NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Ford Expedition. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO STALL WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIDAS FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT WAS SERVICED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO MIDAS THREE TIMES AFTER IT STALLED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A COIL PACK. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A TUNE UP AND THAT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE DAMAGED. THE CYLINDER HEAD ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY FORD A REPRESENTATIVE THAT THE FORD EXPEDITION SPARK PLUGS RECALL WAS CLOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 132,000.
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
1997 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HOOD ALONG WITH FLAMES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE VEHICLE PARKED BESIDE THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE AND DAMAGED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE QUARTER PANEL OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. *SC *JB
THE CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF IN THE YARD WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED. FLAMES CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. JUST HAD IT SERVICED TWICE SINCE DECEMBER.
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL BY APPLYING BRAKE VEHICLE ACCELERATES UNCONTROLLABLY NO MATTER HOW HARD BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE OFF BUTTON FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL MUST BE PRESSED TO STOP ACCELERATION. MY WORRY IS IF SOMEONE SHOULD PANICK WHEN THIS OCCURS IT COULD RESULT IN A REAR END COLLISION OR RUN THROUGH A INTERSECTION.
RE: SAFETY CONCERN WITH 1997 FORD EXPEDITION, OUT OF 8 SEATS, ONLY 4 HAVE HEAD RESTS. *BF *JB
CONSUMER WAS INSIDE THE HOUSE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE HEARD THE HORN GOING OFF INSIDE THE GARAGE AFTER IT WAS PARKED FOR 45 MINUTES. SHE IMMEDIATELY WENT TO TURN OFF THE HORN AND NOTICED THAT BLACK SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE HOOD. CONSUMER CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND WITHIN MINUTES THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE ALONG WITH THE HOUSE. RESULTS SHOWED THAT CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH HAD A SHORT WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE.*AK
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND AT THAT SPEED THE ENGINE BEGAN TO EJECT THE SPARK PLUGS OUT OF THE SEVENTH CYLINDER. THE IGNITION COIL SITS UNDER THE FUEL RAIL. THE CONSUMER FEELS, " THIS COULD IGNITE AND CAUSE A BIG FIRE TO THE ENGINE." PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED 30 MINUTES. ALTERNATOR REPLACED 1 MONTH AGO. CRUISE CONTROL USED SOMETIMES. LAST USED 1 MONTH AGO AND IT WORKED. NO AFTER MARKET EQUIPMENT. BRUCE YORK WENT TO SEE VEHICLE AND TOOK PICTURES.*AK
LTR RE DEFECTIVE 1997 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPEDITION, WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF.*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE FIRE WAS THE RESULT OF A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WHICH WAS RECALLED FOR THE 2000 EXPEDITIONS BUT NOT THE 1997'S. *NM
AFTER PARKING FOR 5 MINUTES A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK
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
AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 4 HOURS CRUISE CONTROL ON CAUGHT FIRE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. EVOQ FILED BY: PHIL CREAMER. *AK
MY HUSBAND WENT OUT TO START VEHICLE. HE HEARD A POP. TURNED OFF THE TRUCK. SAW THAT THE COIL AND PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. HAD IT TOWED TO FORD DEALER WHO SAID ALL THEY COULD DO IS CHARGE ME $2700 TO REPLACE THE HEAD THAT WAS DAMAGED FROM THE SPARK PLUG BLOWING OUT. I'VE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE SIMILAR TO MY PROBLEM AND YES, IT SHOULD BE A MANDITORY RECALL. WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD. ALSO TALKED WITH FORD COMPANY WHO ACTED LIKE THEY HAD NEVER HEARD THIS COMPLAINT BEFORE. FORD DEALER HAS WORKED ON TRUCK EACH TIME IT NEEDED REPAIR. BUYING A CHEVROLET.*AK
THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE DASH BOARD AND FLASHED VERY FAST. IT MADE A CLICKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE KEYS AND, THE PCM, THE PCM BURNED OUT AGAIN, AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD SOME WIRES WERE PULLING FROM THE FRONT TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF SERVICE AGAIN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE DID NOT KNOW IF THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS OPERATING PROPERLY BECAUSE HE RARELY USES IT. *TC
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
