1997 Ford Expedition
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 4 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 1997 | 853 |
| 1998 | 836 |
| 1999 | 946 |
| 2000 | 890 |
| 2001 | 577 |
| 2002 | 340 |
| 2003 | 615 |
| 2004 | 296 |
| 2005 | 315 |
| 2006 | 299 |
| 2007 | 215 |
| 2008 | 146 |
| 2009 | 28 |
| 2010 | 58 |
| 2011 | 71 |
| 2012 | 118 |
| 2013 | 92 |
| 2014 | 71 |
| 2015 | 164 |
| 2016 | 214 |
| 2017 | 356 |
| 2018 | 371 |
| 2019 | 482 |
| 2020 | 394 |
| 2021 | 229 |
| 2022 | 111 |
| 2023 | 64 |
| 2024 | 71 |
| 2025 | 30 |
| 2026 | 8 |
| 2027 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
17% of complaints: suspension — 145 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rear and front.
CRASH INJURY13% of complaints: service brakes — 112 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20201217
Also filed under AIR BAGS
12% of complaints: electrical system — 102 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing interior/under dash and front underhood.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH12% of complaints: steering — 102 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tie rod assembly and linkages.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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...
NHTSA ODI report, 20200804
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel became loosened while making a left turn.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240529
Also filed under VISIBILITY
11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 90 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.
CRASH FIRE DEATHSAFETY TIMELINE
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
Campaign 96V252000 — check if this car was fixed
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 SHI
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.
Campaign 97V171000 — check if this car was fixed
INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION TORSION BAR
TIE ROD END FAILURES
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 MOU
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. THIS INTERIM PRO
Campaign 98V095000 — check if this car was fixed
FACTORY INSTALLED TOWING HITCH SEPARATIO
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.
Campaign 00V073000 — check if this car was fixed
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 PHOTOME
Remedy: DEALERS WILL BE ADVISED TO DEACTIVATE THE RUNNING LIGHT FUNCTION AND TO COMPLETE ANY OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECALLS ON THESE VEHICLES.
Campaign 00V168000 — check if this car was fixed
FRONT STABILIZER LINK
STEERING SHAFT SEPARATION
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. IF THE YOKE IS
Campaign 03V196000 — check if this car was fixed
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
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. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPEED CONTRO
Campaign 05V388000 — check if this car was fixed
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 331-1129L-ASN AND 331-1129R-ASN, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFOR
Remedy: MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.
Campaign 06E067000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE RE
Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
Campaign 06E060000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1997 Ford Expedition — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (145 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (112 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (102 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 96V252000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 97V171000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V095000 (wheels) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V073000 (trailer hitches) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V168000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V196000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V388000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E067000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E060000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1997 Ford Expedition reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Ford Expedition is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford Expedition?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Ford Expedition have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.