Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accessories, trailer hitches and other equipment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Ford Expedition owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Consumer was traveling about 62mph on the highway while pulling a cargo van with furniture inside of the hitch that they were moving. Trailer started to fishtail, causing loss of control. Trailer disconnected from vehicle and remained on street level. Then, vehicle veered into a guardrail and into a ditch. Ak
Had taken vehicle at least 3 different times to dealer for non working radio. After 3rd time dashboard started smoking. Could smell rubber & plastic. Went back to dealership. Mechanic indicated would need to rewire & then reground the wires. Had also claimed penny in radio caused electrical short. Due to alarm going off, key could not be used. Vehicle could not be started. Mechanic could not resolve issue of electrical system & indicated it was driver's problem.
The bolts that attach the factory installed hitched worked loose with 2 of the 6 bolts falling out and the remaining 4 bolts were very loose. The hitch was close to separating from the vehicle. This also happened to my new 1999 Lincoln navigator this week where 4 of the 6 bolts were lost and the other 2 were very loose. Fortunately, I noticed the problem when parked and the hitch did not separate onthe highway.
The cable holding the spare tire snapped and the tire fell. This happened while I was driving slowly in a pasture but I make many trips thru chicago on the interstate. I wonder if this is a flawed design or if there is something I can do to insure this won't happen again in traffic. I don't know how to find out if this is a frequent occurrence.
I was driving when my spare tire fell off and I feel that the matter could have been much worse if I was driving on the highway when it happend. I also have a 9 month old baby that was in the truck when it happened. This vehicle has been nothing but problems for us and it seems like it just keeps getting worse.
The cable holding the spare tire under the chasis aparrently snapped, thereby releasing the spare onto the roadway. The tire crossed two lanes of traffic and ended up on the sidewalk. This could have been catostrophic had it hit another vehicle or a pedestrian!!
While driving a travel trailer hitched to the back of vehicle, consumer noticed load felt loose.contacted dealer,. Dealer stated that hitch cracked, causing the problem. Dealer replaced the hitch. Please provide any further details.
Spare wheel fell from its position under rear of car. Whatever was holding wheel broke. Car was in motion (35mph) on busy street in guadalajara, Mexico. A miracle an accident and substantial damage was averted.
The cable that supports the spare tire that is positioned underneath vehicle broke when consumer drove over a dip that was in the street, causing the tire to dismount. Dealer has been contacted.
Related recalls
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.
NHTSA investigations
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.
Equipment complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are equipment problems on the 1997 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the equipment & accessories of the 1997 Ford Expedition, 2% of the model year's 853 complaints. The component named most often is mechanical › carrier/rack (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Expedition equipment problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-073 (trailer hitches, Mar 7, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Expedition equipment problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 119,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to equipment & accessories problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.