Ford Expedition Complaints (1997)

853 consumer complaints on file.

#10129237July 18, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ON JUNE 17, 2005 OUR 1997 EXPEDITION BLEW ITS FIRST SPARK PLUG. WE AT THE TIME THAT IT WAS AN UNCOMMON OCCURENCE SO WE HAD A LOCAL MECHANIC FIX THE PROBLEM AT THE COST OF $388. NOT EVEN A MONTH LATER ON JULY 15, 2005 OUR EXPEDITON BLEW ANOTHER SPARK PLUG DIFFERENT CYLINDER BUT ON THE SAME SIDE. WE ARE LOOKING INTO OPTIONS TO SEE WHICH IS THE BEST OPTION FOR US TO GO WITH. WHILE RESEARCHING WE FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT SO UMCOMMON WITH A 5.4 LITER ENGINE WHETHER IN A EXPEDITION, F-150, ETC AND DOES NOT MATTER HOW MANY MILES EITHER. I SAW THE NUMEROUS COMPLIANTS ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS.COM WHICH IS WHERE I FOUND YOUR NUMBER AND CALLED TODAY. I THINK THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEEDS TO START ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DEFECTS IN THEIR ENGINES. AS OF RIGHT NOW WE ARE NOT SURE HOW MUCH IT WILL COST TO REPAIR OUR TRUCK. AN ESTIMATE GIVEN TO MY HUSBAND WAS FOR $3600.00 TO REDO THE HEADS OR $4700.00 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BUT IF THEY REPLACE WITH THE SAME DEFECTED ENGINE EVEN WITH A WARRANTY IT WILL DO US NO GOOD CONSIDERING THE WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER FOR THIS SPECIFIC REPAIR. THIS HAS ALSO CAUSED OUR FAMILY VACATION TO BE PUT IN LIMBO AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. MY FAMILY DOES NOT HAVE THAT TYPE OF MONEY JUST LYING AROUND WAITING TO BE USED. ME AND MY HUSBAND BOTH WORK TO SUPPORT OUR SIX CHILDREN, AND IT SEEMS LIKE FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEEDS TO PICK UP THE PACE AND HELP US CONSIDERING THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO COME OUT AND RECALL THEIR DEFECTED ENGINE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10128375July 11, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CRUSE CONTROLL BRAKE SWITCH BURNED UP WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BACK CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE. WHEN THIS SWITCH BURNED UP IT CAUSED THE STOP LIGHT FUSE TO ALSO BURN OUT AND AND THIS CAUSES THE SHIFT LEAVER TO LOCK IN THE PARK POSITION. NOW WE HAVE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE AND CAN'T GET THE CAR OUT OF THE GARAGE. A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE HAS HIS OWN SHOP AND HE USED TO A CHIEF MECHCANIC FOR FORD SO I CALLED HIM AND HE CORECTED THE PROBLEM. HE GAVE ME THE PARTS THAT BURNED UP AND TOLD ME TO CALL FORD BECAUSE THEY HAD A RECALL OUT FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THIER 2000 & 2001 MODLES. MY CAR IS A 1997 AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. ANY SUGGESTIONS. P.S. I STILL HAVE THE PARTS FROM THE CAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126445June 24, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
DT: CONTACT STATES: A FIRE OCCURRED IN 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. IT BURNT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, THE WIRING HARNESS, AND IT MELTED THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR, WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE VEHICLE HAVING NO BRAKES. HE TALKED TO FORD, AND CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. CONTACT BELIEVED THE RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN BROADER AND GONE BACK TO EARLIER YEARS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126273June 22, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
DT: CONTACT HAD A 1997, FORD, EXPEDITION THAT BURNED ON 4-23-2004. SHE CALLED FORD, AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THEY HAD NO PROOF OF WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CAR WAS SITTING IN A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT ; SHE HADN'T DRIVEN IT FOR MORE THAT 15 MINUTES WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE SITTING THERE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN THE GARAGE FOR 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS. THE FIRE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE INSIDE OF THE CAR WAS NOT DAMAGED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125957June 20, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
