1997 Ford Explorer problems
The 1997 Ford Explorer has 2,150 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (36%) concerns tires. Next are cruise control (10%) and engine (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 2,150 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Tires 36% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 180 and 58
- Injuries and deaths
- 250 and 41
- Typical mileage
- 100,000 miles 283 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 10 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 12 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 31 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 40 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 47 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 39 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 34 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 22 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 19 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 16 |
| 200k+ miles | 13 |
What the data shows
Of the 283 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 100,000 miles. For tires specifically, the median reported mileage is about 78,000 miles (15 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 180 complaints mention a crash; 58 complaints mention a fire; 250 injuries reported; 41 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1997 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 36 model years of the Ford Explorer with enough data (1,326 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 7 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Consumer was traveling between 70-80 MPH on the highway and heard a popping noise. Right rear tire exploded, and driver lost control of the vehicle, and veered into the guardrail. Then, vehicle flipped numerous time. Vehicle crashed when it hit the concrete wall. Due to the tire failure, there were 3 injuries and 2 fatalities. (attorney for client) *slc
The tread of the left rear tire separated causing the vehicle to veer off the roadway, the driver overcorrected to return to the road which caused the vehicle to rotate clockwise, upon the vehicle sliding the left rear tire became deflated and the wheel began to gouge into the roadway causing the vehicle to overturn several times, the driver sustained contusions and abrasions to his arms and upper torso area, the left rear occupant was ejected from the vehicle ans sustained contusions and abrasions to his head…
The truck's overdrive light blinked and the engine lights came on. When this occurred the truck failed to go into overdrive and the # 3 cylinder misfired. The dealership indicated this could be caused by automatic transmission failure. Please provide any additional information. *nlm
Consumer heard noise on driver's side wheel and front stabilizer bar broke. Consumer called the dealer, and ford was told consumer's vehicle was not included in recall due to VIN number. Other vehicles of same year were recalled. Contact felt this vehicle should have been recalled. At low speed vehicle was responding normally but at increased speed vehicle becomes unstable for a short instance.