1997 Ford Explorer Sport Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 5%of 37 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 127,076miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the seat belts of the 1997 Ford Explorer Sport, 5% of the 37 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 127,076 miles.
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.
“Safety problem with back seat belts. When on vacation we had a serious problem the back seat belts locking up several times each day. The seat belts on one or both sides would not release so they could be apply around 2 small children and we had to pull & yank the belts several times to get the belts to release. The SUV was off and the brake was not apply at the time of the problems. This problem could discourage seat belt useage.”
NHTSA complaint #10161902, filed 2006-07, 127,076 miles“I have 2 complaints one of which while looking online see that many other Ford owners also seem to have. This is a problem with the heater blend box door not working and blowing hot air when in the vent position. This seems to be a problem not only on explorer models but ranges, f150 and other Ford vehicles. The repair as stated online by others as well as from the dealer is over $1000.00. It seems that there should have been a recall on this part with so many people having the same problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10179206, filed 2007-01Seat belts: 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 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsOther or unknown
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 31, 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