Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire while parked in his driveway. The contact stated that an independent mechanic diagnosed that the hydraulic fluid was leaking due to the faulty cruise control switch causing the fire. The contact mentioned that the hydraulic fluid leaked out when it gets warm even when the vehicle not running. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnostic testing and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. While driving 30 MPH, the contact smelled smoke and then noticed smoke rising from the engine compartment. He pulled over approximately two minutes later and discovered flames coming from the engine compartment. There was a small explosion on the driver side of the vehicle. The vehicle was destroyed and a police report was filed. As of November 1, 2007, the dealer and manufacturer had not inspected the vehicle. His VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 07V336000 (vehicle speed control). The contact felt that a leak in the engine compartment caused the fire. The current and failure mileages were 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started to shake abnormally, the contact was unable to drive in 4 wheel drive. The contact stated the check gauge warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the front drive shaft, the control arms, the front oxygen sensor, and the front and rear brakes needing to be replaced. The control arms were replaced however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The contact was driving approximately between 35-40 MPH when he smelled a burning odor. The vehicle was immediately taken to a local repair facility. While exiting the vehicle, the contact noticed flames erupting from under the hood. There was no prior warning. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The cause of failure had not been determined at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 190,000.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. While driving 5 MPH, the vehicle began to shake. The contact placed the vehicle in park and shut off the engine. He exited the vehicle, raised the hood, and noticed that the engine was on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to his residence and has not been to a mechanic. The cause of the fire and the dealer information were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 15,200.
First evidence of noise reported to dealer on 7/22/98. They said there was no problem. Noise became unbearable and engine began lossing power. Took it to dealer on1/2/01 and found out the front cam tensioner disintegrated causing severe metalic noises from the engine compartment. Bankston Ford supposidly did the well known recall. My paperwork shows they replaced the tensioner cassette and changed the oil. I obtained their own proceedures for this issue because many engines have had to be replace due to the pieces of the broken tensioner clogging oil passages and destroying the engines. The instructions they should have followed included inspecting the heads for clogged passages and other things. I believe they should have replaced the engine then, but they made me take it. As soon as I left dealer, the noise was back. Called them and they said to give it a week and see if it goes away. …
1997 Ford Explorer, 5.0 l engine, automatic transmission. The car's engine unexpectedly races to the point that its brakes will not hold it back. This sometimes happens when backing from a cold start and sometimes when braking for a stop at an intersection. The only way to stop the vehicle is to shift into park and turn off the engine. The effect is like being slammed into by a large vehicle. It almost killed my pregnant daughter and me earlier this month when it happened as I was braking for a traffic light. It felt like we had been hit from the rear, but it was the engine pulling its old trick again. The local Ford dealer has been unable to diagnose and repair the problem. One year ago he said that it was the pcv valve and he replaced the valve. The car then behaved for about one year. …
1997 Explorer 4.0 sohc purchased in 1999.made knocking noise went to dealership several times under warranty and was told my motor was pulled and tensioner (pulley, cam tensioner) was replaced.after recieving notification from Ford of "in warranty" service bulletin,different dealer said it hadnt been replace or documented by previous service.so,it was supposedley replaced again (2 time).still making the noise after so long, and told several times "we cant find anything wrong" kept driving.now, I am in dealership for about 10th time and my tesnioners,possibly my timing chain,and possible other components (hopefully not motor)need to be replaced again(3time,more damage)??!!this time theres no warranty or reason why I shouldent "have to pay" so it is costing me $1600 so far...possibly more if there was more damage.this must be documented because I have tried in good faith and …
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.
The vehicle in question is a 1997 Ford Explorer with 38643km. The A/C heater unit was blowing out only cool air. Does not help when you get -30c weather and you try to defrost your windshield with cold air. Yes it is out of the 3 year warranty period but certainly not the 60000km. I do not understand how a vehicle with less than 40000km can have such a problem ? Ford's answer is as follows: cause: diagnosed-temp blend door is broke. Correction: replaced interior heater case. Ford refuses to pay any portion because it is out of warranty. Other websites with same problem listed: http://www.mightyautoparts.com/data/otl1200.pdf http://www.carsurvey.org/viewcomments_review_16717.html http://www.epinions.com/content_66590314116
NHTSA investigations
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…
Engine complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1997 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 202 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1997 Ford Explorer, 12% of the model year's 1,731 complaints. The component named most often is engine (77 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Explorer engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 11 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.