1997 Ford Explorer
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1986 | 3 |
| 1987 | 3 |
| 1988 | 4 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 12 |
| 1991 | 609 |
| 1992 | 633 |
| 1993 | 939 |
| 1994 | 1207 |
| 1995 | 843 |
| 1996 | 1450 |
| 1997 | 1731 |
| 1998 | 1959 |
| 1999 | 1348 |
| 2000 | 952 |
| 2001 | 375 |
| 2002 | 3293 |
| 2003 | 1131 |
| 2004 | 1304 |
| 2005 | 497 |
| 2006 | 630 |
| 2007 | 208 |
| 2008 | 147 |
| 2009 | 33 |
| 2010 | 115 |
| 2011 | 1192 |
| 2012 | 820 |
| 2013 | 2222 |
| 2014 | 1669 |
| 2015 | 1748 |
| 2016 | 2424 |
| 2017 | 1656 |
| 2018 | 706 |
| 2019 | 281 |
| 2020 | 1155 |
| 2021 | 393 |
| 2022 | 242 |
| 2023 | 99 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 87 |
| 2026 | 16 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
21% of complaints: tires — 361 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATH16% of complaints: tires — 280 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH7% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 115 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow 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, 20130219
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX.
NHTSA ODI report, 19970221
4% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 77 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE4% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 71 distinct reports on file.
FIRESAFETY TIMELINE
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 ONLY),
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PCV SYSTEM WITH WATER HEATED VACUUM SOURCE.
Campaign 97V074000 — check if this car was fixed
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 ATTA
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 CONVE
Campaign 98V060000 — check if this car was fixed
THROTTLE STICKING
FUEL LINE DAMAGE FROM JUMP STARTING
THROTTLE STICKING
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 WITH
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 CA
Campaign 99V062001 — check if this car was fixed
STEERING KNUCKLE SEPARATIONS
WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION
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 PHOTOME
Remedy: DEALERS WILL BE ADVISED TO DEACTIVATE THE RUNNING LIGHT FUNCTION AND TO COMPLETE ANY OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECALLS ON THESE VEHICLES.
Campaign 00V168000 — check if this car was fixed
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 TIR
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.
Campaign 00T005000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 00V402000 — check if this car was fixed
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 THROTTLE
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL THROTTLE BODIES.
Campaign 00V422000 — check if this car was fixed
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 WILDERN
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.
Campaign 01X001000 — check if this car was fixed
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
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 S
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.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
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 2002
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 CO
Campaign 09V399000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1997 Ford Explorer — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for tires issues (361 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for tires issues (280 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (115 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 97V074000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V060000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V062001 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V168000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00T005000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V402000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V422000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01X001000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09V399000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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:tread/belt, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Ford Explorer have?
12 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.