1997 Ford Explorer electrical system problems
80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 1997 Ford Explorer — 5% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“My lights don't work stabilizing bar is bad,speed control dose not work security key code not working,door controls do not work.wiper work sometimes.ball joint are bad, tires wearing bad,,bushings are very bad.transmission is starting to slip,all wheel drive does not work, it grinding sound.heaf…”
filed Apr 12, 2019
“I recently found out my vehicle has an open recall regarding the possible leakage of the speed control deactivation switch, which could cause a fire whether the vehicle is running or not. The ford manufacturer's recall #09s09 and the nhtsa recall #09v399000. This is still an open recall.I contacted…”
filed Apr 3, 2017
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips. *tt
03181 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 15, 2003
Electrical System problems in other Explorer years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Explorer | 6 | 27% |
| 2025 Explorer | 18 | 20% |
| 2024 Explorer | 2 | 11% |
| 2023 Explorer | 13 | 13% |
| 2022 Explorer | 36 | 14% |
| 2021 Explorer | 40 | 10% |
| 2020 Explorer | 182 | 15% |
| 2019 Explorer | 19 | 7% |
| 2018 Explorer | 57 | 8% |
| 2017 Explorer | 93 | 6% |
| 2016 Explorer | 126 | 5% |
| 2015 Explorer | 89 | 5% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1997 Ford Explorer
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.