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Model Year Problem Record

Ford Expedition 1997 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1997 Ford Expedition: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

853Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
7Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
11Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
156Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Suspension145 complaints

145 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 96V252000.

Brakes119 complaints

119 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System102 complaints

102 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering102 complaints

102 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V196000.

Engine101 complaints

101 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control79 complaints

79 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 05V388000.

Power Train78 complaints

78 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 97V171000.

Visibility48 complaints

48 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels41 complaints

41 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 98V095000.

Vehicle Structure38 complaints

38 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires36 complaints

36 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages26 complaints

26 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags26 complaints

26 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment21 complaints

21 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting21 complaints

21 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 00V168000.

Fuel and Propulsion System20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Trailer Hitches and Towing3 complaints

3 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 00V073000.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

00V073000Reported March 7, 2000 - 565,800 vehicles potentially affected

Trailer Hitches and Towing. Recall covering the trailer hitches and towing system, reported to NHTSA on March 7, 2000. The campaign covers an estimated 565,800 vehicles across all affected models.

00V168000Reported June 19, 2000 - 20,637 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on June 19, 2000. The campaign covers an estimated 20,637 vehicles across all affected models.

03V196000Reported May 27, 2003 - 171,446 vehicles potentially affected

Steering. Recall covering the steering system, reported to NHTSA on May 27, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 171,446 vehicles across all affected models.

05V388000Reported September 7, 2005 - 4,500,000 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on September 7, 2005. The campaign covers an estimated 4,500,000 vehicles across all affected models.

96V252000Reported December 18, 1996 - 25,000 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on December 18, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 25,000 vehicles across all affected models.

97V171000Reported October 7, 1997 - 866,000 vehicles potentially affected

Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on October 7, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 866,000 vehicles across all affected models.

98V095000Reported May 13, 1998 - 1,520,000 vehicles potentially affected

Wheels. Recall covering the wheels system, reported to NHTSA on May 13, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 1,520,000 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA02001Opened February 6, 2002 - Closed May 29, 2003

STEERING SHAFT SEPARATION. Resulted in recall campaign 03V196000.

EA05005Opened March 22, 2005 - Closed August 2, 2006

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V388000.

EA05005Opened March 22, 2005 - Closed August 2, 2006

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V388000.

EA05005Opened March 22, 2005 - Closed August 2, 2006

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V388000.

PE01022Opened July 2, 2001 - Closed November 9, 2001

FRONT STABILIZER LINK. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE98009Opened February 13, 1998 - Closed June 30, 1998

INDEPENDENT FRONT SUSPENSION TORSION BAR. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE98024Opened April 21, 1998 - Closed July 21, 1998

TIE ROD END FAILURES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE99060Opened September 27, 1999 - Closed March 8, 2000

FACTORY INSTALLED TOWING HITCH SEPARATIO. Resulted in recall campaign 00V073000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19962
199772
199890
199998
2000103
2001123
200245
200346
200428
200566
200622
200726
200834
200917
201014
201118
20129
20134
20148
201512
20163
20173
20184
20204
20221
20241
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.