Complaints
44
Crashes
4
Fires
6
Injuries
4
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Ford Explorer Sport Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#14 complaints
Engine & Cooling
Fires:1
#23 complaints
Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)
#33 complaints
Seat-Related Issues
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Ford Explorer Sport.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine & Cooling | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Rear/Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Stabilizer Bar | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Sidewall | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 1 | — | — | — |
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Rear/Other
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Stabilizer Bar
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Sidewall
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Ford Explorer Sport. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Explorer Sport Years
1997 Ford Explorer Sport — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Ford Explorer Sport reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1997 Ford Explorer Sport has 44 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine & Cooling with 4 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Ford Explorer Sport?
Top reported problems: Engine & Cooling (4 complaints); Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) (3 complaints); Seat-Related Issues (3 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
How safe is the 1997 Ford Explorer Sport?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Ford Explorer Sport include 4 crash-related reports, 6 fire reports, 4 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1997 Ford Explorer Sport have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 Ford Explorer Sport as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1997 Ford Explorer Sport?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer Sport reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Ford Explorer Sport
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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