1997 Ford Explorer Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 202about this part
- Share
- 12%of 1,731 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 202 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1997 Ford Explorer, 12% of the 1,731 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 27 of these say a crash was involved and 10 a fire, according to the filers. 4 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When I drive my vehicle, I press the gas pedal and it feels heavier than normal. Then when I press the brakes to slow down it has a clocking sound. And it pulls back when I press the gas pedal to go faster.”
NHTSA complaint #10435949, filed 2011-11, 120,000 miles“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“The accelerator pedal welds broke and the pedal shifted under the brake pedal while cruising at 55/60 on highway. When I approached a red light I couldn't apply the brake enough to stop the vehicle. Luckily I was n the right lane and was able to get off the road, release the brake and kick the gas pedal out from under the brake pedal and stop and avoid an accident with the car in front of me. ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis***762252”
NHTSA complaint #10009857, filed 2002-05, 63,395 miles“Owner of 1997 Ford Explorer that had a recall issued in 2001 for throttle body problem. Nhtsa #00v-42200. My Explorer was not one of the recalled vehicles (not built in st. Louis or louisville) and I never knew anything about this problem. About 8 months ago I began experiencing a problem with a sticking accelerator. Result of a web search about a month ago to see if a problem exists for this condition because I feel I'm going to crash into something going forward or reverse, I found out about this recall. By calling Ford motor company customer service. …”
NHTSA complaint #10204110, filed 2007-09, 82,000 milesRelated recalls
- 09V399000Oct 13, 2009Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150…Covers: Ford Explorer 1995–2002, E-150 1992–2003, E-350 1992–2003 +12 more
- 00V422000Dec 27, 2000Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 4.0l sohc engines and still retain the original throttle body (part numbers 97jf-9e926ab or…Covers: Ford Explorer 1997–1998, Mercury Mountaineer 1997–1998
- 99V062001Mar 30, 1999Vehicle description: certain 1997-1999 rhd explorer equipped with 4.0l ohv/sohc engines and cruise control built from may 29, 1996 through march 4, 1999…Covers: Ford Explorer 1997–1999, Ranger 1998–1999, Mustang 1998–1999 +6 more
- 97V074000Apr 30, 1997Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with 5.0l engines originally sold or currently registered in the states of alaska, idaho, iowa…Covers: Ford Explorer 1996–1997, Mercury Mountaineer 1996–1997
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5% |
| 2025 | 7 | 7% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 7 | 3% |
| 2021 | 15 | 3% |
| 2020 | 29 | 2% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 10 | 1% |
| 2017 | 21 | 1% |
| 2016 | 76 | 3% |
| 2015 | 16 | 1% |
| 2014 | 29 | 2% |
| 2013 | 38 | 2% |
| 2012 | 17 | 2% |
| 2011 | 18 | 2% |
| 2010 | 14 | 12% |
| 2009 | 5 | 15% |
| 2008 | 7 | 5% |
| 2007 | 13 | 6% |
| 2006 | 28 | 4% |
| 2005 | 44 | 9% |
| 2004 | 76 | 6% |
| 2003 | 37 | 3% |
| 2002 | 152 | 5% |
| 2001 | 36 | 10% |
| 2000 | 113 | 12% |
| 1999 | 148 | 11% |
| 1998 | 281 | 14% |
| 1997 | 202 | 12% |
| 1996 | 148 | 10% |
| 1995 | 81 | 10% |
| 1994 | 51 | 4% |
| 1993 | 38 | 4% |
| 1992 | 14 | 2% |
| 1991 | 30 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Explorer
669 complaintsEngine cooling
198 complaintsSuspension
105 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
104 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