1997 Ford Explorer Sport
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Explorer Sport › 1997
These records cover every 1997 Ford Explorer Sport. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
37 complaints4 involved a crash5 involved a fire4 injuries2 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Unknown or other
1997 ford explorer sport. Consumer would like information regarding an accident that occurred in sept 2010. *Ta
- Power train
TL* the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer sport. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked on an incline when it rolled forward and crashed into another vehicle. The vehicle was not destroyed. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop and the repair shop stated that the transfer case needed…
TL* the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer sport. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked on an incline when it rolled forward and crashed into another vehicle. The vehicle was not destroyed. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop and the repair shop stated that the transfer case needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 148,600 and the current mileage was 148,700.
- Seats · Seats › Front assembly › Power adjust
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…
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 about 20 feet. There was property damage, with along losing the entire vehicle (engine was somehow in fine shape), but luckily, it happened when I was in my driveway and not on the highway as I am alive. I sent ford 40 pictures, police report, video of the incident that we caught, title of vehicle, etc. It has caused me an incredible inconvenience in my life, I now walk a mile to a subway station which takes me to a train station which then gets me to work. knowing it was an older car, but a popular one at that, I figured that ford would reimburse me with a used car and the property damage, especially given how lucky that no death or injuries resulted. they informed today they wouldn't give me a dime because they don't deem that a defect through their analysis (though the car sits like a toxic wasteland in my driveway with no one from ford even inspecting it). they came to their decision within one day of having my materials. *kb
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer sport. While driving approximately 45 mph she heard a ticking noise. She was unable to identify where the noise was located. She stated that no warning lights illuminated on the dashboard of the vehicle. She continued to drive home and parked the vehicle.…
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer sport. While driving approximately 45 mph she heard a ticking noise. She was unable to identify where the noise was located. She stated that no warning lights illuminated on the dashboard of the vehicle. She continued to drive home and parked the vehicle. Two hours later she started the vehicle, shifted into reverse and it continued to make a noise. The contact stated that when the vehicle started the noise was not there but as soon as she shifted the vehicle into reverse, neutral or any gear the noise began again. The vehicle was not taken to an authorized dealer or local mechanic. The contact stated that the failure began on september 20, 2010. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 229,000.
- Seats
Front drivers side seat tilt lever broke off, passenger side bent. There are other reports of the same thing happening to other owners.
- Seats
Both seat tilt levers bend and then break off after attempting to straighten them once too many times. New design strengthens the brackets. If the brackets break off and there IS a small child in the back, adults will not be able to remove small children quickly during an emergency since they can't tilt the seats forward out of the way. *Tr
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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…
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 and all of the windows blew out. The fire department came, they tried to put out the fire, but there wasn't enough water pressure by the time the second fire truck came out the fire was very close to the gasoline tank. luckily they were able to put the fire out before it got to the gas tank, but the thing that IS left of the vehicle IS the metal frame. she has not yet called ford, but believes this IS a manufacturing defect. There were no injuries sustained. The damages were so severe they were unable to tell what caused the fire. all she knew was that the fire started underneath the hood of the vehicle on the driver side. The vehicle had been very well maintained and she doesn't know what triggered the fire. She never received any sort of recall notice. the current and failure mileage was 95,000. updated 5/18/09 *cn according to the fire inspector, a fuel to the left side of the engine from return hose was the cause of the fire. Updated 05/20/09*jb
- Engine and engine cooling
Driving along everything IS fine, lose power pull off the side of the road and the vehicle I see black smoke and then flames, couldn't get out because of power windows and locks. went to the back of the vehicle and kicked my way out and the vehicle was engulfed in flames in minutes and burned to the ground. *tr
- Tires › Sidewall
