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Check a VIN

1997 Ford Explorer

1,731 owner complaints — #6 of 43 Explorer model years, 2.7× the typical year. 7 recalls, 25 service bulletins.

1,731complaints · 156 crashes, 53 fires
7recalls
25manufacturer bulletins
99,500 mimedian mileage at failure

Problems owners report

Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1997 Ford Explorer, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.

  • Tires669
  • Vehicle speed control202
  • Engine and engine cooling198
  • Suspension105
  • Power train104
  • Visibility90
  • Service brakes, hydraulic83
  • Electrical system80
  • Seat belts54
  • Fuel system, gasoline53

NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 214 injuries and 34 deaths reported

Compared with other years

’84’87’90’93’96’97’99’02’05’08’11’14’17’20’23’261,731’84’87’90’93’96’97’99’02’05’08’11’14’17’20’23’261,731

NHTSA ODI complaints by model year

Fatal crashes in the US

From 2020 to 2023, 56 1997 Explorer vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 45 people died inside them, and 33 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.

NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)

New York safety inspections

At its first New York inspection the 1997 Ford Explorer failed the safety check 2.17% of the time — 35% more often than the average 1997 passenger car (1.60%). Median odometer at inspection: 148,151 miles.

1,431first inspections
2.17%failed on safety
148,151 mimedian odometer
0.0%1.1%2.1%’91’93’95’97’99’01’03’05’07’09’11’13’15’17’19’21’23’25’272.2%0.0%1.1%2.1%’91’94’97’00’03’06’09’12’15’18’21’24’272.2%

NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count

In the United Kingdom

21 cars built in 1997 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 173 more were declared off the road (SORN).

21licensed, end of 2025
11%of those still registered are on the road

Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0

In New Zealand

76 1997 cars are on the New Zealand register; 26% arrived as used imports, 70% were sold new in New Zealand.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0

Fuel consumption

Official Canadian test results for 6 variants: combined 13.2–16.8 L/100 km (about 14–18 mpg US), CO₂ 304–386 g/km.

VariantEngineTransmissionCityHighwayCombinedCO₂ g/km
Explorer · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline4.0 L, 6 cyl.M514.911.113.2304
Explorer 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline4.0 L, 6 cyl.M515.912.114.2327
Explorer · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline4.0 L, 6 cyl.A517.012.715.1347
Explorer 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline4.0 L, 6 cyl.A517.313.015.4354
Explorer · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline5.0 L, 8 cyl.A418.913.816.6382
Explorer 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline5.0 L, 8 cyl.A419.313.816.8386

Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada

Recalls in Canada

6 Transport Canada recalls for the 1997 Ford Explorer.

2009292
14 Oct 2009
Other
On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The condition may occur ei…
2000308
29 Dec 2000
Engine
On certain vehicles, the original throttle bodies installed allowed a gap between the plate and bore to be built with reduced clearances or too narrow. This re…
2000297
15 Dec 2000
Suspension
On certain vehicles, the front stabilizer bar link stud can fracture from bending fatigue. This can result in increased vehicle lean or the driver may sense a …
1998052
26 Mar 1998
Fuel System
THE ENGINE FUEL LINES MAY BE DAMAGED IF THE FUEL LINE BRACKET NEAR THE BATTERY IS USED AS A GROUND WHILE JUMP STARTING THE VEHICLE. SINCE THE BRACKET IS NOT GR…
1997072
2 Apr 1997
Engine
WHEN OPERATED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND TEMPERATURES BELOW -29 DEGREES CENTIGRADE, ICE MAY FORM AROUND THE THROTTLE PLATE RESULTING IN THE POTE…
1997046
10 Mar 1997
Emissions
NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0 LITRE ENGINES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1105 - EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS. INCORRECT FUEL VAPOUR MANAGEMENT VAL…

Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada

Recalls

09V399000 · Vehicle speed control13 Oct 2009 · 4,500,000 vehicles

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

00V422000 · Vehicle speed control27 Dec 2000 · 220,000 vehicles

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L SOHC ENGINES AND STILL RETAIN THE ORIGINAL THROTTLE BODY (PART NUMBERS 97JF-9E926AB OR 97JF-9E926-AC). SOME OF THE ORIGINAL THROTTLE BODIES INSTALLED ALLOWED A GAP BETWEEN THE PLATE AND BORE TO BE BUILT TOO NARROW. THIS REDUCED CLEARANCE ALLOWED THE ENGINE DEPOSITS NORMALLY PRESENT IN THE THROTTLE BODY TO CONTACT OR BRIDGE THE GAP. IF THE ENGINE DEPOSITS BRIDGED THE GAP BETWEEN THE THROTTLE PLATE AND BORE AND THEN HARDENED, ON THE INITIAL APPLICATION OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AFTER THE ENGINE HAS COOLED, THE OPERATOR WOULD NEED TO APPLY ADDITIONAL FORCE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO BREAK THE BRIDGE.

00V402000 · Suspension28 Nov 2000 · 810,000 vehicles

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A FRONT SWAY BAR LINK CAN FRACTURE.

00V168000 · Exterior lighting19 Jun 2000 · 20,637 vehicles

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS, LIGHT PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. OFF LEASE CANADIAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WHICH MEET CANADIAN REQUIREMENTS AND NOT THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." ACCORDING TO FORD, THE VEHICLES WERE IMPORTED INTO THE U.S. ERRONEOUSLY.

99V062001 · Vehicle speed control30 Mar 1999 · 898,739 vehicles

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1997-1999 RHD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MAY 29, 1996 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEERS EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC OR 5.0L ENGINES OR 1998-1999 RANGERS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L, 3.0L FFV/EFI OR 4.0L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM JANUARY 5, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 MUSTANGS EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L, 4.6L 2-VALVE OR 4-VALVE ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1999 F250/F350/F450/F550 (OVER 8,500 LBS.) TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; AND 1999 F-53 STRIPPED CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999. A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAN INTERFERE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO PULLEY AND NOT ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE WHEN DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL.

98V060000 · Fuel system, gasoline19 Mar 1998 · 320,000 vehicles

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L SINGLE OVERHEAD CAM ENGINES. THE ENGINE FUEL LINES CAN BE DAMAGED IF THE VEHICLE IS JUMP STARTED AND THE GROUND CABLE IS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL LINE BRACKET THAT IS LOCATED NEAR THE BATTERY. SINCE THE BRACKET IS NOT GROUNDED, THE STAINLESS STEEL FUEL LINE BRAID COULD ACT AS A GROUND POTENTIALLY OVERHEATING THE PTFE INNER LINER OF THE FUEL LINE RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE FUEL LINE.

97V074000 · Vehicle speed control30 Apr 1997 · 23,000 vehicles

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.0L ENGINES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, IDAHO, IOWA, MAINE, MICHIGAN (UPPER PENINSULA ONLY), MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THESE VEHICLES, WHEN OPERATED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND TEMPERATURES BELOW -20 DEGREES FARENHEIT, DO NOT RETURN TO IDLE DUE TO ICE IN THE THROTTLE BODY.

Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words

Service bulletins

What Ford told its dealers about the 1997 Ford Explorer: known faults, fixes and updates.

