MYRModel Year Report

1997 Ford Explorer

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1997 Ford Explorer
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
1,731
Recalls
12

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Tires

39% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 4 complaints 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1993: 944 complaints 1994: 1,231 complaints 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1,450 complaints 1997: 1,731 complaints 1997 1,731 1998: 1,959 complaints 1999: 1,348 complaints 2000: 952 complaints 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3,295 complaints 2003: 1,131 complaints 2004: 1,304 complaints 2005: 497 complaints 2006: 630 complaints 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2011: 1,197 complaints 2012: 826 complaints 2013: 2,233 complaints 2014: 1,679 complaints 2014 2015: 1,786 complaints 2016: 2,455 complaints 2017: 1,690 complaints 2018: 727 complaints 2019: 296 complaints 2020: 1,224 complaints 2020 2021: 432 complaints 2022: 267 complaints 2023: 110 complaints 2024: 21 complaints 2025: 100 complaints 2026: 39 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 3 complaints 1987 1988: 4 complaints 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1993: 944 complaints 1993 1994: 1,231 complaints 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1,450 complaints 1997: 1,731 complaints 1997 1,731 1998: 1,959 complaints 1999: 1,348 complaints 2000: 952 complaints 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3,295 complaints 2002 2003: 1,131 complaints 2004: 1,304 complaints 2005: 497 complaints 2005 2006: 630 complaints 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2011: 1,197 complaints 2011 2012: 826 complaints 2013: 2,233 complaints 2014: 1,679 complaints 2014 2015: 1,786 complaints 2016: 2,455 complaints 2017: 1,690 complaints 2017 2018: 727 complaints 2019: 296 complaints 2020: 1,224 complaints 2020 2021: 432 complaints 2022: 267 complaints 2023: 110 complaints 2023 2024: 21 complaints 2025: 100 complaints 2026: 39 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 3 complaints 1986 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 4 complaints 1988 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1992 1993: 944 complaints 1994: 1,231 complaints 1994 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1,450 complaints 1997: 1,731 complaints 1997 1,731 1998: 1,959 complaints 1999: 1,348 complaints 2000: 952 complaints 2000 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3,295 complaints 2002 2003: 1,131 complaints 2004: 1,304 complaints 2004 2005: 497 complaints 2006: 630 complaints 2006 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2010 2011: 1,197 complaints 2012: 826 complaints 2012 2013: 2,233 complaints 2014: 1,679 complaints 2014 2015: 1,786 complaints 2016: 2,455 complaints 2016 2017: 1,690 complaints 2018: 727 complaints 2018 2019: 296 complaints 2020: 1,224 complaints 2020 2021: 432 complaints 2022: 267 complaints 2022 2023: 110 complaints 2024: 21 complaints 2024 2025: 100 complaints 2026: 39 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints

1997: 1,731 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19851
19863
19873
19884
19891
199012
1991616
1992640
1993944
19941,231
1995843
19961,450
19971,731
19981,959
19991,348
2000952
2001375
20023,295
20031,131
20041,304
2005497
2006630
2007208
2008148
200933
2010115
20111,197
2012826
20132,233
20141,679
20151,786
20162,455
20171,690
2018727
2019296
20201,224
2021432
2022267
2023110
202421
2025100
202639
20270

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Tires

39% · 673 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH

Engine and engine cooling

13% · 219 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASHFIRE

Vehicle speed control

12% · 207 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

We were lucky this time, we had the Explorer in the shop and I got a call from the lead tech that stated while the were servicing the brakes no less than 3 lines rotted through, but*** the antilock controller sprung a leak and sprayed fluid all...

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-02-19

Also filed under Service brakes

While driving at approx.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-02-21

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Power train

6% · 112 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and column shift.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Suspension

6% · 107 reports

Most commonly citing front and rear.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

12 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1997Complaint volume 1,731 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1997-06-02Vehicle speed control97V074000 Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with 5.0L engines originally sold or currently registered in the states of Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Michigan (Upper peninsula…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a revised pcv system with water heated vacuum source.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1998-04-20Fuel system, gasoline98V060000 Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with 4.0L single overhead cam engines. The engine fuel lines can be damaged if the vehicle is jump started and the ground cable is…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a warning label on the fuel line bracket advising owners not to use it for a jump start ground. Also a revised bolt will be installed in the alternator bracket to provide a…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1998-07-31SQClosed 1999-01-07 Throttle sticking
  5. I
    1998-11-03Recall queryClosed 2000-11-15 Fuel line damage from jump starting
  6. I
    1999-01-07Engineering analysisClosed 2001-02-09 Throttle sticking
  7. R
    1999-03-27Vehicle speed control99V062001 Vehicle description: certain 1997-1999 rhd Explorer equipped with 4.0L ohv/sohc engines and cruise control built from May 29, 1996 through March 4, 1999; 1998-1999 Explorer/mountaineers equipped…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the cruise control cables. At the present time, the replacement cables are not available. Customers are being advised not to use the cruise control system until a replacement…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    1999-07-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-10-29 Steering knuckle separations
  9. I
    1999-07-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-04-24 Windshield wiper malfunction
  10. R
    2000-07-19Exterior lighting00V168000 Vehicle description: mini vans, light pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Off lease canadian vehicles equipped with daytime running lights which meet canadian requirements and not the…

    Remedy: Dealers will be advised to deactivate the running light function and to complete any outstanding safety recalls on these vehicles.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2000-08-26Tires00T005000 Tire description: firestone wilderness at, size P235/75R15, produced at the decatur, Illinois tire plant and all firestone radial atx and radial atx ii tires, size P235/75R15. Operation of these…

    Remedy: The replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on August 29, 2001. However, customers should contact firestone customer service at 1-800-465-1904 for possible assistance.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2000-12-15Suspension00V402000 Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Under certain conditions, a front sway bar link can fracture.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace both the left and right front sway bar links.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2001-03-05Vehicle speed control00V422000 Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 4.0L sohc engines and still retain the original throttle body (Part numbers 97JF-9E926AB or 97JF-9E926-ac). Some of the original…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the original throttle bodies.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2001-06-04Tires01X001000 This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Equipment description: Ford is replacing all firestone…

    Remedy: The replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on March 31, 2002. However, customers can contact Ford at 1-877-917-3673 or go on-line to www.Ford.com for possible assistance.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. I
    2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
  16. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…

    Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  17. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  18. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  19. R
    2009-10-27Vehicle speed control09V399000 Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 Windstar, 2000-2003 Excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 F-250 SD through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 E-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 Explorer, 1997 and…

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 Windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Ford Explorer — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Tires: 673 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 219 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 207 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97V074000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 98V060000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 99V062001 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 00V168000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 00T005000 · Tires
  • Recall 00V402000 · Suspension
  • Recall 00V422000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 01X001000 · Tires
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09V399000 · Vehicle speed control
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Ford Explorer reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Ford Explorer is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford Explorer?
The most-reported component is tires, accounting for 39% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Ford Explorer have?
12 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.