1997 Ford Explorer NHTSA Investigations
NHTSA Explorer Defect Investigations
The following investigations on the Ford Explorer have been announced by the ODI. Interested in how this information is collected? Read more about investigations by the NHTSA.
Recent 1997 Explorer Investigations
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SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD Defect Investigation for the 1997 Explorer
Vehicle Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline*
Summary: On September 6, 2005, ODI received a petition requesting that the Agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 Ford vehicles with Triton V-8 and V-10 engines. ODI received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine. As of December 8, 2005, ODI is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles. In addition, ODI is aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart. Information contained in the ODI consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on MY 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall. In the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine. In one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire. In another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location. None of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident. As the petitioner noted, and ODI's analysis showed, it is possible for a spark plug to detach from the engine cylinder threads in the subject vehicles. However, ODI's analysis of 474 complaints describing such incidents found only a very few alleged any safety-related consequences. None of these showed any evidence of a serious safety consequence. Given the large population and relatively long exposure time of the subject vehicles, the complaint analysis indicates that the risk to motor vehicle safety from the alleged defect is very low. In view of the foregoing, it is unlikely that NHTSA would issue an order for the notification and remedy of the alleged defect at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the Agency's safety mission, the petition is denied.
More Details: For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #DP05005 »
Status of Investigation: This investigation was closed on January 04 2006 and no recall was issued.
* This defect investigation is filed under 3 related vehicle components.
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FUEL LINE DAMAGE FROM JUMP STARTING Defect Investigation for the 1997 Explorer
Vehicle Component: Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Summary: Fuel leak and possible fire from engine compartment fuel lines damaged by electrical sparking and discharge.
More Details: For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #RQ98020 »
Status of Investigation: This investigation was closed on November 15 2000 and there was a recall ordered: #98V060000
STEERING KNUCKLE SEPARATIONS Defect Investigation for the 1997 Explorer
Vehicle Component: Steering
Summary: The steering knuckle ( at the upper ball joint) and axle separate. The pinch bolt is found to be missing.
More Details: For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE99045 »
Status of Investigation: This investigation was closed on October 29 1999 and no recall was issued.
THROTTLE STICKING Defect Investigation for the 1997 Explorer
Vehicle Component: Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages
Summary: Throttle not returning to idle after the accelerator is released or when the speed control is deactivated.
More Details: For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #EA99001 »
Status of Investigation: This investigation was closed on February 09 2001 and there was a recall ordered: #00V422000
THROTTLE STICKING Defect Investigation for the 1997 Explorer
Vehicle Component: Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages
Summary: Throttle not returning to idle after the accelerator is released or the speed control is deactivated
More Details: For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #SQ98014 »
Status of Investigation: This investigation was closed on January 07 1999 and no recall was issued.
WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION Defect Investigation for the 1997 Explorer
Vehicle Component: Visibility
Summary: ODI has received 35 complaints alleging malfunction of the windshield wipers on certain 1997-1999 Ford Explorers and Mercury Mountaineers. The complainants allege that the wiper system is prone to erratic operation including failure to operate consistently during precipitiation as well as inadvertent operation when the control switch is disengaged. Of the 35 complaints received,11 allege that the wipers stopped sweeping the windshield without warning, 16 allege inadvertent operation, and 8 allege to have experience both conditions. Wipers are a critical automotive safety system without which a vehicle operator is unable to adequately see the road surface and other vehicles during precipitation. This inability to see could result in a crash. A preliminary evaluation is warranted to invetigate the alleged problem.
More Details: For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE99049 »
Status of Investigation: This investigation was closed on April 24 2000 and there was a recall ordered: #00V072000