Most common 1997 Ford Expedition problems
Share of the 853 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Expedition complaints by model year
Best Expedition years: 2014, 2013, 2012. Years to avoid: 2019, 2020, 2024, 2017, 2018. Compare all years →
1997 Ford Expedition recalls (7)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
Remedy: Dealers will be advised to deactivate the running light function and to complete any outstanding safety recalls on these vehicles.
Trailer hitches
Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly to the frame attaching bolts could lose the clamp load.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trailer hitch mounting bolts and nut plates.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Show 1 more recall
Suspension › Rear
The rear axle track bar bracket can separate from the frame due to missing welds or inadequate weld penetration.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 7 possible defects involving the 1997 Ford Expedition:
Factory installed towing hitch separatio
This investigation was opened on September 27, 1999 based on five consumer reports alleging that some of the eight hitch mounting bolts either became loose or came completely out of its retaining plate.one of the complaints indicated that while towig a trailer the hitch actually separated from the frame on the passenger's side of the vehicle when the four mounting bolts on that side came completely out.
Tie rod end failures
There is no summary currently available
Independent front suspension torsion bar
Three consumers have reported failure of one of the two front suspension torsion bars in the subject vehicles.in one case the failure occurred while the vehicle was in operation, and the vehicles were parked when the other two failures occurred.no crashes have been reported.torsion bar failures are considered to be fairly uncommon and in each of the reported cases, the failures occurred at relatively low…
Front stabilizer link
Engine compartment fires
Ea05-005 is closed with Ford?s actions in recalls 05v-017, 05v-388, and 06v-286, recalling approximately 6.7 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).the brake systems in these recalled vehicles generate a vacuum that can potentially cause the scds to fail and, in certain switch installation orientations, catch fire.Ford is also including the entire population of…
Steering shaft separation
See attached summary for technical details
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On September 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 Ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or…
What 1997 Ford Expedition owners say
Suspension all 138 →
Tl contact owns a 1997 Ford Expedition. While driving 25 MPH, the front driver side tire disengaged without warning. As a result, the vehicle crashed into the curb. The mechanic stated that the lugs were stripped and could have caused the failure. There is a recall for the wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts (NHTSA campaign id # 98V095000) however, the dealer stated that her VIN was not included. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, she heard a clinking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the rear axle track bar bracket separated from the frame. There is a recall for the suspension: rear (NHTSA campaign # 96V252000) however, the dealer stated that her VIN was not included. In addition, while driving 55 MPH, the spare tire disengaged without warning. …
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.
Brakes all 110 →
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.
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.
Engine & cooling all 100 →
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 contact owns a 1997 Ford Expedition. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the contact heard a loud noise underneath the vehicle. She pulled to the side of the road and inspected underneath the vehicle and hood. The contact smelled a burning odor underneath the hood. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and they stated that the failure was related to a disconnected spark plug in the engine. The vehicle was repaired for the malfunction. On two separate occasions, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for identical failures, but there were no resolutions. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 96,000.
1997 Ford Expedition engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
| 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 17 / 14 |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 17 / 14 |
| 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 11 / 16 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Ford Expedition a good car?
Based on 853 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Expedition rates avoid: 3.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Expedition at the same age. It is one of the Expedition years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Ford Expedition?
The suspension — 138 complaints, 16% of all complaints for this model year, most often about rear. Next are the brakes (110) and engine & cooling (100).
How many recalls does the 1997 Ford Expedition have?
There are 7 recalls for the 1997 Ford Expedition, the most recent from September 7, 2005 (vehicle speed control). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Expedition?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2013 and 2012. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2020, 2024, 2017 and 2018. See the full Ford Expedition years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Expedition problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 120,000 miles; 8% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.