Tire failure resulting in a blowout.*jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer sport. while driving 30 mph he depressed the brake and the brake pedal went down to the floorboard. he noticed brake fluid leaking. the dealer stated that the brake line on the rear driver side rusted and caused the leak. the dealer replaced the rear…
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer sport. while driving 30 mph he depressed the brake and the brake pedal went down to the floorboard. he noticed brake fluid leaking. the dealer stated that the brake line on the rear driver side rusted and caused the leak. the dealer replaced the rear brake line, and the rear brake hose. the dealer stated that the remaining brake lines on the vehicle were rusted, however they were not leaking. the failure mileage was 36,200 and the current mileage was 35,663.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
The crankshaft broke off and went into the fan shield. The ford mechanic says he has not seen this before and it looks like a defect in the metal. It was good that I was going only 30mph at the time or it would have gone throught the fan its self. It could have had many consequences. *tr
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer sport. the windshield wipers at any speed other than high didn't operate normally. when the rain was heavy or light the windshield wipers only operated on higher speeds. the failure mileage was 116000 ,and the current mileage was 126000. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Ford explorer sport (1997, ~58700 mi) was driven at highway speed. A stop was made at a shopping center. Upon leaving the shopping center the brake pedal dropped to the floor as an attempt to stop at an intersection was made. Fortunately swerving avoided an accident. At this point the vehicle had…
Ford explorer sport (1997, ~58700 mi) was driven at highway speed. A stop was made at a shopping center. Upon leaving the shopping center the brake pedal dropped to the floor as an attempt to stop at an intersection was made. Fortunately swerving avoided an accident. At this point the vehicle had no brakes (other than parking). Hydraulic fluid was dripping from an area above the rear axle, driver side. The abrupt loss of brakes with no warning could have lead to a very serious accident. We were just plain lucky. *Jb
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor · Unknown or other
I have 2 complaints one of which while looking online see that many other ford owners also seem to have. this IS a problem with the heater blend box door not working and blowing hot air when in the vent position. this seems to be a problem not only on explorer models but ranges, F150 and other…
I have 2 complaints one of which while looking online see that many other ford owners also seem to have. this IS a problem with the heater blend box door not working and blowing hot air when in the vent position. this seems to be a problem not only on explorer models but ranges, F150 and other ford vehicles. the repair as stated online by others as well as from the dealer IS over $1000.00. it seems that there should have been a recall on this part with so many people having the same problem. also the seat belts get stuck on our explorer it IS the passenger side which sometimes takes 10 to 15 minutes before it will work. *jb
- Tires
Dt*: the contact stated the passenger side rear tire thread separated while driving 30 mph. the vehicle was taken to a tire dealer where the tire was replaced. a recall letter #[xxx] was received regarding the tires. the tire manufacturer was contacted for reimbursement and determined the tire…
Dt*: the contact stated the passenger side rear tire thread separated while driving 30 mph. the vehicle was taken to a tire dealer where the tire was replaced. a recall letter #[xxx] was received regarding the tires. the tire manufacturer was contacted for reimbursement and determined the tire was not eligible for reimbursement. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6). *tr
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The engine on my 1997 ford explorer caught on fire and destroyed my vehicle. *nm
- Electrical system
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
- Equipment
1997 ford explorer traveling east bound on I-16 when left rear tire tread came off a cooper futura tire causing driver to lose control vehicle flipped several times then right front tire came off completely causing another flip this time tail over nose cause all 4 kids to be thrown out killing one on impact and another died 2 days later from injuries in hospital. *nm
- Seat belts › Rear/other
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…
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
- Suspension › Front › Stabilizer bar
A front sway bar link did fracture causing a near crash. *Jb
- Engine and engine cooling
The problem I'm having involves a 1997 ford explorer sport (4.0l-5spd-non-auto climate control)--the temp IS not controllable and remains hot all the time except for max a/c--this problem seems to commonly involve but IS not neccessarily limited to the blend door, blend door actuator and heater…
The problem I'm having involves a 1997 ford explorer sport (4.0l-5spd-non-auto climate control)--the temp IS not controllable and remains hot all the time except for max a/c--this problem seems to commonly involve but IS not neccessarily limited to the blend door, blend door actuator and heater box--to my knowledge there have been no deather or injuries caused by this problem but it IS significant non the less . *ak
- Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
I purchased a 1 owner,used 1997 ford explorer in april 2004.it has 105.000.3 monthes later,the transfer case went.when my mechanic had it on the lift,he saw that the transmission had already been rebuilt.now 6 monthes later,the transfer case,which came off of a 1997 explorer with 60,000 miles on…
I purchased a 1 owner,used 1997 ford explorer in april 2004.it has 105.000.3 monthes later,the transfer case went.when my mechanic had it on the lift,he saw that the transmission had already been rebuilt.now 6 monthes later,the transfer case,which came off of a 1997 explorer with 60,000 miles on it,is going bad.i haven't even put 10,000 miles on it since having it replaced in august.i spoke to other ford explorer owners,and they too have had to repair,or replace the transmissions and or transfer cases multiple times in theirs.it IS getting extremely costly to have this problem fixed.as well as the inconvenience of having to find a ride while its in for service.is this a familiar complaint? I was not told by the dealer of any transmission problems,or the fact that the original transmission was previously fixed.is there anything I can do?please help.*ak
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system
Blend door cracked on 1997 ford explorer, causing lack of ability to defrost windows. I live in wisconsin and the windows fogged up badly. very difficult to drive when it's 20 below out and the defroster doesn't work. cost to replace air plenum with revised, redesigned one about $900. *ak
- Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Transfer case had to be replaced. upon investigation there was a safety notice from ford, but no recall. the repair shop said it was the third explorer they had fixed for the same problem in a week.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
I had taken my vehicle to the dealership on three separate occassions due to coolant loss and the temparature guage reading cool. on each occassion they replaced the thermostat. the last time was just prior to the expiration of the extended warranty. I specifically requested that it be tested…
I had taken my vehicle to the dealership on three separate occassions due to coolant loss and the temparature guage reading cool. on each occassion they replaced the thermostat. the last time was just prior to the expiration of the extended warranty. I specifically requested that it be tested and checked thouroughly becasue I did not want to replace an engine after the warranty expired. they replaced the thermostat. shortly after I experienced the same difficulty. I took the vehicle to a private garage and they reported that the head gaskets had failed and were leaking. I contacted the service manager at the dealership and he requested that I bring the vehicle to them for tests. several days later the service department called and informed me that the head gaskets had failed and that coolant was entering the cylinders. they offered to replace the engine for $4600.00. not going to happen.*ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton V-8 and V-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or…
On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton V-8 and V-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi IS not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi IS aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi?s analysis showed, it IS possible for a spark plug to detach from the engine cylinder threads in the subject vehicles.however, odi?s analysis of 474 complaints describing such incidents found only a very few alleged any safety-related consequences.none of these showed any evidence of a serious safety consequence.given the large population and relatively long exposure time of the subject vehicles, the complaint analysis indicates that the risk to motor vehicle safety from the alleged defect IS very low.in view of the foregoing, it IS unlikely that nhtsa would issue an order for the notification and remedy of the alleged defect at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition.therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize nhtsa?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency?s safety mission, the petition IS denied.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10013369General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
- 637803Concerns with brake vibration, roughness and / or grinding noise, and excessive brake rotor corrosion.
- 630636Some vehicles equipped with the 4.0L SOHC engine may exhibit a check engine light on with diagnostic trouble codes p0300 (random misfire) or p0301.
- 630022Some vehicles including 1997 through 1999 explorer sport trac equipped with a 4.0L SOHC engine may exhibit a start-up noise from the left front of the engine.
- 627927Some vehicles may exhibit vacuum or air leaks in the intake manifold and / or engine system causing diagnostic trouble codes p0171 and or p0174.
- 622817Some vehicles with 4.0L SOHC engines may make a start-up noise from the left front of the engine.
- 619276On some vehicles, including sport and sport trac, the front axle leaks fluid from the vent tube.
Every Ford Explorer Sport model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.