1997 Ford Expedition Complaint Log

The contact owns a 1997 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel became loosened while making a left turn. The contact stated that the "Check Suspension" and "Check ABS" messages were displayed on the instrument panel along with the oil, brake, and battery warning lights being illuminated. The contact called a local dealer and was informed that the part needed to repair the steering wheel was no longer in stock. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was provided the same information as from the dealer. The contact also stated that moisture had begun to leak from the sunroof. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000.

Vehicle will speed up or slow down in certain times for certain speeds without notice smell of smok and looked hurt wiring

WHILE COMING TO A STOP AND THE INTERSECTION OF LONGSTREET AND HIGHWAY 82. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDDLE AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND I SLED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION INTO A DITCH. I WAS TRAVELING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 50 MPH. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVERS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE A BROKEN NOSE FROM HITTING STEERING WHEEL. SEAT BELTS WERE ON FRONT SEAT DRIVER AND PASSENGER.

STEERING IS EXTREMELY OVERACTIVE AND SEEMS TWITCHING, MEANING AT LOW SPEED OR AT HIGH RATE OF TRAVEL VERY SLIGHT MOVEMENTS OF THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO MOVE SUDDENLY, AND UNCONTROLLABLY, PREVIOUS OWNER WENT OFF HIGHWAY AND FELT UNSAFE IN VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I IMAGINE THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE VARIABLE ASSIST POWER STEERING BUT CANNOT FIND ANY DIAGNOSTIC AIDE IN RESOLUTION OF ISSUE.

TAKATA RECALL, MY STEERING IS BAD LIKE IM FISHTAILING ON THE FREEWAY, WHEN I HIT A BUMP IT PULLS TO ONE SIDE. THERES ALOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL.

THE STEERING IS VERY LOOSE AND HARD TO KEEP ON ROAD, I CALLED FORD HEADQUARTERS TO SEE IF IT WAS UNDER RECALL AND THEY SAID NOT MY VIN WAS INCLUDED. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE O/D LIGHT BLINKING. MY TRANSMISSION SHIFT GREAT UNTIL THE LIGHT STARTS BLINKING.I THINK IT IS A BAD CRUISE CONTROL SENSOR. I READ WHERE A LOT OF THOSE SHORTED OUT AND STARTED FIRES.

MY 1997 FORD EXPEDITION XLT BEIGE IN COLOR SINCE I HAVE OWN THIS VEHICLE I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE FIVE (5) SPARK PLUGS AND COIL FOR THEY HAVE BLOWN OUT OF THE CYLINDER AND I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED INTO A REPAIR FACILITY WHICH HAVE BEEN COSTLY TO ME. THE ENGINE ON THIS VEHICLE IS A 5.4. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME OF THE PROBLEM ON THE HIGHWAY

THE STEERING ON THE VEHICLE IS LOOSE AND WONDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD CONTACTED A MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME WHERE STEERING SHAFT SLIDES TOGETHER IS REALLY LOOS AND STEERING SHAFT NEEDS REPLACED

I KNOW FOR A FACT THERE WAS A MASSIVE RECALL ON THE MODEL. THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS AND CATCHES ON FIRE WHEN THE KEY IS NOT IN THE IGNITION. MOST OF THE F-150 ENGINE FIRES WERE TRACED BACK TO A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL. THE VEHICLES USUALLY BURNED WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS 160-180,000 MILES ON THE SPEEDOMETER. MY 2000 FORD EXPEDITION BURNED CAUGHT MY HOME ON FIRE AND NEARLY KILLED THREE PEOPLE AND SEVERAL PETS. THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION BELONGS TO A GOOD FRIEND. THEY MENTIONED IN PASSING THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL IS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS VEHICLE IS EXHIBITING THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS THAT MY EXPEDITION DID JUST BEFORE IT CAUGHT FIRE. I UNPLUGGED MY FRIENDS EXPEDITION CRUISE CONTROL. I AM SHOCKED THIS VEHICLE IS NO LONGER ON THE RECALL LIST. IF THIS VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED DURING THE RECALL IT WOULD NOT BE MALFUNCTIONING NOW.

