1997 Ford Expedition Complaint Log

WHEN I TAKE OFF THE GAS IS STICKY AND TAKES ALOT TO GET IT GOING, WHEN TURNING FROM STOP MY REAR END VIBRATES LIKE IT'S GOING TO FALL OFF. AREADY HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BY THE DEALER SHIP I GOT THE CAR FROM. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW CLUNKS WHEN ROLLING DOWN, MOTOR MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN COLD. I JUST DON'T EXPECT THIS KIND OF PROBLEMS WHEN YOU PAY ALOT OF MONEY FOR A NICE CAR.*AK

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, BRAKE LINE CRACKED AND STARTED TO LEAK FLUID. IT WAS HARD TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FLUID SPRAYED INTO THE CYLINDER, CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, SPEEDOMETER STAYED AT ZERO. CONSUMER STATES ALL THE CONSOLE LIGHTS STARTED TO FLASH ON AND OFF. THE NEXT DAY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START TOOK TO DEALER. DEALER STATES' THERE A CRACK IN FRONT WINDOW THAT ALLOWED WATER GO INTO FUSE BOX AND SHORT CIRCUIT WIRES. RESULTING IN SPEEDOMETER BEING INOPERATIVE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

COLD ENGINE KNOCK CONTINUES AFTER TEN MINUTE WARM UP AND TEN MINUTE DRIVE TIME. CONTACTED FORD, NO HELP. DT

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE WILL BOUNCE. CONTACTED DEALER. THIS WAS A RESULT OF THE TIE ROD HAVING TOO MUCH PLAY. *AK *SCC

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON HIGHWAY RIGHT FRONT STEERING ROD FELL OFF UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

BOTH BOLTS ON SWAY BAR SUPPORT BRACKET WERE STRIPPED. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHEN PUSHING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT TOOK AN EXTRA TWENTY FEET TO STOP. IT FELT LIKE IT WAS ON ICE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND FOUND NO DEFECTS, AND THE COMPUTER SHOWED NOTHING. *AK THE BRAKES WOULD GET HARD AND THE CALIPERS WERE CLICKING. WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD GONE OVER BUMPS, THE ABS LIGHT WOULD APPEAR ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE WOULD BE TURNED OFF AND BACK ON AND THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF. *SC *JB

PE 01 022/FRONT STABILIZER LINK: WHILE GETTING AN ALIGNMENT, TECHNICIAN INFORMED CONSUMER THAT RIGHT FRONT STABILIZER BAR WAS BROKEN. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS. *AK *SLC

VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE OF THE DRIVEWAY AND HORN WAS BLOWING. THEN THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, AND WAS TOTALED. *AK FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE HOOD BEFORE THE HORN STARTED TO BLOW. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF ANY PROBLEM BEFORE FIRE. TRUCK HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR HOURS PRIOR TO FIRE. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT NEAR THE POWER DISTRIBUTION BOX. *TT

TIE ROD END SEPARATED AT THE KNUCKLE, CAUSING VIBRATION AND LEFT FRONT TIRE AND WHEEL TURNING IN AND MAKING THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE. *AK

AFTER MAKING A RIGHT TURN OFF A MAJOR PARKWAY IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY NY, WHERE WE HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT 60 MPH, I MADE A RIGHT TURN AT EXIT . AFTER PROCEEDING 25 FEET, A HORRIFIC NOISE WAS HEARD, THE CAR LOST STEERING ABILITY AND SHOOK AND BUCKED WILDLY. HIT A TREE ON ROADSIDE AND CAME TO REST. FOUND THAT THE LEFT TIE ROD BALL JOINT COMPLETELY SEPARATED AND THE LEFT WHEEL HAD NO STEERING AT ALL. THE INCIDENT WOULD HAVE KILLED MY ENTIRE FAMILY HAD IT HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THIS SHOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. PRIOR TO THIS, LAST YEAR, BOTH SWAY BAR LINKS FRACTURED, ALSO RESULTING IN A NEAR CRASH SITUATION. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. IT IS A DEATH MACHINE ON WHEELS!!!!*AK

