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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
93,800 miles · Sep 30, 2003
Unknown Or Other

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR BLEND ON MY VEHICLE. FORD STATES THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER, ANY WEBSITE YOU GO TO THAT HAS FORD OWNERS ON IT HAVE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS. I HAVE CHANGED THE THERMOSTAT, TRACED ALL VACUUM LINES, CHECKED THE HEATER COR ETC. THE BLOWER THROWS OUT COLD AIR ONLY. FORD WANTS IN EX…

Read full complaint

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR BLEND ON MY VEHICLE. FORD STATES THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER, ANY WEBSITE YOU GO TO THAT HAS FORD OWNERS ON IT HAVE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS. I HAVE CHANGED THE THERMOSTAT, TRACED ALL VACUUM LINES, CHECKED THE HEATER COR ETC. THE BLOWER THROWS OUT COLD AIR ONLY. FORD WANTS IN EXCESS OF $1,100 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I WILL NOT PAY THIS AMOUNT. I PLAN ON CONSULTED WITH MY FAMILY ATTORNEY, AND POSSIBLY SEE IF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT CAN BE FILED. THEY REFUSE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR BLEND, AND DENY ANY REPORTS OF PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #10040940

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.