PARKING BRAKE ON 1997 EXPEDITION FALL TO PIECES, REPLACED BOTH E-BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. *BF THE CONSUMER STARTED USING THE PARKING BRAKE SINCE HIS DRIVEWAY CONTAINED A SLOP, UNTIL ONE DAY WHEN HE BACKED OF OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE FUNNY NOISES. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE GRINDING NOISES AND STARTED TO VIBRATE BADLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT FORD WOULD NOT FIX IT FOR FREE. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED. *JB
THE SPARE TIRE OF MY 1997 FORD EXPEDITION (TRUCK) IS NORMALLY THREADED WITH A WIRE ROPE AND WINCHED UP INTO PLACE BENEATH THE BACK OF THE EXPEDITION. IT WORKS WELL AND IS EASIER TO USE THAN THE TRADITIONAL BOLT/PLATE. HOWEVER, IN JANUARY 2005,MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON GRANT ROAD A MAJOR STREET IN TUCSON ARIZONA AND THE WIRE ROPE BROKE AND THE TIRE FLEW OFF FROM BENEATH OUR EXPEDITION AND BOUNCED WILDLY DOWN THE ROAD. FORTUNATELY NOTHING AND NO ONE HIT THE TIRE; BUT THERE WAS POTENTIAL FOR A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF IT HAD BEEN HIT BY ONE OR MORE CARS. TRAFFIC STOPPED AND MY WIFE WENT BACK AND RETRIEVED THE ERRANT TIRE FROM THE MIDDLE OF THREE LANES. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE CABLE WAS CORRODED; BUT LIVING IN A DRY CLIMATE OF THE ARIZONA DESERT I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS WAS THE CASE. THERE WAS NO RUST OF ANY KIND I COULD SEE. I BELIEVE FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD NOTIFY TRUCK OWNERS TO INSPECT THE CABLE FOR DEFECTS. WE WERE VERY LUCKY THAT A LOT OF DAMAGE WASN'T DONE TO OTHER VEHICLES OR HUMANS. *JB
RECALL CAMPAIGN: NHTSA CAMPAIGN 97V171000/ TRANSMISSION CABLE ASSEMBLY. VEHICLE WILL NOT ALLOW DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE PARK POSITION OR IT WILL EFFECT THE PROPER NEUTRAL START SWITCH OPERATION. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SERVICE ON THIS VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY A FORD DEALER IN INDIANA. HOWEVER, AS PER THE CURRENT OWNER, THIS PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM
WET CONDITIONS CAUSE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS ON MY 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. WAS TRAVELING ON 01-10-05 ON SNOW PACKED ROADS WITH 4X4 ACTIVATED. FOUR WHELL DRIVE CLUSTER ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED TO FLASH INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT VERY AKWARDLY. TOOK CAR OUT OF 4X4 AND SEEMED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. NEXT OCCURANCE WAS ON 01-21-05, TRAVELING ON WET ROADS. TURNED OFF VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT AND INTERIOR LIGHTING AND RUNNING BOARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT SHUT OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD DRIED OUT AFTER A FEW DAYS THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO FIX ITSELF AGAIN. THE NEXT INCIDENT WAS ON 01-29-05, ONCE AGAIN WET ROAD CONDITIONS. PARKED VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT WENT OUT TO START THE NEXT DAY AND HEATER BLOWER WAS STILL RUNNING WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. VEHILCLE HAD DEAD BATTERY, JUMP STARTED THE CAR AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF, AS WELL AS THE RUNNING BOARDS. HEATER BLOWER WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. TOOK THE VEHICLE OUT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BATTERY WAS CHARGED ENOUGH AND THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING AND IT WOULD NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY. IT FELT AT ONE POINT THAT IT HAD SHIFTED ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AS THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME HAD TO SUDDENLY BRAKE. MANAGED TO GET THE CAR HOME SAFELY. I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE EXPEDITIONS OF ANY YEAR. I AM HAVING THE CAR SERVICED TOMARROW TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. HOPEFULLY THIS CAN BE CORRECTED, BUT THE MORE I LOOK INTO IT OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THEIR VEHICLES IN SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT CAN BE CORRECTED. I THINK THIS IS A TERRIBLE SITUATION THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BY THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. *AK
PARKED VEHICLE AT 12 PM AT AROUND 5 PM THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. ONE DAY PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE LOW WASHER FLUID LEVEL LIGHT CAME ON. THEN THE LIGHT CLUSTER FOR THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE FLASHED A FEW TIMES. THE DAY OF FIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ABOUT 14 MILES. THE SAMES LIGHTS WERE FLASHING AND THEN THE ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING. TOOK IT TO LOCAL GAS STATION AND THEY SAID PROBABLY A LOOSE WIRE. CAR STARTED IT SELF AND THE STARTER MOTOR KEPT TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE ON ITS OWN. POPPED HOOD AND SAW LOTS OF SPARKING AND POPPING. SO VIDEO TAPED IT AS IT HAPPENED. FIRE SEEMED TO COME FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. DID NOT USE CRUISE CONTROL AND SO DO NOT KNOW IF WORKED.