DT:CONSUMER STATED THAT SINCE T SHE BOUGHT VEHICLE IT HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER HAD CONSUMER TO TAKE VEHICLE TO A SPECIAL SHOP, THEY WOULD TRY TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER SAID THAT WITHIN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS VEHICLE HAD TWO IGNITION SWITCHES INSTALLEDT HAT CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR. VEHICLE HAD SEVERAL OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. CONSUMER SAID THAT WITHOUT THE KEY IN IGNITION THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS /RADIO CAME ON, AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. SOMETIMESM THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLE BACK UP AFTER BEING ROLLED DOWN. CONSUMER ARRIVED HOME AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE ALL DAY. CONSUMER PARKED AND WENT INSIDE THE HOUSE. ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LATER, FOUND OUT THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. FIREMEN STATED THEY COULD NOT TELL WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125648June 17, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
DT: CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE AND PARKED IT OUTSIDE OF HIS HOUSE ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LATER IT WAS IN FLAMES. CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD, AND WAS ADVISED NOT TO MOVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY WERE GOING TO SEND SOMEONE TO INSPECT IT. HOWEVER, FORD DID NOT AS OF YET INSPECT VEHICLE, AND CASE WAS CLOSED. VEHICLE IS STILL SITTING IN FRONT OF HOUSE. ACCORDING TO FORD CUSTOMER HOTLINE THE CNN STORY WAS OFF BASE AND NHTSA WAS ALSO OFF BASE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10122489June 15, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
DT: MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ABOUT 1/2 MILE, CAME HOME AND PARKED THE TRUCK. WITHIN 30 MINUTES THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE AND BURNED COMPLETELY. CONSUMER PUT OUT THE FIRE BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ON THE SCENE. THE FIRE DEPT CAME OUT TO MAKE SURE THE FIRE WAS COMPLETELY OUT, AND THEY CUT THE HOOD OPEN AND NOTICED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE MASTER CYLINDER AREA. THE TRUCK WAS STILL SITTING IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER'S HOUSE. *AK *SB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10124594June 8, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
JUNE 7, 2005, I PICKED UP MY SON AT SCHOOL; WE DROVE HOME AND GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK. WE WERE IN THE HOUSE 3-4 MINUTES WHEN I HEARD A VERY LOUD NOISE AND THEN STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE. I LOOKED OUTSIDE AND MY 1997 FORD EXPEDITION WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO ARRIVED WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS A FIRE THAT STARTED UNDER THE HOOD AND BURNT THE ENTIRE TRUCK UP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10122629May 23, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1997 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HOOD ALONG WITH FLAMES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE VEHICLE PARKED BESIDE THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE AND DAMAGED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE QUARTER PANEL OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118811May 2, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF IN THE YARD WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED. FLAMES CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. JUST HAD IT SERVICED TWICE SINCE DECEMBER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118968April 20, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
LTR RE DEFECTIVE 1997 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPEDITION, WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF.*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE FIRE WAS THE RESULT OF A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WHICH WAS RECALLED FOR THE 2000 EXPEDITIONS BUT NOT THE 1997'S. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10115213April 6, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN PUSHING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT TOOK AN EXTRA TWENTY FEET TO STOP. IT FELT LIKE IT WAS ON ICE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND FOUND NO DEFECTS, AND THE COMPUTER SHOWED NOTHING. *AK THE BRAKES WOULD GET HARD AND THE CALIPERS WERE CLICKING. WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD GONE OVER BUMPS, THE ABS LIGHT WOULD APPEAR ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE WOULD BE TURNED OFF AND BACK ON AND THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF. *SC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116968March 28, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V017000 CONCERNING CRUISE CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS PARKED ONE HOUR WHEN THE NEIGHBOR ALERTED CONSUMER THAT THE GARAGE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DPEARTMENT WAS ALERTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, HOWEVER, TWO VEHICLES AND PART OF THE HOME WERE DESTROYED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115972March 28, 2005
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR
THE STEERING SHAFT WAS LOOSE AT THE GEAR BOX , THE TECHNICIAN SAID THERE WAS ALMOST NO CONTACT AND WOULD NOT LET ME DRIVE IT HOME SAYING IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS AND WAS ABOUT TO COME UNDONE AT ANY TIME. THE WHEEL COULD BE TURNED 1/3 AROUND AND THERE WAS NO MOVEMENT BECAUSE OF THE DEGREE OF SEPARATION MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. MY 1997 FORD EXPEDITION WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE GROUP THAT WAS RECALLED IN RECALL NUMBER 03S02 DATED MAY 2003, THEREFORE I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS MYSELF. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THEY CANNOT HELP ME BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T RECALL MINE. THERE COULD ALSO BE OTHERS THAT WERE NOT RECALLED. I HAVE THE RECEIPT TOTALING ABOUT $340. THE PAPERWORK FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP READS: FOUND STEERING SHAFT LOOSE AT BOX. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY I HAD TO PAY FOR WHAT OTHER OWNERS GOT FREE BECAUSE IT WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115969March 28, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 97 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN HOME DEPOT PARKING LOT 10-29-05. THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL, AND IT STARTED UNDER THE HOOD ACCORDING TO THE INSURANCE REPORT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115841March 25, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
AFTER PARKING FOR 5 MINUTES A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114640March 24, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1997 FORD EXPEDITION WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. UNDER HOOD FIRE AND SMOKE ERUPTED. CRUISE CONTROL DISCONNECT SWITCH HAD BURST INTO FLAMES AND SET BRAKE FLUID ON FIRE. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. PARTS REPLACED, OLD PARTS AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114688March 24, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL BY APPLYING BRAKE VEHICLE ACCELERATES UNCONTROLLABLY NO MATTER HOW HARD BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE OFF BUTTON FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL MUST BE PRESSED TO STOP ACCELERATION. MY WORRY IS IF SOMEONE SHOULD PANICK WHEN THIS OCCURS IT COULD RESULT IN A REAR END COLLISION OR RUN THROUGH A INTERSECTION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
1
#10114414March 21, 2005
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR CHILD SAFET LOCKS ENGAGE AUTOMATICALLY. THE SWITCH WILL DROP INTO CHILD SAFET LOCK POSITION ON ITS OWN. I HAVE READ THROUGH MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS POSTED TO THIS WEB SITE OF SIMILAR STORY. THE PASSENGER EITHER HAS TO PUT THE WINDOW DOWN TO OPEN DOOR FROM GRABBING OUTSIDE HANDLE OR WAIT FOR ANOTHER PASSENGER TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS CAN BE CAUSE FOR CONCERN TO PASSENGERS LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE DURING ACCIDENTS. CHILD SAFETY LOCKING MECHANISM SHOULD BE REPLACED. HAD THIS REPLACED ONCE UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY TO ONLY HAVE IT FAIL AGAIN. CURRENTLY LODGING THE SWITCH IN PLACE TO KEEP IT IN FROM FALLING INTO PLACE AUTOMATICALLY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114411March 21, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
THE INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS OF MY 1997 EXPEDITION GO OUT EVERY TIME IT RAINS OR THE VEHICLE GETS WET. THE CAUSE OF THIS APPEARS TO BE IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONNECT WITH THE DIMMRER SWITCH THAT CAUSE A SHORT THAT THEN BLOWS THE 5 AMP FUSE. I HAVE REPLACED THIS MULTIPLE TIMES AND IS FINE AS LONG AS IT IS DRY (OHIO ISN'T A VERY DRY CLIMATE). I HAVE GONE THROUGH MANY 5 AMP FUSES. I HAVE DELAYED GETTING ANYTHING DONE SINCE THE FIRST OCCURANCE BACK IN 2000 DUE THE COSTLY EXPENSE OF JUST TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS SIMILAR TO OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE READ POSTED ON THIS WEB SITE DUE TO WATER LEAKING FROM WINDSHIELD. I HAVE EVEN HAD MY WINDSHIELD REPLACED AND STILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM TO DATE. I HAVE NOW STOPPED REPLACING THE FUSE AND LIVE WITH NO DASH LIGHTS AT NIGHT. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT SPEED YOUR GOING. IN MY PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING OPINION THERE APPEARS TO BE A WATER LEAK ISSUE IN THE WINDSHIELD/FIREWALL AREA. THIS WATER LEAK ISSUE SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AS THE ROOT CAUSE TO OTHER FAILURES THAT HAVE BEEN SEEN ON EXPEDITIONS AND F-150S IN REGARDS TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES AND FIRES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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