1997 Ford Expedition problems & reliability
853 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Ford Expedition, alongside 4 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
40 complaints report injuries (48 injured, 11 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1997 Ford Expedition vehicles were involved in 29 fatal crashes with 32 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 138 | 16% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 96 | 11% |
| Electrical System | 95 | 11% |
| Steering | 94 | 11% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 89 | 10% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 79 | 9% |
| Power Train | 76 | 9% |
| Visibility | 44 | 5% |
| Wheels | 41 | 5% |
| Structure | 38 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 120,000 miles (middle 50% between 96,000 and 157,500 miles), based on 234 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The contact owns a 1997 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel became loosened while making a left turn. The contact stated that the "Check Suspension" and "Check ABS" messages were displayed on the instrument panel along with the oil, brake, and battery warning lights being…”
Steering · filed May 29, 2024
“Vehicle will speed up or slow down in certain times for certain speeds without notice smell of smok and looked hurt wiring”
Vehicle Speed Control · filed Mar 24, 2022
“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…”
Air Bags · filed Dec 17, 2020
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
Defect Petition DP05005 · opened Sep 22, 2005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Engineering Analysis EA05005 · opened Mar 22, 2005 · closed Aug 2, 2006 · led to recall 08V025000
- STEERING SHAFT SEPARATION
Engineering Analysis EA02001 · opened Feb 6, 2002 · closed May 29, 2003 · led to recall 03V196000
- FRONT STABILIZER LINK
Preliminary Evaluation PE01022 · opened Jul 2, 2001 · closed Nov 9, 2001
- FACTORY INSTALLED TOWING HITCH SEPARATIO
Preliminary Evaluation PE99060 · opened Sep 27, 1999 · closed Mar 8, 2000 · led to recall 00V073000
- TIE ROD END FAILURES
Preliminary Evaluation PE98024 · opened Apr 21, 1998 · closed Jul 21, 1998
- INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION TORSION BAR
Preliminary Evaluation PE98009 · opened Feb 13, 1998 · closed Jun 30, 1998
Technical service bulletins
373 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1997 Ford Expedition. The 10 most recent:
Some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6l 2v, 5.4l 2v, or 6.8l 2v engine--spark plug thread repair procedure--not covered under new vehicle limited warranty. *nj this includes f-53 motorhome chassis. Updated 2/23/10…
07212 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 2007
Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running. *tt
041601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 14, 2005
Rear axle noise repair. *tt
05618 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2005
Use of stainless steel exhaust studs in service for 5.4l 2v engine. *tt
0554 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 21, 2005
Rear axle noise repair. *sc
050618 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2005
General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures. *tt
042107 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 13, 2004
Customer maintenance reminder - literature program 04l19 - tie rod inspection procedure. *tt
04L19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2004
Engine misfire or running - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - wds cop kit diagnostic tips. To include various 2005 models. * ar this article 04161 supersedes tsb 03-14-04.
031404 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 23, 2004
Pop/thump noise at end of window movement and/or driver's window bounce back and reverse to mid-position. *tt
0457 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 22, 2004
Air suspension compressor noise. *tt
0454 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 22, 2004
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1997 Ford Expedition has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1997 Ford Expedition?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 120,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.