Most common 1997 Ford Explorer Sport Trac problems
Share of the 6 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Explorer Sport Trac complaints by model year
Best Explorer Sport Trac years: 2006, 2009, 1997. Years to avoid: 2001, 2002, 2007, 2004, 2003. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1997 Ford Explorer Sport Trac:
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 the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or…
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Ford Explorer Sport Trac a good car?
Based on 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Explorer Sport Trac rates better than average: 85% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Explorer Sport Trac at the same age. It is one of the best Explorer Sport Trac years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
The seat belts — 1 complaint, 17% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front. Next are the body & structure (1) and transmission & drivetrain (1).
How many recalls does the 1997 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Explorer Sport Trac?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2006, 2009 and 1997. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001, 2002, 2007, 2004 and 2003. See the full Ford Explorer Sport Trac years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Explorer Sport Trac problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 108,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.