1997 Ford Explorer service brakes, hydraulic problems
83 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the service brakes, hydraulic on the 1997 Ford Explorer — 5% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“With no warning or hint of anything going wrong on the brake system, as traffic slowed to stop for a light, the brakes went completely out on my ford explorer. The pedal went to the floor and pumping had no effect. I was in mid day traffic and had almost 2 car lengths between myself and the suv in…”
filed Apr 8, 2015
“About a mile from an intersection I noticed the check engine light turned on. Approaching the traffic light my brake pedal had lost pressure and went to the floor. I had to pump the brakes to get the vehicle to stop. I noticed some smoke coming from the driver side of the hood but thought it might…”
filed Mar 27, 2011
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems in other Explorer years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Explorer | 3 | 1% |
| 2021 Explorer | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 Explorer | 1 | 0% |
| 2019 Explorer | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 Explorer | 2 | 0% |
| 2015 Explorer | 4 | 0% |
| 2014 Explorer | 2 | 0% |
| 2013 Explorer | 7 | 0% |
| 2012 Explorer | 1 | 0% |
| 2011 Explorer | 7 | 1% |
| 2010 Explorer | 6 | 5% |
| 2008 Explorer | 3 | 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.