1997 Ford EXPLORER SPORT: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000771 · 2003-01-07 (January 7, 2003)
I HAVE A GENERAL RECALL, I HAVE A 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, MY FRONT CAMSHAFT CHAIN GUIDE NEEDS REPLACING, I TOOK IT IN AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED, HE TOLD ME MY VECHILE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY(102000), I NED HELP WITH THIS MATTER. THANKS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000771 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 10033107 · 2003-08-19 (August 19, 2003)
BROKEN FRONT SEAT LATCH ON 1997 EXPLORER SPORT FROD MOTOR CO ACKNOWLEDEGES PART DEFECT (REFER TECHINACAL SERVICE BULLETIN 98-25-15) BUT DOES NOT FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD REPLACE PART BECUSE A RECALL WAS NOT ORDERED.*AK I HAVE SEEN ARTICLES ON THE WEB ABOUT THIS BEING A WARRANTY REPAIR BUT FORD WILL NOT HONOR ON VEHICLE
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033107 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049297 · 2003-12-05 (December 5, 2003)
I HAVE A 1997 FORD EXPLORER THAT IS DIFFICULT AND SOMETIMES IMPOSSIBLE TO GET INTO FIRST AND REVERSE. IT EXHIBITS TYPICAL PREMATURE SLAVE CYLINDER FAILURE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049297 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 10057340 · 2004-02-02 (February 2, 2004)
THE HEATING SYSTEM STOPPED OPERATING AND CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER BECAUSE THE WINDSHIELD COULD NOT BE DEFROSTED. AN INDEPENDENT AUTO MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENTIRE HEATING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057340 at NHTSA ↗
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 ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.