WHEN EXAMINING MY VEHICLE WHICH SUPPOSEDLY HAD A RECALL ON THE CRUISE CONTROL SENSOR ON BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, FOUND THAT FORD ONLY ADDED A FUSABLE LINK TO PREVENT FIRE AS THE SENSOR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN LEAKING AT THE TIME. IT HAS SINCE LEAKED AND THE ADDED BIT OF WIRE WITH THE BLUE TAG HAS BLOWN IT'S FUSES BUT I BELIEVE THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS NOW DISABLED MY HORN DURRING OPERATION. I AM REQUESTING MY VEHICLE BE SERVICED PROPERLY AS THE RECALL WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY TO MY UNDERSTANDING. I WAS LOOKING ONLINE AND JUST REALIZED THIS SO I LOOKED AT MY VEHICLE AND SAW IT IS THE OLD DESIGN.

STARTED VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY HEARD LOUD NOISE UNDER HOOD. FOUND SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT OF HEAD. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT TIME, BUT HAD BEEN DRIVEN WITHOUT PROBLEM JUST A COUPLE OF HOURS EARLIER.

MY BRAKE WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE LAST WEEK. I WAS GOING TO AVE MY BAKES REPLACED TODAY WHEN THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE VERY RUSTED IT HAS PIECES BREAKING OFF AND THERE IS ACTUALLY A HOLE IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE METAL BRAKE LINES IS ALSO RUSTED IN TWO. HE LOOKED AT MY 1998 EXPIDITION AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON THE BACK OF IT ARE ALSO RUSTED OUT. HE SAIDIDN'T I SHOULD NOT DRIVE EITHER OF THEM UNTIL THEY ARE REPLACED. I'M WONDERING IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THESE.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AS SOON AS I GO FASTER THAN 55MPH THE VEHICLE DOWN BY THE WHEELS, STARTS SHAKING. I CAN FEEL IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I SUSPECT IT'S THE BALL JOINTS BUT NOT SURE. IT ALSO WOBBLES WHEN TURNING GOING AS SLOW AS 25 MPH.

COIL PACK, SPARK PLUG ISSUE. MY EXPEDITION SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS "MISSING". NOT SURE WHEN I 1ST HEARD IT. I TOOK IT IN FOR SOME MAINTENANCE- OIL CHANGE, CHANGE SPARK PLUGS, BASIC TUNE UP. BUT I WAS TOLD BY THE SHOP THAT THE COIL PACK/SPARK PLUGS WERE DEFECTIVE & IF I ATTENPTED TO CHANGE THE PLUGS & COULD THAT THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE IT WILL BLOW THE HEAD. THE SHOP REFUSED TO CHANGE THE PLUGS N COILS. STATING THAT THEY WILL NOT ATTEMPT IT, BEING AS THEY DO NOT WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HEAD. SO, I HAVE TO LIVE WITH A DEFECTIVE ENGINE. FORD NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM. IF THIS BLOWS WHILE I DRIVE IT & ANYONE GETS INJURED AS A RESULT, I WILL SUE FORD. THE 97 EXPEDITION IS A GREAT SUV. BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE THE COIL PACK/SPARK PLUG ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS! THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS & DANGEROUS & EXPENSIVE PROBLEM. SHAME ON YOU, FORD.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 96V252000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

MISCELLANEOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAUSED BY WATER LEAKING FROM DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD INTO THE FUSE BOX CAUSING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO QUIT. DOOR LOCK WON'T WORK, RADIO QUIT. PROBLEM IS NEVER THE SAME, DEPENDS ON WHERE THE WATER LEAK OCCURS. VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT IN THE RAIN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT BOUGHT THE VEHICLE WITH A KNOWN SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE DETAILS OF THE REPAIR WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 097V171000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AT 35 MPH, THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BECOMING LOOSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V196000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

