1997 Ford Expedition Powertrain & Transmission Problems

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.

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. 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.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE IS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION FROM ONE OF THE DRIVE GEAR POSITIONS INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WOULD INDICATE PARK, WHICH ALLOWS UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIRS SINCE THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V171000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 166,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V171000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)); THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 137,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION FROM ONE OF THE DRIVE GEAR POSITIONS INTO PARK, EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR INDICATED THAT IT WAS IN PARK. AS A RESULT, SHE EXPERIENCES UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V171000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)). THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 107,000.

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

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

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

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

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

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

PROBLEM WITH GEAR SHIFT ON 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE PROBLEM IS A "STICKING" SHIFTER THAT WON'T ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO PLACED IN PARK. THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE CAN'T BE PROPERLY SECURED AND/OR RESTARTED SINCE THE VEHICLE CAN'T BE SHIFTED TO THE START POSTION. THE INDICATOR INDICATES "P" FOR PARK BUT THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL IN REVERSE. VEHICLE MUST BE SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL FOR STARTING GIVING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR POTENTIAL ROLL OFFS. COULD BE RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 97V-171NSA-111 ALTHOUGH LOCAL DEALER STATES MY VEHICLE ID DOESN'T FALL UNDER THIS RECALL. LOCAL CERTIFED MECHANIC STATES THE PROBLEM IS IN THE ACTUAL CABLE THAT BE THE RESULT OF VEHICLE RECALL DEFECT. HE HAS PERSONNALLY FIXED 3-5 OF THESE DEFECTS WITHIN THE LAST 3 MONTHS IN A SMALL RURAL SHOP.*AK

VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN PARK ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WHEN SUDDENLY VEHICLE JUMPED IN DRIVE AND ROLLED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH SEVERAL TREES, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE TOTALED. PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ON AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, NOR WAS THERE ANY ONE IN THE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 4-WHEEL DRIVE ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN REVERSE, WHICH CAUSED A MINOR ACCIDENT. *JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP ON FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, WHICH RESULTS IN THE VEHICLE NOT DRIVING AT FASTER THEN 10-15 MPH. CONTACTED DEALER