Exterior Lighting:headlights
NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
1997 Ford Explorer Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Tires:tread/belt — runs 9.2× the fleet median for that category across the 390 model-years tracked on this site.
1,731Complaints
12Recalls
155Crashes
53Fires
214Injured
34Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Tires:tread/belt (22.9% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Tires:tread/belt complaints here are 9.2× the median for that category across the 390 model-years tracked on this site.
4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tires:tread/belt | 396 · 22.9% | Recalled | Recall 00T005000 · Recall 01X001000 |
| Tires | 332 · 19.2% | Recalled | Recall 00T005000 · Recall 01X001000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 121 · 7% | Recalled | Recall 09V399000 · Recall 00V422000 · Recall 99V062001 · Recall 97V074000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 77 · 4.4% | Investigation closed | DP05005 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline | 74 · 4.3% | Investigation closed | DP05005 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal | 60 · 3.5% | Recalled | Recall 09V399000 · Recall 00V422000 · Recall 99V062001 · Recall 97V074000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 1,731 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 12 campaigns
Vehicle Speed Control
NHTSA campaign 09V399000 · 2009 · reported 10/13/2009
A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 00V168000 · 2000 · reported 06/19/2000
THE LIGHT GIVEN OFF FROM THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS BRIGHTER THAN ALLOWED BY U.S. STANDARDS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 06E026000 · 2006 · reported 03/23/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Suspension
NHTSA campaign 00V402000 · 2000 · reported 11/28/2000
VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Tires:tread/belt
NHTSA campaign 00T005000 · 2000 · reported 08/21/2000
IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Vehicle Speed Control
NHTSA campaign 00V422000 · 2000 · reported 12/27/2000
THIS COULD RESULT IN ENGINE SURGE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BREAKS FREE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Tires:tread/belt
NHTSA campaign 01X001000 · 2001 · reported 05/22/2001
SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
NHTSA campaign 98V060000 · 1998 · reported 03/19/1998
THE FUEL LINES CAN LEAK, AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Vehicle Speed Control
NHTSA campaign 99V062001 · 1999 · reported 03/30/1999
IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS USED AND THIS CONDITION IS PRESENT, A STUCK THROTTLE COULD RESULT, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Vehicle Speed Control
NHTSA campaign 97V074000 · 1997 · reported 04/30/1997
ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE CAN BE CONTROLLED BY EITHER APPLYING THE SERVICE BRAKES OR SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORTS OR SOME INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE CAN RESULT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“WHILE DRIVING THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VISIBILITY PROBLEMS IN THE RAIN. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER NEVER TURNED BACK ON. CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. CAUSE UNKNOWN…”NHTSA complaint 829379 — filed 10/23/1998 · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
“CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. ALSO,BRAKES COMPLETELY FADED. VEHICLE STOPPED BY TURNING ENGINE OFF, STOP MADE WITHOUT POWER STEERING OR BRAKES.”NHTSA complaint 781527 — filed 10/22/1998 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
“CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE. VEHICLE STOPPED BY TURNING ENGINE OFF.”NHTSA complaint 781376 — filed 10/22/1998 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford Explorer?
Tires:tread/belt issues are the most-reported category, cited in 396 of 1,731 NHTSA complaints (22.9%), followed by tires (332), vehicle speed control (121), engine and engine cooling:engine (77). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1997 Ford Explorer have?
1,731 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 155 involved a crash, 53 involved a fire, and 214 reported injuries. 34 deaths were reported.
Does the 1997 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Yes — 12 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09E025000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Ford Explorer's reported problems?
4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
