Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 20mph a vehicle collided with the contact's vehicle. This was a side and frontal impact and the driver's side air bag did not deploy. The seat belts were in use. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop. Upon inspection the steering wheel was separated three milliliters as if the air bag was going to deploy. The airbag warning and check engine light were illuminated. The manufacturer has not been alerted and no repairs were made.
Tl* - the contact called regarding a 1997 Ford Explorer. The airbags did not deploy. The driver of the vehicle was driving around a curve, and the road conditions were icy and snowy. The driver hit an embankment head on and the vehicle flipped over. The driver sustained fatal injuries. There were two other passengers in the vehicle that were not injured. It is unclear whether the driver was wearing the seat belt. One of the passengers removed the seat belt and the other passenger's seat belt was not on so that they could get out of the vehicle. It was unclear whether the passenger removed the seat belt from the driver as well. The vehicle was towed to a tow shop where it remained. The contact did not take possession of the vehicle at this time. The tow shop planned to sell parts of the vehicle. Itwas unknown whether there were pictures taken of the vehicle. …
I was involved in an accident in February that was not my fault. The other driver failed to stop at a stop sign and came into the intersection as I was coming from through it. I was wearing my seat belt and the airbag did deploy, causing the majority of my injuries. I had several lacerations on my cheeks, chin and mouth. My upper lip was split open and I sustained a serious injury to my jaw. All of these injuries were caused when my head went forward as the airbag cover popped back and the airbag was inflating. The airbag hit me in the face with such force that it left my jaw permenantly injured. I am an 5' 5 1/2" tall and do not sit particularly close to the steering wheel. There is an obvious flaw with the design of the airbag.
Pe 00020: while driving 75mph vehicle started to vibrate. Was pulling to side when a loud explosion was heard. Lost control of vehicle, went towards median & hit guardrail. Air bags failed to deploy. When vehicle finally stopped, got out & checked. Noticed no tread on left rear tire. No serious injury. Firestone wilderness, size p235/75r15 with 61,000 miles on it. Did not have the tire.
While driving at 55 MPH and trying to avoid being hit by another vehicle, Explorer ran into a guardrail, and shoulder belt didn't prevent consumer from hitting her head on windshield and falling on passenger's side of vehicle. Also, driver's side air bag didn't deploy, althought the passenger side air bag did.
Started applying brakes after going 30mph. Vehicle did not slow down or stop. Rearended several vehicles. Upon impact, airbags did not deploy. Left front wheel came off. Prior to impact, cv joint made knocking noise when turning. Took to dealer twice for knocking noise.
Vehicle was involved in an accident. Another vehicle ran a red light and hit consumer's vehicle on the driver's front fender area. Upon impact, both air bags did not deploy. Speed of vehicle was not determined. Dealer / manufacturer was not contacted at this time.
While traveling at approximately 50 MPH consumer's vehicle collided with a deer when it crossed directly in front of vehicle. Insurance adjuster stated that frontal air bags should have deployed. *note: connsumer's wife was injured, suffered back injuries.
Accelerator pedal had stuck while driving. This increased speed of vehicle while going 60mph. Was trying stop vehicle by stepping on brakes. But, vehicle hit a building, tires were still spinning after impact. Air bags failed to deploy.
While waiting at the stop light a van had failed to stop properly & rearended Explorer. Vehicle then rearended another vehicle in front. Upon impact with other vehicle, the air bags did not deploy. Vehicle was towed to dealer.
Airbag complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1997 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Ford Explorer, 2% of the model year's 1,731 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Explorer airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1997 Ford Explorer, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Explorer airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 105,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 25 crashes, 0 fires and 21 injuries and 1 death to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.