1997 Explorer Van Ford Explorer Problems
- Complaints
- 9filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 71,500miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Explorer Van Ford Explorer (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1997 Explorer Van Ford Explorer. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 2 complaints (22% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (2) and brakes (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 71,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
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%
- Brakes1 11%
- Fuel system1 11%
- Other or unknown1 11%
- Seats1 11%
- Tires1 11%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “1997 Ford Explorer, bought as a program vehicle (returned) with 40,000 miles.ehicle now has 103,000 easy miles. Mostly sits in carport. Not driven daily. Vechicle has had the following problems 1. Check engine light has been on since we bought the vehicle, have replaced )2 sensor twice. Came back on shortly after. Runs rough in the morning. 2. Blend door failed (this causes either warm or cool air to blown into the vehicle), rendering either AC or heater inoperable. This is a potentially dangerous condition, when defroster is needed quickly. …”
NHTSA complaint #10064332, filed 2004-04Transmission and drivetrain: “I have a awd with appx 75,000/mi and the entire differential went out on the vehicle. Replacement cost $4,700.00. I do not or have been rough with this vehicle. Normal highway driving only... And my gas gauge went out on my vehicle also.”
NHTSA complaint #10005333, filed 2003-02, 75,000 milesBrakes: “When the temperature drops below zero the anti lock brakes on our 1997 Ford Explorer do not work properly. My wife was returning from work one morning and she was not able to stop at a light and ended up running it. We took it to a mechanic who could not find any problems but said this was a common problem on fords. This has happened on one other occasion.”
NHTSA complaint #10010508, filed 2003-03Mileage when problems were reported
33% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 43,000 and 83,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1997 Explorer Van Ford 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
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1997 Explorer Van Ford Explorer.
Other model years of the Explorer Van Ford Explorer
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 6 | 82,344 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 9 | 71,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Explorer Van Ford Explorer model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Explorer Van Ford Explorer have?
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1997 Explorer Van Ford Explorer as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Explorer Van Ford Explorer is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 2 complaints (22% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 2.
Has the 1997 Explorer Van Ford 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.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Explorer Van Ford Explorer reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 71,500 miles and the middle half falls between 43,000 and 83,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.