1997 Ford Explorer reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 1997 Ford Explorer — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,150
- on record
- Top problem area
- TIRES:TREAD/BELT
- 396 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 0
- none on record
- Reported harm
- 180 reported crashes · 250 injuries · 41 deaths · 58 fires
What owners report fails — 1997 Ford Explorer
- TIRES:TREAD/BELT 396
- TIRES 332
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 121
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE 77
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE 74
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 1997 Ford Explorer
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 1997 Ford Explorer units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Ford Explorer reliable?
NHTSA has 2,150 consumer complaints on record for the 1997 Ford Explorer. The most-reported problem area is tires:tread/belt (396 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 1997 Ford Explorer units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford Explorer?
Owners most often report problems with: tires:tread/belt (396), tires (332), vehicle speed control (121), engine and engine cooling:engine (77). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 1997 Ford Explorer?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.