GENERAL AMERI-TRAC 255/70/R16 HAD A COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION FROM MAIN TIRE. IT BEGAN WHEN I NOTICED SUDDEN AND VIOLENT VIBRATION COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WHILE DRIVING AT 60MPH ON HIGHWAY 82 IN MONTANA. I IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN, PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE TIRE TO FIND CHUNKS OF RUBBER FALLING OUT AND TREAD BULGING & WARPED. THIS TIRE (PROPER MOUNTED & BALANCED) HAS APPX 75% TREAD. I SLOWLY DROVE HOME AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING DAY I WAS GOING TO REPLACE IT WITH THE SPARE. WHEN I WENT OUT THE NEXT MORNING THE TIRE HAD COMPLETELY GONE FLAT. A CLOSER LOOK REVEALED OVER NIGHT THE TIRE HAD EXPLODED WITH THE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE AROUND 1/5 OF ITS CIRCUMFERENCE. THE STEEL BELTS STILL ATTACHED TO THE LIFTED PART OF THE TREAD. I WAS LUCKY THIS DIDN'T EXPLODE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.. AS GOING 60MPH ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY (ONE LANE EACH WAY) THAT IS HEAVILY USED BY LOGGING TRUCKS GOING 70+MPH COULD HAVE LEAD TO A DEVASTATING AND TRAGIC ACCIDENT. AN INCIDENT OF THIS NATURE ON ICY ROADS IN WINTER WOULD HAVE ONLY INCREASED THE LIKELY-HOOD OF A FATALITY. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS TIRE IS AN ISOLATED DEFECTIVE ITEM OR IF ALL THE 255/70 R16 AMERI-TRAC TIRES ARE BAD, BUT I CERTAINLY WANT THIS DEFECTIVE TIRE REPLACED BY GENERAL AS NO TIRE OF THIS POOR OF QUALITY SHOULD LEGALLY BE ON THE ROAD. IT WOULD BE LIKE ALLOWING BRAKE MANUFACTURERS TO SELL BRAKES SYSTEMS THAT ARE KNOWN TO FAIL OR ALLOWING STEERING WHEEL MANUFACTURERS TO SELL STEERING WHEELS THAT ARE KNOWN TO FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING. IF HEAVY PENALTIES AND FINES WERE GIVEN TO THESE COMPANIES (THAT HAVE WEAK INSPECTION PROCEDURES) FOR EACH DEFECTIVE INCIDENT, MAYBE THEY WOULD NOT ALLOW HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THESE TIRES TO BE SOLD... JUST BECAUSE THEY WISH TO CUT COSTS ON QUALITY CONTROL ISSUES AND HELP THEIR BOTTOM LINE PROFITS. THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AND ESPECIALLY FAMILIES WITH SMALL CHILDREN DESERVE BETTER, SAFER AND HIGHER STANDARDS IN THIS INDUSTRY.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND NOTICED CORROSION UNDERNEATH THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT. ON MY TRIP FROM VA TO PA SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT WHILE ON I95 IN DELAWARE A SNOWSTORM ABOUT TO START AND I GOT STRANDED. NO PART STORE HAS ANY ANSWERS, AUTO REPAIR SHOPS WANT TO CHANGE $300+ DOLLARS TO FIX. THERE IS A REPAIR KIT THAT CANNOT BE BOUGHT IN ANY AUTO PART STORE ONLY ONLINE. MY TRUCK IS YET IN PA CAN'T AFFORD HAVING IT TOWED BACK TO VA.. HAD TO GET A RENTAL TO COME BACK HOME. FORD NEEDS TO DO THE RIGHT THING HERE. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REMAIN IN POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO STEER THE VEHICLE IN EXCESS TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V196000 (STEERING), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ON MY 97 FORD EXPEDITION LIGHTS FLASHING RADIO ON AND OFF BY ITSELF. *TR

SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT, BROKE COIL AND DAMAGED HEAD. *TR

THE VEHICLE 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. HAVE ACCIDENT, THE CAR ROLL OVER TO ANOTHER CAR, I CAN"T PARK DOWN HILL IS TO DANGERS, IS NOT SAFETY . *TR

THE VEHICLE 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. HAVE ACCIDENT, THE CAR ROLL OVER TO ANOTHER CAR, I CAN"T PARK DOWN HILL IS TO DANGERS, IS TOT SAFETY . *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, THE TIRES TURNED TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO RUSTING OF THE SUB FRAME AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 260.000. UPDATED 9/4/14*CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE DRIVING 60 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SPARK PLUGS SEPARATED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE THREAD AND CYLINDER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS WITH A NEWLY MANUFACTURED STEEL HEAD AND THREAD HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD OR ENGINE POSSIBLY NEEDED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, GOING ABOUT 10 TO 15 MPH AND WHILE DRIVING I HAD NOT LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD INDICATING ANY PROBLEMS ALL OF SUDDEN MY 97 FORD EXPEDITION MAKES THIS CRAZY SOUND AND COMPLETELY TURNS OFF. I WAS NOT ABLE TO START THE TRUCK UP AGAIN SO I HAD IT TOWED. AFTER TWO DAY PAST I TRIED STARTING THE TRUCK UP AND IT WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. *TR

