1997 Ford Explorer Equipment Problems

“Cannot adjust the temperature of the heating and cooling system - always blows cold air. I have been told the manufacturer installed the wrong parts at time of production. The part fails and then you cannot adjust the temperature - it always blows cold air. This, it seems to me, is a serious safety issue as it is impossible to keep windows clear in cold climates.”

“The dial that controls the hot/cold feature of the heating/air-conditioning unit in my 1997 Explorer malfunctioned. When taken in to dealer the service manager told me that they have been seeing alot of this problem in explorers and the service technician said he was concerned with it happening in his mother's car.”

“1997 Ford Explorer driver's seat belt latch receiver failure. After owning the car for 12 to 13 years, the latch/receiver would not engage the strap. I replaced it with one from a salvage yard and after three years this replacement latch/receiver has failed also.”

“Far left dash lights and lights behind indicators on left side of steering wheel went out shortly after receiving the vehicle in 1998; this was repaired under warranty; the lights went out again sometime after the warranty period expired. The sound system amplifier goes out intermittently with no discernible cause; this has gone on for years; the dealer says it would cost over $600 to replace the amplifier.”

“Consumer is a victim of odometer fraud, encountering problems with the vehicle that's uncharacteristic for the mileage on the vehicle. (nar) exhaust system, ball joint, and instrument panel had to be replaced.”