PAINT AND FINISH ON ROOF OF VEHICLE PEELING, CRACKING, FLAKING OFF - OXIDATION FROM RUST, RUINING ENTIRE OUTER CAR SURFACE - HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT PRIMER COAT WAS EITHER MISSED OR SKIMPED DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS... FORD WILL NOT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE - ONE MALE REP FROM FORD STATED: "THE PAINT JOB IS ONLY SUPPOSED TO LAST 2 YEARS" NOT AN ACCEPTABLE ANSWER...ALSO, CHILD SAFETY LOCKS ENGAGE THEMSELVES, THUS PREVENTING OCCUPANTS IN REAR SEATS TO EXIT VEHICLE, CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION... ALSO, VEHICLE REAR WHEELS AND OR AXELS "CHATTER" AT LOW SPEED TURNS... ALSO, AN AUDIBLE HUM IN VEHICLE AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS...ALSO, AUDIBLE SQUEAKING FROM INTERIOR SIDE PANELS...FORD DEALER STATES: CAUSE CANNOT BE LOCATED...ALSO, LEATHER SEATS HAVE CRACKED AND SHOW SIGNS OF ABNORMAL WEAR - THIS IS APPARANT IN ALL LEATHER SEAT COVERINGS BUT ESPECIALLY IN THE FRONT "BUCKET" OR "CAPTAIN" SEATS...FORD STATES WARRANTY FOR VEHICLE NO LONGER COVERS -ENGINE HAS HAD SEVERAL EPISODES OF "MISFIRING" OF "REVVING" ON IT'S OWN - HAS BEEN EXPLAINED AWAY AS A "COMPUTER" PROBLEM OR A "SENSOR" PROBLEM - ALWAYS AT COST TO CONSUMER..."CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT HAS COME ON ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, USING PREVIOUS EXPLANATIONS AS STATED PREVIOUSLY. HAVE NUMEROUS INVOICES FOR REPLACEMENTS OF SENSORS, COMPUTER CHIPS, ETC.*AK

DURING A VEHICLE STATE INSPECTION CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT LOWER BALL JOINT HAD WORN OUT.*AK

FOUND STABILIZER BAR LINK MISSING ON RIGHT FRONT. UNKNOWN AS TO WHEN OR HOW IT FAILED EXCEPT THAT FRONT STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT CONTINUOUSLY SEVERAL MONTHS AGO.*AK

VEHICLE WILL START ON ITS OWN, WITHOUT KEY BEING IN IGNITION. CONSUMER HAS DISCONNECTED BATTERY. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY DEALERSHIP.*AK

INNER TIE ROD HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. FIVE MONTH AGO, OUT TIE ROD HAD TO BE REPLACED. PROBLEM WAS DUE TO NO GREASE FITTING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

DRIVING WITH FAMILY IN CAR ,DOING 35 MPH WHEN I LOST TOTAL CONTROL OF THE STEERING.YOU COULD SPIN THE STEERING WHEEL COMPLETELY AROUND WITH NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHAT SO EVER. I WAS ABLE TO GRADUALLY STOP THE CAR , BUT IT STILL ROLL UP A CURB TO A COMPLETE STOP. NO ONE WAS HURT,I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED IN TO THE LOCAL DEALER. DEALER REPORTED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN HAD SLIPPED OUT OF THE GEAR BOX ,THUS STRIPPING THE GEAR ITSELF. I ASK THE DEALER IF IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRENTY ,HE SAID IT SHOULDN'T BE.I SENT A LETTER TO FORD ,THEY SAID IF THE DEALER DOESN'T THINK IT SHOULD BE COVERED ,THAN IT SHOULDN'T BE COVERED. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ,WHAT IF MY WIFE WERE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY LIKE SHE DOES EVERY DAY TO WORK OR IF MY SON WERE DRIVING IT ,HE IS A NEW DRIVER.I JUST GLAD NO ONE WAS HURT. FORD DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.COULD YOU PLEASE HELP.*AK

WHILE IN THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER COULD NOT OPEN THE REAR DOORS FROM THE INSIDE ALTHOUGH THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS WERE NOT ENGAGED. THE DEALERSHIP HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. *NLM BOTH OF THE REAR DOORS COULD BE LOCKED FROM THE INSIDE WITHOUT THE CHILD LOCK BEING MANUALLY ENGAGED. THE REAR DOORS WERE OPENED WITH NORMAL USE AND WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *SCC *JB

I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY SPARE TIRE FELL OFF AND I FEEL THAT THE MATTER COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE IF I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT HAPPEND. I ALSO HAVE A 9 MONTH OLD BABY THAT WAS IN THE TRUCK WHEN IT HAPPENED. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS FOR US AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT JUST KEEPS GETTING WORSE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL JUMP OUT OF GEAR. PUT VEHICLE IN PARK, UNABLE TO GET IT OUT OF PARK ,AND WOULDN'T START.*AK

