1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC Problems, Recalls & Safety Rating

Overview of the 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC

The 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC has received a total of 6 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Traintransfer Case 4 Wheel Drive (1 complaint), Seat Beltsfront (1 complaint), and Structurebodyhatchbackliftgate (1 complaint).

Recalls for the 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC

There are no recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. No Active Recalls

Owner Complaints for the 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC

6 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Power Traintransfer Case 4 Wheel Drive

Complaints: 1

Seat Beltsfront

Complaints: 1

Structurebodyhatchbackliftgate

Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal

Complaints: 1 1 Fire

Component	Complaints	Fires
Power Traintransfer Case 4 Wheel Drive	1	0
Seat Beltsfront	1	0
Structurebodyhatchbackliftgate	1	0
Suspensionfront	1	0
Unknown Or Other	1	0
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal	1	1

Most Recent Complaints

#10164807 | SUSPENSION:FRONT | August 7, 2006 | 190,000 miles

BROKEN FRONT SWAY BAR LINK ON 1997 FORD EXPLORT XLT. REPLACE PARTS. *NM

#10163619 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | July 27, 2006 | 100,060 miles Fire

WHILE DRIVING 1997 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4 V6 SOHC UPON ACCELERATION ON TO FREEWAY, THE GAS PEDDLE STUCK TO FLOOR AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE RESULT WAS A BLOWN ENGINE/SMALL FIRE,NO INJURIES THANK GOD, BECAUSE THE ONLY WAY TO STOP VEHICLE WAS TO PUT INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN PARK. THE FOOT BRAKE AND EMERGENCY BRAKE WERE USELESS, AND THE VEHICLE WAS REVVING AT 75 MPH AT THE TIME TILL BROUGHT TO STOP THUS BLOWING A HUGE HOLE IN WALL OF ENGINE TO THE TUNE OF $5000.00 TO FIX. FORD CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH PEDAL AFTER DOING A DIAGNOSTIC. THIS THROTTLE WAS RECALLED A FEW YEARS AGO AND FORD CLAIMED THAT THEY FIXED IT. *NM

#10160376 | POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) | June 21, 2006 | 50,000 miles

TRANSFER CASE FAILURE WHEN TRANSFERRED FROM NORMAL OPERATION TO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD INSTEAD OF IN FRONT OF MY HOME, I BELIEVE AN ACCIDENT MOST SURELY WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. THANK GOD I TESTED THE 4 WHEEL OPERATION BEFORE I TOOK A TRIP TO THE SNOW COUNTRY. THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT THOUSANDS OF 4 WHEEL DRIVE OWNERS ARE AT RISK OF SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AND COMPLETELY IGNORANT OF THIS DANGER. *JB

#10138501 | STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE | October 4, 2005 | 138,124 miles

I THINK THE REAR DOOR OF FORD EXPLORERS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. I HAVE A 1997 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE WELD THAT HOLDS THE REAR DOOR AT THE TOP IS STARTING TO COME APART. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT ON FORD EXPLORERS BY A FORD BODY SHOP. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE? I HAVE ALSO SEEN THIS ON SEVERAL OTHER EXPLORERS. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS OCCURS BECAUSE THE SHEET METAL USED ON THE DOOR IS SO THIN THAT IT DOES NOT SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE REAR DOOR THAT GOOD.*JB

#10110173 | SEAT BELTS:FRONT | February 9, 2005 | 107,000 miles

I DRIVE A 1997 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT TODAY BECAME UNLATCHED WHEN I HIT THE BREAKS HARD. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. HAD I HIT ANOTHER CAR, I WOULD HAVE GONE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. FORD WANTS TO CHARGE ME $100 FOR THE REPAIR. *JB

View all Power Traintransfer Case 4 Wheel Drive complaints →