Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet Explorer, most frequently naming the exterior lighting, engine and driver assistance categories. 4 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
When owners filed reports about this model year
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 1999 | 2 | 2 |
| Apr 2000 | 1 | 3 |
| Jun 2000 | 1 | 4 |
| Aug 2000 | 1 | 5 |
| May 2002 | 1 | 6 |
| Jul 2002 | 1 | 7 |
| Jan 2003 | 1 | 8 |
| May 2003 | 1 | 9 |
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
WHILE DRIVING AT 20MPH ENGINE SHUTDOWN, FORCING VEHICLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CRANKSHAFT BROKE INSIDE ENGINE. DEALER NOTIFIED NOTHING THEY COULD DO. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, RESULTING IN CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE.*JB
CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION ON 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED; HOWEVER UNABLE TO SOLVE PROBLEM.*AK
COURTESY LAMP IN VEHICLE STAYS ON, AND IS UNABLE TO TURN IT OFF.*AK
MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING ON I 75 IN FLORIDA GOING ABOUT 60MPH ON EASTER SUNDAY 2000(1997 FORD EXPLORER XLT). WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CAR PULLED SUDDENLY TO THE RIGHT, I MANAGED TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICAL AND STOP IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE TIRE DID $2800($500 DEDUCTABLE) IN DAMAGE TO THE VEHICAL. THE TRED PEELED OFF OF THE TIRE AND BENT THE REAR FENDER UNDER THE CAR. IT ALSO BROKE THE REAR TAIL LIGHT AND SCRATCHED THE PAINT. A CLAIM WAS FILED WITH NATIONWIDE INS. AND WITH FORD MOTOR CREDIT.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/75 )
WHEN TURNING THE STEERING FEELS LIKE IT CAME LOOSE AND THE WHEEL TURNS FREE. THIS HAPPENS FOR A SPLIT SECOND THEN THE POWER STEERING TAKES HOLD AGAIN. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ACCELERATOR PEDAL ANCHOR SEPARATED FROM FIREWALL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO IDLE AND NOT ACCELERATE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
TEMPREATURE AND DIRECTIONAL GUAGE FAILED. YH
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO REPROGRAM THE MEDIA DISC PLAYER WITH THE LATEST CALIBRATIONS TO CORRECT A CONDITION OF THE REAR ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM NOT OPERATING AS INTENDED IN COLDER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AREAS DUE TO CALIBRATION CONCERNS.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Vehicle Recalls
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.