There are 95 stored owner reports matching the brakes leading-label group for the 1997 Ford Expedition in our NHTSA-sourced dataset. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
This group counts stored reports whose component label starts with one of this site's matching prefixes, ignoring case. Each matching report counts once within the group. Components mentioned later in the label or only in the narrative are not searched. How component counts work
Loaded 50 of 95 matching reports. This is a limited sample of up to 50 reports, ordered by incident date when available, not the complete group. The list controls page through the loaded reports only.
Open the full vehicle complaint log (all categories)IN DRIVEWAY UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, TO PUT CAR IN GEAR, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. NO BRAKES AT ALL. NO WARNING. NO LIGHTS INDICATING FAILURE AHEAD OF TIME. BOTH BRAKE LINES THAT GO FROM MASTER CYL, TO ABS UNIT RUSTED THROUGH. UPON FOR DEALER REPLACING BOTH LINES ON A TEST DRIVE FRT DRIVERSIDE BRAKE LINE FAILED DUE TO RUST. COST $976 FOR THOSE RUSTED OUT LINES AND STILL 3 ORE BADLY RUSTED, TO GO. HARDLY SAFE WITH SEVERELY RUSTED LINES. WHEN THOSE TWO LINES BURST,(AT SAME TIME) NO BACKUP BRAKE SYSTEM IN AFFECT.
WHILE DRIVING ON A EXPRESSWAY TRAVELING AT 55MPH, MY WIFE FELT A THUMPING AND HEARD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE TRUCK. WHEN I LOOKED UNDERNEATH, I NOTICED 2 HOLES PUNCHED THROUGH THE BACKING PLATE OF THE REAR BRAKES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I PULLED THE WHEEL AND THE ROTOR OFF AND THE PARKING BRAKE SHOES AND HARDWARE FELL OUT ONTO THE GROUND. AFTER TALKING TO A FORD DEALERSHIP I LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH EXPEDITIONS. I RESEARCHED IT ON LINE AND FOUND OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME ISSUE INCLUDING SOME INSTANCES OF WHEELS LOCKING UP. THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. WHY HAS FORD NOT ISSUED A RECALL? I HAVE ALSO HAD 2 LEAKING EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKETS THAT I AM TOLD IS ALSO COMMON. *TR
LOST BRAKES ON 476 OUTSIDE OF PHILLY DITCHED CAR SO I WOULD NOT HIT STOPPED CARS, TOTALED MY EXPEDITION AND WIFE, KIDS, DOG, AND I ALL SURVIVED, JUST BLEEDING AIRBAG BURNS. *TR
RUBBER BRAKE LINE SEPARATED AT THE CALIPER. CAUSED TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. LUCKILY I WAS PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT A SLOW SPEED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR
INITIALLY, WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES ON DRY PAVEMENT, THE ABS WOULD ENGAGE INTERMITTENTLY. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED AFTER THIS HAPPENED. UNFORTUNATELY, IT CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER WHICH, THE ABS LIGHT WOULD LIGHT UP. THE REAR ABS SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND IT STILL CONTINUED TO HAPPEN, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD BE HARD INITIALLY BUT COULD BE PUSHED THROUGH. A BEARING WAS REPLACED ON THE FRONTEND. THE ABS WOULD CONTINUE TO ENGAGE RANDOMLY. NOW, AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN, THEN SAT FOR 15-30 MINUTES, AND THEN DRIVEN AGAIN, THE ABS WILL ENGAGE--BUT THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY HARD AND DIFFICULT TO PUSH. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON. OUR MECHANIC IS NOW USING HIS "TECH HOTLINE" TO LEARN HOW TO FIX THIS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL NEARLY TOUCHED THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE STOPPING DISTANCE HAD DOUBLED. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED AND HAD A PINHOLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 113,000.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH ON A DRY ROAD DURING NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WHICH RESULTING IN AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A GROANING NOISE IN THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER DRIVING UP OVER A ROADSIDE CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE. UPDATED 9/13/2006 - THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A FORD DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY WAS BAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY FOR REPAIR. *NM
ABS LIGHT COMES ON AT RANDOM TIMES. BRAKE FAILURE AT SLOW TO MODERATE SPEEDS LIKE IN ANTILOCK MODE OR LIKE STOPPING ON GRAVEL. PEDAL STIFF AND CANNOT PUMP BRAKES WHILE FEELING AND SOUNDING JERKY. HAVE REPLACED WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND ABS SOLENOID SENSOR. WILL FINALLY GRAB AND STOP AFTER APPROX. 20 FEET OF PUMPING. *NM
