IN THIS BUT THE EXPENSE OF THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DOOR IS LARGE AND, IN MY ESTIMATION, SHOULD BE 100% COVERED BY THE COMPANY. JM. *AK

PASSENGER DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE, THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH DOOR HANDLES. *SLC

THE VEHICLE WENT ONTO THE SHOULDER THEN OVER, CORRECTED WHILE COMING BACK ONTO TO ROADWAY AND ROLLED OVER STRIKING A LIGHT POLE (BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, P235/75R15, WILDERNESS AT M/S, VDHL1PY207, LEFT REAR). NLM

THE VEHICLE WENT ONTO THE SHOULDER THEN OVER, CORRECTED WHILE COMING BACK ONTO TO ROADWAY AND ROLLED OVER STRIKING A LIGHT POLE (BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, P235/75R15, WILDERNESS AT M/S, VDHL1PY207, LEFT REAR). NLM

THE VEHICLE WENT ONTO THE SHOULDER THEN OVER, CORRECTED WHILE COMING BACK ONTO TO ROADWAY AND ROLLED OVER STRIKING A LIGHT POLE (BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, P235/75R15, WILDERNESS AT M/S, VDHL1PY207, LEFT REAR). NLM

SUMMER 1999- TRIP TO FLORIDA, RAN INTO RAIN STORM AROUND DECATUR, ALABAMA. WE HAD SLOWED TO 35 - 45 MPH MAXIMUM AFTER FEELING WHAT FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE TRYING TO HYDRAPLANE. THEN WE HEARD A SLAPPING SOUND LIKE THE RUBBER WAS LOOSE. STOPPED AND CHECK IT AND TIRES APPEARED OKAY. CONTINUED CAREFULLY. TO DATE, WE STILL HEAR A SOUND SIMILIAR TO A BALL BOUNCING WHILE DRIVING IT. LOCAL DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE MGR. SAID THE TIRES WERE CUPPING. WE HAVE HAD THE TIRES BALANCED AND ROTATED EVERY 10,000 MILES MAX. AND THE ALIGNMENT CHECKED NUMEROUS TIMES; ALL HAVE BEEN OKAY. I RUN APPROX. 32 LBS. IN THE TIRES. DOOR LOCKS - LEFT REAR HAD TO HAVE 2 MOTOR REPLACEMENTS BEFORE IT OPERATED PROPERLY. NOW LEFT FRONT CONTROL LOCK IS NOT UNLOCKING PROPERLY WITHOUT NUMBEROUS ATTEMPTS.( DOT NUMBER: W2HL1PY49 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET BROKE AWAY FROM THE FRAME ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

OCCUPANTS CANNOT EXIT REAR SEAT, DOOR HANDLES DO NOT WORK.

REAR PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLES FROM THE INSIDE ARE INOPERATIVE. IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY DRIVER/REAR PASSENGER CANNOT GET OUT. DEALER WILL REPAIR AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK.ET.

THE DOOR HANDLE MACHANISM HAS FAILED ON EACH OF THE REAR DOORS. A PLASTIC PIECE BROKE OFF THE MECHANISM. THIS RESULTED IN NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE, INHIBITING EGRESS OF ANY PASSENGERS DURING AN EMERGENCY. BOTH FAILED MECHANISMS HAVE BEEN REPLACE BY THE SELLING DEALERSHIP AT OUR EXPENSE. REPRESENTATIVES AT THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED TO US BOTH TIMES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH OUR TYPE OF VEHICLE. WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. IT IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE TO GET THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN A TIMELY MANNER TO GET THIS DOOR OPENING REPLACED. WE HAD OUR BROKEN PART REPLACED TODAY. FORD PART # F77Z-7821818-AAJ IS THE ONE THAT WAS MOST RECENTLY REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELL OFF, CATCHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE WELD TO THE FIREWALL BROKE. NLM

BOTH INSIDE REAR DOOR HANDLES BROKE OFF WHILE EXITING VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REPAIRS WERE MADE AT CONSUMER'S COST. *AK

BOTH BACK DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. CHILD SAFETY LOCKS ARE NOT ON. THIS IS THE SECOND FORD EXPLORER I HAVE OWNED AND I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE OTHER ONE. A FORD DEALER HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY HAVE SOLD NUMEROUS PARTS TO CORRECT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. THIS NEWER MODEL HAS A FEATURE WHERE THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN YOU REACH A CERTAIN SPEED(5MPH?). I FEEL LIKE THIS COULD BE HAZARDOUS BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO RELY ON THE DRIVER TO OPEN THE DOORS AND IT CANNOT BE DONE WITHOUT FIRST UNLOCKING THEM. IF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, THIS PROBLEM WOULD DELAY THE TIME THAT THE PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEAT COULD BE SAFELY REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE.. *AK

NO SUMMARY

FRONT MAIN SEAL. PAINT--PAINT FADED AND HAD NO PAINT UNDER DOOR JAMS.

DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE HOOD CABLE, THE CABLE IS PRESSING AGAINST THE BATTERY, CAUSING THE ACID TO EAT THROUGH THE CABLE, CONSUMER IS ALSO UNABLE TO OPEN THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

PASSENGER SIDE DOOR CAME OPEN LAST 2 TIMES. THE LAST TIME THE DOOR CAME OPEN I FELL OUT OF IT, AND HURT MY BACK, AND CAN NOT STAND FOR ANY LENTGH OF TIME. I WOULD LIKE SOMETHING DONE ITS BEEN ONGOING FOR ALMOST 3 MONTHS WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY. AND I E-MAILED YOU IN JANUARY AND I SHOULD OF HEARD SOMETHING FROM YOU BEGINNING OF FEBUARY. AND I STILL HAVE NOT HEARD FROM YOU WHY? THANK YOU NEDRA J. OSSO

ROOF LEAKS.

REAR DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN, CAUSING THE OCCUPANTS NOT TO BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR DOORS. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

LEFT SIDE REAR DOOR IS INOPERATIVE, DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO REPLACE PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

RUSTING AND CORROSION OF THE BUMPERS AND WHEELS.

REAR DOOR LOCKS FAIL TO UNLOCK, TRAPPING REAR PASSENGERS IN VEHICLE, SEVERAL REPAIRS MADE HOWEVER CONTINUES TO FAIL. (QCAW)

POWER DOOR LOCK DESIGN IS POOR, CREATING HAZARDOUS SITUATION, REAR PASSENGERS CAN NOT EXIT VEHICLE UNLESS DEPRESSING RELEASE BUTTON IN FRONT OF VEHICLE.

REAR AIR DEFLECTOR INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DAMAGING HINGES AND PUTTING STRESS ON METAL.

CENTER CONSOLE VIBRATES ABOVE 65 MPH DAMAGING CD DISCS.

ELECTRICAL DOOR SWITCHES FAILED.

VEHICLE IS MAKING WHISTLING NOISE WHEN IN IDLE/DRIVE.

SQUEAKING NOISES FROM VEHICLE.