1997 Ford Explorer safety record
Crash-test ratings, severity signals from owner complaints, fatal-crash involvement and safety recalls — all from official federal sources.
Not rated
NHTSA overall rating
156
complaints reporting a crash
53
complaints reporting fire
4
safety recall campaigns
Among NHTSA complaints for this model year, 125 report injuries (214 people injured, 34 deaths reported). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Fatal crash records (FARS 2020–2023). 1997 Ford Explorer vehicles were involved in 56 fatal crashes with 45 occupant deaths in federal crash records. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Crash- and fire-risk recalls
- Fire riskVehicle Speed Control · Oct 13, 2009
- Crash riskVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES · Nov 28, 2000