I CURRENTLY OWN A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION THAT KEEPS SPITTING OUT SPARK PLUGS! !ST TIME WAS CYLINDER #4 THEN #5, THEN TODAY 2-3-2014 I MET WITH #3 AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE WITH THE HOOD OPEN LOOKING FOR WHAT I THOUGHT SOUNDED LIKE A VACUUM LEAK OR VALVE TICK ONLY TO HAVE THE SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT AND ALMOST TAKE OUT MY EYE!!! FORD HAS KNOWN FOR YEARS THAT THERE ARE MILLIONS OF VEHICLES OUT THERE ESPECIALLY FROM 1997 THROUGH 2005 AND STILL HAVE DONE NOTHING TO ASSIST IN EITHER FIXING THE PROBLEM OR COMPENSATING PEOPLE FOR THEIR LOSSES DUE TO THIS CRAP DESIGN THEY CAME OUT WITH THAT ONLY HAS THE HEADS OF THE MOTOR HOLDING THE SPARK PLUG IN WITH 4 THREADS!! I AM TOLD THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE A RECALL BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THERE IS NO EMINENT DANGER INVOLVED WITH THE MALFUNCTION OF THIS DEFECT?? WHAT ABOUT - HEY THE MOTOR IS RUNNING SO THE FUEL INJECTOR IS SPEWING OUT FUEL ALL OVER THE MOTOR WHEN THE PLUG SHOOTS OUT LIKE A ROCKET AND THEN KNOCKS SOMEONE'S EYE OUT? FIRE DID U SAY?? EYE OUT?? NAAAH NO PROBLEM!!! I AM ALSO TOLD FROM MY MECHANIC THAT I WILL HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS BECAUSE EVEN IF YOU REPLACE THE HEADS THAT HOLD THE PLUGS IN YOU WILL ONLY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN DOWN THE LINE. THIS IS NOT AN ANSWER. FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AND FIX THE PROBLEM, MAKE A RECALL, REDESIGN THE HEADS AND STOP WITH THE B.S. BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT BAD!!! TOO MUCH TIME AND $$$ LOST FROM HAVING THIS PROBLEM GO TO THE SHOP EVERY [XXX] FEW MILES NOT TO MENTION THE TIME AND $$$ I AM LOOSING FROM WORK - JUST FIX IT FORD!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP BECAME SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO RUSTING OF THE SUB FRAME AREA. THE AREA THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE STRAP TO THE SECURE THE FUEL TANK WAS THE AFFECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 260,000. UPDATED 09/05/14*LJ

WHILE TRAVELING S/B AT APPROX 70 MPH ON I5 IN ORANGE COUNTY CA, RR TIRE OF 97 FORD EXPEDITION SUFFERED 360 DEGREE TREAD SEPARATION. LOSS OF CONTROL, ROLL. FRONT PASSENGER DIED. DRIVER LOST THREE FINGERS. DEFINITY DAKOTA H/T, DOT UPCU PA7 1508 (COOPER, FINDLEY PLANT). DOA 9/5/13. *TR

STEERING GETS HARD THEN CUTS LOOSE, STEERING COLUMN MOVES UP AND DOWN, SEEMS LIKE A SERIOUS SHAFT PROBLEM OR STEERING BOX ISSUE, SAW RECALL AND DEALER SAYS IT WAS NOT INCLUDED, SAME PROBLEM AS OTHERS, PLACES PEOPLE AT RISK AND SHOULD BE COVERED. *TR

I HAVE A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS FOR THE MIDDLE SEAT WILL NOT EXTEND. THEY ARE LOCKED IN THE RETRACTED POSITION. FROM REVIEWING THIS ON THE INTERNET IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE EVER HAD THAT HAD SEAT BELT PROBLEMS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO REPLACE THESE AS IT MAKES IT SO YOU CAN'T BUCKLE ANYONE INTO THE MIDDLE SEAT. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=1997, MAKE=EXPEDITION, MODEL=FORD ). *TR

