1997 Ford Expedition complaints

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

AFTER PARKING FOR 5 MINUTES A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

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.

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.

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

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

REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER WILL NOT TO TURN ON MOST TIMES. IF WIPER ASSEMBLY IS JARRED HARD ENOUGHT (EITHER BY BUMP OR BANGING ON IT) WILL CAUSE IT TO WORK FOR A WHILE. THIS PROBLEM WAS ORGINALLY FIXED BY DEALER, BUT WARRANTY HAS PASSED AND THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. I HAVE TAKEN THE UNIT APART, BUT BELIEVE THE UNIT WAS NEVER CHANGED AND BELEIVE THE CONTACTS WERE CLEANED. I BELIEVE THE WIRING IS BEING CORRODED CAUSING FOR GOOD CONTACT OF THE WIRES.*AK

DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON INTERMENTLY. I HAD THIS SAME ISSUE WITH MY 1995 FORD RANGER. ON BOTH VEHICLES THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM WAS REPLACED AND FIX THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. THE ISSUE RETURNS WITH OEM REPLACE PART. MECHANIC MENTIONED THAT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY USES A VERY THICK LUBRICANT ON THE MECHANISM CAUSING THE ISSUE. I NOW JUST LIVE WITH THE ISSUE AS I AM NOT GOING TO KEEP SPENDING MY MONEY ON LATCH MECHANISM THAT KEEPS GOING BAD. THE ONLY ISSUE IS THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON UNTIL THE DELAY OUT 45 SECONDS LATER. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING ISSUE WITH FORD VEHICLES ACROSS MULTIPLE MAKES OF VEHICLES. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO FORD DIRECTLY.*AK

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON STAYS ON. AT FIRST, I WAS TOLD THIS WAS BEING CAUSED BY A GAS CAP NOT HOLDING PRESSURE. I PURCHASED A NEW GAS CAP WHICH SEEM TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE COMPUTER WAS RESET BY TAKING THE CABLE OFF THE BATTERY. THIS LAST ABOUT A MONTH UNTIL I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE EVAP CAN SOLINOID, WHICH WAS REPLACED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PURCHASED. THE COMPUTER WAS RESET BY REMOVING THE CABLE FROM THE BATTERY. THIS LASTED ABOUT A MONTH AND WAS TOLD TO CHECK THE GAS CAP AND THE COMPUTER RESET BY REMOVING THE BATTERY CABLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL GO OUT WITH FRESH TANK OF HIGH OCTANE GAS, BUT WILL REAPPEAR WITH LOWER GRADE OF FUEL AFTER A WHILE. I AM TOLD NOW THAT 1 OF 4 O2 SENSORS ARE BAD AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. FURTHERMORE, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL 4 O2 SENSORS BE REPLACED ($150/EA) AT THE SAME TIME. I AM RELUCNTANT IN BELIEVING THE CAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AS I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WAY TOO MANY TIMES TO THROW DOWN $700 ON SOMETHING MAY OR MAY NOT WORK. OHIO EMISSIONS TEST WILL AUTOMATICALLY FAIL YOUR VEHICLE IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THERE NEEDS TO BE RECORD SOME PLACE SO THAT OWNERS CAN FIGHT BACK IF THEY PASS THEIR EMISSIONS TEST, BUT CAN'T GET THE CERTIFICATE IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I HAVE WASTED TOO MUCH MONEY AND TIME TRYING TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX THIS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.*AK

THE CAR IS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE FRONT TO REAR BRAKE LINE CORRODED AND FAILED. THIS HAPPENED COASTING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. EVEN THOUGH IT IS A SPLIT SYSTEM THE BRAKING LEFT WAS MINIMAL. THE PARTITION BETWEEN THE FRONT CHAMBER AND THE BACK DIDN'T SEEM TO LEAVE ENOUGH FLUID IN THE FRONT CHAMBER TO ALLOW EFFECTIVE REMAINING BRAKING. NOT TO MENTION THE BRAKE LINE CORRODING THROUGH IN LESS THAN 8 YEARS. I HAD THE BRAKE LINE REPLACED BUT DID NOT RETAIN THE OLD BRAKE LINE. THE COST WAS $623.04. *AK

