Overview & Reviews

The 1997 Ford Explorer receives a few appreciated improvements this year. A new SOHC V6 engine is now available, providing nearly as much power as the 5.0-liter V8. Also new is a five-speed automatic transmission, the first ever offered by an American auto manufacturer, which is standard on V6 models equipped with automatic.

• Great cargo space, multiple engine options, and attractive exterior styling make this the best selling SUV on the market. The fact that the Explorer has dual airbags sure helps too.

• The base V-6 engine is a asthmatic when trying to pass at freeway speeds. The Explorer feels top-heavy in tight corners.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 100.00

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  Dont buy this ever - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By Donovan - May 25 - 8:51 pm

  The car is alright. I made mine look awesome. Thats the only reason I like to drive it. Loved it when I got it until the transfer case went out. And the back doors dont open from the inside. Rear end has a problem with become lower than the front struts? Who knows I see a lot of the 95-97 like that.

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  Dont Buy - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By XpLoDeR - April 6 - 4:28 pm

  First of all its gas sucker to the max i have the 4.0 liter and its still sucks gas at 200 miles to the tank its at 184k and is drove a little rough but its had minor problems but i can tell the transmission is going i had to replace the alternator, belt, idler pulley, front end needed multiple alignments, rear bumper bends really easy, but i did make mine pretty nice its all off road style with big tires loud exhaust and custom gauges and rims

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  Loved the car first, Now on the Fense - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By mercuryfordlover715 - March 29 - 6:33 pm

  When my parents bought this Ford Explorer, I was in love with it. Plenty of get up and go from the 5.0 liter V8. Awesome comfort for me and 4 of my friends. But about 3 weeks after I purchased the car, I began to have problems. Needed a new EGR Valve,$300. Front End Alignment, $80. Sway Bar $200. And lastly, a Wheel Bearing, $150. After that though it seems to run like a top. But I do experience some rough idling from time to time. Even though I have experienced these problems, my other family members have been very lucky with their Fords. Uncle, 1997 Ford Expedition 187,000 miles before he traded it in, No Problems. Sister 1996 Ford Explorer V6, 167,000, traded in, No Problems.

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  Average to Good - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By Matt Price - May 8 - 9:39 am

  Generally a good vehicle. I would improve the speakers (start failing after 6 yrs), the dash lights go out, and the console material cracks. The car is good for utility use and handles bad weather nicely. Feels like the mileage could be better given the engine size. Program for fuel injection may not be optimized. I get better mileage running the AC than without.

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  Not Bad For An Older SUV - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By Roy C. - March 6 - 2:38 am

  Bought used from caring owners at 72K. Now 108K. No major problems. Average mileage for 90s SUV (12/17, driving it easy). Rough ride on bumps, but has smooth acceleration/power. Repairs - had to replace hood support struts and the AC condenser. Finish has faded on plastic trim all over (front grill and especially on rear pillars on either side of rear glass). The seat incline lever on drivers side is positioned poorly and broke after being bent numerous times during normal entering and exiting. Rear passenger power window quits working occasionally, then begins working again. Good sound system. No water leaks, no wind noise. 4 WD OK, but binds when turning hard.

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  1997 2 Door Sport - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By Rick McQuaide - May 8 - 11:30 pm

  I bought the vehicle with 99k miles on it and have done a lot of long distance driving with it. The truck is comfortable and has been very reliable since it has started every day! Gas mileage is horrible and the electrical inside of the vehicle is crazy like windshield wipers not working correctly and lights in the instrument cluster going out and lots of other problems. The door locking system outside the truck broke and is very intermittent, but for the money I paid it has paid itself off.

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  My 1997 Ford Explorer - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By w4abw - April 5 - 9:53 am

  I bought my 1997 Eddie Bauer 4WD new. It was great for about 4 years. I had put 16,000 miles on it when the factory warranty expired and had zero problems. After the warranty expired the SUV went nuts. Heater quit because of defective blend door and blend door motor. Rear lights went out because of defective wiring (can you believe) and the check engine light would come on and go off as often as a US Senator sticks out his hand for a contribution. On top of that the Ford roll over problem appeared with both Ford and Firestone pointing fingers at each other. When the SUV was about 6 years old the dash lights began to fail one at a time. Now the dash lights are mostly all out. Hood now fails.

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  Disappointed 2 - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By rollo - April 20 - 2:38 am

  Very disappointed in this vehicle. The EGR valve has went out several times. The automatic ride control including the compressor went out at 90k miles. The estimate from the dealer was $1,500 to fix (I had the the air shocks ripped out and put regular shocks and new leaf springs on it for $500). The climate control went out at 110k miles costing over $1200 (heater box and actuator). Antenna doesnt go up & down, cant unlock the hatch with the key and cant lock or unlock it with the back switch. Cruise control on the steering wheel broke off and the hood wont stay up by itself. Many other small repairs have been needed. Now I cant even sell it for more than I have in it in repairs.

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  No more Fords - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By Melissa - March 12 - 2:29 am

  I bought this vehicle used in 99 from one owner. I would not recommend this vehicle to anyone! Mine was in the shop more than my own garage. Replaced hoses, sensors, valves and had the engine rebuilt from the crank up at 75,000 miles! Replaced head gaskets and they blew again within 8 months. Ford doesnt have any concept of customer service. The Explorer was my third and FINAL Ford (owned an Escort and Mustang previously with very similar problems). Sold it as fast as I could and bought Japanese, with no problems to this day. Save yourself the headaches and stay away from Fords!

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  What happened to Quality being Job 1? - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By Detroit - May 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought the vehicle but everything fell apart after 70000 miles: tranny @ 93k, radiator @ 100k, transfer case @ 105k. Never buy a leased SUV, you dont know what someone did to it. Overall though, I am very disappointed and would not recommend a Ford SUV to anyone. Maybe mine was just a lemon waiting to happen, but Ill never get another Ford SUV again. I cant even begin to say all the things that have gone wrong.