VENT TUBE FROM DIFFERENTIAL IS LEAKING ONTO THE BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

I AM GETTING IN TOUCH WITH YOU TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE AFTER MARKET STEERING EXTENSION DEVICE PUT ON ALOT OF HANDICAPPED VEHICLES, THIS PART IS PUT ON THESE CARS AND TRUCKS TO HELP ASSIST THE DRIVER IN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL . THE PROBLEM WITH THIS PART IS THAT IS NOT SAFE . WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TAKEN OFF OF THE SPLINED SHAFT THE NEW PIECE IS PUT ON AND DOES NOT EVEN HAVE A SPLINED CENTER TO FIT TIGHT ON THE SHAFT AND THE ONLY OTHER THING TO HOLD IT TIGHT IS 2 SET SCREWS. IF ONE OF THESE SET SCREWS WOULD WORK LOSE OR IF THE STEERING WHEEL WERE TURNED TO HARD THESE SET SCREWS WOULD WORK LOOSE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN BUT THE WHEELS WOULDN'T , OR THE OTHER WAY AROUND . I HAVE TALKED TO A AUTO REPAIR SPECIALIST ALONG WITH THE HEAD MECHANIC SUPERVISOR AT A FORD DEALERSHIP AND BOTH MEN SAID THAT THIS PART IS NOT VERY SAFE AND THEY WOULD NT WANT IT ON THEIR CAR OR TRUCK , I ALSO TALKED TO THE PERSON WHO INSTALLED THIS PART HE NO LONGER USES THIS ALUMINUM PART BECAUSE IT IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH FOR THIS KIND OF STRESS THAT A STEERING WHEEL GOES THROUGH . I HOPE THAT YOU CAN MAKE THESE PARTS REPLACED BY THE COMPANIES SO THAT NO ONE WITH A MODIFIED HANDICAPPED STEERING COLUMN EXTENSION DOES NOT GET KILLED OR KILL SOMEONE ELSE , I WAS LUCKY TO FIND IT EARLY BUT MAYBE SOME ONE ELSE WON'T BE. THANK YOU SINCERELY [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

FAILURE WAS DUE TO DAMAGE ON LOCKING BOLT BETWEEN LINKAGE AND STEERING BOX.

THERES A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT LINKAGE BROKE FROM STABLIZER BAR. *AK CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR ALIGNMENT AND DEALER TOLD HER THAT BOTH BALL JOINTS WERE VERY BAD AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT HER COST. *YD

THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW BLEW OUT.*JB

AFTER SHE WAS IN THE PARKING LOT, THE SPARE TIRE CABLE WIRE BROKE, CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO FALL OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. *AK *JB

WHILE DRIVING FRONT STABILIZER BAR AND BOLTS FELL OFF. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. MECHANIC REPLACED STABILIZER BAR LINK.*AK

THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE FOR PARALLEL PARKING. THE ACCELERATOR WAS TAPPED FOR MOMENTUM. THE ENGINE RACED, AND THE VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARD. APPLICAITON OF THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE. THE CAR JUMPED THE CURB AND SLAMMED INTO A COLUMN (INSURANCE ADJUSTER ESTIMATED SPEED AT 10 MPH OR MORE).*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE FOR PARALLEL PARKING, AS SHE TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR, THE ENGINE RACED, AND THE VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARDS, CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES BUT IT DID NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN, THE CAR JUMPED THE CURB AND SLAMMED INTO A COLUMN, ONE PERSON WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *TT

THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS IN REVERSE, PARALLEL PARKING, THE VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO A BRICK COLUMN. THE DAMAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS EXTENSIVE AND THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *YH

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE STALLED AT 55 MPH. AFTER INSPECTING VEHICLE DEALER DETERMINED THERE WAS NO OIL IN ENGINE AND ONE ROD HAD BLOWN. DASH INDICATOR DID NOT SHOW LOW OIL PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER WILL NOT TO TURN ON MOST TIMES. IF WIPER ASSEMBLY IS JARRED HARD ENOUGHT (EITHER BY BUMP OR BANGING ON IT) WILL CAUSE IT TO WORK FOR A WHILE. THIS PROBLEM WAS ORGINALLY FIXED BY DEALER, BUT WARRANTY HAS PASSED AND THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. I HAVE TAKEN THE UNIT APART, BUT BELIEVE THE UNIT WAS NEVER CHANGED AND BELEIVE THE CONTACTS WERE CLEANED. I BELIEVE THE WIRING IS BEING CORRODED CAUSING FOR GOOD CONTACT OF THE WIRES.*AK

