1997 Ford Explorer Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 80about this part
- Share
- 5%of 1,731 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 98,197miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 80 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Ford Explorer, 5% of the 1,731 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,197 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 18 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle started out fine. After a month of driving, far left dash lights died out. Those are the ones illuminating the oil pressure and battery. A few months later, the lights illuminating the speedometer and tachometer died out as well. This is not normal. Personally, I think it might be a short to ground, but I still have yet to find out.”
NHTSA complaint #10220097, filed 2008-03, 130,000 miles“On monday, january 7, 2008, I parked my vehicle and noticed a burning smell. I opened up the hood and noticed flames shooting out of the alternator. By the time I was able to get a fire extinguisher from the nearby house, my SUV was fully engulfed in flames. Fire department and police came to the scene. Fire department extinguished the flames. The SUV is a total loss.”
NHTSA complaint #10215179, filed 2008-01, 14,800 miles“Today is the first time since I have owned the truck as I was driving it and started right back up, and about 6 hours later my neighbor noticed my truck on fire. Flames were coming from behind the left front wheel well. My mechanic said looks like e-brake cable started to weld it self and caught the body mount on fire. E-brake cable melted plastic housing inside the truck.”
NHTSA complaint #10223410, filed 2008-04, 108,000 miles“On december 23rd, 2016 I was coming home from work around 6:00 pm. My car was a 1997 Ford Explorer eddie bauer edition. I had just gotten off of the highway and turned onto my road when I began to smell smoke, so, I pulled off into an empty parking lot beside a walking trail. I could tell that it was an electrical fire, but, it took me quite a while to figure out where it was coming from. I checked under the hood - but nothing seemed to be wrong there. Then, I got back into the car and the smoke kept getting heavier. I began feeling around for something that was hot. …”
NHTSA complaint #10938443, filed 2016-12, 220,000 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 milesElectrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | 21% |
| 2025 | 23 | 22% |
| 2024 | 2 | 10% |
| 2023 | 14 | 13% |
| 2022 | 39 | 14% |
| 2021 | 48 | 11% |
| 2020 | 188 | 15% |
| 2019 | 20 | 7% |
| 2018 | 58 | 8% |
| 2017 | 94 | 6% |
| 2016 | 129 | 5% |
| 2015 | 93 | 5% |
| 2014 | 100 | 6% |
| 2013 | 163 | 7% |
| 2012 | 64 | 8% |
| 2011 | 95 | 8% |
| 2010 | 12 | 10% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 38 | 26% |
| 2007 | 25 | 12% |
| 2006 | 39 | 6% |
| 2005 | 36 | 7% |
| 2004 | 55 | 4% |
| 2003 | 54 | 5% |
| 2002 | 148 | 4% |
| 2001 | 29 | 8% |
| 2000 | 78 | 8% |
| 1999 | 92 | 7% |
| 1998 | 114 | 6% |
| 1997 | 80 | 5% |
| 1996 | 47 | 3% |
| 1995 | 55 | 7% |
| 1994 | 75 | 6% |
| 1993 | 45 | 5% |
| 1992 | 45 | 7% |
| 1991 | 52 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Explorer
669 complaintsVehicle speed control
202 complaintsEngine cooling
198 complaintsSuspension
105 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
104 complaintsBrakes
96 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
90 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 27, 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