1997 Ford EXPLORER SPORT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
37 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
98,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 37 complaints (10.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 16.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 13.5% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 5.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 5.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) | 3 |
| Seats | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive): 3; Seats: 3; Electrical System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 2
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 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 17 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2002: 2; 2003: 5; 2004: 4; 2005: 4; 2006: 6; 2007: 7; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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 10058349 · 2004-02-17 (February 17, 2004)
ON FEBRUARY 16, 2004 AT APPROXIMATELY 2:30 PM I WAS PULLING MY WIFE'S 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT INTO A DIAGONAL PARKING STALL. I HAD ALMOST COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO ROAR AND THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AGAINST MY BRAKING. I PRESSED AS HARD AS I COULD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD UNTIL IT STRUCK A CAR OPPOSITE MY PARKING STALL. I PUSHED THE GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I CHECKED MY RIGHT FOOT POSITION AND CONFIRMED THAT I WAS ONLY PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN I RELEASE…
Owner-reported narrative. 69,650 miles reported. Look up ODI 10058349 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10161902 · 2006-07-08 (July 8, 2006)
SAFETY PROBLEM WITH BACK SEAT BELTS. WHEN ON VACATION WE HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM THE BACK SEAT BELTS LOCKING UP SEVERAL TIMES EACH DAY. THE SEAT BELTS ON ONE OR BOTH SIDES WOULD NOT RELEASE SO THEY COULD BE APPLY AROUND 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND WE HAD TO PULL & YANK THE BELTS SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE BELTS TO RELEASE. THE SUV WAS OFF AND THE BRAKE WAS NOT APPLY AT THE TIME OF THE PROBLEMS. THIS PROBLEM COULD DISCOURAGE SEAT BELT USEAGE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 127,076 miles reported. Look up ODI 10161902 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002592 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND OPTION WAS TURNED ON. WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A NOISE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING AND TRANSMISSION STARTED CLUNKING ALMOST CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002592 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050036 · 2003-12-04 (December 4, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT PROPERLY AND ENGAGE FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL. DEALER HAS INSPECTED BUT WASN'T ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10050036 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10052536 · 2004-01-06 (January 6, 2004)
TO BEST DESCRIBE MY PROBLEM IS THAT THE CAMSHAFT BROKE OFF RIGHT AT TIMING PULLEY.THIS BREAK CAUSE THE SERPENTINE BELT TO WRAP AROUND ALL THE OTHER COMPONENTS. I WAS TRAVELING ALONG THE EXPRESS WAY AT 65 MPH, WHEN I LOSS OF POWER STEERING, AND A LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME UNTIL I REGAIN CONTROL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052536 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10164469 · 2006-08-04 (August 4, 2006)
I OWNED A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. ON JULY 29, 2005 MY TRUCK WAS IN MY YARD AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. I WAS NOT HOME AT THE TIME. MY INSURANCE PAID A PORTION OF THE LOAN I STILL HAD ON THE VEHICLE. FORD MOTOR HAS NOT RECALLED 1997 EXPLORERS BUT HAVE 1998. THE FIRE REPORT ISSUED CLAIMS IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. MY VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10164469 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10413385 · 2011-07-18 (July 18, 2011)
1997 FORD EXPLORER AND BEGAN TO BACK OUT OF MY PARENTS DRIVEWAY ON THE WAY TO WORK. I USED THE ELECTRICAL SEAT MOVER BUTTON TO MOVE MY SEAT BACK A FEW INCHES AND WITHIN ONLY 10 SECONDS SMOKE WAS IN MY FACE. I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR, TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND RAN IN MY HOUSE. I GOT WATER TO TRY AND EXTINGUISH THE SMOKE AND OPENED MY BACK DOOR AND LOOKED UNDER THE SEAT AND THERE WAS INTENSE SPARKING WHICH TURNED INTO FLAMES AND WITHIN MINUTES MY ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE AND POLICE CAME AND EXTINGUISHED IT AFTER FLAMES REACHED …
Owner-reported narrative. 175,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10413385 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10266570 · 2009-04-24 (April 24, 2009)
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH SHE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING IN THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN SAW A BIT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND A PERSON CAME UP TO THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED HER TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. ANOTHER PERSON APPROACHED THE SCENE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, BUT BY THIS TIME THE FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THEY USED UP THE ENTIRE FIRE EXTINGUISHER, BUT COULD NOT PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE TIRES EXPLODED …
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10266570 at NHTSA ↗