Investigation EA99001: 1997–1998 Ford Explorer

Status

CLOSED

Opened

Jan 7, 1999

Closed

Feb 9, 2001

Model years

1997–1998

Subject

Throttle sticking

Component: Vehicle speed control › Linkages

Summary

On january 23, 1997, ford motor company issued special service message (ssm) 10240, announcing that a revised throttle body would be available during the first quarter of 1997 for 1997 model year ford explorers equipped with the 4.0l single overhead cam (sohc) engine.the ssm stated the revised throttle body would address increased throttle efforts that had been experienced on these vehicles.on july 31, 1998, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened service query sq98-014 to determine whether a safety recall was warranted for the problem addressed by ssm 10240.at that time odi had 14 reports alleging throttles sticking open, including three crashes, on 1997 explorers with the 4.0l sohc engine.ea99-001 investigated alleged throttle body sticking, and loss of throttle control, in the subject vehicles.on december 22, 2000, ford motor company filed a defect information report concerning throttle body sticking in 1997-1998 model year explorer and mountaineer vehicles with 4.0 sohc engines that still retain the original throttle body; safety recall 00v-422.the engineering analysis closing report is attached.

An NHTSA investigation looks into whether a safety defect exists. Opening one is not a finding. Outcomes can include a recall, closure without action, or further inquiry.

Model years covered

• 1998 Ford Explorer1,959 complaints
• 1997 Ford Explorer1,731 complaints