1997 Ford Explorer Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 1997 Ford Explorer. Part of Generation 2 — 1995–2001.

19961998
Complaints
2,150
Crashes
180
Fires
58
Injuries
250
Fatalities
41
Recalls
0

Worst 1997 Ford Explorer Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1396 complaints

Tires:Tread/Belt

Avg mileage:86,468 mi
Crash-related:27
#2332 complaints

Tire Defects

Avg mileage:97,422 mi
Crash-related:34
Fires:2
#3121 complaints

Unintended Acceleration

Avg mileage:124,167 mi
Crash-related:18
Fires:6
Considering a 1997 Ford Explorer?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Ford Explorer.

Tires:Tread/Belt
396
complaints
Crashes
27
Fires
—
Avg Miles
86,468
Tire Defects
332
complaints
Crashes
34
Fires
2
Avg Miles
97,422
Unintended Acceleration
121
complaints
Crashes
18
Fires
6
Avg Miles
124,167
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
77
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
100,292
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
74
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
6
Avg Miles
15,743
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
60
complaints
Crashes
10
Fires
—
Avg Miles
93,261
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
44
complaints
Crashes
15
Fires
1
Avg Miles
69,512
Automatic Transmission
38
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
76,034
Suspension Failures
38
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
153,714
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
35
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
76,000
Suspension:Front
33
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
124,800
Electrical Faults
28
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
11
Avg Miles
134,258
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
25
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,333
Tires:Sidewall
25
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
76,850
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
21
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
72,250
Structure:Body:Door
21
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
134,550
Air Bags:Frontal
19
complaints
Crashes
19
Fires
—
Avg Miles
105,000
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift
19
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
84,860
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
142,985
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
4
Avg Miles
106,172
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
80,608
Seat-Related Issues
15
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
168,333
Engine & Cooling
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
80,474
Seat Belt Issues
14
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
160,350
Vehicle Speed Control:Linkages
14
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
81,000
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
13
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
166,500
Electrical System:Ignition
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
82,219

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Ford Explorer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Other Ford Explorer Years

1984198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

1997 Ford Explorer — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 1997 Ford Explorer reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 1997 Ford Explorer has 2,150 NHTSA complaints, 180 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Tires:Tread/Belt with 396 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Ford Explorer?
Top reported problems: Tires:Tread/Belt (396 complaints, avg 86,468 mi); Tire Defects (332 complaints, avg 97,422 mi); Unintended Acceleration (121 complaints, avg 124,167 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1997 Ford Explorer?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 95,249 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Ford Explorer include 180 crash-related reports, 58 fire reports, 250 injuries, and 41 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 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 Ford Explorer 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?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (tires:tread/belt) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 1997 Ford Explorer

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99