1997 Ford Explorer engine and engine cooling problems
198 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine and engine cooling on the 1997 Ford Explorer — 11% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Since the explorer was 5 years old the driver side of the truck was starting to settle/ be lower than the passenger side. Until it was so bad the shop stated we needed to replace the rear springs, shocks and stabilizer and *** the rear was also lower than the front. So we had to replace the front…”
filed Feb 19, 2013
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20-30 mph, the vehicle would misfire and seem as if it would stall. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who informed the contact that she needed to replace the engine. The manufacturer was then contacted…”
filed Feb 9, 2011
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Engine and Engine Cooling problems in other Explorer years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Explorer | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 Explorer | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 Explorer | 10 | 2% |
| 2020 Explorer | 21 | 2% |
| 2019 Explorer | 6 | 2% |
| 2018 Explorer | 29 | 4% |
| 2017 Explorer | 76 | 5% |
| 2016 Explorer | 114 | 5% |
| 2015 Explorer | 66 | 4% |
| 2014 Explorer | 67 | 4% |
| 2013 Explorer | 67 | 3% |
| 2012 Explorer | 14 | 2% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1997 Ford Explorer
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.