Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
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.
While driving on the highway, as soon as I go faster than 55mph the vehicle down by the wheels, starts shaking. I can feel it in the steering wheel. I suspect it's the ball joints but not sure. It also wobbles when turning going as slow as 25 MPH.
This issue was at night while driving the headlight to see at night had turned off at a 35 MPH speed no bumps no turn just driving straight. This is a serious issue, you use your lights for night and your are left with no lights, as a result for this huge problem I received a ticket that is how I found out my lights were not working. The headlights fuses, module components, wiring were checked no issues there, as for all other lights example emergency lights, rear lights interior lights are functioning. But as the electrician found the directional switch combo was burned left with a white shadow in one area it was replaced, and now functioning. As for the suspension not functioning properly is this an issue that has not been able to be resolved. I have taken it to different shops and there is no air leakage in the suspension pump and other areas that are linked with the suspension. …
My 1997 Ford Expedition xlt rear air suspension at times will "lower" to an extremely shallow height. This is most likely to occur overnight; although it does not always happen. In fact, it has been known to occur after the vehicle has been sitting for as little as an hour and a half. On other occasions, the vehicle does not appear to lower at all, even after sitting overnight. The dealership cannot seem to diagnose the problem. Another mechanic believes that the problem is with either the vehicle's computer system, which appears to be signaling the valves on the air bags to release air but not signaling the valves to close at the proper point. He further suggested (either alternatively or perhaps additionally) that the problem might lie with the air compressor which is not properly regulating the release of air from these valves. …
June 4, 2010 [redacted] wmc tv 5 memphis, tn 38104 dear mr. Wise and consumer investigators: walmart is selling recalled tires outlawed by the national highway traffic safety administration and department of transportation. This series was once sold by Firestone. This tire is responsible for over 26,000 deaths and $1m in damages etc. Goodyear bought the trademarked series mentioned in the subject line and is selling them only at walmart. This is the same product but different company. The tires specifics are p25570r16. I am preparing to take this step further to get this series removed from the shelves. It is the tires tread, depth, size, height, etc. That did not conform to the federal government's regulations an specificities. Contact me to further discuss this issue via email at [redacted] updated ivoq 10/22/10
After making a right turn off a major parkway in westchester county ny, where we had been traveling at 60 MPH, I made a right turn at exit . After proceeding 25 feet, a horrific noise was heard, the car lost steering ability and shook and bucked wildly. Hit a tree on roadside and came to rest. Found that the left tie rod ball joint completely separated and the left wheel had no steering at all. The incident would have killed my entire family had it happened at highway speed. This should not be possible. Prior to this, last year, both sway bar links fractured, also resulting in a near crash situation. This vehicle needs to be investigated. It is a death machine on wheels!!!!
My brake went to the floor when I started to drive my vehicle last week. I was going to ave my bakes replaced today when the mechanic noticed that the lower control arms were very rusted it has pieces breaking off and there is actually a hole in the rear driver side lower control arm. The metal brake lines is also rusted in two. He looked at my 1998 expidition and the lower control arms on the back of it are also rusted out. He saididn't I should not drive either of them until they are replaced. I'm wondering if there is a recall on these.
When making a right turn, vehicle started pulling to the left. Driver had no control of truck. It swiped a telephone pole, which took off the side mirror and jammed the driver's side door. Aftering exiting truck on the passenger's side, driver saw that the entire left wheel was off. Truck was towed to dealership. Problem has not been corrected. Please provide any further information.
The truck abruptly pulled to the right while driving at 35 MPH. Also, when this occurred there was a rattling noise from the front wheel. It sounded like something was loose. The truck pulled to the right with such force that it resulted in the truck hitting a curb and damaging the tire and rim. The mechanic indicated this could of been caused by a failure in the sway bar.
Related recalls
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 investigations
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
Suspension complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1997 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 138 complaints about the suspension of the 1997 Ford Expedition, 16% of the model year's 853 complaints. The component named most often is rear (29 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Ford Expedition suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 96V-252 (rear, Dec 18, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford Expedition suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to suspension 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.