1997 Ford Explorer Sport Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 22%of 37 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Ford Explorer Sport, 22% of the 37 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 miles. 2 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.
“To best describe my problem is that the camshaft broke off right at timing pulley.this break cause the serpentine belt to wrap around all the other components. I was traveling along the express way at 65 MPH, when I loss of power steering, and a loss control of the vehicle for a period of time until I regain control.”
NHTSA complaint #10052536, filed 2004-01, 13,000 miles“I had taken my vehicle to the dealership on three separate occassions due to coolant loss and the temparature guage reading cool. On each occassion they replaced the thermostat. The last time was just prior to the expiration of the extended warranty. I specifically requested that it be tested and checked thouroughly becasue I did not want to replace an engine after the warranty expired. They replaced the thermostat. Shortly after I experienced the same difficulty. I took the vehicle to a private garage and they reported that the head gaskets had failed and were leaking. …”
NHTSA complaint #10072524, filed 2004-05, 45,000 miles“The crankshaft broke off and went into the fan shield. The Ford mechanic says he has not seen this before and it looks like a defect in the metal. It was good that I was going only 30mph at the time or it would have gone throught the fan its self. It could have had many consequences.”
NHTSA complaint #10192477, filed 2007-06, 108,000 miles“Driving along everything is fine, lose power pull off the side of the road and the vehicle I see black smoke and then flames, couldn't get out because of power windows and locks. Went to the back of the vehicle and kicked my way out and the vehicle was engulfed in flames in minutes and burned to the ground.”
NHTSA complaint #10207800, filed 2007-11“The problem I'm having involves a 1997 Ford Explorer Sport (4.0l-5spd-non-auto climate control)--the temp is not controllable and remains hot all the time except for max A/C--this problem seems to commonly involve but is not neccessarily limited to the blend door, blend door actuator and heater box--to my knowledge there have been no deather or injuries caused by this problem but it is significant non the less .”
NHTSA complaint #10116719, filed 2005-04Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Explorer Sport
8 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 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 29, 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