I CURRENTLY OWN A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION THAT KEEPS SPITTING OUT SPARK PLUGS! !ST TIME WAS CYLINDER #3 THEN #7, THEN ON 3-6-2014 IT WAS #8 THEN ON 03/14/14 #2 AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE WITH THE HOOD OPEN LOOKING FOR WHAT I THOUGHT SOUNDED LIKE A VACUUM LEAK OR VALVE TICK ONLY TO HAVE THE SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT AND ALMOST TAKE OUT MY EYE!!! FORD HAS KNOWN FOR YEARS THAT THERE ARE MILLIONS OF VEHICLES OUT THERE ESPECIALLY FROM 1997 THROUGH 2005 AND STILL HAVE DONE NOTHING TO ASSIST IN EITHER FIXING THE PROBLEM OR COMPENSATING PEOPLE FOR THEIR LOSSES DUE TO THIS CRAP DESIGN THEY CAME OUT WITH THAT ONLY HAS THE HEADS OF THE MOTOR HOLDING THE SPARK PLUG IN WITH 4 THREADS!! I AM TOLD THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE A RECALL BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THERE IS NO EMINENT DANGER INVOLVED WITH THE MALFUNCTION OF THIS DEFECT?? WHAT ABOUT - HEY THE MOTOR IS RUNNING SO THE FUEL INJECTOR IS SPEWING OUT FUEL ALL OVER THE MOTOR WHEN THE PLUG SHOOTS OUT LIKE A ROCKET AND THEN KNOCKS SOMEONE'S EYE OUT? FIRE DID U SAY?? EYE OUT?? NAAAH NO PROBLEM!!! I AM ALSO TOLD FROM MY MECHANIC THAT I WILL HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS BECAUSE EVEN IF YOU REPLACE THE HEADS THAT HOLD THE PLUGS IN YOU WILL ONLY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN DOWN THE LINE. THIS IS NOT AN ANSWER. FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AND FIX THE PROBLEM, MAKE A RECALL, REDESIGN THE HEADS AND STOP WITH THE B.S. BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT BAD!!! TOO MUCH TIME AND $$$ LOST FROM HAVING THIS PROBLEM GO TO THE SHOP EVERY [XXX] FEW MILES NOT TO MENTION THE TIME AND $$$ I AM LOOSING FROM WORK - JUST FIX IT FORD!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

HUSBAND DROVE CAR ALL DAY LONG WITH NO ISSUE. THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE. HE PARKED IT ABOUT 10PM. WE ALL WENT TO BED. AT 3:15 AM WE WERE AWAKENED BY NEIGHBORS SCREAMING OUR CAR WAS ON FIRE. IT HAD STARTED ON FIRE. NOT SURE WHY OR HOW, WHEN IT WAS RUNNING JUST FINE DURING THE DAY. THE WHOLE FRONT END WAS BURNT UP, THE TIRES WERE MELTED, IT WAS RUINED. THE FIRE SCORCHED PART OF THE HOUSE ON THE FRONT. IT WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE GARAGE AND MELTED AWAY SOME OF THE SIDING AND THE DOOR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT OIL LEAKED ONTO THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 190,000.

ON 03/05/2012, MY FORD EXPEDITION EXEMPLIFIED SUDDEN ACCELERATION UPON IGNITION. THE TRUCK STARTED AND, IMMEDIATELY, ACCELERATED WITH EXTREME RPM. THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN THE PARKED GEAR BUT THE TRUCK GUNNED FORWARD EXPLOSIVELY. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY JOB AT THE END OF MY SHIFT. THE TRUCK ROCKETED FORWARD ABOUT 60 FEET THEN COLLIDED WITH A BRICK, SIX FEET HIGH RETAINING WALL. THE FRONT BUMPER OF THE EXPEDITION WAS ABOUT FOUR FEET FROM A GROUND-LEVEL POWER TRANSFORMER. THE RETAINING WALL WAS DESIGNED TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE TRANSFORMER. I'VE SUFFERED NECK AND BACK INJURIES AND WAS HOSPITALIZED. THE TRUCK SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT FRONT END AND UNDER CARRIAGE DAMAGE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY AT 35 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS PULLED OVER BY A POLICE OFFICER BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT NOTICE A FAILURE WITH THE FUSES OR THE RELAY. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

