Known Recalls

Model year record

1997 Ford Expedition

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,065 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V388000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
4,500,000
Reported to NHTSA
2005-09-07
Owners notified
2005-09-12

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Safety risk

A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer 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 CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS WHO DID NOT HAVE THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED TO HAVE THEIR SYSTEM REMEDIED BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS ARE URGED TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE FREE DISCONNECT SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FIRE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 06V286)

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V196000

Steering: gear box: shaft sector

Component
Steering: gear box: shaft sector
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
171,446
Reported to NHTSA
2003-05-27
Owners notified
2003-05-30

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer 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 NOT FULLY SEATED AND BOLT GROOVE AND SPLINE IS VISIBLE, THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND BOLT WILL BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE BOLT AT THE STEERING COLUMN CONNECTION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 30, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V168000

Exterior lighting

Component
Exterior lighting
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
20,637
Reported to NHTSA
2000-06-19
Owners notified
2000-07-19

Defect description

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 PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." ACCORDING TO FORD, THE VEHICLES WERE IMPORTED INTO THE U.S. ERRONEOUSLY.

Safety risk

THE LIGHT GIVEN OFF FROM THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS BRIGHTER THAN ALLOWED BY U.S. STANDARDS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL BE ADVISED TO DEACTIVATE THE RUNNING LIGHT FUNCTION AND TO COMPLETE ANY OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECALLS ON THESE VEHICLES.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V073000

Trailer hitches

Component
Trailer hitches
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
565,800
Reported to NHTSA
2000-03-07
Owners notified
2000-05-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. THE TRAILER HITCH ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME ATTACHING BOLTS COULD LOSE THE CLAMP LOAD.

Safety risk

THE TRAILER HITCH COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUT PLATES.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V095000

Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Component
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
1,520,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-05-13
Owners notified
1998-07-20

Defect description

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 MOUNTING SURFACE.

Safety risk

THIS CAN RESULT IN THE LOOSENING OF LUG NUTS, STUD FATIGUE FAILURE, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A WHEEL SEPARATION FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 PROCEDURE CAN BE COMPLETED BY OWNERS OR THEIR DEALERS. IT SPECIFIES THAT THE LUG NUT TORQUE MUST BE VERIFIED TO BE 100 LBS. THEN THE LUG NUTS NEED TO BE TIGHTENED AN ADDITIONAL 1/8 TO 1/4 TURN MORE. THERE WILL BE A SECOND OWNER NOTIFICATION, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN JULY 20, 1998, UNDER WHICH DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WHEEL STUDS AND REPLACE THE WHEEL LUG NUTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V171000

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
866,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-10-07
Owners notified
1997-10-20

Defect description

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 SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY CAN COME OUT OF THE BRACKET. THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WOULD THEN NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION FROM ONE OF THE DRIVE GEAR POSITIONS INTO THE PARK POSITION EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WOULD INDICATE "PARK."

Safety risk

THE CONDITION WOULD NOT ALLOW A DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE PARK POSITION OR AFFECT PROPER NEUTRAL START SWITCH OPERATION. UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR IF THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT SET.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V252000

Suspension: rear

Component
Suspension: rear
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
25,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-12-18
Owners notified
1997-02-26

Defect description

THE REAR AXLE TRACK BAR BRACKET CAN SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME DUE TO MISSING WELDS OR INADEQUATE WELD PENETRATION.

Safety risk

IF BOTH BRACKETS SEPARATE, THE REAR AXLE CAN MOVE LATERALLY UNTIL THE TIRES CONTACT EITHER THE FRAME OR THE WHEELHOUSE RESULTING IN EITHER TIRE DAMAGE OR A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN VEHICLE HANDLING PERFORMANCE.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system50102,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip4610,000 mi
Vehicle speed control45125,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs31120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine29128,000 mi
Suspension: rear29134,000 mi
Steering28170,000 mi
Suspension28130,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control28113,000 mi
Suspension: front27175,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling26140,000 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar2612,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2495,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar2262,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission20113,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1976,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1850,000 mi
Tires18223,500 mi
Unknown or other17107,000 mi
Air bags: frontal16155,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components14121,500 mi
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack13—
Steering: linkages13—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1260,132 mi
Power train: axle assembly1265,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition1188,695 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood11150,000 mi
Engine11193,000 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)11—
Power train10110,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1095,000 mi
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire10102,300 mi
Tires: tread/belt10—
Visibility: glass, side/rear10100,000 mi
Wheels10—
Air bags958,000 mi
Structure9130,000 mi
Structure: body990,000 mi
Interior lighting836,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages865,000 mi
Structure: frame and members8260,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer848,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly7260,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings796,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar7—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior780,034 mi
Visibility: windshield798,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline645,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift6130,000 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft6134,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system6—
Parking brake5106,000 mi
Seats565,000 mi
Steering: gear box: shaft sector595,685 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages5—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices5—
Electrical system: ignition: switch4119,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring4—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system4177,648 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe4132,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner4—
Exterior lighting4113,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)4120,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch4—
Seat belts: front: retractor4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor468,456 mi
Structure: body: door469,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly360,132 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control347,200 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights3—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch3—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines378,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit355,000 mi
Seat belts3—
Seat belts: front: anchorage3—
Seat belts: front: webbing3—
Service brakes33 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages3123,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm3—
Trailer hitches3—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal3175,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls3—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring3—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module2119,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery260,132 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module2—
Electronic stability control (ESC)2180,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2—
Equipment268,456 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2119,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap2—
Fuel system, other2130,000 mi
Parking brake: conventional2—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)2—
Power train: driveline2—
Power train: manual transmission2—
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)2—
Seat belts: rear/other2—
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor2123,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2172,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2113,800 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device2—
Steering: gear box: shaft pitman2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump2—
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment2—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut2—
Structure: body: hood2130,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint2—
Suspension: rear: springs: air suspension system292,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2—
Child seat1—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1179,000 mi
Electrical system: horn1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1—
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices1—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1—
Fuel system, other: fuel injection system1105,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1143,141 mi
Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicator1—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Seats: mid/rear assembly1—
Service brakes, air: antilock1—
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module115,000 mi
Service brakes, electric1136,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light1123,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1—
Steering: column1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1120,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate1151,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments1153,000 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars165,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields163,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1—
Suspension: front: hub1—
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension system1—
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1100,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: leaf spring assembly: hanger,bracket1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Visibility1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1171,000 mi
Wheels: rim1—

The 1996 model has 355 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.