North Carolina
Typical asking price
$3,675
- Active listings
- 0
- Listed this year
- 6
Not enough active listings for a state price report.
↑↓
move
↵
open
esc
close
1997 Ford Explorer prices in the U.S.
$2,995
Median asking price
11 active listings · Updated October 25, 2026
National price overview
Typical asking price range
$2,425 – $4,269 All 11 listings · Middle 50% of asking pricesMedian asking price
$2,995Trim, mileage and condition change what a comparable vehicle costs.
As of October 25, 2026, the median asking price for a 1997 Ford Explorer in the U.S. is $2,995, based on 11 active dealer listings tracked by VinAssessment.
Behind the price
Price range & market sample
The median asking price for a 1997 Ford Explorer in the U.S. is $2,995 based on 11 active listings.
11 active dealer listings
Snapshot October 25, 2026 · refreshed daily
30-day asking price change: −$4,557.
Typical: $2,425–$4,269 — the middle half of 11 asking prices
Median $2,995
$1,092 low
$7,405 high
Why the wide range? Price depends mostly on configuration and mileage — see below. This spread covers the middle 96% of asking prices: we exclude the cheapest and priciest 2% to reduce the influence of extreme values. This does not verify title status or guarantee that every erroneous listing is excluded.
$2,995
Pre-owned median (11)
194,006
Average mileage
Understand the differences
1997 Ford Explorer: VIN configurations and specifications
Multiple VIN patterns can share the same trim. Compare their recorded equipment, then open a specification page for the full details.
-
XL 4L 6-cyl VIN pattern: 1FMDU34X · year code V426 VINs in our database Observed VINs, not production totals
-
XL 4L 6-cyl · 4WD VIN pattern: 1FMCU24E · year code V61 VINs in our database Observed VINs, not production totals
-
XL 4L 6-cyl · 4WD VIN pattern: 1FMCU24X · year code V81 VINs in our database Observed VINs, not production totals
-
XL 4L 6-cyl VIN pattern: 1FMCU22X · year code V93 VINs in our database Observed VINs, not production totals
Show 5 more configurations
-
XL 5L 8-cyl VIN pattern: 1FMDU32P · year code V181 VINs in our database Observed VINs, not production totals
-
XL 4L 6-cyl VIN pattern: 1FMDU32X · year code V307 VINs in our database Observed VINs, not production totals
-
XLT 5L 8-cyl · AWD VIN pattern: 1FMDU35P · year code V$3,495 Median asking price · U.S. 5 priced listings · October 25, 2026
-
XL 4L 6-cyl VIN pattern: 1FMCU22E · year code V53 VINs in our database Observed VINs, not production totals
-
XL 4L 6-cyl VIN pattern: 1FMDU32E · year code V305 VINs in our database Observed VINs, not production totals
Where these specifications come from
Specifications combine decoded VIN data, including NHTSA vPIC , with inventory records. If decoding does not identify a trim, a recorded inventory trim may be shown. VIN patterns do not confirm every installed option.
Counts describe observed VINs in our database, not factory production totals. Prices are median asking prices from qualifying U.S. listings, not original MSRP. Check the vehicle’s build sheet for exact equipment.
FACTORY REFERENCE
1997 Ford Explorer factory brochure
Model-year reference for features and equipment. Actual VIN equipment may differ.
No verified factory brochure is currently listed for this exact model year.
Need equipment for a specific vehicle? Look up its factory window sticker →
Price history
View national price history · all trims
Median asking price by month — U.S., all trims · shaded band is the typical range (25th–75th percentile)
The median listing price for a 1997 Ford Explorer is $3,272 (October 2026) — down 17.2% from $3,950 in July 2026.
Monthly price table
| Month | Median price | Typical range | Vehicles listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | $3,272 | $2,227–$5,482 | 12 |
| September 2026 | $3,877 | $2,948–$5,724 | 11 |
| July 2026 | $3,950 | $3,495–$4,988 | 13 |
1997 Ford Explorer prices by state
See how asking prices vary across states. Looking for a 1997 Ford Explorer for sale near you? Open your state's price guide to compare its market, then follow the local listings link to browse available vehicles.
United States · all trims · snapshot October 25, 2026. Explore state markets below. Prices and counts cover all trims in each state; the full comparison table remains available below the map.
Washington
Typical asking price
$2,475
- Active listings
- 0
- Listed this year
- 6
Not enough active listings for a state price report.