THIS ISSUE WAS AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHT TO SEE AT NIGHT HAD TURNED OFF AT A 35 MPH SPEED NO BUMPS NO TURN JUST DRIVING STRAIGHT. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE, YOU USE YOUR LIGHTS FOR NIGHT AND YOUR ARE LEFT WITH NO LIGHTS, AS A RESULT FOR THIS HUGE PROBLEM I RECEIVED A TICKET THAT IS HOW I FOUND OUT MY LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. THE HEADLIGHTS FUSES, MODULE COMPONENTS, WIRING WERE CHECKED NO ISSUES THERE, AS FOR ALL OTHER LIGHTS EXAMPLE EMERGENCY LIGHTS, REAR LIGHTS INTERIOR LIGHTS ARE FUNCTIONING. BUT AS THE ELECTRICIAN FOUND THE DIRECTIONAL SWITCH COMBO WAS BURNED LEFT WITH A WHITE SHADOW IN ONE AREA IT WAS REPLACED, AND NOW FUNCTIONING. AS FOR THE SUSPENSION NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY IS THIS AN ISSUE THAT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO BE RESOLVED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO DIFFERENT SHOPS AND THERE IS NO AIR LEAKAGE IN THE SUSPENSION PUMP AND OTHER AREAS THAT ARE LINKED WITH THE SUSPENSION. THE SUSPENSION PUMP STILL REPEATEDLY PUMP AIR EVERY 45-60 MINUTES WHICH IT'S FINE, BUT NOT WHEN THE VEHICLE BOUNCES VERY VIGOROUSLY FOR 15 MINUTES OR MORE TILL IT ACTIVATES THE SUSPENSION TO PUMP AIR. WHEN THE SUSPENSION IS DOWN THE STEERING WHEEL FUNCTIONS DIFFERENT AS THE BOUNCING MAKES IT HARD TO DRIVE AT A CERTAIN SPEED, NOT SAFE BUT MANAGEABLE IN THE MEAN WHILE. DURING THIS TIME I'M NOT APPRECIATING THE QUALITY OF MY EXPEDITION COMPONENTS. *TR

I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM WORK AND I HEARD A CLICKING NOISE AS I WAS DRIVING COMING FROM MY DASH ALONG WITH ALL OF MY GAUGES JUMPING RPMS RAN EXTREMELY HIGH AND SPEED GAGE JUMPING FROM ALL OVER FROM 50'S TO 05 MILES A HOUR LIGHTS LIGHTING UP AND THEN POWER LOST IN WHICH MADE IT HARDER TO STOP AND STEER ITS DONE THIS A FEW TIMES ALONG WITH A WITH THE CLICKING THE RADIO WILL TURN ITS SELF ON AND KILLS THE BATTERY AND THERE IS A SMELL OF A HOT PLASTIC SMELL ALONG WITH ALL OF THAT WHEN I START TO LOSE POWER MY HEAD LIGHTS DIM DOWN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT VIEWED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V171000, POWER TRAIN, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) AND STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PROPERLY SHIFT INTO PARK GEAR. WHEN SHE TRIED TO SHIFT INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL. SHE HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL, SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR, GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND PUSH IT BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY WHILE FORCING THE GEAR INTO PARK. WHEN SHE TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE IT FAILED TO START UNLESS IT WAS IN NEUTRAL GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THEY WOULD DOCUMENT THE CALL; OTHERWISE, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLED IN THE DRIVEWAY, HE NOTICED THAT THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE FLASHING, THE STEREO WOULD TURN ON AND OFF, AND THE DOOR LOCKS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK. THE CONTACT UNPLUGGED THE BATTERY AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER LEAKING IN FROM THE WINDSHIELD ONTO THE DASHBOARD. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 197,000.

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

I PULLED UP TO MY HOUSE AND AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN SMOKING THEN CAUGHT A FIRE UNDER HOOD. FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITH WATER HOSE. *TR

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY AND CAUGHT FIRE AT 2 IN THE MORNING. *TT

THE REAR LOWER TRAILING ARMS THAT HOLD THE REAR AXLE IN PLACE ARE MADE TOO THIN AND WITH CORROSION WILL FAIL. THIS WILL CAUSE THE REAR AXLE TO MOVE BACKWARD AND BREAK THE DRIVE SHAFT. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH OVER A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE CABLE WHICH HELD THE SPARE TIRE IN PLACE FRACTURED DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 156,000.