1997 Ford EXPEDITION problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
591 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
120,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 238 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 49 of 591 complaints (8.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 77 | 13.0% |
| Steering behavior | 62 | 10.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 39 | 6.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 27 | 4.6% |
| Engine operation | 12 | 2.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 9 | 1.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 49 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 30 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 28 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 26 |
| Suspension:Front:Stabilizer Bar | 25 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 24 |
| Suspension:Rear | 21 |
| Suspension:Front | 19 |
Electrical System: 49; Vehicle Speed Control: 30; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 28; Engine And Engine Cooling: 26; Suspension:Front:Stabilizer Bar: 25; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 24; Suspension:Rear: 21; Suspension:Front: 19
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 11 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 19 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 35 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 87 |
| 150,000 and above | 78 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 19; 75,000 to 99,999: 35; 100,000 to 149,999: 87; 150,000 and above: 78
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (87). 353 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 103 |
| 2001 | 123 |
| 2002 | 45 |
| 2003 | 46 |
| 2004 | 28 |
| 2005 | 66 |
| 2006 | 22 |
| 2007 | 26 |
| 2008 | 34 |
| 2009 | 17 |
| 2010 | 14 |
| 2011 | 18 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2000: 103; 2001: 123; 2002: 45; 2003: 46; 2004: 28; 2005: 66; 2006: 22; 2007: 26; 2008: 34; 2009: 17; 2010: 14; 2011: 18; 2012: 9; 2013: 4; 2014: 8; 2015: 12; 2016: 3; 2017: 3; 2018: 4; 2020: 4; 2022: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 77 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 62 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 39 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10030440 · 2003-07-30 (July 30, 2003)
I HAVE HAD A TOTAL OF THREE BOLTS BACK OUT THAT SECURE THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BRAKE ASSEMBLY. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. ONE BOLT ON ONE OCCASION WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED. THE SECOND OCCASION RESULTED IN TWO BOLTS BACKING OUT AND ALLOWING THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY TO FALL AGAINST THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL. THIS RESULTED IN THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY BINDING AGAINST THE WHEEL AND FRACTURING THE WHEEL. ONCE THE WHEEL WAS CRACKED THE TIRE WHENT FLAT INSTANTLY, THUS RUINING THE TIRE AS WELL. I HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT 75 MPH SHORTLY BEFOR…
Owner-reported narrative. 121,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030440 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031093 · 2003-08-08 (August 8, 2003)
WHILE APPROACHING A UTILITY CREW FLAMAN I APPLIED THE BRAKES. IT SLOWED AND THEN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER THE BRAKES WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. I RAN PAST THE FLAGMAN FLASHING MY LIGHTS, PUMPING THE BRAKES AS WELL AS THE EMERGENCY BRAKES AND HONKING THE HORN. AFTER RUNNING THREE CARS OFF THE ROAD AND CHECKING ON MY FOUR YEAR OLD IN THE BACKSEAT WE CAME TO A STOP. THE DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED IN TWO AT THE METAL/RUBBER HOSE JUNCTION. I REPLACED BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT HOSES. THE PASSENGER SIDE ON VISUAL INSPECTION LOOKED O.K. DID I ME…
Owner-reported narrative. 113,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031093 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002279 · 2003-01-07 (January 7, 2003)
REPLACED FRONT SWAY BAR AND STABILIZER. FRONT END SQUEALS WHEN HOLDING STEERING WHEEL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002279 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10013722 · 2003-03-31 (March 31, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EMITS A RUBBING NOISE WHILE STEERING. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10013722 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025870 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
I AM ORIGINAL OWNER OF MY 1997 EXPEDITION, WHICH JUST TURNED 60000. DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKERED. STOPPED THE TRUCK AND IT STALLED. WHEN TRYING TO RESTART, BATTERY DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH JOICE TO TURN ENGINE. WHEN HOOKING UP JUMPER CABLES, THE STARTER ENGAGED BY ITSELF, WITHOUT KEY IN IGNITION, ENGINE STARTED, BUT STARTER REMAINED ENGAGED FOR A FEW MINUTES. ENGINE IDLED, BUT WHEN HEADLIGHTS WERE TURNED ON ENGINE STALLED. WHEN TRYING TO RESTART, NOTHING HAPPENED WHEN TURNING KEY, EVEN WITH JUMPER CABLES CONNECTED TO A GOOD BATTE…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,132 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025870 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10108398 · 2005-02-01 (February 1, 2005)
WET CONDITIONS CAUSE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS ON MY 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. WAS TRAVELING ON 01-10-05 ON SNOW PACKED ROADS WITH 4X4 ACTIVATED. FOUR WHELL DRIVE CLUSTER ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED TO FLASH INTERMITTENTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT VERY AKWARDLY. TOOK CAR OUT OF 4X4 AND SEEMED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. NEXT OCCURANCE WAS ON 01-21-05, TRAVELING ON WET ROADS. TURNED OFF VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT AND INTERIOR LIGHTING AND RUNNING BOARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT SHUT OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD DRIED OUT AFTER A FEW DAYS THE PR…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10108398 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009107 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)
WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN REVERSE, WHICH CAUSED A MINOR ACCIDENT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009107 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021395 · 2003-06-11 (June 11, 2003)
WHEN I TAKE OFF THE GAS IS STICKY AND TAKES ALOT TO GET IT GOING, WHEN TURNING FROM STOP MY REAR END VIBRATES LIKE IT'S GOING TO FALL OFF. AREADY HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BY THE DEALER SHIP I GOT THE CAR FROM. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW CLUNKS WHEN ROLLING DOWN, MOTOR MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN COLD. I JUST DON'T EXPECT THIS KIND OF PROBLEMS WHEN YOU PAY ALOT OF MONEY FOR A NICE CAR.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021395 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10143935 · 2005-11-29 (November 29, 2005)
TOWING TRAILER AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD STUDS BROKE. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF POWER CLIMBING A STEEP GRADE. CAR BEHIND ALMOST HIT US. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 132,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10143935 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10316870 · 2010-03-04 (March 4, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO STALL WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIDAS FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL IMMEDIATELY AFTER IT WAS SERVICED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO MIDAS THREE TIMES AFTER IT STALLED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A COIL PACK. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A TUNE UP AND THAT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE DAMAGED. THE CYLINDER HEAD ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPR…
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10316870 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10428855 · 2011-10-05 (October 5, 2011)
THE STRAPS HOLDING THE GAS TANK IN PLACE HAVE RUSTED OUT CAUSING THE GAS TANK TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10428855 at NHTSA ↗