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

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

2 Fuel System, Other

1 Service Brakes, Hydraulic

All reported categories

1 Unknown Or Other

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

Tires complaints

1 reports

Clear category filter

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2003

Tires

THE SPARE TIRE ON MY 1997 FORD EXPLORER FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE IF I HAD BEEN GOING DOWN A BUSY STREET OR HIGHWAY. THE SPARE IS STORED UNDER THE VEHICLE WITH A CABLE WHICH SNAPPED, DROPPING THE TIRE INTO THE ROAD. FORD DOES NOT THINK I SHOULD WORRY ABOUT IT. I BELIEVE IT IS A VERY SER…

Read full complaint

THE SPARE TIRE ON MY 1997 FORD EXPLORER FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE IF I HAD BEEN GOING DOWN A BUSY STREET OR HIGHWAY. THE SPARE IS STORED UNDER THE VEHICLE WITH A CABLE WHICH SNAPPED, DROPPING THE TIRE INTO THE ROAD. FORD DOES NOT THINK I SHOULD WORRY ABOUT IT. I BELIEVE IT IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10028966

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.