1997 Ford Expedition

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #05V388000September 7, 20054,500,000 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control

  On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn.

  A fire at the switch could occur.

  Remedy

  By letter dated september 12, 2005, owners were instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected. Owners who have had their speed control deactivated are being notified that parts will be available and advised to make an appointment to reconnect the speed control beginning in february 2006. Owners who did not have their speed control deactivated are being notified to have their system remedied beginning in february 2006. Owners are urged to avail themselves of the free disconnect service as soon as possible because of the significant risk of fire. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. (note: also see recalls 05V017 and 06V286)

• NHTSA recall #03V196000May 27, 2003171,446 vehicles affected

  steering: gear box: shaft sector

  On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, if the intermediate shaft yoke separates from the steering gear input shaft, the steering system becomes disconnected.

  This could result in loss of steering control, potentially resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.

  Remedy

  Dealers will inspect the steering intermediate shaft yoke to determine if the yoke is fully seated on the steering gear input shaft. If the yoke is fully seated no service is required. If the yoke is not fully seated and bolt groove and spline is visible, the intermediate shaft and bolt will be replaced as well as the bolt at the steering column connection. Owner notification began on may 30, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

• NHTSA recall #00V168000June 19, 200020,637 vehicles affected

  exterior lighting

  Vehicle description: mini vans, light pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Off lease canadian vehicles equipped with daytime running lights which meet canadian requirements and not the photometric requirements of FMVSS 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." according to Ford, the vehicles were imported into the U.S. Erroneously.

  The light given off from the daytime running lights is brighter than allowed by U.S. Standards.

  Remedy

  Dealers will be advised to deactivate the running light function and to complete any outstanding safety recalls on these vehicles.

• NHTSA recall #00V073000March 7, 2000565,800 vehicles affected

  trailer hitches

  Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly to the frame attaching bolts could lose the clamp load.

  The trailer hitch could then separate from the vehicle.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the trailer hitch mounting bolts and nut plates.

• NHTSA recall #98V095000May 13, 19981,520,000 vehicles affected

  wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

  Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles and light duty pickup trucks. The lug nuts on these vehicles may not create sufficient clamp load allowing wheel movement in relation to the hub/rotor mounting surface.

  This Can result in the loosening of lug nuts, stud fatigue failure, and the potential for a wheel separation from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

  Remedy

  Owners of these vehicles will be receiving two notifications. The first notification, which began in may 1998, will provide an interim repair procedure until parts become available. This interim procedure Can be completed by owners or their dealers. It specifies that the lug nut torque must be verified to be 100 lbs. Then the lug nuts need to be tightened an additional 1/8 to 1/4 turn more. There will be a second owner notification, which is expected to begin july 20, 1998, under which dealers will inspect the wheel studs and replace the wheel lug nuts.

• NHTSA recall #97V171000October 7, 1997866,000 vehicles affected

  power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)

  Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. If the automatic transmission shift cable assembly was not fully attached to the steering column bracket, the shift cable assembly Can come out of the bracket. The vehicle operator would then not be able to shift the transmission from one of the drive gear positions into the park position even though the gear shift selector would indicate "park."

  The condition would not allow a disengagement of the transmission from the park position or affect proper neutral start switch operation. Unintended vehicle movement could occur if the parking brake was not set.

  Remedy

  Dealers will make the proper attachment of the transmission shift control cable to the steering column bracket and add a tie strap to that connection.

• NHTSA recall #96V252000December 18, 199625,000 vehicles affected

  suspension: rear

  The rear axle track bar bracket Can separate from the frame due to missing welds or inadequate weld penetration.

  If both brackets separate, the rear axle Can move laterally until the tires contact either the frame or the wheelhouse resulting in either tire damage or a significant reduction in vehicle handling performance.

  Remedy

  Dealers will install a track bar bracket reinforcement kit and inspection of the axle tubes. The suspect axle tubes do not have a stamped date code on the tube. Axles without date codes on the tubes will be replaced.

Other model years

• 1997
• 1998 836
• 1999 946
• 2000 890
• 2001 578
• 2002 340
• 2003 615
• 2004 297
• 2005 315
• 2006 299
• 2007 215
• 2008 146
• 2009 28
• 2010 58
• 2011 71
• 2012 118
• 2013 92
• 2014 72
• 2015 164
• 2016 217
• 2017 358
• 2018 383
• 2019 524
• 2020 426
• 2021 241
• 2022 117
• 2023 65
• 2024 79
• 2025 38