NHTSA HAS AN ONGOING PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION SINCE JULY ON THIS ISSUE. THIS IS FOR 1997-1998 FORD EXPEDITIONS, THEY HAVE ALREADY RE-CALLED FORD EXPLORERS AND MOUNTAINEERS FOR THIS PROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON ROUGH ROADS OR MAKING A SHARP TURN IN ANY DIRECTION THERE IS A "CLUNKING" NOISE COMING FROM LEFT/ FRONT OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT STABILIZER BAR WAS DISCONNECTED. DEALERSHIP WAS EXAMINING VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

DOOR AJAR AND OVERHEAD LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES AFTER VEHICLE HAS STARTED WITHOUT ANY DOORS BEING OPENED.*AK THE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED ALL THE TIME AND CONSUMERS DAUGHTER NEARLY FELL OUT OF THE CAR WHEN THE DOOR WASN'T SHUT. THE LIGHT WAS IGNORED BECAUSE IT IS ON ALL THE TIME. *JG

AFTER STARTING VEHICLE AND PUTTING IT IN GEAR, DOOR SHOULD AUTOMATICALLY LOCK, BUT IT DOESN'T. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT HER DAUGHTER ALMOST FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS. *JG

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT LOCKS IN VEHICLE ARE DEFECTED SAYS DEALER. CONSUMER STATES' THE ONLY WAY THE REAR PASSENGER CAN EXIT VEHICLE IS TO STICK HAND OUT OF THE WINDOW AND UNLOCK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. CONSUMER LOOKED UNDERNEATH, AND NOTICED THAT LEFT SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

FRONT SWAY BAR WAS DISCONNECTED ON RIGHT SIDE. RIGHT SIDE LINK MISSING AND LEFT SIDE WORN OUT. *AK

I FIXED THIS ONCE WITH GLUE AND REPLACED. THE ACTUATOR BROKE THE DOOR AGAIN. THIS CAN BE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM CONSIDERING IF WILL MAKE WINDOW DEFROSTER NON FUNCTIONAL. *AK

VEHICLE WAS GOING 10-12MPH AND WHEN PULLING INTO HOME DRIVEWAY BOLT FROM CALIPER ASSEMBLY DROPPED OUT. THIS CAUSED ALUMINUM WHEEL TO EXPLODE. DEALER WAS CONCERNED REGARDING THIS INCIDENT.*AK

WHILE REPLACING BRAKE PADS, NOTICED THE STABILIZER BARS ON BOTH SIDES WERE NOT ATTACHED TO THE FRAME ON TOP OF THE BARS. LINK BOLTS ON BOTH SIDES ARE GONE.VERY DANGEROUS. *AK

AFTER READING THE NEWS ABOUT NHTSA INVESTIGATING STABALIZER BAR LINKS ON 1997-1998 FORD EXPEDITIONS I JACKED MINE UP AND FOUND THE PASSENGER SIDE LINK CONNECTOR COMPLETELY MISSING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER AND SHOWED THEM THE ARTICLE. THEY SAID THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER A RECALL AND I WOULD HAVE TO SCEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND PAY FOR IT MYSELF. I WENT TO THE PARTS DEPARTMENT AND BOUGHT THE REQUIRED PIECES FOR $53. NOTE THAT THESE ARE AN "UPGRADED" ITEM FROM THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT.*AK

CONSUMER HAS REPLACED ROTORS 7 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE, THE DEALER CONTINUES TO EVADE THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE ROTORS EVERY 6 TO 8 THOUSAND MILES. SEVERE VIBRATION OCCURS WHEN BRAKING AT SPEEDS FROM 60 MPH DOWN TO 50 MPH. *AK THE DEALER CAN NOT FIND A REMEDY FOR THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER ALSO STATES THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SUSPENSION. *SLC

I READ AN ARTICLE IN THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE NEWSPAPER A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO ABOUT THE FAILURE OF THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR SUPPORTS. WHEN I GOT HOME TODAY, I LOOKED AT MINE AND NOTICED THAT BOTH THE FRONT BAR SUPPORTS ARE BROKEN AWAY FROM THE BAR. I DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG THIS HAS BEEN LIKE THIS, BUT I ASSUME THAT IT HAS BEEN AWHILE. I ALSO EXPECT THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL REPLACE IT AT NO CHARGE SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE A CANDIDATE FOR A RECALL.*AK

WHEN I WENT TO REPLACE THE BRAKES AND ROTORS ON OUR 97 EXPEDITION WITH 71000 MILES, I CAME TO FIND OUT THAT BOTH FRONT ROTORS WHERE RUSTED TO THE WHEEL HUBS. I HAD TO SPEND AN ADDITIONAL $300 TO BUY NEW WHEEL HUBS.*AK