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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  Junk that looks good - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By Richard Potter - March 31 - 9:04 pm

  Two weeks after we bought the Explorer the transmission went out. The transmission man who replaced it said it was the worst transmission Ford ever made. Five months later the trans mission went out again and was replaced under warranty. The transmission just went out again. Im going to haul it to the Junk yard. The door locks dont work, the seat is broken, the AC doesnt work, cruise control quit and it is running bad now. It isnt worth the trouble to fix it. I always took care of it and never ran it hard so it shouldnt have had these problems.

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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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  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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  Not Bad but Not Good Either - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By Michelle W - October 16 - 5:13 pm

  Bought used from a dealership - within 6 months the transfer case went - $2500 to replace. The air conditioner needs to be fixed that another $1000. But is good on gas in the city and the brakes seem to last forever. Leg room in the front is good but is a tight fit in the back.

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  LEMON - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By whatalemon - July 18 - 2:00 am

  what a lemon. will NEVER buy a ford again. Bought used and in 4 yrs head gaskets, stabilizer bar link, control arm bushings, air conditioner, rear window lock, driver door locks, driver seat,and many other things all broke. Called Ford and they DONT stand behind their product. (yes it is out of warranty but all this shouldnt be breaking). only 60,000 miles. NEVER AGAIN. BUYER BEWARE

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  Worst Decision I have Made - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By NeverBuyFordAgain - May 24 - 2:00 am

  Based on other responses, I am not the only one who has had bad experience with the Ford "Exploder". Thats a typical term from mechanics. I have put over $3k in repairs to it in the 3 years I owned it. Replaced timing belt, manifold work, and it has this issue with stalling whenever it is idle, fixed it once, wont pay to fix again, traded it in(and got barely anything for it), also my horn, power locks, and rear windshield wiper all quit on me. I will NEVER buy a FORD again.

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  Ford is a four letter word - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By fooled me once - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I babied the tranny more than any other vehicle I owned...and also spent by far and away the most on it terms of preventive maintenance ( >$1000) and repairs (>$3000). The engine was wrecked due to poorly designed (plastic) timing chain tensioners (the chain powered the oil pump)FIrestone tire fiasco.head rests not safe. seat reclining lever poorly designed. U-Haul wont let trailers be towed by Explorers (2004). tire changing components fail unpredictably. locks rust easily. manual says towing max speed is 45 MPH!! Honda shop manual (Helm) MUCH better. No Tow hooks. climate control heater blend door $2 part failed $1100 estimate to fix (Bob Bell Ford)

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  1997 Eddie Bauer - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By Drained of money - January 13 - 2:00 am

  Quality & design - terrible. Spend >$2K/yr on repairs - thousands on electrical repairs due to poor design: fuel shutoff ran under floor mats & shorted engine wire harness is in the wheel well, got wet & shorted. Completely replaced A/C unit & climate control system @ 60K, seat adjusters broke, replaced EGR valve 3x, transmision mounts went @ 100K, mouldings around windows came out & on & on. This has nothing to do w/ my driving of the vehicle. I have a 14 y/o Pontiac w/ 150K miles & never a repair. Very disappointed. Looks great but has been a mechanical nightmare. Complained to Ford about these issues to no avail. If on the fence, DONT BUY ONE!

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  1997 Ford Exploder - 1997 Ford Explorer
  By Tim Hopper - October 31 - 2:00 am

  This truck had lots of recalls. It was fairly relibale until the plastic timing chain guides broke at 70,000 miles. We had to replace the engine. I would not recommend this vehicle with its unreliable v6 engine. This was a known defect by Ford and they would not help us in resolving the problem. We have a friend you also has 97 Explorer and he had to replace his engine as well. THUMBS DOWN!