SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1997 Explorer Van Ford Explorer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
9Owner complaints

Model-year median: 7.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
9
19976
1998
Compare all Ford Explorer years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
2Power Train
2Fuel System, Other
1Seats
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1
All reported categories
Tires
1Unknown Or Other
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 6 of 9 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Power Train complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
43,000 miles · Feb 17, 2003
Power Train

4WD LOW AND HIGH LIGHT ILLUMINATED / SIX TIMES FLASHING EVERY THREE MINUTES. WHILE IN REVERSE THE CAR WOULD SHUTTER/BANG. FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE NOT ENGAGING INTO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #10007634

75,000 miles · Feb 5, 2003
Fuel System, OtherPower Train

I HAVE A AWD WITH APPX 75,000/MI AND THE ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE. REPLACEMENT COST $4,700.00. I DO NOT OR HAVE BEEN ROUGH WITH THIS VEHICLE. NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING ONLY... AND MY GAS GAUGE WENT OUT ON MY VEHICLE ALSO.

NHTSA ODI #10005333

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.