10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
14 / 0
Average Mileage:
56,632 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.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #18

Jun 152001

Explorer

  • miles
Vehicle was traveling at 40 to 50mph, when it was rearended by another vehicle. Vehicle completely rolled over, and landed upside down. Consumer has yet to contact dealer. None of airbags deployed. There were four injuries.

- Plandome, NY, USA

problem #17

May 112001

Explorer

  • miles
While driving at highway speeds driver changed lanes, and streering wheel went to the right, resulting in a collision/ minor injuries. Vehicle was totalled. Dealer has been notified.

- New Rochelle, NY, USA

problem #16

May 052001

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer went to dealer because when making turns vehicle felt shaky, like it would roll over. Consumer had to make turns at crawling speed. Dealer found sway bar missing from vehicle. There is a recall on sway bar, but this vehicle not affected. Recall number is 00V402, consumer states sway bar blew out from vehicle causing a huge bang and vehicle to sway to the right almost causing an accident.

- Rock Island, IL, USA

problem #15

Mar 042001

Explorer

  • miles
While driving straight vehicle is making a humming. When making a turn feels like vehicle is going to turn over. When taking off consumer can feel a hard bang on drivers side.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #14

Feb 212001

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Vehicle leans to the left, vehicle taken to dealership, adjustment to torsion bar made, did not appear to correct problem, vehicle taken back to dealership, owner was told bar or underlying springs need to be replaced.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #13

Jan 182001

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving could hear popping noise coming from bottom of vehicle. Had taken vehicle to repair shop, and they said it was a problem with suspension.

- Wagram, NC, USA

problem #12

Oct 192000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Firestone Wilderness AT tires (P235 75 R15) experienced abnormal wear, consumer replaced two of the tires, even with the replacements the Firestone tires were wearing prematurely, the consumer replaced all tires with a different brand and has had no further problems, consumer is requesting reimbursement for the replacement tires, the front and rear bearings also had to be replaced at 35000 miles.

- Quinton, VA, USA

problem #11

Oct 192000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Firestone Wilderness AT tires (P235 75 R15) experienced abnormal wear, consumer replaced two of the tires, even with the replacements the Firestone tires were wearing prematurely, the consumer replaced all tires with a different brand and has had no further problems, consumer is requesting reimbursement for the replacement tires, the front and rear bearings also had to be replaced at 35000 miles.

- Quinton, VA, USA

problem #10

Feb 012000

Explorer

  • miles
Suspension problem.

- West Des Moines, IA, USA

problem #9

Apr 301999

Explorer

  • miles
While driving about 50 mph Explorer began to sway back and forth, became air borne and flipped over 4 times. Driver did not go into any other lane, and did not hit other vehicle. Driver and one other passenger were in the Explorer. Both were injured. Tires were Firestone, Wilderness AT. Please provide tire size and dot # and any other information.

- Houma, LA, USA

problem #8

Jun 102000

Explorer

  • miles
My wife and I were traveling West on the interstate in the right lane at app. 75 mph when we heard a strange sound coming from the rear right tire. At that moment, I could feel the back end of the vehicle sliding out from under us to the right, turning the vehicle to the left toward the center median. We went into the median and the vehicle began to roll. After rolling app. 3 complete times, we ended up facing East in the right lane of eastbound traffic - right side up. Miraculously, no other vehicles were involved in the accident. My wife escaped with several bumps and bruises and I had cuts and scrapes which required stitches. Both of us were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident, which is the primary reason we were not more severely injured or killed. We were both taken to the hospital via ambulance for X-rays, bandages, and stitches and released on the same day.( dot number: )

- Terry, MS, USA

problem #7

May 132000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
I was driving about 60 mph, when the I heard a pop, I lost control of the vehicle and rolled over once and I landed upsided down. There was 2 other people besides me in the vehicle. We were all wearing are seatbelts and nothing happen to us. Everyday I thank god I did not have my two girls with me at the time of the accident. We were not hurt, but we were sure terrified.( dot number: )

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #6

Jun 162000

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While consumer was coming back from the airport she heard vibrating noises coming from inside of vehicle. She got out of vehicle to check the tires. Got back into vehicle, decreased speed, and noticed more trembling and vibrating noises. She proceeded to pull over to the shoulder, and noticed that tread came off passenger's tire. Also, the tire tread damaged metal part of the bumper.

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

problem #5

Jan 012000

Explorer

  • miles
Car makes a rattling noise when driven. Also, vehicle has scratches/cuts on its body.

- Hamlet, NC, USA

problem #4

Aug 251998

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Vehicle vibrates while driving.

- Fremont, OH, USA

problem #3

Sep 031998

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Vehicle experiences ongoing vibration at high speeds.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #2

Mar 031998

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Hissing/whistling noise under vehicle.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #1

Jun 271997

Explorer

  • miles
Driving 35 mph on gravel road, turning corner when vehicle flipped over twice. Air bags did not deploy. Driver wearing seat belt. Vehicle then flipped back onto 4 wheels. Vehicle towed to rental Agency due to being totaled. Driver has broken ribs.

- Dorchester, MA, USA