1997 Ford Explorer seat belts problems
54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the seat belts on the 1997 Ford Explorer — 3% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“1997 ford explorer driver's seat belt latch receiver failure. After owning the car for 12 to 13 years, the latch/receiver would not engage the strap. I replaced it with one from a salvage yard and after three years this replacement latch/receiver has failed also. *tr”
filed Nov 4, 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer 2 door. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the driver's side seat belt would become unlatched without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where they advised him that the seat belt needed replacing. The…”
filed Dec 11, 2012
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Seat Belts problems in other Explorer years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Explorer | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 Explorer | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 Explorer | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 Explorer | 5 | 5% |
| 2022 Explorer | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 Explorer | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 Explorer | 17 | 1% |
| 2019 Explorer | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 Explorer | 7 | 1% |
| 2017 Explorer | 21 | 1% |
| 2016 Explorer | 40 | 2% |
| 2015 Explorer | 37 | 2% |
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.