1997 Ford Expedition Steering Problems

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

TL* THE CONTACT 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING BOLT ON THE VEHICLE BROKE. THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN IN NUMBER: 03V196000 (STEERING: GEAR BOX: SHAFT SECTOR), BUT WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 105,000.

THERE IS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL, IT ROCKS FROM SIDE TO SIDE. I AM A MECHANIC SO I REPLACED BOTH SHAFT BEARINGS BUT THIS DID NOT CURE THE PROBLEM. THE UPPER STEERING SHAFT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE YOKE IS WEARING OUT CAUSING THIS CONDITION. IF THE YOKE SHOULD SNAP THE ABILITY TO STEER WILL BE LOST AND CAN CAUSE DEATH. THIS IS A CRUCIAL AND CRITICAL STEERING COMPONENT THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. CAN YOU LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS THIS REPAIR WILL HAVE TO BE DONE ASAP. ALSO THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS ARE RUSTED OUT THEY ACTUALLY HAVE HOLES IN THEM I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS WOULD BE COVERED AS WELL. THIS VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED, I HAVE DRIVEN A LOT OF DIFFERENT VEHICLES AND NEVER SEEN STEERING AND SUSPENSION PARTS WEAR OUT LIKE THIS BEFORE. THEY DON'T MAKE THEM LIKE THEY USED TO. I LIKE MY TRUCK THOUGH,I WILL BUY ANOTHER FORD IN THE FUTURE, BUT FOR RIGHT NOW I GOT TO KEEP THIS ONE ROLLING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THANKYOU *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING BECAME RESISTANT. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX SHAFT FAILED. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN CONTINUOUS AND IS BECOMING WORSE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V196000 (STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 230,796. THE CONSUMER STATED FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL PREVIOUSLY LISTED. UPDATED 11/06/07 *TR

TIE ROD THREADS STRIPPED LEADS TO COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING AND NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE. *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

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.

CONSUMER STATED THAT STEERING MADE A CLICKING SOUND,AND HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED. ALSO, HIGH BEAM LIGHTS DID NOT WORK UNLESS CONSUMER HELD THEM . CONSUMER WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR IT TO BE CHECKED OUT.*AK

THE VEHICLE EMITS A RUBBING NOISE WHILE STEERING. *NLM

PURCHASED USED EXPEDITION IN LATE FEB, 2003. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED EXTREMELY SENSITIVE STEERING. SLIGHT INPUT, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN RAIN OR WIND, CAUSED LARGE CHANGES IN VEHICLE DIRECTION. LOWER FRONT TIRE PRESSURE, NECONNECTING REAR STAB BAR, FE ALIGNMENT, AND NEW SHOCKS HAVE HELPED THE PROBLEM BUT IT IS STILL WAY TOUCHIER THAN IT SHOULD BE. FORD DEFINITELY HAS A PROBLEM BUILT INTO THIS VEHICLE MODEL. I HAVE OVER 40 YEARS DRIVING EXPERIENCE IN ALL TYPES OF VEHICLES AND HAVE SEEN NOTHING LIKE THIS. I ASSUME IT IS INHERENT IN THE VARIABLE ASSIST POWER STEERING. *NLM

THE STEERING SHAFT WAS LOOSE AT THE GEAR BOX , THE TECHNICIAN SAID THERE WAS ALMOST NO CONTACT AND WOULD NOT LET ME DRIVE IT HOME SAYING IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS AND WAS ABOUT TO COME UNDONE AT ANY TIME. THE WHEEL COULD BE TURNED 1/3 AROUND AND THERE WAS NO MOVEMENT BECAUSE OF THE DEGREE OF SEPARATION MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. MY 1997 FORD EXPEDITION WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE GROUP THAT WAS RECALLED IN RECALL NUMBER 03S02 DATED MAY 2003, THEREFORE I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS MYSELF. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THEY CANNOT HELP ME BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T RECALL MINE. THERE COULD ALSO BE OTHERS THAT WERE NOT RECALLED. I HAVE THE RECEIPT TOTALING ABOUT $340. THE PAPERWORK FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP READS: FOUND STEERING SHAFT LOOSE AT BOX. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY I HAD TO PAY FOR WHAT OTHER OWNERS GOT FREE BECAUSE IT WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *JB