1997 Ford Explorer TSBs

369 manufacturer communications for the 1997 Ford Explorer sit in NHTSA's public file. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free. The 1997 Explorer problem report covers complaints, recalls, and investigations.

369Communications

What the bulletins cover

Engine96 bulletins
Transmission & drivetrain83 bulletins
Electrical33 bulletins
Suspension24 bulletins
Body & structure23 bulletins
Brakes & stability15 bulletins

Most recent service bulletins

The 20 most recent of 369 communications on file. The complete set is searchable on NHTSA's page for this vehicle.

Transmission & drivetrain 030508 April 1, 2005

FRONT AXLE LEAKS FLUID FROM VENT TUBE - VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4X4 OR AWD.

Transmission & drivetrain 042107 December 13, 2004

GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES.

Transmission & drivetrain 02138 November 10, 2003

LOW LINE PRESSURE READING AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE (WOT), SLIPPING SHIFTS AND / OR DELAYED ENGAGEMENTS WITH POSSIBLE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0732, P0733, P1762 SET ON VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 12/1/2001.

Electrical 03181 September 15, 2003

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS.

Transmission & drivetrain 03148 July 21, 2003

NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED.

Transmission & drivetrain 16935 July 1, 2003

AN UNCOMMANDED SHIFT TO 4X4 LOW.

Service bulletin 0398 May 12, 2003

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATION WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0442, P0455, P0456, P0457, P1442 OR CHECK FUEL CAP LAMP ILLUMINATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0457.

Suspension 16735 April 1, 2003

VARIOUS NOISE ISSUES FROM THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS WHILE DRIVING.

Transmission & drivetrain 0358 March 17, 2003

FLUID MAY LEAK OUT OF THE FRONT AXLE VENT TUBE. *TT

Transmission & drivetrain 03261 January 5, 2003

NEW SERVICE PART - NUMBER 5 NEEDLE BEARING AND RACE KIT - 4R70W TRANSMISSION - SERVICE TIP.

Engine 02221 November 11, 2002

ENGINE-GEAR DRIVEN SYNCHRONIZERS-INCORRECT INSTALLATION-CAMSHAFT POSITION SYNCHRONIZER (CMP) INSTALLATION TOOL CORRECT APPLICATION.

Suspension 16385 November 1, 2002

AIR RIDE CONTROL LAMP ON AFTER SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT / CONTACT REQUEST.

Engine 870197 October 22, 2002

INCORRECTLY INSTALLED GEAR DRIVEN CAMSHAFT POSITION (CMP) SENSOR SYNCHRONIZER ASSEMBLIES CAUSING SURGE, LOST OF POWER, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P1336, P1309 AND P0340.

Electrical 02176 September 2, 2002

LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.

Steering 16040 July 1, 2002

EXPERIENCING A CLICKING / POPPING NOISE FROM THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN AREA WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL.

Transmission & drivetrain 15887 May 1, 2002

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NO 1-2 UPSHIFT, NO 2-3 UPSHIFT, A NO ENGINE BRAKING CONDITION IN MANUAL 1 OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0732 (GEAR 2 INCORRECT RATIO) OR P0733 (GEAR 3 INCORRECT RATIO).

Brakes & stability 15910 May 1, 2002

CONCERNS WITH BRAKE VIBRATION, ROUGHNESS AND / OR GRINDING NOISE, AND EXCESSIVE BRAKE ROTOR CORROSION.

Transmission & drivetrain 0282 April 29, 2002

SOME VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 9/15/2001 MAY EXHIBIT LOW LINE PRESSURE READINGS WHILE IN DRIVE, NO 2ND GEAR, NO 3RD GEAR, NO ENGINE BRAKING IN MANUAL 1ST AND SLIPPING SHIFTS AND / OR DELAYED ENGAGEMENTS.

Transmission & drivetrain 0242 March 4, 2002

CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH 4X4 OR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MAY HAVE A FLUID LEAK FROM THE FRONT AXLE VENT TUBE.

Suspension 15692 March 1, 2002

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SQUEAK, SNAP, RATTLE, OR CLUNK IN THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER BUMPS.

← 1997 Explorer problems All Explorer TSB years
Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.