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 21 through 30 of 100.00

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  Best SUV I have ever owned! - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By Chris L - October 20 - 9:07 pm

  I can say that I have had a great experience with my Explorer. I bought it the way I wanted it, with plenty of options and comfort. I have used it for many a road trip to the mountains and to the beach and have driven from Atlanta to Phoenix and back. Most problems have been minor maintenance. Around 160K miles I started having transmission and transfer case problems. The Explorer still runs, is clean and paint still good,but I either need to have the transmission and transfer case rebuilt or sell it. I hope I can give it a new home where it will continue to perform well.

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  Piece of junk! - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By Matt - September 24 - 9:50 pm

  Well if your looking for a gas sucker this is your kinda car! Ive had it for almost a year myself. My father knew the ppl who bought it brand new. They took good care of it but no matter how well you treat a Ford, they always fail on you. It sucks gas, looks ugly and is louder then a mack truck! And make sure your ready for the expressway because if you want to speed up to pass your going to have to floor it otherwise the tranny stays in the same gear and you dont go anywhere! Whatever you do dont buy this thing, and i thought my sebring was bad!

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  Good SUV - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By LB - August 11 - 11:12 pm

  Bought car new $27K with towing packing. Overall very pleased with it. 20 mpg without fail. Great power seat but the seat back lever broke off at 100K, poor design. Loved the double driver side sun visor. Very reliable, traded it in at 143477 with only one roadside break down in 12 years due to the radiator. Good pick up. AC needed $400 repair at 140K, radio going out as well. CD changer broke at ~100K. Kept very good track of repairs. $8275 total for 143K miles.

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  Best Vehicle Ive ever had - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By Chris - July 31 - 12:26 pm

  Im hitting 180,000 miles on my SUV. I havent had any major problems, a few minor ones but havent really spent a lot of money on any repairs. It still looks new and still runs great. It turns on a dime in the smallest space possible but it also is not the smoothest ride.

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  Keeps going and going ... - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By Terry Maresh - May 17 - 2:52 pm

  Am the original owner and have 122,000 mi on my Explorer. Have never had a problem that needed repairing. It runs very quiet is comfortable (cloth seats) hauled sand, stone, U-hauls w/no issues. Only had 2 issues: the lumbar support airbag must have a slow leak and the on-off radio button doesnt want to stay off. The ride is smoother than my Ford Five Hundred! Im exceptionally pleased with the quality and comfort. Very quiet inside, too.

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  Great Explorer - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By B. Glenn - May 11 - 9:01 am

  OK here goes for all of you with bad reviews. Ive had this car for 7 years and currently drive it every day. It now has 328,000 miles on it and continues to start and run each day. Yes, Ive had problems, transfer case, sensors, intake gaskets, but this vehicle has been used and used hard. I pull a boat 20 weekends/year and still use this one as my primary traveling vehicle for vacations. Ice cold A/C, pushrod V6 has been great, interior is comfortable (back seat could be better), very few electrical problems Im thinking about replacing it but having trouble parting with it. Compared to a similar GM suv owned by another family member, this suv handles more like a sports car.

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  Got a Good One! - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By mv - April 25 - 9:35 pm

  I purchased my SUV new and have been relatively happy with it. I got a good one! Ive owned my Explorer for almost 12 years, have more than 224,000 miles on it (original engine and transmission) and its held up pretty well. Only persistent problem seems to be a roaring in my wheel bearings, which Ive had serviced a few times. Other than that this was a good purchase that has paid for itself over the years. Standard service intervals were always stretched (e.g. oil changes every 4,000 to 6,000 miles) - perhaps that is the secret to this longevity. Ive owned three Fords before this one, and I hope I can make my next purchase a Ford also.

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  blown engine 60k miles - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By pete - March 11 - 1:58 pm

  Worst care ever owned. Engine just blew due to broken timing chain and only had 60k on it. Always maintained well above average. Manifold gaskets went, fuel induction problems almost every other year. Real treat. Buy American. Original owner and treated it like a baby. Apparently it did not help.

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  Explorers are great. - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By ManyExplorers - February 7 - 8:22 pm

  This is my third Ford Explorer, and obviously I have had good luck with them if I keep coming back to the same vehicle. It is also my first V8 model, and I do like it quite a bit over the previous V6 models. Highway mileage is actually better than smaller motor, although city driving is worse. (V6 got 12 city, 16 highway...V8 gets about 10 city, 19-20 highway) Extremely reliable, although it has been my experience that Explorers chew the tires off of themselves prematurely. Do not buy high mileage tires, Explorer suspensions will "cup" the tires long before they are worn out. Overall safe, comfortable, reliable vehicle.

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  1997 Explorer XLT - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By tm - January 28 - 11:11 am

  I bought my Explorer used in 1998 with 21,000 miles already on it. I took very good care of it and kept up with all the main fluid changes myself. I drove it every where. I now have 210,000 miles on it, with the original transmission, can you imagine, a Ford... and it is still driveable! During my time with the truck since 1997, I have replaced basic wear and tare items and some basic mechanical itmes (3 oc sensors, some part in the front suspension area, sv joint, the driverside door handle, the a/c leaks. However, the transmission is finally starting to slip, the check engine light is on, the 4x4 trasnfer case, the 4x4 lights are flashing, speed sensor is gone bad. Will buy a newer Explorer