1997 Ford Explorer engine problems

212 complaints about engine have been filed for the 1997 Ford Explorer, which is 10% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the 3rd most reported problem area for this model year.

Complaints: 212 10% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage: 94,000 miles 32 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires: 1 and 12
Injuries and deaths: 0 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Based on 32 complaints that include mileage. 31% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.

View the numbers

Mileage	Complaints
0k to 20k miles	4
20k to 40k miles	2
40k to 60k miles	4
60k to 80k miles	3
80k to 100k miles	4
100k to 120k miles	3
120k to 140k miles	7
140k to 160k miles	4
160k to 180k miles	0
180k to 200k miles	1
200k+ miles	0

What the data shows

Of the 32 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 94,000 miles, and 31% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 1 crash, 12 fires.

What owners wrote

While driving vehicle about 45 MPH after leaving from a gas station, smelled somthing burning. Stopped and looked under the hood, but did not see anything. When parked vehicle on the bank parking after coming from inside, found her vehicle on fire. Dealer and manufacturer were contacted.

March 1998 Fire

1997 ford explorer, 5.0 l engine, automatic transmission. The car's engine unexpectedly races to the point that its brakes will not hold it back. This sometimes happens when backing from a cold start and sometimes when braking for a stop at an intersection. The only way to stop the vehicle is to shift into park and turn off the engine. The effect is like being slammed into by a large vehicle. It almost killed my pregnant daughter and me earlier this month when it happened as I was braking for a traffic light.

Reported at 120,000 miles, July 2005

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all Ford models