| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
1997 Ford Explorer repairs by problem area
Engine (35%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (6%)
Brakes and Traction Control (4%)
Suspension and Steering (22%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (22%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (0%)
Other (10%)
Chart based on 49 repairs.
1997 Ford Explorer repair cost distribution
$2500+ (0%)
$1000 - $2499 (7%)
$500 - $999 (20%)
$100 - $499 (49%)
< $100 (24%)
Chart based on 41 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
1997 Ford Explorer
Engine not specified
| Ford in Alaska, United States Dec 2011 - Jan 2012 | |||
| Jan 2012US $14 | Drive pulley bearings seized. | ||
| Ford in New Hampshire, United States Mar 2012 - Jun 2012 | |||
| Apr 2012158300 miUS $120 | first bought it and notice it was starting funny like not turning over right away. then it finally just stop working so had to replace it fix it with a new starter started right up again | ||
| Ford in California, United States May 2009 - Dec 2009 | |||
| Dec 2009143000 mi | Rear driver side door lock stuck. | ||
| Ford in Arizona, United States Mar 2009 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Apr 2009205000 miUS $750 | A rebuilt engine was put in in 2004 and now Timing Chain & Guides on front left have to be replaced. (Was a recall in 2001 I believe.) | ||
1997 Ford Explorer 4-door
8-cylinder automatic AWD
| Ford in New York, United States Apr 2008 - Dec 2008 | |||
| May 2008169000 miUS $1100 | Front wheel bearings were damaged and causing severe vibration. Valve cover oil leak. Gaskets replaced. 3 sensors replaced. | ||
| Jul 2008175000 mi | Transmission is begining to slip badly. Not worth repairing. Purchased a new vehicle. | ||
| Ford in Florida, United States Jun 2009 - Nov 2009 | |||
| Jul 2009162000 miUS $280 | Starter failed, no warning. Attempted to start car with remote start, forgot to turn the key so when I pressed brake to put car in gear, it stalled (safety feature). Upon restart, car wouldn't start. Had to tow to mechanic. | ||
| Ford in New Jersey, United States Apr 2008 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Sep 200967000 miUS $600 | Broken brake line to driver side rear. "Rotted away." Leak also took out brake pads, so they had to be replace even though not fully worn. | ||
| Mar 201067000 miUS $125 | broken brake line | ||
1997 Ford Explorer 4-door
8-cylinder automatic 2WD
| Ford in New Mexico, United States Apr 2008 - Aug 2009 | |||
| Jul 2008131000 miUS $300 | Door latch broken, door would not open | ||
| Sep 2008131000 miUS $400 | Ball joint replacement. | ||
| Jul 2009144000 mi | Leaking coolant hose Split radiator seam | ||
| Aug 2009144000 mi | Sold because needed many repairs, including a new ball joint, new suspension (all four wheels)... also needed new A/C seals (had degraded to the point of adding a can of freon every month)... door latch failure... an overhead dome light that would not shut off unless you removed the fuse... and the check engine light was dancing on and off (indicative of the need for a new oxygen sensor ....again). | ||
1997 Ford Explorer 4-door
6-cylinder manual 4WD
| Ford in Pennsylvania, United States Apr 2008 - Jun 2012 | |||
| Jun 2008248000 miUS $200 | Electrical cable at starter shorted out, requiring vehicle to be towed to shop. | ||
| Aug 2008251000 miUS $20 | Leaking power steering fluid. Found leak at steering rack, but decided not to replace, adding "Stop Leak" and replacing fluid, instead. Leak has been greatly reduced or eliminated since then. | ||
| Aug 2009261000 miUS $785 | Replaced 1st gear synchronizer with used unit. Replaced transfer case (slipping in coast mode) with used unit. | ||
| Sep 2009261000 miUS $320 | Replaced steering rack with rebuilt unit. Old unit was leaking power steering fluid. | ||
| Jan 2010257000 miUS $350 | Replaced right front ball joints and muffler clamp. Car was also in for annual inspection, oil service, and TSB on brake switch. | ||
| Jan 2011277000 miUS $292 | No heat, replaced thermostat Rear spring shackles too rusty to pass inspection, replaced. Also replaced loose front ball joints. Vehicle passed inspection after repairs. | ||
| Mar 2011278000 miUS $40 | Alternator failed. Replaced with used part. | ||
| Feb 2012285000 miUS $794 | Replaced left front lower ball joint to pass inspection Replaced cat-back exhaust pipe and muffler to pass inspection | ||
1997 Ford Explorer 4-door
6-cylinder automatic 4WD
| Ford in California, United States Oct 2010 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Mar 201188000 miUS $130 | Engine serpentine belt idler pulley bearing froze, mounting bolt unthreaded itself and it and inner race were lost. New owner-provided belt and new parts installed by dealer in about 2 hrs. Very good, swift repair. | ||
| Apr 2012100500 miUS $125 | Blender door oh heater/AC unit inop, resulting in no temperature control. | ||
| Aug 2017106000 miUS $100 | crank speed sensor? | ||
| Ford in Washington, United States Apr 2010 - Jun 2011 | |||
| May 2010133000 miUS $2100 | Engine blew a head gasket due to a clogged radiator. I bought a 96K replacement engine and a new radiator. Had my shop install. | ||
| Jul 2010135000 miUS $140 | Lights,Dash,dimmed and trouble lights came on. Air bag began to beep and engine began to run terrible. Tested Battery,voltage regulator and alternator. Replaced alternator which included a new voltage regulator. Work was done by me. | ||
| Ford in Maine, United States Apr 2008 - Nov 2009 | |||
| May 2008146000 miUS $750 | Intake manifold blew and dumped all coolant all over the place. | ||
| Jun 2008150000 miUS $150 | battery cable clamp corroded through to the point it could no longer hold the battery post and drained the battery to it's doom at the same time | ||
| Ford in British Columbia, Canada Apr 2008 - Sep 2012 | |||
| May 2008103540 miC $1000 | Broken belt for power steering. When towed discovered no coolant and cause was due to leak in heating coil that also need to be replaced. Leaking coolant from heating coil. | ||
| Jun 2008103540 miC $550 | No airconditioning because of leaking coolant. | ||
| Aug 2008104780 miC $250 | Unable to start car from park position in transmission. Intermittent problem. Somewhat improvement after repair. | ||
| Jan 2011120400 miC $450 | Power chair did not move back or forth. Repaired power seat switch. | ||
| Jul 2011119860 miC $450 | rust on tire rims leading to flat tires. dead rear lightbulb. | ||
1997 Ford Explorer 4-door
6-cylinder automatic 2WD
| Ford in California, United States May 2009 - Aug 2009 | |||
| Aug 2009218000 mi | Check Engine Light on, so failed emissions test. No driveability issues and emissions normal. Diagnois: computer failing to detect position of solenoid in evaporative emissions system. Recommended replace computer, a $1200 part. Decided not to. | ||
| Ford in California, United States Sep 2008 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Jul 2010140000 miUS $400 | broken sway bar link | ||
| Jun 2011153000 miUS $800 | thermostat, serpentine belt, idler pulley | ||
| Oct 2011156700 miUS $10 | rear hatch not closing, removed hatch, did body work on hinge attachment points re-installed door and replaced tail light bulb (broken by slamming mis-aligned hatch) | ||
| Jan 2012160500 miUS $200 | Replaced steering rack boot | ||
See TrueDelta's information for all SUVs
See TrueDelta's information for all Ford models.
