1997 Ford Explorer Fuel System, Gasoline Problems
Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA about fuel system, gasoline problems on the 1997 Ford Explorer, 3% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 102,266 miles. The words owners use most often: “fuel line” (19% of reports).
- 53fuel system, gasoline complaints
- 102,266median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 1related recalls
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Fuel line: mentioned in 10 of 53 complaints (19%)
- Intake manifold: mentioned in 6 of 53 complaints (11%)
At what mileage do fuel system, gasoline problems happen?
Based on 11 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 53 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 1 an injury.
Ford Explorer fuel system, gasoline complaints by model year
| Model year | Fuel System, Gasoline complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Explorer | 1 | 1% | 17,000 |
| 2022 Explorer | 15 | 6% | 50,000 |
| 2021 Explorer | 8 | 2% | 55,000 |
| 2020 Explorer | 2 | 0% | 83,000 |
| 2019 Explorer | 3 | 1% | 52,000 |
| 2018 Explorer | 4 | 1% | 60,000 |
| 2017 Explorer | 5 | 0% | 64,781 |
| 2016 Explorer | 7 | 0% | 57,950 |
| 2015 Explorer | 8 | 0% | 27,100 |
| 2014 Explorer | 9 | 1% | 24,800 |
| 2013 Explorer | 33 | 1% | 40,000 |
| 2012 Explorer | 7 | 1% | 23,000 |
| 2011 Explorer | 5 | 0% | 12,852 |
| 2010 Explorer | 1 | 1% | 60,000 |
| 2009 Explorer | 1 | 3% | 84,931 |
| 2008 Explorer | 2 | 1% | 104,125 |
| 2007 Explorer | 1 | 0% | 12,000 |
| 2006 Explorer | 18 | 3% | 70,000 |
| 2005 Explorer | 40 | 8% | 60,000 |
| 2004 Explorer | 19 | 1% | 38,525 |
| 2003 Explorer | 7 | 1% | 35,998 |
| 2002 Explorer | 42 | 1% | 54,000 |
| 2001 Explorer | 8 | 2% | 76,500 |
| 2000 Explorer | 12 | 1% | 44,430 |
| 1999 Explorer | 31 | 2% | 83,000 |
| 1998 Explorer | 55 | 3% | 94,000 |
| 1997 Explorer | 53 | 3% | 102,266 |
| 1996 Explorer | 14 | 1% | 175,500 |
| 1995 Explorer | 11 | 1% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with 4.0l single overhead cam engines. The engine fuel lines can be damaged if the vehicle is jump started and the ground cable is attached to the fuel line bracket that is located near the battery. Since the bracket is not grounded, the stainless steel fuel line braid could act as a ground potentially overheating the ptfe inner liner of the fuel line resulting in damage to the fuel line.
Risk: The fuel lines can leak, and in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could potentially result.
Fix: Dealers will install a warning label on the fuel line bracket advising owners not to use it for a jump start ground. Also a revised bolt will be installed in the alternator bracket to provide a convenient jump start ground location.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer. The contact was driving approximately 45 mph when he was informed that a fire had erupted from under the vehicle. The contact was able to move the vehicle off the roadway and exit the vehicle just as it burst into flames. The police arrived to assist and a…
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer. The contact smelled gasoline in the vehicle and after looking underneath the hood he noticed that the fuel line was leaking from a bracket behind the motor. The contact spoke to the manufacturer about recall campaign 98v060000, fuel system…
STUCK ACCELERATOR ON 1997 FORD EXPLORER WITH 58,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 287/78 IN NJ I TRIED TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT INSTEAD THE CAR ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY TO OVER 85 MPH. I GAINED CONTROL BY TURNING THE ENGINE ON AND OFF UNTIL REACHING A SAFE PLACE TO STOP. AN NJDOT…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 1997 Ford Explorers have fuel system, gasoline problems?
No. NHTSA has 53 owner complaints about fuel system, gasoline for the 1997 Ford Explorer (3% of the 1,731 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Ford Explorer fuel system, gasoline?
Yes: 1 safety recall list fuel system, gasoline. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do fuel system, gasoline problems start?
The median reported mileage is 102,266 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about fuel system, gasoline problems on the 1997 Ford Explorer?
The most frequent phrase is “fuel line”, in 10 of 53 complaints, followed by “intake manifold” (6).
Other 1997 Ford Explorer problems
See all 1997 Ford Explorer problems or fuel system, gasoline problems across all Explorer years.