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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW ZERO THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ON OUR 1997 FORD EXPLORER DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. MY WIFE WAS RETURNING FROM WORK ONE MORNING AND SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP AT A LIGHT AND ENDED UP RUNNING IT. WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS BUT SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON FORDS. THIS HAS HAP…

Read full complaint

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW ZERO THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ON OUR 1997 FORD EXPLORER DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. MY WIFE WAS RETURNING FROM WORK ONE MORNING AND SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP AT A LIGHT AND ENDED UP RUNNING IT. WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS BUT SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON FORDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON ONE OTHER OCCASION. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10010508

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.