1997 Ford Explorer Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 54about this part
- Share
- 3%of 1,731 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 144,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 54 complaints about the seat belts of the 1997 Ford Explorer, 3% of the 1,731 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 144,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I own a 1997 Ford Explorer awd 5.0 liter. The seat belt latch on the driver's side no longer holds the seat belt in place after I buckle up. In order to drive, I have to insert the seat belt into the latch on the passenger's side. When I do this the seat belt now crosses my neck, and I am very concerned. It also means I cannot safely drive the auto with a passenger because the driver's side seat belt won't work. On a normal latch, I can push down the red release button and can feel the spring action. On my driver's side, there is no spring tension on the red release button.”
NHTSA complaint #10207941, filed 2007-11, 186,000 miles“1997 Ford Explorer driver's seat belt latch receiver failure. After owning the car for 12 to 13 years, the latch/receiver would not engage the strap. I replaced it with one from a salvage yard and after three years this replacement latch/receiver has failed also.”
NHTSA complaint #10550750, filed 2013-11, 140,000 miles“- the contact stated that while attempting to drive the 1997 Ford Explorer with 134800 failure mileage the driver's front seat belt failed. The seat beltwas difficult to buckle and would unlatch while driving . The vehicle has not been taken to a dealer ,and the vehicle had not been repaired. The current mileage was 135000.”
NHTSA complaint #10183982, filed 2007-03, 134,800 miles“Driver side seat belt fails to stay latched, or sometimes becomes unlatched with drivers forward body motion (extend line of sight, change radio/climate settings, turn on lights, etc.). As a result, the seat belt is not a reliable safety restraint. I am having problems find a replacement part.”
NHTSA complaint #10128435, filed 2005-07, 161,500 miles“Seat belts in back seat and speed control will not cancel after being set. A lady had latch her seat belt in the right rear seat,and it would not release had to cut the belt to get her out.”
NHTSA complaint #10032716, filed 2003-08, 86,000 milesSeat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 5 | 4% |
| 2022 | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 18 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 8 | 1% |
| 2017 | 23 | 1% |
| 2016 | 40 | 2% |
| 2015 | 38 | 2% |
| 2014 | 28 | 2% |
| 2013 | 20 | 1% |
| 2012 | 14 | 2% |
| 2011 | 14 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 2 | 0% |
| 2004 | 7 | 1% |
| 2003 | 17 | 2% |
| 2002 | 34 | 1% |
| 2001 | 11 | 3% |
| 2000 | 16 | 2% |
| 1999 | 21 | 2% |
| 1998 | 38 | 2% |
| 1997 | 54 | 3% |
| 1996 | 78 | 5% |
| 1995 | 59 | 7% |
| 1994 | 13 | 1% |
| 1993 | 13 | 1% |
| 1992 | 24 | 4% |
| 1991 | 26 | 4% |
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 complaintsElectrical system
80 complaintsFuel system
56 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 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