1997 Ford Explorer Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 104about this part
- Share
- 6%of 1,731 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,594miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 104 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Ford Explorer, 6% of the 1,731 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,594 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“After turning a corner at less than 15 MPH a loud sound was heard and the engine raced but stopped moving. Tried all gears and after having it towed to a repair facility I was informed that the transfer case broke.I had to have it replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10499333, filed 2013-02, 97,000 miles“This letter is intended to address ineffective service by aamco that LED to failure of a transmission in my vehicle. As you see by the attached letter, I voiced concern about this last year and all aamco suggested was to take it back to the dealer that performed the ineffective service. I requested the right to take the vehicle to another aamco center, but your response was to take it to the center that I already had doubts about. Let me set the scenario again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10548626, filed 2013-10, 155,000 miles“I kept hearing the gears spinning when I would press on the brakes. According to my transmission specialist, the transfer cases were not built right in this year of Explorer. He says he sees the same problem all the time and is unsure why there has not been a recall on this.”
NHTSA complaint #10292593, filed 2009-11, 125,000 miles“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. Ford transmissions have been problems for other buyers. …”
NHTSA complaint #10051480, filed 2004-01, 78,000 miles“In searching the internet, I've found there are many people who have suffered the same problems that I have had. I have a 1997 Ford Explorer eddie bauer edition. The climate control system failed in 1998 and I took it to les pinkam lincoln mercury in elizabethtown, ky for repair. Without even looking at it, the technician told me that the blend air door had broken and it would costs $800 to repair it. Thinking he was lying, I took it to bill collins Ford in louisville, ky. Again, the same results and repair estimate. Technicians at both places, told me it's a common problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10060649, filed 2004-03, 42,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10017891Apr 1, 2005Front axle leaks fluid from vent tube - vehicles equipped with 4x4 or awd.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 7% |
| 2025 | 16 | 15% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 12 | 11% |
| 2022 | 61 | 23% |
| 2021 | 127 | 28% |
| 2020 | 504 | 40% |
| 2019 | 35 | 12% |
| 2018 | 50 | 7% |
| 2017 | 125 | 7% |
| 2016 | 215 | 9% |
| 2015 | 86 | 5% |
| 2014 | 80 | 5% |
| 2013 | 119 | 5% |
| 2012 | 55 | 7% |
| 2011 | 64 | 5% |
| 2010 | 28 | 24% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 36 | 24% |
| 2007 | 57 | 27% |
| 2006 | 296 | 47% |
| 2005 | 99 | 20% |
| 2004 | 460 | 35% |
| 2003 | 335 | 30% |
| 2002 | 1,502 | 46% |
| 2001 | 42 | 11% |
| 2000 | 133 | 14% |
| 1999 | 115 | 9% |
| 1998 | 103 | 5% |
| 1997 | 104 | 6% |
| 1996 | 120 | 8% |
| 1995 | 119 | 14% |
| 1994 | 86 | 7% |
| 1993 | 72 | 8% |
| 1992 | 77 | 12% |
| 1991 | 69 | 11% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Explorer
669 complaintsVehicle speed control
202 complaintsEngine cooling
198 complaintsSuspension
105 complaintsBrakes
96 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 30, 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