1997 Ford Explorer power train problems

104 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 1997 Ford Explorer — 6% of all complaints for this model year.

104

Power Train complaints

share of all complaints

95,594 mi

median reported incident mileage

11 / 1

crash / fire reports

What owners report

“This letter is intended to address ineffective service by aamco that led to failure of a transmission in my vehicle. As you see by the attached letter, I voiced concern about this last year and all aamco suggested was to take it back to the dealer that performed the ineffective service. I requested…”
filed Oct 20, 2013
“The engine slowed down and just quit. Would not restart. Had it towed to a repair facility *again* and found out that *2 (two)* timing chains went out. The drivers side snapped in two and the passenger side (rear) had over 1 1/2 inches of play in it and obvious stretching of the timing chain. The…”
filed Feb 19, 2013

Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.

Front axle leaks fluid from vent tube - vehicles equipped with 4x4 or awd. *tt
030508 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2005
General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures. *tt
042107 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 13, 2004
Low line pressure reading at wide open throttle (wot), slipping shifts and / or delayed engagements with possible diagnostic trouble codes p0732, p0733, p1762 set on vehicles built before 12/1/2001. *tt
02138 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 10, 2003
New transmission cooler flusher - service tips. 2003 escort and super duty f series included. *tt
03148 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 21, 2003
An uncommanded shift to 4x4 low. *tt
16935 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 1, 2003