BulletinSummary
637922SOME VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 9/15/2001 MAY EXHIBIT LOW LINE PRESSURE READINGS WHILE IN DRIVE, NO 2ND GEAR, NO 3RD GEAR, NO ENGINE BRAKING IN MANUAL 1ST AND SLIPPING SHIFTS AND / OR DELAYED ENGAGEMENTS. *TT
637803CONCERNS WITH BRAKE VIBRATION, ROUGHNESS AND / OR GRINDING NOISE, AND EXCESSIVE BRAKE ROTOR CORROSION. *TT
637755SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NO 1-2 UPSHIFT, NO 2-3 UPSHIFT, A NO ENGINE BRAKING CONDITION IN MANUAL 1 OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0732 (GEAR 2 INCORRECT RATIO) OR P0733 (GEAR 3 INCORRECT RATIO). *TT
636326SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SQUEAK, SNAP, RATTLE, OR CLUNK IN THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER BUMPS. *TT
636235EXPERIENCING A CLICKING / POPPING NOISE FROM THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN AREA WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. *TT
636056CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH 4X4 OR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MAY HAVE A FLUID LEAK FROM THE FRONT AXLE VENT TUBE. *TT
635998LOW LINE PRESSURE READING AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE (WOT), SLIPPING SHIFTS AND / OR DELAYED ENGAGEMENTS WITH POSSIBLE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0732, P0733, P1762 SET ON VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 12/1/2001. *TT
630636SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0L SOHC ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0300 (RANDOM MISFIRE) OR P0301. *TT
630515ENGINE OIL SYSTEM PRIMING PROCEDURES, SERVICE TIPS FOR REPORTS OF PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. *TT
630097INFORMATION REGARDING MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATING WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0300/P0301.*YH
630022SOME VEHICLES INCLUDING 1997 THROUGH 1999 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC EQUIPPED WITH A 4.0L SOHC ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A START-UP NOISE FROM THE LEFT FRONT OF THE ENGINE. *TT
630018INFORMATION ON VEHICLES EXHIBITNG FUEL LINE DAMAGE DUE TO PINCHING/SQUEEZING OF THE FUEL RETURN LINE. *TT
630001SOME ENGINE ASSEMBLIES WITH ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS REPAIRED IN-VEHILE HAVE BEEN FOUND TO LEAK COOLANT AND/OR OIL FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET AREA. *TT
628153OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM SUPPLEMENT 7 REVISED INFORMATION - REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF WILDERNESS AT TIRES. *TT
627927SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VACUUM OR AIR LEAKS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND / OR ENGINE SYSTEM CAUSING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171 AND OR P0174. *TT
627752SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0L OHV ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE NOISE WHICH MAY BE PERCEIVED BY THE CUSTOMER AS A PISTON / ONNECTING ROD BEARING KNOCK. *TT
625866INFORMATION REGARDING FRONT SWAY BAR LINK . *YH
625794CONCERNS WITH HIGH BRAKE PEDAL FORCE TO STOP AFTER ROTOR MACHINING. *TT
625715BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.*JB
624668SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN INTERMITTENT HIGH FREQUENCY BRAKE SQUEAL NOISE. *YH
623988INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
623944SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
623810SUBJECT REGARDING OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM 01M01 SUPPLEMENT #2: REVISED TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS AND NEW LABOR OPERATION. NLM
622817SOME VEHICLES WITH 4.0L SOHC ENGINES MAY MAKE A START-UP NOISE FROM THE LEFT FRONT OF THE ENGINE. *TT
621290SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HARSH DOWNSHIFT FROM 3RD TO 1ST GEAR WHILE STOPPING, HESITATION AFTER ACCELERATION FROM STOP AND / OR LACK OF POWER AFTER ACCELERATION FROM STOP ON VEHICLES WITH 4.0L OR 5.0L ENGINES. *TT

NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)

NHTSA investigations

DP05005 · Engine and engine cooling:engineopened 22 Sept 2005 · closed 4 Jan 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

PE99049 · Visibilityopened 28 Jul 1999 · closed 24 Apr 2000

WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION

PE99045 · Steeringopened 6 Jul 1999 · closed 29 Oct 1999

STEERING KNUCKLE SEPARATIONS

EA99001 · Vehicle speed control:linkagesopened 7 Jan 1999 · closed 9 Feb 2001

THROTTLE STICKING

RQ98020 · Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsopened 3 Nov 1998 · closed 15 Nov 2000

FUEL LINE DAMAGE FROM JUMP STARTING

SQ98014 · Vehicle speed control:linkagesopened 31 Jul 1998 · closed 7 Jan 1999

THROTTLE STICKING

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation