Ford Explorer
1997 only
1997 Ford Explorer have 84 classified complaints on record for that year specifically. The most common issue in this year is Airbags, seatbelts and restraints, typically surfacing around 160,000 miles.
Computed directly from stored federal records for 1997 model years only — not blended with the rest of this vehicle's production run. See the full Ford Explorer report for every year combined.
Where this year fits
What breaks, and when — 1997 only
Median onset: 160,000 miles. 18.2% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.
More common in newer model years.
Median onset: 113,253 miles. 9.1% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.
More common in newer model years.
Median onset: 152,000 miles.
Median onset: 159,500 miles. 42.9% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.
Median onset: 100,000 miles. 20.0% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.
Tends to show up earlier than this model's other issues.
Median onset: 115,871 miles.
More common in older model years.
Median onset: 83,500 miles.
Tends to show up earlier than this model's other issues. · More common in older model years. · Typical repair: $230–$880 nationally.
Median onset: 158,143 miles.
More common in older model years.
From owner-filed complaints to NHTSA, not independently verified. Federal mileage reporting on recent complaints is sparse — see how it works. Cost ranges are national estimates from book labor hours and parts pricing, not this vehicle's actual repair history — they don't account for your location or shop type.
Cost estimator: what will this one cost you?
Enter the car's year and mileage. See which known problems are due in your next 3 years, what each costs at your state's labor rates, which ones to ask the seller about, and routine maintenance to budget for.
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — complaints and recalls, scoped to 1997 model year. See the full Ford Explorer report for every year and full specs/safety data.