Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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 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 own a Ford Explorer xlt 1997 and the rear passenger door on the drivers side only opens from the inside while the other rear passenger door will not open from the inside or out (child lock not activated). The drivers door doesn't lock and when it does lock, it doesn't unlock or sticks so bad it has be unlocked with pliers, causing the driver to have to get in and out of the car through the front passenger side door. The interior map light and rear interior door light above the backseats stay on constantly even when switched off and the lightbulbs had to be removed because they wouldn't turn off and were overheating.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The contact attempted to open the windows, but was unsuccessful. The windshield wipers, interior lights, and the 4x4 also failed to operate. The dealer has not diagnosed the vehicle. There were no warning indicator lights prior to the failures. The contact is unable to drive the vehicle due to the safety risk involved. The current and failure mileages were 50,000. Updated 03-04-08
Far left dash lights and lights behind indicators on left side of steering wheel went out shortly after receiving the vehicle in 1998; this was repaired under warranty; the lights went out again sometime after the warranty period expired. The sound system amplifier goes out intermittently with no discernible cause; this has gone on for years; the dealer says it would cost over $600 to replace the amplifier.
The failure of the third brake light which is an LED (light emitting diode) assembly is a major safety concern. When the brake light failure was discovered I went to the manufacturer's dealership to have it repaired. First I was quoted a repair price 35 times higher then the average brake light replacement or $350.00. Ultimately, I had the repair done for $265.00 after some serious dialogue about the cost of this part versus normal brake light replacements. I emphasied a part costing $35 times the normal brake light bulb repair should be engineered to last the life of the vehicle. If it did not then it must be an engineering or manufactureing defect. The dealership said Ford would not respond positively to my arguements and the best they could do was $265.00. I beleive the safety issue is driven by the cost of this assembly. …
The 1997 Ford Explorer 4d eddie bauer edition has a computer controlled message center. The message center controls among other things the vehicle headlights and fog lamps. The light out module (lom) also known as the indicator warning system control is located inside the message center console and runs "hot" in temperature because of a flawed design. The current design leads to internal electrical system failures that result in a loss of the low beam headlights. The system is designed to notify the driver of a headlight or lamp failure, etc, however, the failure of the notification system causes the low beam headlights (and fog lamps as they are on the same circuit) to fail. On June 25, 2014, the second failure of the system occurred (we are the original owners and have previously replaced the indicator warning system control or light out module (lom) at great expense). …
On the first occasion, the headlights would go out when the turn signal was turned on. The vehicle was out of warranty(over 36,000 miles) so we had our regular mechanic repair, but we asked to keep the replaced part. The most recent problem (only 11/2 years& approx 8000 miles later)was that the windshield wipers would not work. This time we took it to a Ford dealer. The service manager mentioned that there had been a problem with this part and that Ford had made an upgrade, but no recall had been enacted. Again we asked to keep the replaced part (both are Ford parts#13k359). If there are any questions regarding this claim, please leave message on home phone, or contact diane rutt between the hours of 9-5 at [phone].
The headlights went out while I was passing another vehicle on an icy road at night between driggs, idaho and victor, idaho. I clicked the dimmer when they went out, and tried to put the dimmer lever into any other position and the lights would not come on. I held the dimmer switch up against the steering wheel in the "bright" flasher position and they came on, but blinding oncoming traffic so that they flashed their lights at me. I drove this way to my home about seven more miles. This is very dangerous! Broadway Ford (66 mi from our home) charged us $134.41 to replace the multi-function switch which they think caused the problem, and I understand Ford rangers have been recalled for this problem.
Windshield washer comes on intermittently while driving. Vehicle taken to dealer twice, multi function switch was replaced the first time. It did not remedy the problem. Second time dealer could not find cause. The consumer stated that the vehicle was at the dealer for one day in cold weather outside, problem was replicated and they found relays overheating and sticking caused by shorted malfunction switch on prior repair and they replaced both relays.
Consumer is the original owner of the vehicle and stated has had to replace multi-function switch 3 times in 5 years. Switch controls functions of head lights, wipers, high/low beams, etc. The most recent failure occurred while driving. The consumer noticed smoke emitting from switch and steering column that filled up the entire cabin. Had to pull over to avoid a collision.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting
Vehicle description: Mini vans, light pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Off lease canadian vehicles equipped with daytime running lights which meet canadian requirements and not the photometric requirements of FMVSS 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." according to Ford, the vehicles were…
Remedy: Dealers will be advised to deactivate the running light function and to complete any outstanding safety recalls on these vehicles.
Headlight complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1997 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the lights of the 1997 Ford Explorer, 1% of the model year's 1,731 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Explorer headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-168 (exterior lighting, Jun 19, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Explorer headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 144,000 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.