1997 Ford Explorer Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1997 Explorer report a wide spread of problems on a vehicle that is now well past 100,000 miles in most complaints, with cruise-control and accelerator faults, sway bar link breakage, transmission and transfer case failures, and blend door heater issues among the most repeated themes. Many complaints describe repairs being declined or the vehicle being excluded from a related recall by VIN.

1. 1
   Vehicle speed control

   Cruise control and throttle sticking or unintended

   • 144 complaints (8%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 10.2 yrs old (39 state mileage)
   • 27 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2020

   Owners describe the cruise control failing to disengage, the engine continuing to rev, and the accelerator pedal feeling stuck or slow to return, sometimes followed by a sudden surge. In several accounts the vehicle could only be slowed by shifting to neutral or shutting the engine off. Complaints also describe engine-compartment and dash-area fires that dealers or mechanics attributed to the speed control switch, and some owners say their VIN was not covered by the related recall. Reported across a wide mileage range, from roughly 34,000 to over 190,000 miles, at highway and low speeds alike.

   Recall 09V399000Recall 00V422000Recall 99V062001Recall 97V074000

   What to check: Ask whether the speed control deactivation switch and any related recall work were completed, and check the switch and wiring near the brake master cylinder for fluid residue or corrosion. Test that the pedal returns freely and that cruise control disengages with the brake.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I lifted off off the gas pedal to brake for stopped traffic, the gas pedal seemed to stick and rev the engine as I was trying to stop. I had plenty of time to stop, but because of the speed of the engine it took longer to slow down, and I hit the vehicle in front of me. This has happened twice to me and at least once with my wife over a 3 year period. The oct 15th resulted in an accident.”

   NHTSA complaint #10095862, filed 2004-10, 148,000 miles

   “Stuck accelerator on 1997 Ford Explorer with 58,000 miles. While driving on interstate 287/78 in nj I tried to turn off the cruise control but instead the car accelerated uncontrollably to over 85 MPH. I gained control by turning the engine on and off until reaching a safe place to stop. An njdot truck helped me and later that day I emailed what happened to Ford's customer assistance. I wanted them to have a dealer examine my Explorer to see if this was caused by a material defect of normal wear and tear, in which case I would repair it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10319929, filed 2010-03, 58,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission and transfer case failure

   Mentioned in 7 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the overdrive light flashing, delayed or slipping shifts, loss of overdrive, and eventually loss of gears, with one complaint describing the transmission engaging four-wheel drive on its own. Several say the transfer case had to be replaced outright, and others were quoted rebuilds or replacements. Dealers often described the failures as normal for the mileage. Typically reported between about 60,000 and 130,000 miles, with some higher-mileage cases.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check transmission fluid condition and color, look for metal debris on the dipstick, and test-drive through all gears including reverse and overdrive. Ask whether the transmission or transfer case has been rebuilt or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Transmission out before I reached 87,000 miles. When my husband changed the transmission fluid, large chunks of metal came out. The problem occured when driving home from krogers and vehicle did not shift out of 2nd gear, rmps went up past 4000, then vehicle would loss power. Would take my foot off gas til rmps 0, then repeat this cycle for my 5 miles home. My husband towed vehicle to peffley Ford of dayton, ohio on dec 24, 2003. They said this is normal for that many miles, but according to my search, this is not. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10051480, filed 2004-01, 78,000 miles

   “The truck's overdrive light blinked and the engine lights came on. When this occurred the truck failed to go into overdrive and the # 3 cylinder misfired. The dealership indicated this could be caused by automatic transmission failure. Please provide any additional information.”

   NHTSA complaint #10051965, filed 2003-12, 61,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Blend door failure - no heat or no temperature control

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the heater blowing only cold air, or switching between full hot and full cold with nothing in between, which owners link to a failed blend door. Several mention the defroster becoming ineffective in cold weather and repair estimates in the several-hundred to thousand dollar range. Some owners say the repair was never done because of cost. Reported from roughly 13,000 to 150,000 miles, often mentioned in winter or cold-weather use.

   What to check: Run the climate controls through full hot and full cold, including defrost, and confirm the air temperature actually changes. Ask whether the blend door or actuator has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Cannot adjust the temperature of the heating and cooling system - always blows cold air. I have been told the manufacturer installed the wrong parts at time of production. The part fails and then you cannot adjust the temperature - it always blows cold air. This, it seems to me, is a serious safety issue as it is impossible to keep windows clear in cold climates.”

   NHTSA complaint #10046950, filed 2003-11, 97,000 miles

   “I have a 1997 Ford Explorer xlt. My AC blend door failed this winter. I can get either full heat or full cold and no in between. From what I have read, this costs about $1000 to have fixed. It is a ridiculous problem that seems to happen fairly often in Ford vehicles. The affected models should be recalled and fixed. Thank you.”

   NHTSA complaint #10165949, filed 2006-08, 151,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Engine noise, stalling and shutdown

   • 116 complaints (7%)
   • median 102,266 mi at 10.4 yrs old (29 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,800 (median of 21 quotes)
   • filed 1997–2014

   Owners describe knocking or metallic noises from the engine that dealers sometimes traced to cam chain tensioners, as well as rough idling, stumbling on curves or hills, and in some cases sudden total loss of power. A few complaints mention tensioner pieces breaking up and a broken crankshaft. Several say the problem could not be reproduced at the dealer. Spread from under 20,000 miles up to about 150,000 miles, with several reports in the 55,000 to 120,000 mile range.

   What to check: Listen for timing-chain rattle at cold start and steady idle, and ask for service records on the cam tensioners. Check for a check-engine light and any stored codes before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1997 Explorer 4.0 sohc purchased in 1999.made knocking noise went to dealership several times under warranty and was told my motor was pulled and tensioner (pulley, cam tensioner) was replaced.after recieving notification from Ford of in warranty service bulletin,different dealer said it hadnt been replace or documented by previous service.so,it was supposedley replaced again (2 time).still making the noise after so long, and told several times we cant find anything wrong kept driving.now, I am in dealership for about 10th time and my …”

   NHTSA complaint #10082788, filed 2004-07, 60,000 miles

   “First evidence of noise reported to dealer on 7/22/98. They said there was no problem. Noise became unbearable and engine began lossing power. Took it to dealer on1/2/01 and found out the front cam tensioner disintegrated causing severe metalic noises from the engine compartment. Bankston Ford supposidly did the well known recall. My paperwork shows they replaced the tensioner cassette and changed the oil. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10100420, filed 2004-11, 15,743 miles
5. 5
   Suspension

   Front sway bar link breakage

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe a front stabilizer bar link stud fracturing, which owners notice as steering vibration, wandering or a boat-like feel, and in some cases a sudden pull to one side over bumps. Several owners say the dealer confirmed the broken link but that their vehicle was not included in the related recall. Repairs consisted of replacing the links and bolts. Mostly reported between roughly 68,000 and 190,000 miles, with some accounts noting cold-weather conditions.

   Recall 00V4020002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have a mechanic inspect both front sway bar links and their studs for cracks or missing hardware, and ask whether the 00V402000 recall was performed on this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The front passenger side sway bar fractured. Recall 00v402000 was issued, however, this vehicle was not covered under the recall due to VIN. .....sway bar broke in july 2004. Car felt like boat when driving. Vehicle was repaired in january 2005.”

   NHTSA complaint #10103613, filed 2004-12, 144,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. While driving various speeds, the steering vibrated and the contact lost control of the steering wheel on two separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and they discovered that the sway bar link failed. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 00v402000 (suspension). The current mileage was 100,000 and failure mileage was 98,000. Updated 03-04-08”

   NHTSA complaint #10218500, filed 2008-02, 98,000 miles

Buying note. Given the age and typical mileage, the most useful checks are the speed control switch and recall status, the front sway bar links, transmission and transfer case condition, and whether the heater blend door works. Ask for recall and service records, and budget for repairs on any example that has not had these items addressed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.