LOW SPEED TO MODERATE SPEED YOU APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL AS YOU WOULD NORMALLY DO AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU HAVE NO PEDAL AND IT STARTS TO PUMP FOR NO REASON AT ALL IT HAPPENS ON DRY ROADS AND WET OR SNOW COVERED ROADS THEN YOU FINALLY STOP AND LOOK DOWN AT THE DASH TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT JUST HAPPENED AND THE ABS LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH FOR NO REASON AT ALL. I HAVE HAD JUST ABOUT EVERY BRAKE PART SENSORS,COMPUTER ECT.. REPLACED IT WORKED FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND NOW IT IS STARTING AGAIN THERE IS NO WARNING BEFORE IT HAPPENS. I AM REALLY WORRIED CAUSE NOW I HAVE A SON 17 WHO OCCASIONALLY DROVE THE VEHICLE BUT AS A RESULT OF THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONING HE CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THE EXPEDITION (UNSAFE). I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS ON HERE ABOUT THE SAME THING HAPPENING. I AM GOING TO CONTACT THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP BUT I KNOW THAT IS GOING TO COST ME MORE MONEY THAN I ALREADY PUT OUT TO FIX IT! *NM
I WAS BRAKING AND BRAKE PEDAL SANK TO THE FLOOR. IT TURNED OUT STEEL HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES HAD FAILED. I HAD ALL OF THEM REPLACED IN ABOUT 3/06 FOR A COST OF $1000. I DID NOT REPLACE AT THE TIME THE MASTER CYLINDER TO ABS LINES. THEY FAILED ON 11/23/2006 AND I HAVE RETAINED THEM. IF THESE COMPONENTS HAD FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT COULD HAVE BEEN POTENTIALLY DEADLY. NOTE THAT MY 1994 TAURUS SHO HAD A SIMILAR FAILURE. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALSO HAD THE TRANSMISSION COOLER STEEL LINES FAIL AND OTHER SEVERE UNDERCARRIAGE RUST PROBLEMS. *JB
SUDDEN AND CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED BY RUPTURE OF RT. FRONT BRAKE HOSE, LOSS OF ALL FLUID AND TOTAL FAILURE OF BRAKE SYSTEM. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY USE OF EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL. NO CASUALTY BUT AS INCIDENT HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY WARNING IN A HOSPITAL PARKING LOT CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN DIRE. ORIGINAL PURCHASE DEALER MAINTAINED VEHICLE ON SCHEDULE: MOST RECENT SERVICE AND INSPECTION IN AUGUST 2005. VEHICLE GARAGED WITH 96,000 MI. *NM
1997 FORD EXPEDITION BRAKES FAILED DURING A FORCED EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID A HEAD ON COLLISION. *TS *SC
THE BRAKE LINES RUPTURE WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS ABSOLUTELY NO BRAKES. THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. IF IN TRAFFIC, THIS BRAKE LINE RUPTURE COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. BRAKE LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM
DT: ON JUNE 27, 2005 WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE. AND UPON STOPPING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF. NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WAS REPORTED. THE CABLE BROKE COMPLETELY OFF, AND THE TIRE WAS GONE. OWNER CALLED FORD, AND THEY WERE NOT CONCERNED.*AK THE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED. *JB
DT: MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ABOUT 1/2 MILE, CAME HOME AND PARKED THE TRUCK. WITHIN 30 MINUTES THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE AND BURNED COMPLETELY. CONSUMER PUT OUT THE FIRE BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ON THE SCENE. THE FIRE DEPT CAME OUT TO MAKE SURE THE FIRE WAS COMPLETELY OUT, AND THEY CUT THE HOOD OPEN AND NOTICED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE MASTER CYLINDER AREA. THE TRUCK WAS STILL SITTING IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER'S HOUSE. *AK *SB
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY ENGAGES WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN VEHICLE NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. NO RESULTS, DEALER COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM, REPLACED WHEEL SENSOR, NO RESULT AS WELL. IT HAPPENS WHILE LOE SPEED DRIVING ONLY.THIS IS A DAILY ROUTINE. *AK
THE CAR IS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE FRONT TO REAR BRAKE LINE CORRODED AND FAILED. THIS HAPPENED COASTING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. EVEN THOUGH IT IS A SPLIT SYSTEM THE BRAKING LEFT WAS MINIMAL. THE PARTITION BETWEEN THE FRONT CHAMBER AND THE BACK DIDN'T SEEM TO LEAVE ENOUGH FLUID IN THE FRONT CHAMBER TO ALLOW EFFECTIVE REMAINING BRAKING. NOT TO MENTION THE BRAKE LINE CORRODING THROUGH IN LESS THAN 8 YEARS. I HAD THE BRAKE LINE REPLACED BUT DID NOT RETAIN THE OLD BRAKE LINE. THE COST WAS $623.04. *AK
1997 FORD EXPEDITION WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. UNDER HOOD FIRE AND SMOKE ERUPTED. CRUISE CONTROL DISCONNECT SWITCH HAD BURST INTO FLAMES AND SET BRAKE FLUID ON FIRE. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. PARTS REPLACED, OLD PARTS AVAILABLE.
WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF BRAKE POWER. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LINE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
ABS BRAKES: BRAKES ON '97 FORD EXPIDITION OFTEN FAILED DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING ABS BRAKES. PEDAL BECOMES JERKY AND WILL NOT GO DOWN. CLUNKING NOISE FROM FRONT. DOES NOT HAPPEN CONSISTANTLY. I HAVE TO APPROACH VERY CAUTIOUSLY TO AVOID COLLOSIONS. EVERY OTHER OWNER I HAVE TALKED TO HAS SAME COMPLAINT, YET FORD HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF IT. FRONT BREAKS HAVE BEEN REDONE, STILL HAPPENS. HAS DONE IT SINCE NEW.*AK
Showing 1-20 of 50 loaded complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: May 4, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.