CONSUMER WAS INSIDE THE HOUSE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE HEARD THE HORN GOING OFF INSIDE THE GARAGE AFTER IT WAS PARKED FOR 45 MINUTES. SHE IMMEDIATELY WENT TO TURN OFF THE HORN AND NOTICED THAT BLACK SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE HOOD. CONSUMER CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND WITHIN MINUTES THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE ALONG WITH THE HOUSE. RESULTS SHOWED THAT CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH HAD A SHORT WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE.*AK

AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 4 HOURS CRUISE CONTROL ON CAUGHT FIRE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. EVOQ FILED BY: PHIL CREAMER. *AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE OF THE DRIVEWAY AND HORN WAS BLOWING. THEN THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, AND WAS TOTALED. *AK FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE HOOD BEFORE THE HORN STARTED TO BLOW. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF ANY PROBLEM BEFORE FIRE. TRUCK HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR HOURS PRIOR TO FIRE. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT NEAR THE POWER DISTRIBUTION BOX. *TT

RE: SAFETY CONCERN WITH 1997 FORD EXPEDITION, OUT OF 8 SEATS, ONLY 4 HAVE HEAD RESTS. *BF *JB

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE DID NOT KNOW IF THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS OPERATING PROPERLY BECAUSE HE RARELY USES IT. *TC

THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE DASH BOARD AND FLASHED VERY FAST. IT MADE A CLICKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE KEYS AND, THE PCM, THE PCM BURNED OUT AGAIN, AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD SOME WIRES WERE PULLING FROM THE FRONT TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF SERVICE AGAIN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

THE SPARE TIRE OF MY 1997 FORD EXPEDITION (TRUCK) IS NORMALLY THREADED WITH A WIRE ROPE AND WINCHED UP INTO PLACE BENEATH THE BACK OF THE EXPEDITION. IT WORKS WELL AND IS EASIER TO USE THAN THE TRADITIONAL BOLT/PLATE. HOWEVER, IN JANUARY 2005,MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON GRANT ROAD A MAJOR STREET IN TUCSON ARIZONA AND THE WIRE ROPE BROKE AND THE TIRE FLEW OFF FROM BENEATH OUR EXPEDITION AND BOUNCED WILDLY DOWN THE ROAD. FORTUNATELY NOTHING AND NO ONE HIT THE TIRE; BUT THERE WAS POTENTIAL FOR A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF IT HAD BEEN HIT BY ONE OR MORE CARS. TRAFFIC STOPPED AND MY WIFE WENT BACK AND RETRIEVED THE ERRANT TIRE FROM THE MIDDLE OF THREE LANES. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE CABLE WAS CORRODED; BUT LIVING IN A DRY CLIMATE OF THE ARIZONA DESERT I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS WAS THE CASE. THERE WAS NO RUST OF ANY KIND I COULD SEE. I BELIEVE FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD NOTIFY TRUCK OWNERS TO INSPECT THE CABLE FOR DEFECTS. WE WERE VERY LUCKY THAT A LOT OF DAMAGE WASN'T DONE TO OTHER VEHICLES OR HUMANS. *JB

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT CAUGHT FIRE ON ITS OWN. RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE THERE WAS A SHORTAGE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN INFORMED BY CONSUMER.

THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND AT THAT SPEED THE ENGINE BEGAN TO EJECT THE SPARK PLUGS OUT OF THE SEVENTH CYLINDER. THE IGNITION COIL SITS UNDER THE FUEL RAIL. THE CONSUMER FEELS, " THIS COULD IGNITE AND CAUSE A BIG FIRE TO THE ENGINE." PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER POOR VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NM COMBO SWITCH WAS REPLACED. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH, WHICH WAS KNOWN TO CAUSE FIRES, WAS NOT RECALLED FOR HER VEHICLE. *TT

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED 30 MINUTES. ALTERNATOR REPLACED 1 MONTH AGO. CRUISE CONTROL USED SOMETIMES. LAST USED 1 MONTH AGO AND IT WORKED. NO AFTER MARKET EQUIPMENT. BRUCE YORK WENT TO SEE VEHICLE AND TOOK PICTURES.*AK

