Model Year Problem Record
The complete public record for the 1997 Ford Explorer: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.
Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.
The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.
673 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
223 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
207 complaints; 4 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 00V422000, 09V399000, 97V074000, 99V062001.
112 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
107 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 00V402000.
105 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
95 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
84 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
57 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
57 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 98V060000.
50 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
42 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
40 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
36 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
35 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
32 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
27 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
25 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 00V168000.
12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.
Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on June 19, 2000. The campaign covers an estimated 20,637 vehicles across all affected models.
Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on November 28, 2000. The campaign covers an estimated 810,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on December 27, 2000. The campaign covers an estimated 220,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on October 13, 2009. The campaign covers an estimated 4,500,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on April 30, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 23,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on March 19, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 320,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on March 30, 1999. The campaign covers an estimated 898,739 vehicles across all affected models.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
THROTTLE STICKING. Resulted in recall campaign 00V422000.
STEERING KNUCKLE SEPARATIONS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION. Resulted in recall campaign 00V072000.
FUEL LINE DAMAGE FROM JUMP STARTING. Resulted in recall campaign 98V060000.
THROTTLE STICKING. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.
Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.