10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Ford Explorer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #9

Jul 221999

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle experienced several engine problems, consumer stated that the engine sounded like no oil was in it when started, dealer has replaced gaskets, upper intake cam tensioner three times, and there was a coolant leak. Left front door hinge replaced, it was making noise. Power steering pump was replaced, it was noisy when turning the wheel. Vanity mirror on driver's side would not close all the way and popped when opened, dealer replaced it. The right front of the vehicle was lower than the left front. Brakes were squeaky, dealer replaced front brake pads and turned rotors. A tap noise was heard while playing cd's. vehicle experienced several transmission problems, while going over bumps and railroad tracks, transmission jumped out of gear, dealer intalled overhaul kit because the clutch had burned. 4 wheel drive was inoperable and made a rubbing/groan noise, when reversing and putting intor drive, consumer heard popping noise, dealer replaced rear transfer case flange and removed driveshaft. Vehicle would not start, it would turn over, dealer found the PCM was not wiring, dealer replaced PCM.

- Steilacoom, WA, USA

problem #8

Aug 162000

Explorer

  • miles
Brakes squeal.

- East Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #7

Feb 251998

Explorer

  • miles
Vehicle would not start. On second occassion, took to dealer for diagnostics 4 times before actual problem was found.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #6

Dec 121997

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at 45 mph, applied brakes, and they went straight to the floorboard. Also, emergency brake didn't work at all, and consumer is having problems with the drive train.

- Shawnee, KS, USA

problem #5

Mar 151999

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Problem appears to be sporadic and initially, applying the brake pedal slowed the vehicle down. Last incident caused engaging of parking brake, shifting to neutral and turning off ignition.

- Blaine, MN, USA

problem #4

Oct 201998

Explorer

  • miles
Cruise control failed. Also, brakes completely faded. Vehicle stopped by turning engine off, stop made without power steering or brakes.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #3

Mar 201998

Explorer

  • miles
Brakes fail continuously, causing loss of control.

- Dunnellon, FL, USA

problem #2

May 121997

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Back seats do not have a lock down mechanism to secure the bottom portion of the folding seats, resulting in incidents where children have were injured due to seats flipping up unexpectedly.

- Pittsburg, CA, USA

problem #1

Feb 211997

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at approx. 55mph, noticed vehicle suddenly accelerated unintendedly to 70mph without pressing accelerator pedal, ran over 4000rpm's, acted as though in cruise, but it was not engaged, when applied brakes, seemed not to slow down, turned off ignition.

- St. Louis, MO, USA