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER POOR VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NM COMBO SWITCH WAS REPLACED. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH, WHICH WAS KNOWN TO CAUSE FIRES, WAS NOT RECALLED FOR HER VEHICLE. *TT
CHANGED LANES AT SPEED OF APROX 35 MPH RIGHT REAR AXLE OF VEHICLE BROKE OFF AT AXLE END BY WHEEL CAUSING DAMAGE TO WHEEL, TIRE AND BACKING PLATE. REPLACED ALL PARTS AND OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AT MY HOME . *AK
1997 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR FIRE CAUSED BY CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. *TT *NM
MY 97 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN HOME DEPOT PARKING LOT 10-29-05. THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL, AND IT STARTED UNDER THE HOOD ACCORDING TO THE INSURANCE REPORT. *JB
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.
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE GOT STUCK IN FIRST GEAR. SHIFTER WILL NOT MOVE. CONSUMER MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME, AND VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION CABLE WAS ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
MIRROR GLASS BROKE . *AK THE INTERNAL BACKING ON BOTH REAR VIEW MIRRORS IS PEELING AND CRACKING FROM THE GLASS AND CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. *NM
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT CAUGHT FIRE ON ITS OWN. RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE THERE WAS A SHORTAGE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN INFORMED BY CONSUMER.
THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION, AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. *AK THE TRUCK WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. FORD RECALLED THE TAURUS AND THE SABLE FOR THEIR FRONT COIL SPRINGS. *SC *JB
THE SPARE TIRE RETENTION CABLE FAILED, CAUSING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF MY 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THIS HAPPENED UNDER NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING CONDITIONS ON A BUSY SECTION OF ROAD. THERE FORTUNATELY WERE NO VEHICLES FOLLOWING AT THE TIME OR THERE MOST ASSUREDLY WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
I HAVE A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE ON SATURDAY JULY 17, 2004. HE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN IT WAS PARK IN THE PARKING LOT IN MY OFFICE. I HAVEN'T START THE CAR FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS PRIOR TO THE EVENT.*AK THE FIRES HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR IS NOT IN USE AND THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. I TRIED TO DO SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND FIND NOTHING RELATE TO THE PROBLEM. I STILL HAVE THE CAR PARKING IN THE BACK PARKING LOT, THE WHOLE CAR WAS TOTAL. HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO THE PARKING AND STOP THE FIRE, THE CASE NUMBER IS 040865BV BY R.L SCOTT HOUSTON ARSON INVESTIGATOR AND HIS NUMBER IS 713 865 9018.
PARKED THE VEHICLE EARLY IN THE DAY AT AROUND 11:00 AM AND NOTIFIED OF FIRE IN BUILDING. NO WITNESS TO FIRE UNTIL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT WAS INTERMITTENT. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WAS HAVING TROUBLE. NO AFTER MARKET EQUIPMENT. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE BUILDING WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. WILL E-MAIL PICTURES AND VIN TO BRUCE YORK.*AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK WAS DEFECTIVE. HIS CHILDREN ARE AT THE AGE WHERE THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, WITHOUT THE CONTACT HAVING TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A COMPLIANT; HOWEVER, THEY STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO ISSUE A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 197,000.
