Explorer Van FORD EXPLORER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
78,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 to 1998 model years. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 15 complaints (13.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 6.7% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 6.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 6.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) | 1 |
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch: 1; Fuel System, Other: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive): 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 12 |
| 2004 | 3 |
2003: 12; 2004: 3
Pattern summary
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10062664 · 2004-03-20 (March 20, 2004)
I HAD TO REPLACE THE CENTER ARMREST ON 9-9-99 UNDER WARANTY AND A SECOND TIME AT MY EXPENSE. THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT BOLT WAS MISSING. RAZZARI FORD IN MERCED, CA, CANNOT FIX UNDER WARRANTY. *JB FORD MOTOR COMPANY CLAIMS MISSING BOLT AND DEFECTIVE ARMREST IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I REMINDED THEM I WILL NOT BUY NEW FORDS AGAIN.
Owner-reported narrative. 82,344 miles reported. Look up ODI 10062664 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010508 · 2003-03-15 (March 15, 2003)
WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW ZERO THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ON OUR 1997 FORD EXPLORER DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. MY WIFE WAS RETURNING FROM WORK ONE MORNING AND SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP AT A LIGHT AND ENDED UP RUNNING IT. WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS BUT SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON FORDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON ONE OTHER OCCASION. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010508 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045449 · 2003-11-04 (November 4, 2003)
EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER BRIGHT LIGHT SWITCH ON STEERING COLUMN FAILED WHEN RETURNING FROM BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS TO REGULAR LIGHTING. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT DUE TO THE SWITCH, HAD TO WIGGLE SWITCH TO GET LIGHTS BACK ON. I DISCOVERED BY HOLDING THE SWITCH TOWARDS MY DIRECTION (THE FLASH BRIGHTS MODE), I COULD GET HOME. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IN PITCH DARK . LIGHTS UNEXPECTEDLY WENT OUT DURING THIS ACTION. IT WAS RATHER SHOCKING TO HAVE THE HEADLIGHTS TO TURN OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 124,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045449 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
1997: 0; 1998: 0