1997 Chevrolet Explorer Problems
- Complaints
- 9filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Chevrolet Explorer (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Explorer. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 2 complaints (22% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (2) and transmission and drivetrain (2). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling2 22%
- Exterior lighting2 22%
- Interior lighting1 11%
- Steering1 11%
- Tires1 11%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “While driving at 20mph engine shutdown, forcing vehicle to pull off the road. Crankshaft broke inside engine. Dealer notified nothing they could do. Please provide further information.”
NHTSA complaint #10021842, filed 2003-05Exterior lighting: “My wife and I were driving on I 75 in florida going about 60mph on easter sunday 2000(1997 ford Explorer xlt). Without any warning the back passenger side tire blew out. The car pulled suddenly to the right, I managed to gain control of the vehical and stop it in the middle of the road. The tire did $2800($500 deductable) in damage to the vehical. The tred peeled off of the tire and bent the rear fender under the car. It also broke the rear tail light and scratched the paint. A claim was filed with nationwide ins. And with ford motor credit.( DOT number: tire size: 235/75 )”
NHTSA complaint #726889, filed 2000-08Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1997 Chevrolet Explorer in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 4 on record; the latest 4 are shown.
- 10232287Feb 21, 2023Equipment. This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10082506Aug 26, 2016Equipment. This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest calibrations to correct a condition of the rear entertainment system not operating as intended in…
- 10248444Jun 30, 2014Equipment. Vehicle Recalls
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Other model years of the Chevrolet Explorer
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 7 | 30,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 5 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1998 | 5 | 123,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 9 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 7 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 5 | 160,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Chevrolet Explorer model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Chevrolet Explorer have?
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Explorer as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Chevrolet Explorer is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 2 complaints (22% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 2.
Has the 1997 Chevrolet Explorer been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.