1997 Ford Explorer Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 96about this part
- Share
- 6%of 1,731 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 96 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Ford Explorer, 6% of the 1,731 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,500 miles. 21 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“With no warning or hint of anything going wrong on the brake system, as traffic slowed to stop for a light, the brakes went completely out on my Ford Explorer. The pedal went to the floor and pumping had no effect. I was in mid day traffic and had almost 2 car lengths between myself and the SUV in front of me, which unfortunately, was what stopped me. Thankfully, I was only going 20 MPH and no one was hurt nor did air bags deploy. After the police arrived and had us pull into a parking lot, the pedal felt like it had the brakes back however, the brake pedal went to the floor after cranking up. …”
NHTSA complaint #10704703, filed 2015-04, 228,226 miles“1997 Ford Explorer. With malfuction car would not stop fast idellig after afer using cruise control. Could not get it to stop caused the brakes to catch fire ad burn. Due to trying to keep the car at a slow speed. Till I was at asafe area were I could abtain help.”
NHTSA complaint #10108244, filed 2005-01, 79,000 miles“About a mile from an intersection I noticed the check engine light turned on. Approaching the traffic light my brake pedal had lost pressure and went to the floor. I had to pump the brakes to get the vehicle to stop. I noticed some smoke coming from the driver side of the hood but thought it might be from the old pickup truck next to me. The light turned green and the vehicle sputtered suffering a loss of horse power but I was able to drive the car about 150 yards and coasted into a gas station where I parked at the far end away from the pumps. …”
NHTSA complaint #10393408, filed 2011-03, 158,143 miles“My wife was driving our 1997 Ford Explorer when she saw white smoke come from under the hood. She was parked in mcdonald's parking lot. She called me telling me there was smoke coming from under the hood. I asked her if there was liquid running from the car and she said yes. It was clear and on the drives side. The next thing I heard was the truck was on fire. When I got to the body shop to see what the damages were I found the master cylinder completely melted away and the wire harness burnt. The vehicle is a total loss.”
NHTSA complaint #10226711, filed 2008-05, 180,000 miles“Preparing to brake for a corner on a rainy night, the anti-lock brakes locked the wheels and slid me into an oncoming traffic lane at about 35 miles per hour. The oncoming vehicle swerved and avoided a head on collision with me. About 20 seconds later down the road the anti-lock brakes locked again as I turned into my development and again I slid. Vehicle has been serviced through its life and has a little over 52,000 miles on it. I could be dead right now had I not been a slower highway. …”
NHTSA complaint #10018834, filed 2003-05, 52,459 milesBrakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5% |
| 2025 | 19 | 18% |
| 2023 | 6 | 5% |
| 2022 | 13 | 5% |
| 2021 | 24 | 5% |
| 2020 | 88 | 7% |
| 2019 | 4 | 1% |
| 2018 | 11 | 2% |
| 2017 | 22 | 1% |
| 2016 | 19 | 1% |
| 2015 | 34 | 2% |
| 2014 | 27 | 2% |
| 2013 | 40 | 2% |
| 2012 | 21 | 3% |
| 2011 | 28 | 2% |
| 2010 | 15 | 13% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 8 | 5% |
| 2007 | 12 | 6% |
| 2006 | 41 | 7% |
| 2005 | 18 | 4% |
| 2004 | 53 | 4% |
| 2003 | 45 | 4% |
| 2002 | 132 | 4% |
| 2001 | 33 | 9% |
| 2000 | 64 | 7% |
| 1999 | 69 | 5% |
| 1998 | 94 | 5% |
| 1997 | 96 | 6% |
| 1996 | 132 | 9% |
| 1995 | 80 | 9% |
| 1994 | 261 | 22% |
| 1993 | 244 | 26% |
| 1992 | 99 | 16% |
| 1991 | 123 | 20% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Explorer
669 complaintsVehicle speed control
202 complaintsEngine cooling
198 complaintsSuspension
105 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
104 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
90 complaintsElectrical system
80 complaintsFuel system
56 complaintsSeat belts
54 complaintsBody and structure
50 complaintsOther or unknown
40 complaintsEquipment
39 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford Explorer
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