1997 Ford Explorer Engine Problems

“The engine slowed down and just quit. Would not restart. Had it towed to a repair facility *again* and found out that *2 (two)* timing chains went out. The drivers side snapped in two and the passenger side (rear) had over 1 1/2 inches of play in it and obvious stretching of the timing chain. The front broken one totaled the engine, all tensioners, spacers etc were nor in pieces lying in the engine. And guess what to replace the rear timing chain you have to completely remove the engine from the vehicle! Thanks again Ford!!!!!!!!”

“I have no explanation for the fire, the car was parked in my driveway. It had been driven about a block from my home and then it was returned to the driveway. My uncle son sitting in the living room when they heard the car alarm and looked out of the window to see clouds of black smoke coming from the truck. My son attempted to put the fire out but it was to intense, my son called 911. This would have killed someone if they had been in the car. Photos are available. Fire department could not say what caused this fire. The tires even melted. All severe damage was to the front end. …”

“The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started to shake abnormally, the contact was unable to drive in 4 wheel drive. The contact stated the check gauge warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the front drive shaft, the control arms, the front oxygen sensor, and the front and rear brakes needing to be replaced. The control arms were replaced however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.”

“The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire while parked in his driveway. The contact stated that an independent mechanic diagnosed that the hydraulic fluid was leaking due to the faulty cruise control switch causing the fire. The contact mentioned that the hydraulic fluid leaked out when it gets warm even when the vehicle not running. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnostic testing and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000. The VIN was not available.”