PARKED THE VEHICLE EARLY IN THE DAY AT AROUND 11:00 AM AND NOTIFIED OF FIRE IN BUILDING. NO WITNESS TO FIRE UNTIL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. IT WAS INTERMITTENT. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WAS HAVING TROUBLE. NO AFTER MARKET EQUIPMENT. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE BUILDING WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. WILL E-MAIL PICTURES AND VIN TO BRUCE YORK.*AK

ABS BRAKING SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY ENGAGES WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN VEHICLE NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. NO RESULTS, DEALER COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM, REPLACED WHEEL SENSOR, NO RESULT AS WELL. IT HAPPENS WHILE LOE SPEED DRIVING ONLY.THIS IS A DAILY ROUTINE. *AK

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 PROBLEM SEEMED TO FIX ITSELF AGAIN. THE NEXT INCIDENT WAS ON 01-29-05, ONCE AGAIN WET ROAD CONDITIONS. PARKED VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT WENT OUT TO START THE NEXT DAY AND HEATER BLOWER WAS STILL RUNNING WITHOUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. VEHILCLE HAD DEAD BATTERY, JUMP STARTED THE CAR AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF, AS WELL AS THE RUNNING BOARDS. HEATER BLOWER WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. TOOK THE VEHICLE OUT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BATTERY WAS CHARGED ENOUGH AND THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING AND IT WOULD NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY. IT FELT AT ONE POINT THAT IT HAD SHIFTED ITSELF INTO NEUTRAL. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AS THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME HAD TO SUDDENLY BRAKE. MANAGED TO GET THE CAR HOME SAFELY. I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE EXPEDITIONS OF ANY YEAR. I AM HAVING THE CAR SERVICED TOMARROW TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. HOPEFULLY THIS CAN BE CORRECTED, BUT THE MORE I LOOK INTO IT OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD T

MY HUSBAND WENT OUT TO START VEHICLE. HE HEARD A POP. TURNED OFF THE TRUCK. SAW THAT THE COIL AND PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. HAD IT TOWED TO FORD DEALER WHO SAID ALL THEY COULD DO IS CHARGE ME $2700 TO REPLACE THE HEAD THAT WAS DAMAGED FROM THE SPARK PLUG BLOWING OUT. I'VE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE SIMILAR TO MY PROBLEM AND YES, IT SHOULD BE A MANDITORY RECALL. WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD. ALSO TALKED WITH FORD COMPANY WHO ACTED LIKE THEY HAD NEVER HEARD THIS COMPLAINT BEFORE. FORD DEALER HAS WORKED ON TRUCK EACH TIME IT NEEDED REPAIR. BUYING A CHEVROLET.*AK

1997 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR FIRE CAUSED BY CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. *TT *NM

I HAVE A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE ON SATURDAY JULY 17, 2004. HE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN IT WAS PARK IN THE PARKING LOT IN MY OFFICE. I HAVEN'T START THE CAR FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS PRIOR TO THE EVENT.*AK THE FIRES HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR IS NOT IN USE AND THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF. I TRIED TO DO SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND FIND NOTHING RELATE TO THE PROBLEM. I STILL HAVE THE CAR PARKING IN THE BACK PARKING LOT, THE WHOLE CAR WAS TOTAL. HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO THE PARKING AND STOP THE FIRE, THE CASE NUMBER IS 040865BV BY R.L SCOTT HOUSTON ARSON INVESTIGATOR AND HIS NUMBER IS 713 865 9018.

PARKING BRAKE ON 1997 EXPEDITION FALL TO PIECES, REPLACED BOTH E-BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. *BF THE CONSUMER STARTED USING THE PARKING BRAKE SINCE HIS DRIVEWAY CONTAINED A SLOP, UNTIL ONE DAY WHEN HE BACKED OF OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE FUNNY NOISES. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE GRINDING NOISES AND STARTED TO VIBRATE BADLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT FORD WOULD NOT FIX IT FOR FREE. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED. *JB

FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT ON FIRE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR 6-8 HOURS BEFORE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *NM

PARKED VEHICLE AT 12 PM AT AROUND 5 PM THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. ONE DAY PRIOR TO THE FIRE THE LOW WASHER FLUID LEVEL LIGHT CAME ON. THEN THE LIGHT CLUSTER FOR THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE FLASHED A FEW TIMES. THE DAY OF FIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ABOUT 14 MILES. THE SAMES LIGHTS WERE FLASHING AND THEN THE ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING. TOOK IT TO LOCAL GAS STATION AND THEY SAID PROBABLY A LOOSE WIRE. CAR STARTED IT SELF AND THE STARTER MOTOR KEPT TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE ON ITS OWN. POPPED HOOD AND SAW LOTS OF SPARKING AND POPPING. SO VIDEO TAPED IT AS IT HAPPENED. FIRE SEEMED TO COME FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. DID NOT USE CRUISE CONTROL AND SO DO NOT KNOW IF WORKED.

