1997 Ford Explorer Sport problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) (3) · Engine And Engine Cooling (3) · Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Explorer Sport model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
20 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (7)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 2004-11-01 · 04217 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
general power train control module (pcm) programming procedures. *tt
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components 2002-05-01 · 15910 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
concerns with brake vibration, roughness and / or grinding noise, and excessive brake rotor corrosion. *tt
Unknown Or Other 2002-02-18 · 0232 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with the 4.0l sohc engine may exhibit a check engine light on with diagnostic trouble codes p0300 (random misfire) or p0301. *tt
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline 2002-01-01 · 15040 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles including 1997 through 1999 explorer sport trac equipped with a 4.0l sohc engine may exhibit a start-up noise from the left front of the engine. *tt
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline 2001-10-15 · 01205 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles may exhibit vacuum or air leaks in the intake manifold and / or engine system causing diagnostic trouble codes p0171 and or p0174. *tt
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline 2001-06-01 · 15006 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles with 4.0l sohc engines may make a start-up noise from the left front of the engine. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 7 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
No detailed complaint narratives on file.
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.