Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
My lights don't work stabilizing bar is bad,speed control dose not work security key code not working,door controls do not work.wiper work sometimes.ball joint are bad, tires wearing bad,,bushings are very bad.transmission is starting to slip,all wheel drive does not work, it grinding sound.heaf light only brights work.
On December 23rd, 2016 I was coming home from work around 6:00 pm. My car was a 1997 Ford Explorer eddie bauer edition. I had just gotten off of the highway and turned onto my road when I began to smell smoke, so, I pulled off into an empty parking lot beside a walking trail. I could tell that it was an electrical fire, but, it took me quite a while to figure out where it was coming from. I checked under the hood - but nothing seemed to be wrong there. Then, I got back into the car and the smoke kept getting heavier. I began feeling around for something that was hot. I checked the dash, the vents, the steering wheel, the seats - almost everything before I checked the center computer console. In the middle of my car - directly under the radio - there is a computer module that displays the gas mileage, oil status, and if there is a problem with the lights on the car. …
Dt: the engine light came on. Consumer took vehicle to dealer ,who said they could not get it in until Saturday for repairs. Tuesday the vehicle caughton fire with the engine not running. The vehicle had been parked with engine turned off for about 5 minutes , and when consumer returned the vehicle was in flames. The fire was most prominent in the front. The fire dept came, and they said the vehicle caught fire from the dash and head area and it was electrical in nature. The vehicle was totaled. There are police and fire department reports as well as photographs. No other indication as to why this happened.
Today is the first time since I have owned the truck as I was driving it and started right back up, and about 6 hours later my neighbor noticed my truck on fire. Flames were coming from behind the left front wheel well. My mechanic said looks like e-brake cable started to weld it self and caught the body mount on fire. E-brake cable melted plastic housing inside the truck.
On Monday, January 7, 2008, I parked my vehicle and noticed a burning smell. I opened up the hood and noticed flames shooting out of the alternator. By the time I was able to get a fire extinguisher from the nearby house, my SUV was fully engulfed in flames. Fire department and police came to the scene. Fire department extinguished the flames. The SUV is a total loss.
My 1997 Ford Explorer started fire in the engine area after practicing football for 45 min in the school. It was a total loss by the time fire men arrived. They said it was either fuel or electrical related.
About a mile from an intersection I noticed the check engine light turned on. Approaching the traffic light my brake pedal had lost pressure and went to the floor. I had to pump the brakes to get the vehicle to stop. I noticed some smoke coming from the driver side of the hood but thought it might be from the old pickup truck next to me. The light turned green and the vehicle "sputtered" suffering a loss of horse power but I was able to drive the car about 150 yards and coasted into a gas station where I parked at the far end away from the pumps. At this time I noticed more smoke and flames coming from the driver side of the hood so I went inside to ask for a fire extinguisher but the cashier said he had none. I then asked to him dial 911 because my vehicle was on fire. I went back to my vehicle and removed some paperwork from the seat and waited for help to arrive. …
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 50 MPH on any road condition, the vehicle swayed violently from side to side. The sway bar was replaced in 2003. A few months later, the contact noticed there was a NHTSA recall, #00V402000, regarding the suspension. The service dealer was contacted and determined that a diagnostics test needed to be performed before any work was to be done. The test showed the upper and lower ball joints along with the camber castor kit were damaged. Also the passenger and both rear doors did not open. The front driver's door had difficulties closing on two occasions. The contact received a letter from the manufacturer which offered $6000 for a trade in. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The locks were inoperative, the headlamp switch was broken. The vehicle needed upper and lower ball joints, however the consumer declined all repairs. …
I have no explanation for the fire, the car was parked in my driveway. It had been driven about a block from my home and then it was returned to the driveway. My uncle son sitting in the living room when they heard the car alarm and looked out of the window to see clouds of black smoke coming from the truck. My son attempted to put the fire out but it was to intense, my son called 911. This would have killed someone if they had been in the car. Photos are available. Fire department could not say what caused this fire. The tires even melted. All severe damage was to the front end. The car had not been in any kind of accident, there is no explanation for this fire. Please contact me for photos. Not sure what to do but I need to make sure no families.
I recently found out my vehicle has an open recall regarding the possible leakage of the speed control deactivation switch, which could cause a fire whether the vehicle is running or not. The Ford manufacturer's recall #09s09 and the NHTSA recall #09V399000. This is still an open recall.I contacted Ford recall center today and they are refusing to remedy this hazardous recall due to the age of the recall and the age and miles of my vehicle. This is a safety issue and Ford should fix it as bodily injury or even possible death could occur if this recall is not remedied. My vehicle is running properly for the moment but since this is a safety issue, Ford motor co. Should be required to fix it no matter the age of my vehicle.
Electrical complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1997 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 80 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Ford Explorer, 5% of the model year's 1,731 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › interior/under dash (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Explorer electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 18 fires and 1 injury and 1 death to electrical system 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.