Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,400 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Ford Explorer cooling system problems

cooling system problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Ford Explorer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1997 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #10

May 212010

Explorer

  • 193,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine revvs and vehicle is thrusted forward at top speed from dead start or when slowing down. This is the second on this problem. Both times lead to property damage, and accident.

- Flushing, NY, USA

problem #9

May 202005

Explorer 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles
Air blend door failure. I only have hot air.

- Barrington, NJ, USA

problem #8

Oct 102004

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I bought the Explorer last April and the A/C worked fine, but when winter got here the heater would not blow warm air. I took it to a mechanic who replaced the thermostate and looked at other things, but could not fix it. I then took it to a second mechanic who looked at it and told me that he had just fixed the same problem on another 97 Ford Explorer--and it was the blend door. That the door was a factor defect and would cost about $650 to replace it. I did not have the money to have it replaced, and it is a safety hazard when it is stuck on A/C air and you can not defrost your windshild while you are driving. It has not been fixed and restricts vision out of the windshield when fogged or iced which could cause me to have a bad wreck.

- Magnolia, AR, USA

problem #7

Dec 032003

Explorer 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 118,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My heater "splitter door" failed to release heat about 4 mo. Ago and is still briken. I haven't had the 700.oo to fix it.

- Clio, MI, USA

problem #6

Feb 012002

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles
Rear doors won't open from inside and it is not the child deterrent lever on door, heating system overrides A/C heater sometimes dosen't work. Recline lever broke off.

- Dover, DE, USA

problem #5

Jun 012000

Explorer

  • miles
Vehicle overheated while driving. When checking the cooling system fluids were turning into slush. Contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to help.

- Tacoma, MD, USA

problem #4

Mar 222001

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving engine will overheat without a prior warning. Had been taken to dealer, but no repair had been made.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #3

Nov 011998

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Water pump leak.

- Oxnard, CA, USA

problem #2

Mar 081999

Explorer

  • miles
While driving at 60 mph heard some noise and the consumer pulled over and noticed water and anti-freeze coming from the vehicle. Consumer turned vehicle off.when trying to start the vehicle back up, the vehicle won't start.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #1

Oct 311997

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Vehicle experienced misalignment. In addition, replaced fuel gauge sendin gunit/air bypass valve/ water pump/seat release/passenger's door and computer.

- West Caldwell, NJ, USA

Not what you are looking for?