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
SPARK PLUG SUDDENLY BLEW OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE CYLINDER HEAD WHILE DRIVING 65 MILES AN HOUR ON THE FREEWAY. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY WANTED $3100 TO PUT ON A NEW CYLINDER HEAD. DID SOME CHECKING ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THAT ENGINE THAT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER SHOP AND HAD INSERTS PUT IN FOR ALL 4 SPARK PLUGS ON THAT HEAD FOR $2000. *AK
WHILE IN THE GARAGE AND IN PARK THE KEY WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE CONSUMER FELT THE VEHICLE WOBBLE AND THUMP TO THE GROUND. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH DID A THREE HUNDRED SIXTY DEGREE TURN ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED SPINNING THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE LUG NUTS HAD SIMPLY SHEARED OFF OF THE WHEEL. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE ON THIS VEHICLE. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS ON THE SECOND TIME ONE LUG NUT WAS SAVED FROM BEING SHEARED OFF. *LA
FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT ON FIRE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR 6-8 HOURS BEFORE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *NM
SPARKPLUGS BLOWING OUT OF ENGINE ON 1997 EXPEDITION DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING
1997 EXPEDITION SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE IN THE DRIVEWAY 45 MINUTES AFTER IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE CAME AND PUT OUT WHAT WAS ALMOST A CATASTROPHIC HOUSE FIRE. THE TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS. TO REPLACE IT WITH SOMETHING COMPARABLE WE BOUGHT A 99 EXPEDITION. WE WERE OUT $8000 IN THE TRADE. THE OLDER EXPEDITION HAD ONE CAR PAYMENT LEFT ON IT BEFORE THE FIRE. NOW I AM HORRIFIED THAT WE HAVE ANOTHER ON IN THE DRIVEWAY.*AK
(REFERENCE COMPLAINT 10014138). 1997 FORD EXPEDITION, 4X4, 4.6L. REAR PASSENGER DOOR CHILD LOCKS AUTOMATICLY SET, ON A RANDOM BASIS, NOT ALLOWING THE REAR PASSENGERS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE ON THERE OWN. THIS COULD POSE AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD IN AN ACCIDENT SITUATION OR ANY TIME A PERSON MIGHT NEED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY. IS THERE A RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM? THE NUMBER OF FAILURES IS COUNTLESS. *AK
WHEN I DRIVE THROUGH A PUDDLE OR IT RAINS IT LEAKS SOMEWHERE AND THE G.E.M. (GEM) MODULE GETS WET AND THE SPEEDOMETOR, ODOMETER, RUNNINGBOARD LIGHTS DON'T WORK AND IT DOESN'T SHIFT CORRECTLY UNTIL YOU LET IT DRY OUT. *AK
DT: CONTACT HAD A 1997, FORD, EXPEDITION THAT BURNED ON 4-23-2004. SHE CALLED FORD, AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THEY HAD NO PROOF OF WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CAR WAS SITTING IN A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT ; SHE HADN'T DRIVEN IT FOR MORE THAT 15 MINUTES WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE SITTING THERE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN THE GARAGE FOR 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS. THE FIRE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE INSIDE OF THE CAR WAS NOT DAMAGED. *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
MY 1997 FORD EXPEDITION HAS HAD 9 FAULTY OR FAILED ENGINE COILS. THE PROBLEM IS MOST PREVELANT IN THE SPRING. I SUSPECT MOISTURE BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ISOLATE THE SOURCE. THE COILS HAVE TYPICALLY BEEN ON CYLINDERS 5, 6 AND 8.*AK
WHILE BRAKING THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING IT JUMPED OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE AND ROLLED DOWN A HILL INTO SOME METAL POLES WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURRED ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AND THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO PROPERTY OR PERSON OTHER THAN THE REAR DOOR PANEL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH WAS DAMAGED BY THE IMPACT. THE SHIFT LEVER OF THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO INTO PARK PROPERLY NOW AND APPEARS TO BE SOMEWHAT LOOSE. I HAVE AN INVOICE THAT INDICATES WORK WAS DONE UNDER WARRANTY TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFTING CABLE ON 12/29/1997, BUT THE DEALER AND FORD CLAIM NO SUCH WORK WAS EVER DONE. *JB
I HAVE OWENED A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION FOR 1 YEAR. IN THIS TIME I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM TWICE. THE SPARK PLUGS COME LOOSE FROM THE PISTON HEAD AND ARE BLOWN OUT AND DAMAGE THE COIL PACK. THERE IS THEN UN-BURNT FUEL COMING FROM THE PISTON CHAMBER AND THE SPARK PLUG IS STILL FIRING WITH THE POSSIBLITY OF A FIRE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN AND ADDRESSED ISSUE BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY, BUT FORD WILL ONLY PAY FOR REPAIRS UPTO 75,000 MILES. THIS LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED IT DAMAGED THE HEAD AND WILL REQUIRE MAJOR REPAIRS. I AM MOSTLY CONCERNED WITH THE FIRE SAFTEY AND BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE A MANDITORY RECALL.*AK