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

Visibility complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
68,000 miles · Mar 17, 2003
Visibility

HEATER AND DEFROSTER ON MY LOW MILEAGE FORD EXPLORER NO LONGER BLOWS WARM AIR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS MY WINDSHIELD FOGS UP WHILE I AM DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND I HAVE NO WAY OF DEFOGGING MY WINDSHIELD. I FEEL THIS VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO TAKE MY FAMILY ON EXTENDED TRIPS. I FEEL STRONGLY THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT (POOR…

Read full complaint

HEATER AND DEFROSTER ON MY LOW MILEAGE FORD EXPLORER NO LONGER BLOWS WARM AIR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS MY WINDSHIELD FOGS UP WHILE I AM DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND I HAVE NO WAY OF DEFOGGING MY WINDSHIELD. I FEEL THIS VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO TAKE MY FAMILY ON EXTENDED TRIPS. I FEEL STRONGLY THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT (POORLY DESIGNED OR IMPROPER FACTORY INSTALLATION OF THE "BLEND DOOR"), BUT FORD REFUSES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM SINCE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. FORD WANTS $1200.00 TO FIX THIS DEFECT WHICH I CAN NOT AFFORD. FORD HAS A REDESIGNED PART, BUT WILL NOT ADMIT TO THIS SAFETY PROBLEM. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10010569

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.