Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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 heater temperature control became inoperative. The blend door inside the plenum chamber is broken and no longer moves (on full heat). The new plenum chamber now contains a nylon door in stead of plastic. This looks like Ford knows there is a problem with the old style doors but will not give any assistance on repairs. The cost of repair is steep! I was quoted $108.00 for the plenum chamber and $598.00 to install it. From what I have learned the problem is not isolated to me, in fact the dealer I phoned had just sold a replacement plenum the previous day and was waiting for one to arrive to fill there stock. When a dealer stocks a part there usually is a large demand for it!
When I stopped using my ac and turned on the heat in my 97 Ford Explorer all I get is cold air. This happens at all heat settings including defrost. I talked to a Ford dealership and the service man there said it is probably the blend door and that it would cost $800-1000 to repair. Nothing has been done yet as I don't have that much spare cash for this repair. The vehicle does have 116,000 miles on it but I have been checking this out on the internet and it seems to be a major safety issue with 95-99 explorers. Is there any recourse from Ford on this?
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the contact noticed that the defroster was not functioning and the windshield would not clear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technician advised that the dashboard would have to be removed and the blending chamber would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000. Updated 07/10/13 updated 07/12/13
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
The heater blend door failed on my 1997 Ford Explorer while driving it in snowy conditions. I only had cold air blowing on my windows. After reviewing web sites, I have found that the top piece of my heaters hot and cold blend door is broken. The cost of replacing this one piece of plastic is around $1000. Ford has a replacement part that is now stronger, but fails to realize the defect in the older doors.
The rear windshield wiper motor has gone bad in my 97, 4wd, Ford Explorer for the second time. It has 93,000 miles, it was replaced the first time at 58,000 miles. This is due to a maunfacturers defect and should be reviewed for consideration as a national recall or covered by Ford as a out of warranty repair. This is a hazard to allow it to remain unrepaired the cost should be paid by Ford.
In searching the internet, I've found there are many people who have suffered the same problems that I have had. I have a 1997 Ford Explorer eddie bauer edition. The climate control system failed in 1998 and I took it to les pinkam Lincoln Mercury in elizabethtown, ky for repair. Without even looking at it, the technician told me that the blend air door had broken and it would costs $800 to repair it. Thinking he was lying, I took it to bill collins Ford in louisville, ky. Again, the same results and repair estimate. Technicians at both places, told me it's a common problem. I eventually had les pinkam repair it. It seems that Ford would design a system that wouldn't require the complete removal of the dash to repair it, much continue with a design with so many problems. Years later and the problem has happened again. …
Vehicle experienced several engine problems, consumer stated that the engine sounded like no oil was in it when started, dealer has replaced gaskets, upper intake cam tensioner three times, and there was a coolant leak. Left front door hinge replaced, it was making noise. Power steering pump was replaced, it was noisy when turning the wheel. Vanity mirror on driver's side would not close all the way and popped when opened, dealer replaced it. The right front of the vehicle was lower than the left front. Brakes were squeaky, dealer replaced front brake pads and turned rotors. A tap noise was heard while playing cd's. Vehicle experienced several transmission problems, while going over bumps and railroad tracks, transmission jumped out of gear, dealer intalled overhaul kit because the clutch had burned. …
Freezing rain the night before a trip occured, wipers stopped working 20 miles into a 130 mile trip and refused to work rest of trip. Requested an appointment with roth Ford in petersburg, wv to enlarge windshield wiper storage area drain hole. Dealer refused, said that at least 20 people had call in with wipers frozen. During the remainder of the trip, I tried to get the wipers to work. They would barely move, but would not operate. After vehicle sat in airport parking lot for 10 days, wipers worked. I saw an article in a recent newspaper about this malfunction, so even though I did not prusue it with the local dealer or with the original dealer, I wanted to inform NHTSA that it is probably more of a problem than the 35 incidents mentioned in the article.
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].
NHTSA investigations
Windshield wiper malfunction
There is no summary currently available
Window & Wiper complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1997 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1997 Ford Explorer, 2% of the model year's 1,731 complaints. The component named most often is windshield (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Explorer window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.