1997 Ford Explorer Sport Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 5%of 37 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Ford Explorer Sport, 5% of the 37 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I owned a 1997 Ford explorer. On july 29, 2005 my truck was in my yard and caught on fire. I was not home at the time. My insurance paid a portion of the loan I still had on the vehicle. Ford motor has not recalled 1997 explorers but have 1998. The fire report issued claims it was an electrical fire. My vehicle was a total loss.”
NHTSA complaint #10164469, filed 2006-08, 100,000 miles“Consumer states that there is a sensor that is causing vehicle to heat up, causing vehicle to not be able to restart. The camshaft was replaced. The radio goes off at anytime, the consumer has difficulty shutting the radio off manually.”
NHTSA complaint #566985, filed 2002-07Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Explorer Sport
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford Explorer Sport
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology