1997 Ford Expedition Complaint Log

I HAVE A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION WHICH HAS HAD THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS: THE FAN BLOWER STAYS ON WHILE TRUCK IS OFF, THE BATTERY DIES FOR NO APPARENT REASON AFTER TRUCK HAS SAT UNUSED FOR SHORT PERIODS, VARIOUS LIGHTS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL COME ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING(INCLUDING ABS, AIRBAG, ALL 4WD RELATED LIGHTS, LOW WASH, CHECK ENGINE), OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKS, SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK, TRUCK DOESN'T ACCELERATE AND SHIFT PROPERLY, RADIO COMES ON WHEN TRUCK IS OFF. CLICKS AND BEEPS CAN BE HEARD SOMETIMES WHEN IN USE AND OFF. THE DEALER SAID THE GEM AND FUSE BOX WERE DAMAGED BY WATER LEAKING FROM WINDSHIELD. THEY REPLACED PARTS(FOR $600 AND TOLD ME THAT I HAD TO GO AND GET THE WINDSHIELD FIXED. I ASKED HOW THEY KNEW THE WATER WAS CERTAINLY COMING FROM WINDSHIELD, AND THEY SAID BECAUSE OF LOCATION ETC. AND I ASKED THEM WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF IT RAINS AFTER I PICK IT UP AND BEFORE IT GETS LOOKED AT. THEY SAID I'D BE FINE IF IT'S WITHIN A FEW DAYS ("JUST DON'T WAIT A MONTH"). WELL I PICKED IT UPON THE EVENING, AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE NEXT DAY FOR WINDSHIELD. IT RAINED OVERNIGHT, THOUGH I EVEN COVERED THE AREA AS BEST I COULD. I WOKE UP TO THE RADIO BLARING FROM MY TRUCK. I TURNED THE TRUCK ON, SHUT IT BACK OFF, RADIO STILL PLAYED SO I SHUT ITS POWER OFF. AS I DROVE TO WORK, SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS STARTED TO HAPPEN AGAIN AS WELL. I AM NOT HAPPY THAT (A) I HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR FORD'S INADEQUATE WORKMANSHIP AND (B) I NOW HAVE TO FIGHT WITH THEM ABOUT WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NOW SINCE THE RAIN HAS ALREADY SCREWED IT UP AGAIN BECAUSE THEY LEFT IT IN MY HANDS BEFORE THE LEAK WAS FIXED. THAT TRUCK NEVER SHOULD HAVE LEFT THEIR GARAGE UNTIL IT WAS TAKEN CARE OF. I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY COULDN'T DO IT THEMSELVES, BUT THEY COULD HAVE AT LEAST HAD THE GLASS COMPANY COME AND DO IT THERE. THIS CLEARLY IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH EXPEDITIONS, AND I THINK FORD SHOULD BE FORCED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS ARE NOT SOMETHING TO LET. *NM

THE STEEL LINES CONNECTION THE TRANSMISSION TO A TRANSMISSION COOLER RUSTED OUT AND FAILED RESULTING IN A LOSS OF FLUID. THIS CAUSES IT TO START SLIPPING AND ALMOST GET STUCK IN TRAFFIC. I HAD TO CUT OUT SEVERAL BAD SECTIONS OF STEEL LINE AND REPLACE THEM. NOTE THAT THE FILLER TUBE TO REPLACE THE FLUID ALSO RUSTED OUT. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE, BOTH BRACKETS DETACHED OFF THE BACK WINDOW, CAUSING THE WINDOW TO FALL OUTWARD. THE GLASS DID NOT BREAK, AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE.

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

DRIVING MY 97 FORD EXPEDITION HOME FROM WORK IT BLEW A SPARK PLUG AND THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 76K. BROUGHT IT TO CROWLEY FORD IN PLAINVILLE, CT. AND THE PLUG WAS REPAIRED FOR $750.00. IT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACING FOR THE PRICE OF $5200.00. THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED TO POOR DESIGN. I DID MY HOMEWORK. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM ACROSS THE COUNTRY. AT THIS TIME FORD IS NOT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. *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

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH # 2 SPARK PLUG POPS OUT OF THE HEAD. *JB

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 HAD A INGNITOR BLOW COMPLETELY OUT OF THE HEAD ON MY EXPEDITION. . IT IMMEDIATELY SMELLED OF GAS AND SOUNDED LIKE A TRACTOR. THE INGNITOR THEN KEPT HITTING THE FUEL RAIL. WE WERE LUCKY THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT START ON FIRE BECAUSE OF THE TWO HITTING AND STARTING A FIRE WITH A SPARK. WHEN I TALKED TO A FORD DEALER THEY SAID THAT YES IT DOES HAPPEN QUITE A BIT BECAUSE OF THE ON THE HEAD...THEY ONLY PUT 2 THREADS IN TO THREAD THE INGNITOR IN. I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS IF THIS HAPPENS. SOME ONE COULD BE WORKING ON THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND COULD START A FIRE DUE TO THE GAS. IT WILL NOW COST ME $3000 TO FIX THIS DESIGN DEFAULT ONLY TO GET REPLACED BY THE SAME ISSUE!!! *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS TO THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS MELTED CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE CONNECTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE FIRST TIME THE CONNECTOR FOR THE LOW BEAMS WAS REPLACED. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS. THE SECOND TIME THE CONNECTOR FOR THE BLINKERS AND THE HAZARDS FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS WERE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED HOWEVER THEY ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

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

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM TO DETERMINE IF IT WAS CAUSED BY A RECALL OR DEFECT. PICTURES OF THE INCIDENT WERE TAKEN.*AK

1997 FORD EXPEDITION - THE HINGES ON REAR GLASS LIFTGATE BROKE / FRACTURED CAUSING REAR WINDOW GLASS TO DISCONNECT FROM THE VEHICLES AND CRASH TO THE GROUND AND SHATTER. THIS SOUNDS VERY SIMILAR TO THE RECALL ALREADY IN EFFECT FOR 2002 FORD EXPLORERS NHTSA CAMPAIGN #04V442000. *JB

PASSENGER SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS CORRODED AND BROKE ON 4.6L ENGINE, CAUSING EXHAUST LEAK WITH EMISSION CONTROL CATALYTIC CONVERTER. REPLACED STUDS WITH STAINLESS STUDS, BUT NOT ACKNOWLEDGED ON 4.6L. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS ON THE REAR DOORS ENGAGED THEMSELVES. THE CONTACT MUST EXIT THE VEHICLE AND OPEN THE DOORS FOR PASSENGERS. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM, BUT IT IS OCCURRING AGAIN.

1997 EXPEDITION THROTTLE WAS STUCK OPEN. *TS ***NAR*** WHILE DRIVING IN BELOW ZERO TEMPS THE THROTTLE STUCK OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AND AUTO CENTER WHO LOCATED A BULLETIN INDICATING THAT THE THROTTLE STICKS AFTER STEADY DRIVING IN COLD AMBIENT TEMPS. THE DATE ON THE BULLETIN WAS OCT 26, 1998.

97 EXPEDITION THAT HAS MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON, CLICKING UNDER DASH WET CARPET ON DRIVERS SIDE. LOCAL FORD DEALER TELLS ME OH THAT'S AN EASY FIX, ONLY $1200.00 TO REPLACE THE GENERIC ELECTRIC MODULE AND REMOVE AND REINSTALL THE WINDSHIELD! WENT ON TO TELL ME THEY DO THIS ALL THE TIME ON EXPEDITIONS! I ASKED WHY AND THEY TOLD ME THAT "THE FACTORY SCREWED UP WHEN THE WINDSHIELDS WERE INSTALLED AND THEY LEAK"! I THOUGHT THAT WAS WHY WE HAD RECALLS! IF THIS IS THE FACTORIES FAULT THEN WHY MUST I PAY FOR IT? *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 1997 FORD EXPEDITION INTO THE DRIVEWAY THE CABLE THAT HELD THE SPARE TIRE SNAPPED, CAUSING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL ONTO THE GROUND WHILE GOING UP OVER THE CURB. *AK UPDATED 02/2/707*JB

SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT OF HEAD BY FORCE OF THE ENGINE, LOSS OF POWER AN MAJOR DAMAGE. *JB

I HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH MY 97 FORD EXPEDITION NOT STARTING AFTER SITTING FOR LONGER THAN TWO DAYS FOR OVER A YEAR NOW. I HAVE HAD THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP ATTEMPT TO FIND THE DRAW KEEPING THE VEHICLE FOR OVER A MONTH TOTAL. WHEN IT RAINED THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE WORSE. EVENTUALLY I WAS LEFT WITH HAVING TO HAVE A BATTERY BOOSTER IN THE BACK AND JUMP THE CAR AS IT NEEDED WITH NO SOLUTION FROM THE DEALER. TODAY I WENT OUT TO THE CAR ALMOST A YEAR LATER OF DEALING WITH THIS AND THE CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER LESS THAN 24 HOURS OF NOT DRIVING IT. THE CAR WAS NOT COMPLETELY DEAD AS THERE WAS CLICKING NOISES UPON TURNING THE IGNITION BUT DID NOT TURN OVER. REMOVED THE KEYS FROM IGNITION AND GOT OUT OF CAR TO GET BATTERY BOOSTER FROM THE BACK AND HEARD POPPING AND STATIC NOISE FROM PASSENGER FRONT SPEAKER VERY LOUD. AGAIN, KEYS WERE NOT EVEN IN THE IGNITION. NOISE CONTINUED TO COME FROM THE SPEAKER FOR OVER 30 MIN UNTIL I JUMPED THE CAR. WHEN STARTED THE CLOCK AND RADIO WOULD NOT WORK AND NOISE CONTINUED TO COME FROM THE SPEAKER, ALSO NOTICED WATER LEAKING DOWN PASSENGER SIDE HANDLE LOCATED BY THE WINDSHIELD. DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO GARAGE SPECIALIZING IN ELECTRICAL AND WAS TOLD OF WATER LEAKING FROM WINDSHIELD SEAL FAILURE VERY COMMON IN THIS VEHICLE AND POSITION OF FUSE AND GEM MODULE ALLOWING WATER TO LEAK IN AND POOL ACTING AS A CONDUCTOR RESULTING IN COMPONENTS COMING ON AND MALFUNCTIONING WITHOUT VEHICLE ON IS VERY COMMON. RESOLUTION, REPLACE WINDSHIELD AS SEAL NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED (APPROX. $280.00) AND REPLACE FUSE AND GEM MODULE (APPROX. $600.00). I LEFT THE GARAGE AND CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE SAME AND SERVICE MANAGER SAID WITH OUR RECENT RAIN OF 25 DAYS RUNNING HERE IN WA THEY WERE SEEING A LOT OF THIS AND IS COMMON BUT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ONLINE THIS EVENING I AM SHOCKED HOW MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS I HAVE FOUND FOR THIS AND A COUPLE OF OTHER PROBLEMS I HAVE NOTICED. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER RECEIVING NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V388000 CONCERNING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, THE INTERIM DEACTIVATION REPAIR WAS PERFORMED AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. WHEN THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED BY THE DEALER. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL, AFTER THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED, THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DETERMINED THERE WAS A RESISTANCE SHORT AND HIGH CURRENT EXPOSED BY THE NEWLY INSTALLED SWITCH. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED THE PROBLEM WAS NOT THE NEWLY INSTALLED SWITCH, BUT A CONDITION AS A RESULT OF THE INTERIM DEACTIVATION WHICH EXPOSED SOME OF THE WIRES. *AK THE RESISTANT SHORT OUT AND THERE WAS HIGH CURRENT. ALL THEY FIXED WAS A FUSE JUMPER WIRE BETWEEN SWITCH AND VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL UNIT. *AK

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

ON DECEMBER 6 2005 MY 1997 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT FIRE AROUND 2:30 A.M. THE VEHICLE WAS OFF AND WE WE'RE ASLEEP. THE POLICE HAD TO CALL MY HOME AND AWARE ME OF THE FIRE AND ASK ME TO EVACUATE MY RESIDENCE BECAUSE SOMEONE HAD REPORTED THE FIRE OUTSIDE MY HOME. PART OF MY HOME WAS ALSO DAMAGED. *TR

TOWING TRAILER AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS BROKE. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF POWER CLIMBING A STEEP GRADE. CAR BEHIND ALMOST HIT US. *JB

HINGES COMPLETELY FAILED/BROKEN ON LIFTGATE WINDOW OF 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. WINDOW HANGING PRECARIOUSLY BY LATCH ALONE. COULD EASILY HAVE FALLEN/SHATTERED AND INJURED CHILDREN OF OWNER RIDING IN 3RD SEAT. THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT ACKNOWLEDGED AND SAFETY RECALLED IN EXPLORERS ALREADY. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL IN 2005. SINCE THAT TIME, SHE HAS RECEIVED MORE THAN FOUR ADDITIONAL NOTICES. SHE PLANS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DISCONNECTED ON APRIL 2, 2008. SHE HAS ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT IS CONTINUALLY INFORMED THAT THE PART IS UNAVAILABLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 198,000.

DT: THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID # 05V017000, CONCERNING VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE DEALER DID NOT DISCONNECT THE SWITCH. HE HAD TO MAKE TWO TRIPS TO THE DEALER BEFORE THEY DISCONNECTED THE SWITCH. *AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB

ON NOVEMBER 11, 2005 DRIVING MY FORD EXPEDITION ON HIGHWAY 410 AND JONES MALTBERGER IN THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO TEXAS. MY CAR WAS ON FIRE IN THE FRONT HOOD. I BELIEVE IT GOT CAUGHT ON FIRE BECAUSE IT HAS A DEFECTIVE SPEED CONTROL CAUSING ON THE VEHICLE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH BECAUSE IT OVERHEATED AND SMOKE AND BURNING UNDER THE HOOD HAPPENED. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY DON'T WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE TO MAKE REPAIRS. FORD SENT AN INSPECTOR ON JANUARY 4, 2006, WHO WAS IN CHARGE OF THE CASE FROM CONSUMER AFFAIRS. HE SENT A LETTER, AND CONCERN WAS REVIEWED AND WAS NOT ABLE TO VERIFY IT AS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. ALSO, COULD NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE AT THIS TIME. *AK. UPDATED 4/6/2006 - *NM. UPDATED ON 05/16/2006- *AK

TRAVELING @ 65 MPH AND LOUD BANG. ENGINE LOST POWER AND WAS EXTREMELY LOUD. WAS TOLD BY AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER THAT THE SPARK PLUG HAD BLOW OUT OF THE CYLINDER. THE TRUCK WAS NOT FIXED. FORD WANTED $5000 FOR NEW ENGINE OR $4200 TO REBUILD MINE. 1997 EDDIE BAUER EXPEDITION. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED IN A HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT WHEN A FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT ON FIRE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO HER SON'S CAR. THIS HAPPENED ON 10-17-05. THE FIRE DEPT DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS THE SCDS. ALSO, A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THIS WAS REPORTED TO CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THE CONTACT NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER, THUS RELIEVING HIM OF ANY LIABILITY TO THE OTHER VEHICLES THAT WERE BURNED BECAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT. THE CONTACT'S SON DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT INSURANCE TO COVER THE DAMAGE DONE TO HIS VEHICLE. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - THE COMPLAINANT SON OWNED A 1989 TOYOTA CELICA 2 DOOR WHICH WAS PARKED NEXT TO THE EXPEDITION WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *NM

MY 1997 FORD EXPEDITION 4X4 WITH 95,000 MILES JUST EXPERIENCED A FAILURE IN THE DRIVERS SIDE TIE-ROD. THE INNER TIE-ROD END SHREDDED WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE CENTER LINK. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 1997 FORD EXPEDITION BLEW OUT PLUG A SPARK PLUG IN THE ENGINE AND STRIPPED THE HEAD AND THE COIL. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH FORD, AND THEY TOLD HIM TO TAKE THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER AND CALL THEM BACK. THE DEALERSHIP DID A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING , AND SAID THAT IT WOULD TAKE $4,850.00 TO REPAIR THE ENGINE. WHEN THE CONTACT CALLED FORD BACK THE PERSON TO WHOM THE CONTACT TALKED TO DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHY HE WAS CALLING THEM BACK. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT. THE CONTACT SAID THAT HE PLANNED TO FIX THE TRUCK WHEN HE HAS THE MONEY AVAILABLE.*AK

DT:THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. HE RECEIVED RECALL 05V388000 CONCERNING VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS. HE STOPPED THE VEHICLE, TRIED TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND IT WOULD NOT GO. HE PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, TURNED VEHICLE OFF, AND THEN WAS ABLE TO PUT INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK . THE CONTACT HAD TO BREAK THE WINDOW AND UNLOCK THE DOOR WITH THE KEY TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL THE HOOD LATCH, AND WHEN THE HOOD OPENED, THERE WAS A BIG CLOUD OF BLACK SMOKE AND THEN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE FORD INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED THAT THE EXTENT OF THE FIRE WAS SEVERE. HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT OFFER ANY RESTITUTION. *AK

1997 FORD EXPEDITION BRAKES FAILED DURING A FORCED EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID A HEAD ON COLLISION. *TS *SC

DT: FORD CAUGHT FIRE ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2005, CONTACTED FORD, THEY SAID VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, HOWEVER, THEY SAID IT WAS SO SEVERELY DAMAGED THAT THEY COULD NOT TELL WERE IT STARTED. AS A RESULT, THEY HAD TO DENY THE CLAIM. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FIVE TO TEN MINUTES BEFORE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WAS NO FOREWARNING, AND NO NOISE WAS HEARD BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. *AK

DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE LAST NIGHT. SHE HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL ODOR. THERE WAS A FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER. THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE CONSUMER SEARCHED THE NHTSA WEBSITE TO SEE WHETHER THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION FOR THIS VEHICLE'S MAKE/MODEL, AND YEAR. *AK

SPARK PLUG #6 BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. RESULTED IN BEING STRANDED ON THE ROAD AND IMPEDING THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. DEALER WAS NOT HELPFUL REGARDING REPAIR.

DT: ON AUGUST 15, 2005 THE CONTACT WAS AT WORK WHEN HE WAS ALERTED BY SECURITY THAT HIS 1997 FORD EXPEDITION WAS ON FIRE. HE WENT OUTSIDE TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON AND DISCOVERED VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD ALREADY ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS TAKEN, BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT REVIEWED IT YET. THE FIRE WAS MOST SEVERE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN FRONT OF WHERE THE DRIVER SAT. THE FIRE STARTED NEAR THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF THE INVESTIGATION INTO CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, EA05005, AND BELIEVED THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE WAS PARKED NEAR OTHER VEHICLES AND IT COULD DO DAMAGE TO THE OTHER VEHICLES. IF THE VEHICLE BURNED WHILE AT HOME THERE COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGE TO THE CONTACTS HOME OR INJURIES TO FAMILY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD, AND WAS IN THE CRUISE CONTROL AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE ABOUT THREE MINUTES EARLIER. THERE WAS NO SMOKE BEFORE THIS. THE DRIVER HAD NOT USED THE CRUISE CONTROL THAT DAY. THE TRUCK HAD DRIVEN FINE EARLIER. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED FROM THE FIRE LOCATION BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THE CONSUMER HAS A FIRE REPORT WHICH STATED THAT THERE WAS NO LEAKAGE. THERE WAS NO INSURANCE ON THE VEHICLE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. EVERYTHING ON THE DASHBOARD WAS NORMAL. THE CONSUMER THOUGHT THAT IT WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL BECAUSE OF THE FIRES LOCATION AND THE WHEEL WELL. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WAS REGULARLY MAINTAINED . WHILE ON FIRE BYSTANDERS THAT TOOK PICTURES. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN ADVISED TO REVIEW THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND SUBMIT THE PICTURES TO ODI.

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

DRIVER SIDE TIE-ROD SEPERATION '97 FORD EXPEDITION WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH ON HIGHWAY. LOSE OF STEERING CONTROL. SERIOUS ACCIDENT AVOIDED ONLY BECAUSE OF EMERGENCY BRAKING.

DT: FORD EXPIDITION CAUGHT FIRE THIS PAST SATURDAY ON JULY 16, 2005. NO KEYS WERE IN IGITION, IT HAD BEEN SITTING FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES, GOT IN AND BEGAN TO DRIVE IT, BACKED IT UP AND SMELLED SOMETHING FUNNY, SO LEFT IT THERE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD A HARD TIME PUTTING OUT THE FIRE. THEY SAID FIRE WAS SO BAD THEY COULDN'T DETERMINE WHAT STARTED IT OR WHERE IT STARTED FROM. COULDN'T EVEN TELL THERE WAS AN ENGINE IN THE TRUCK. IT BURNT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. . AT THIS POINT HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER.*AK

ON JUNE 17, 2005 OUR 1997 EXPEDITION BLEW ITS FIRST SPARK PLUG. WE AT THE TIME THAT IT WAS AN UNCOMMON OCCURENCE SO WE HAD A LOCAL MECHANIC FIX THE PROBLEM AT THE COST OF $388. NOT EVEN A MONTH LATER ON JULY 15, 2005 OUR EXPEDITON BLEW ANOTHER SPARK PLUG DIFFERENT CYLINDER BUT ON THE SAME SIDE. WE ARE LOOKING INTO OPTIONS TO SEE WHICH IS THE BEST OPTION FOR US TO GO WITH. WHILE RESEARCHING WE FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT SO UMCOMMON WITH A 5.4 LITER ENGINE WHETHER IN A EXPEDITION, F-150, ETC AND DOES NOT MATTER HOW MANY MILES EITHER. I SAW THE NUMEROUS COMPLIANTS ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS.COM WHICH IS WHERE I FOUND YOUR NUMBER AND CALLED TODAY. I THINK THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEEDS TO START ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTS IN THEIR ENGINES. AS OF RIGHT NOW WE ARE NOT SURE HOW MUCH IT WILL COST TO REPAIR OUR TRUCK. AN ESTIMATE GIVEN TO MY HUSBAND WAS FOR $3600.00 TO REDO THE HEADS OR $4700.00 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BUT IF THEY REPLACE WITH THE SAME DEFECTED ENGINE EVEN WITH A WARRANTY IT WILL DO US NO GOOD CONSIDERING THE WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER FOR THIS SPECIFIC REPAIR. THIS HAS ALSO CAUSED OUR FAMILY VACATION TO BE PUT IN LIMBO AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. MY FAMILY DOES NOT HAVE THAT TYPE OF MONEY JUST LYING AROUND WAITING TO BE USED. ME AND MY HUSBAND BOTH WORK TO SUPPORT OUR SIX CHILDREN, AND IT SEEMS LIKE FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEEDS TO PICK UP THE PACE AND HELP US CONSIDERING THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO COME OUT AND RECALL THEIR DEFECTED ENGINE.