View all states and prices
| State | Typical price | Listed this year | Active now |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $3,675 | 6 | 0 |
| Washington | $2,475 | 6 | 0 |
Listed this year counts every 1997 Ford Explorer first listed in 2026 (sold and active), with currently active cars as a floor. Typical price is the median of each car's latest asking price — or the average of active listings where this-year data is thin.
EXPLORE THE YEARS
Other Ford Explorer years
Same model, a different chapter. Start with a nearby year, or open the complete timeline.
You are here
1997
Ford Explorer
Typical asking price
$2,995
Your current report
A newer model year
1998
Ford Explorer
Typical asking price
$6,999
Explore this year →
A newer model year
2000
Ford Explorer
Typical asking price
$4,500
Explore this year →
See how model-year prices compare
U.S. market · All trimsDifferent model years, shown on the same dollar scale. Median asking price where available; otherwise average. These are different vehicles, not a forecast of your car’s value.
- 2027 $50,872 Median
- 2026 $49,480 Median
- 2025 $38,588 Median
- 2024 $33,992 Median
- 2023 $30,969 Median
- 2022 $27,194 Median
- 2021 $23,216 Median
- 2020 $21,323 Median
- 2019 $16,995 Median
- 2018 $15,784 Median
- 2017 $13,795 Median
- 2016 $11,995 Median
- 2015 $9,999 Median
- 2014 $8,995 Median
- 2013 $8,249 Median
- 2012 $7,964 Median
-
You are here 1997 $2,995 Median
Showing the newest 16 priced model years plus your current year when older. Open the complete timeline below for older years.
Explore all 29 other model years
Pick a year to open its price report. Prices compare different vehicles and equipment, not the changing value of one car.
Nearby model years
More model years
MEET THE REST OF THE LINEUP
More 1997 Ford prices
Something else catch your eye? Explore other 1997 Ford models before you decide.
Ford E-350
Explore this model →
Ford F-250
Explore this model →
Ford F-350
Explore this model →
Ford F-150
Explore this model →
Ford Mustang
Explore this model →
Ford Ranger
Explore this model →Prices shown for other models are average asking prices in the national snapshot. Photos are representative; trim and equipment vary.
What would a 1997 Ford Explorer cost per month?
Estimate the monthly payment on a $2,995 vehicle. Move the numbers to match your own loan.
10% down
7.0% is an illustrative starting rate — use your own lender quote.
Loan term
Estimated monthly payment
$53
per month
60 months · 7.0% APR · $300 down
Amount financed
$2,695
Total interest
$485
Estimate only. Excludes tax, title, registration and dealer fees, and assumes a fixed-rate loan with equal monthly payments. Your actual rate depends on your credit and lender.
Before you buy
A few important steps can help you buy with confidence.
- Check title and accident history
- Arrange an independent inspection
- Review factory equipment
- Check recalls by VIN
Frequently asked questions
Why do 1997 Ford Explorer prices range from $1,092 to $7,405?
The spread comes down to configuration and mileage: higher-mileage, base-configuration examples sit near the low end, while low-mileage and premium configurations reach the top. Half of all listings fall between $2,425 and $4,269 — see the mileage and trim breakdowns above for where a specific vehicle lands.
Is $3,543 a good price for a 1997 Ford Explorer?
$3,543 is the market average as of October 25, 2026. The $2,995 median is a comparison point, not a deal rating. Compare the same trim and mileage band, and check condition, equipment and vehicle history.
How many 1997 Ford Explorer are for sale right now?
11 in total, nearly all pre-owned. Counts refresh daily from live dealer inventory.
Is this the trade-in value or private-party value of my 1997 Ford Explorer?
These figures describe dealer asking prices, not trade-in offers, private-party sale values or completed sale prices. Use them to compare advertised vehicles. To find out what a buyer or dealer would pay for your car, request an offer that takes its mileage, condition, equipment and history into account.
How we calculate these prices
We track 11 active listings for this vehicle across dealer sites nationwide, updated every day. Average and median are computed from real asking prices on live listings. We exclude the top and bottom 2% of prices to reduce the influence of extreme values. This does not verify title status or guarantee that every erroneous listing is excluded. Prices reflect dealer asking prices — not final sale prices — and exclude taxes, fees, and incentives. Trim and mileage move the price more than any other factor; see the breakdowns above.
Want the original factory equipment and MSRP behind a specific car? See the factory window sticker for this Explorer →
Own a 1997 Ford Explorer? See what it's worth →
KEEP EXPLORING
More car research
Explore other vehicles, local markets and vehicle-history tools.
