1997 Model Year

Ford Explorer

NHTSA Complaints & Reliability Data

Compare
Complaints
1,773
Recalls
2
Crashes
159
Severe
368

Active Recalls

Manufacturer safety recalls

00V402000 Nov 2000

Other

No consequence data available

97V074000 Apr 1997

Other

No consequence data available

Recent Complaints

Latest owner reports

SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Mar 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO...

Engine Fire
Aug 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN HIS DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN...

SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) Crash
Dec 2019

MY LIGHTS DON'T WORK STABILIZING BAR IS BAD,SPEED CONTROL DOSE NOT WORK SECURITY KEY CODE NOT WORKING,DOOR CONTROLS DO NOT WORK.WIPER WORK SOMETIMES.B...

UNKNOWN OR OTHER Crash
May 2018

RUNNING ON THE HIGHWAY THE RIGHT AXLE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL BROKEOFF AND THE WHEEL CAME OFF WITH THE BRAKE CALIPER AND BRAKE HOSE AND BECAUSE OF THIS CA...

SEAT BELTS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SEATS
Aug 2017

THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT ENGAGE TO THE LOCK POSITION.

Electrical System
Mar 2017

I RECENTLY FOUND OUT MY VEHICLE HAS AN OPEN RECALL REGARDING THE POSSIBLE LEAKAGE OF THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH, WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE W...

Electrical System Fire
Dec 2016

ON DECEMBER 23RD, 2016 I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK AROUND 6:00 PM. MY CAR WAS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. I HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF OF THE H...

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Crash
Aug 2015

WITH NO WARNING OR HINT OF ANYTHING GOING WRONG ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM, AS TRAFFIC SLOWED TO STOP FOR A LIGHT, THE BRAKES WENT COMPLETELY OUT ON MY FORD...

Structure
Aug 2015

THE DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING UNSEATED RESULTING IN INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE THAT DOES NOT RETURN TO THE FULLY STOWED POSITION AFTER...

UNKNOWN OR OTHER Crash
Jun 2015

1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE INFORMATION REGARDING AN ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED IN SEPT 2010. *TA

VS

Vehicle Safety Research Team

Automotive Data Analysts

Independent researchers analyzing NHTSA data to help consumers make informed vehicle decisions.

Data updated: March 4, 2026

Summary

The 1997 Ford Explorer has 1773 complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most commonly reported issue is Tires. 159 crash-related incidents have been reported.

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