RECALL CAMPAIGN: NHTSA CAMPAIGN 97V171000/ TRANSMISSION CABLE ASSEMBLY. VEHICLE WILL NOT ALLOW DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE PARK POSITION OR IT WILL EFFECT THE PROPER NEUTRAL START SWITCH OPERATION. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SERVICE ON THIS VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY A FORD DEALER IN INDIANA. HOWEVER, AS PER THE CURRENT OWNER, THIS PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

CHANGED LANES AT SPEED OF APROX 35 MPH RIGHT REAR AXLE OF VEHICLE BROKE OFF AT AXLE END BY WHEEL CAUSING DAMAGE TO WHEEL, TIRE AND BACKING PLATE. REPLACED ALL PARTS AND OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AT MY HOME . *AK

RECALL 98V095 FOR WHEEL LUG NUTS PROBLEMS ON 1997 EXPEDITION. *BF WHILE DRIVING ONE OF THE VEHICLE'S WHEELS CAME OFF THE TRUCK. WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT ALL THE LUG NUTS HAD BROKEN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GARAGE WHERE THEY DETERMINED THAT THE TRUCK HAD THE WRONG LUG NUTS ON IT. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE YEAR BEFORE A RECALL WAS ISSUED AND THE LUG NUTS HAD BEEN CHANGED. *NM

MIRROR GLASS BROKE . *AK THE INTERNAL BACKING ON BOTH REAR VIEW MIRRORS IS PEELING AND CRACKING FROM THE GLASS AND CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. *NM

CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE GOT STUCK IN FIRST GEAR. SHIFTER WILL NOT MOVE. CONSUMER MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE HOME, AND VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION CABLE WAS ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

PAINT AND FINISH ON ROOF OF VEHICLE PEELING, CRACKING, FLAKING OFF - OXIDATION FROM RUST, RUINING ENTIRE OUTER CAR SURFACE - HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT PRIMER COAT WAS EITHER MISSED OR SKIMPED DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS... FORD WILL NOT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE - ONE MALE REP FROM FORD STATED: "THE PAINT JOB IS ONLY SUPPOSED TO LAST 2 YEARS" NOT AN ACCEPTABLE ANSWER...ALSO, CHILD SAFETY LOCKS ENGAGE THEMSELVES, THUS PREVENTING OCCUPANTS IN REAR SEATS TO EXIT VEHICLE, CAN CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION... ALSO, VEHICLE REAR WHEELS AND OR AXELS "CHATTER" AT LOW SPEED TURNS... ALSO, AN AUDIBLE HUM IN VEHICLE AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS...ALSO, AUDIBLE SQUEAKING FROM INTERIOR SIDE PANELS...FORD DEALER STATES: CAUSE CANNOT BE LOCATED...ALSO, LEATHER SEATS HAVE CRACKED AND SHOW SIGNS OF ABNORMAL WEAR - THIS IS APPARANT IN ALL LEATHER SEAT COVERINGS BUT ESPECIALLY IN THE FRONT "BUCKET" OR "CAPTAIN" SEATS...FORD STATES WARRANTY FOR VEHICLE NO LONGER COVERS -ENGINE HAS HAD SEVERAL EPISODES OF "MISFIRING" OF "REVVING" ON IT'S OWN - HAS BEEN EXPLAINED AWAY AS A "COMPUTER" PROBLEM OR A "SENSOR" PROBLEM - ALWAYS AT COST TO CONSUMER..."CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT HAS COME ON ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, USING PREVIOUS EXPLANATIONS AS STATED PREVIOUSLY. HAVE NUMEROUS INVOICES FOR REPLACEMENTS OF SENSORS, COMPUTER CHIPS, ETC.*AK