ON 13 JULY 2005, I PARKED MY 1997 FORD EXPEDITION AT A CO-WORKERS HOME. WE LEFT FOR WORK IN HIS VEHICLE. 45 MINUTES LATER, I RECEIVED A TELEPHONE CALL FROM HIS SPOUSE. SHE STATED MY VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE AND THE SCHERTZ FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD RESPONDED. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE DEPUTY FIRE MARSHALL, TERRY AIKMAN, OPINED THE IGNITION POINT OF THE FIRE WAS AT THE CRUISE CONTROL CIRCUITS. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY WHO RESPONDED WITH A LETTER. THE LETTER SAID FORD REGRETTED MY LOSS BUT COULD NOT HELP BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT CURRENTLY ON THEIR RECALL LIST.

CRUSE CONTROLL BRAKE SWITCH BURNED UP WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BACK CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE. WHEN THIS SWITCH BURNED UP IT CAUSED THE STOP LIGHT FUSE TO ALSO BURN OUT AND AND THIS CAUSES THE SHIFT LEAVER TO LOCK IN THE PARK POSITION. NOW WE HAVE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE AND CAN'T GET THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE. A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE HAS HIS OWN SHOP AND HE USED TO A CHIEF MECHCANIC FOR FORD SO I CALLED HIM AND HE CORECTED THE PROBLEM. HE GAVE ME THE PARTS THAT BURNED UP AND TOLD ME TO CALL FORD BECAUSE THEY HAD A RECALL OUT FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THIER 2000 & 2001 MODLES. MY CAR IS A 1997 AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. ANY SUGGESTIONS. P.S. I STILL HAVE THE PARTS FROM THE CAR.

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: CONTACT STATES: A FIRE OCCURRED IN 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. IT BURNT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, THE WIRING HARNESS, AND IT MELTED THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR, WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE VEHICLE HAVING NO BRAKES. HE TALKED TO FORD, AND CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. CONTACT BELIEVED THE RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN BROADER AND GONE BACK TO EARLIER YEARS.*AK

DT:CONSUMER STATED THAT SINCE T SHE BOUGHT VEHICLE IT HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER HAD CONSUMER TO TAKE VEHICLE TO A SPECIAL SHOP, THEY WOULD TRY TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER SAID THAT WITHIN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS VEHICLE HAD TWO IGNITION SWITCHES INSTALLEDT HAT CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR. VEHICLE HAD SEVERAL OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. CONSUMER SAID THAT WITHOUT THE KEY IN IGNITION THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS /RADIO CAME ON, AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. SOMETIMESM THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLE BACK UP AFTER BEING ROLLED DOWN. CONSUMER ARRIVED HOME AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE ALL DAY. CONSUMER PARKED AND WENT INSIDE THE HOUSE. ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LATER, FOUND OUT THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. FIREMEN STATED THEY COULD NOT TELL WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE.*AK

JUNE 7, 2005, I PICKED UP MY SON AT SCHOOL; WE DROVE HOME AND GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK. WE WERE IN THE HOUSE 3-4 MINUTES WHEN I HEARD A VERY LOUD NOISE AND THEN STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE. I LOOKED OUTSIDE AND MY 1997 FORD EXPEDITION WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO ARRIVED WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS A FIRE THAT STARTED UNDER THE HOOD AND BURNT THE ENTIRE TRUCK UP.

DT: CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE AND PARKED IT OUTSIDE OF HIS HOUSE ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LATER IT WAS IN FLAMES. CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD, AND WAS ADVISED NOT TO MOVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY WERE GOING TO SEND SOMEONE TO INSPECT IT. HOWEVER, FORD DID NOT AS OF YET INSPECT VEHICLE, AND CASE WAS CLOSED. VEHICLE IS STILL SITTING IN FRONT OF HOUSE. ACCORDING TO FORD CUSTOMER HOTLINE THE CNN STORY WAS OFF BASE AND NHTSA WAS ALSO OFF BASE.*AK