- The problem
- Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
- The risk
- A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
- The fix
- Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the abs control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Vehicle safety record
1997 Ford Explorer Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1997 Ford Explorer have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 12 recalls, the latest in October 2009 for the vehicle speed control.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical Explorer year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 12
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1997 Ford Explorer recalls 12
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
- The risk
- Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on july 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.
- The problem
- Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
- The risk
- Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on may 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
- The problem
- Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
- The risk
- Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
- The fix
- Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on april 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.
- The problem
- This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Equipment description: ford is replacing all firestone wilderness at 15, 16, and 17 inch tires mounted on ford trucks and suvs. Ford reports tread separation can occur due to a combination of the sensitivity of the tire design to stress, aging, and manufacturing differences between plants. Ford is replacing these tires to prevent possible premature tire failure. Vehicle description: the vehicles listed below may have been originally equipped with firestone wilderness at tires or may have had wilderness at tires installed during the firestone recall launched in august 2000. Certain 1991 throught 2002 ford explorer Certain 2001 throught 2002 explorer sport, and sport trac Certain 1997 through 2002 mercury mountaineer Certain 1991 through 2001 ranger Certain 1999 through 2001 expedition Certain 1991 through 1994, and 1997 model year f-series Certain 1991 through 1994 bronco Note: both original equipment and replacement tires are affected.
- The risk
- Should the tread separate at highway speeds, a vehicle crash could occur, possibly resulting in personal injury or death.
- The fix
- The replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on march 31, 2002. However, customers can contact ford at 1-877-917-3673 or go on-line to www.Ford.Com for possible assistance.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 4.0L sohc engines and still retain the original throttle body (part numbers 97jf-9e926ab or 97jf-9e926-ac). Some of the original throttle bodies installed allowed a gap between the plate and bore to be built too narrow. This reduced clearance allowed the engine deposits normally present in the throttle body to contact or bridge the gap. If the engine deposits bridged the gap between the throttle plate and bore and then hardened, on the initial application of the accelerator pedal after the engine has cooled, the operator would need to apply additional force to the accelerator pedal to break the bridge.
- The risk
- This could result in engine surge when the accelerator pedal breaks free.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the original throttle bodies.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Under certain conditions, a front sway bar link can fracture.
- The risk
- Vehicle handling could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace both the left and right front sway bar links.
- The problem
- Tire description: firestone wilderness at, size p235/75r15, produced at the decatur, illinois tire plant and all firestone radial atx and radial atx ii tires, size p235/75r15. Operation of these tires at low inflation pressures, high speed, and in hot weather, can contribute to separation of the tire tread.
- The risk
- If the tread separates from the tire, the driver can lose control of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash causing injury or death.
- The fix
- The replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on august 29, 2001. However, customers should contact firestone customer service at 1-800-465-1904 for possible assistance.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: mini vans, light pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Off lease canadian vehicles equipped with daytime running lights which meet canadian requirements and not the photometric requirements of fmvss 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." According to ford, the vehicles were imported into the u.S. Erroneously.
- The risk
- The light given off from the daytime running lights is brighter than allowed by u.S. Standards.
- The fix
- Dealers will be advised to deactivate the running light function and to complete any outstanding safety recalls on these vehicles.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: certain 1997-1999 rhd explorer equipped with 4.0L ohv/sohc engines and cruise control built from may 29, 1996 through march 4, 1999; 1998-1999 explorer/mountaineers equipped with 4.0L ohv/sohc or 5.0L engines or 1998-1999 rangers equipped with 2.5L, 3.0L ffv/efi or 4.0L engines and cruise control built from january 5, 1998 through march 4, 1999; 1998-1999 mustangs equipped with 3.8L, 4.6L 2-valve or 4-valve engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999; 1999 f250/f350/f450/f550 (over 8,500 lbs.) Trucks equipped with 5.4L or 6.8L engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999; and 1999 f-53 stripped chassis equipped with 5.4L or 6.8L engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999. A cruise control cable can interfere with the speed control servo pulley and not allow the throttle to return to idle when disengaging the cruise control.
- The risk
- If the cruise control is used and this condition is present, a stuck throttle could result, which could potentially result in a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the cruise control cables. At the present time, the replacement cables are not available. Customers are being advised not to use the cruise control system until a replacement can be made.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with 4.0L single overhead cam engines. The engine fuel lines can be damaged if the vehicle is jump started and the ground cable is attached to the fuel line bracket that is located near the battery. Since the bracket is not grounded, the stainless steel fuel line braid could act as a ground potentially overheating the ptfe inner liner of the fuel line resulting in damage to the fuel line.
- The risk
- The fuel lines can leak, and in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could potentially result.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a warning label on the fuel line bracket advising owners not to use it for a jump start ground. Also a revised bolt will be installed in the alternator bracket to provide a convenient jump start ground location.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with 5.0L engines originally sold or currently registered in the states of alaska, idaho, iowa, maine, michigan (upper peninsula only), minnesota, montana, nebraska, new hampshire, new york, north dakota, south dakota, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming. These vehicles, when operated for extended periods of time at highway speeds and temperatures below -20 degrees farenheit, do not return to idle due to ice in the throttle body.
- The risk
- Although the vehicle can be controlled by either applying the service brakes or shifting the transmission to neutral, increased brake pedal efforts or some increase in stopping distance can result.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a revised pcv system with water heated vacuum source.
What owners say
Be the first Explorer owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
No complaints about the 1997 Ford Explorer yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Ford Explorer: every year compared
All Explorer years1997 Ford Explorer vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Ford Explorer | 0 | 12 | B | |
| 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 1,380 | 11 | D | Compare |
| 1997 Chevrolet Blazer | 774 | 7 | F | Compare |
| 1997 Toyota 4RUNNER | 264 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 1997 Nissan Pathfinder | 225 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 1997 Subaru Outback | 79 | 4 | A | Compare |
| 1997 Dodge Durango | 4 | 2 | A | Compare |
| 1997 Toyota Highlander | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1997 Ford Contour | 234 | 8 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1997 Ford Explorer
Does the 1997 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 12 recalls for the 1997 Ford Explorer: vehicle speed control (October 2009); headlights (May 2009); exterior lighting (April 2009); exterior lighting (March 2006) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1997 Ford Explorer had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1997 Ford Explorer a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 68 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Ford Explorer year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Ford Explorer years have the most complaints?
2002 (3,613), 2016 (2,466), 2015 (1,821). See every Ford Explorer year compared.
What should I do if my 1997 Ford Explorer has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data