Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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.
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.
After pulling off the interstate I noticed my 1997 Ford Explorer was making awful noises and didn't handle well. When I got home I realized the sway bar link had snapped. After looking at your website I saw that the 1997 Ford Explorer was recalled for sway bar links breaking. After bringing my Explorer to the dealership to get the item fixed I was told my vehicle wasn't part of the recall and that they go by VIN #'s. So my question is why are only certain 1997 explorers recalled. Just because my vehicle's VIN # doesn't qualify does that mean that I should loose control on the interstate going 75 MPH. Only certain color explorers get recalled? Maybe only explorers built on wednesdays in 1997 qualify. Do I have to crash and die until my VIN # qualifies? It will be too late then but maybe my parents can sue Ford and get rich. …
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. …
My wife and I were traveling west on the interstate in the right lane at app. 75 MPH when we heard a strange sound coming from the rear right tire. At that moment, I could feel the back end of the vehicle sliding out from under us to the right, turning the vehicle to the left toward the center median. We went into the median and the vehicle began to roll. After rolling app. 3 complete times, we ended up facing east in the right lane of eastbound traffic - right side up. Miraculously, no other vehicles were involved in the accident. My wife escaped with several bumps and bruises and I had cuts and scrapes which required stitches. Both of us were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident, which is the primary reason we were not more severely injured or killed. …
Last fall we noticed that there was a "burning rubber smell" coming from the rear right wheel well. It only seemd to manifests itself when we drove on the highway at an approximate speed of 60 MPH. When we drove on the city streets at the posted rate of speed, we found there was no smell whatsoever. We had our mechanic check things out and later our local tires plus, in both instances nothing was found. Today we went to our local Ford dealer and had them check it out and they found nothing. This worries us, for recently on the local news there have been reports of car fires and I just happened to view one of the videos that showed one of the vehicles on fire. It was a Ford Explorer and the source of the fire was coming from the right rear wheel well. I hope this information helps you find exactly what's going on with this right rear wheel well. P.s. The wheel is fine.
Tl*- the contact stated was driving 25 MPH when the vehicle started making a loud popping sound each time she made a right turn, the sound seemed as if it was coming from under the driver's seat area. The road and weather conditions were great. The contact stated that while driving if she hit a bump in the road the vehicle would make the same loud popping sound. The contact took the vehicle to a repair shop on 12/28/06, and told the mechanic of the problem she was having, and the mechanic told the contact about the recall campaign # 00V402000 for suspension. The mechanic told the contact that she needed sway bar link replaced because it broke. The contact did pay $92.67 for this repair. The contact feltthat since there was nothing else wrong with vehicle, the manufacturer should reimburse her for the repair amount. Updated 01/30/07.
Consumer heard noise on driver's side wheel and front stabilizer bar broke. Consumer called the dealer, and Ford was told consumer's vehicle was not included in recall due to VIN number. Other vehicles of same year were recalled. Contact felt this vehicle should have been recalled. At low speed vehicle was responding normally but at increased speed vehicle becomes unstable for a short instance. Consumer could not continue to drive unsafely, so consumer purchased two new stabilizer links from Ford dealership for $22. Mechanic replaced both of them for an additional $40. Consumer feels that this incident is unfortunate for the Ford company not to stand behind their vehicles because the links are not moving parts of the vehicle and should last a lifetime.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds with the cruise control activated a burning smell came from the steering wheel. Also, while driving 55 MPH the vehicle jerked to the left. Furthermore, the vehicle surged forward without warning. The vehicle was driven to an independent repair shop to diagnosed the problems. There were no repairs made except on the throttle body. There were recalls on all three components. There was a NHTSA recall, #99V062000 regarding the vehicle speed control. A NHTSA recall, #00V402000 concerning the suspension. Also, a NHTSA recall #00V422000 concerning the vehicle speed control. The VIN was not included in any of the recalls.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that when driving approximately 35-40 MPH over a road bump, the vehicle would sway from left to right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who advised that the front stabilizer bar needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired three times however, the failure recurred after each repair. The manufacturer was notified and stated that there were no recalls for the vehicle and offered no other assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
Related recalls
Suspension
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Under certain conditions, a front sway bar link can fracture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both the left and right front sway bar links.
Suspension complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1997 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 105 complaints about the suspension of the 1997 Ford Explorer, 6% of the model year's 1,731 complaints. The component named most often is front (33 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Explorer suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-402 (suspension, Nov 28, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Explorer suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 115,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 14 injuries to suspension 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.