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Vehicle report

1997 FORD EXPLORER

Compare every FORD EXPLORER yearNHTSA and EPA records

Reported problems

1730 complaints · median 98598 miles
ComponentReports
TIRES:TREAD/BELT396
TIRES332
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL121
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE77
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE74
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL60
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP44
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION38
SUSPENSION38
UNKNOWN OR OTHER36
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM35
SUSPENSION:FRONT33
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM28
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH25
TIRES:SIDEWALL25
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER21
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR21
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL19
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT19
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER16
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY16
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL16
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS15
SEATS15
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING14
SEAT BELTS14
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES14
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION12
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH12
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE12
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT12
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)12
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS10
STEERING10
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE9
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS9
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE8
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE8
POWER TRAIN8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES8
STRUCTURE8
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR8
SUSPENSION:REAR8
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD8
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER8
AIR BAGS7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL7
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS7
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM7
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM7
STRUCTURE:BODY7
VISIBILITY7
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE7
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT7
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR7
WHEELS7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM6
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT6
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS6
STEERING:RACK AND PINION6
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY5
EQUIPMENT5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY5
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH5
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY5
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM5
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY5
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS5
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM5
ENGINE4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH4
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT4
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR3
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL3
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS3
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES3
PARKING BRAKE3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER3
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT3
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION3
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER3
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM3
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS3
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS3
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING3
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR3
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC)2
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP2
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER2
INTERIOR LIGHTING2
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL2
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE2
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL2
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY2
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE2
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT2
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY2
SERVICE BRAKES2
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK2
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR2
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR2
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE2
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS2
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT2
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM2
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES2
WHEELS:HUBCAP/COVER2
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW1
CHILD SEAT1
CHILD SEAT:HANDLE (INFANT)1
CHILD SEAT:HARNESS BUCKLE:INFANT1
CHILD SEAT:SHIELD ASSEMBLY1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL1
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST1
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER1
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS1
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST1
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE1
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID1
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP1
STEERING:LINKAGES:ROD:RELAY:CONNECTING1
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS1
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT1
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER1
SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE1
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER1
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY1
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS1
TIRES:VALVE1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:SPRINGS1
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR1
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW1
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER1
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR1
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING1

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Complaint counts are reports filed with NHTSA, not failure rates. A common model collects more of them than a rare one that breaks more often.

1997 Ford Explorer Reported Problems: 1730 complaints | CarFathom