- The problem
- Certain maxzone headlight assemblies, depo brand, p/nos. 331-1129L-asn and 331-1129r-asn, sold for use as aftermarket equipment for the above listed passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the photometric requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
- The risk
- Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Maxzone will notify owners and offer reimbursement for any noncompliant headlights. The recall began on july 28, 2006. Owners may contact maxzone at 909-822-3288.
Vehicle safety record
1997 Ford Expedition Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1997 Ford Expedition have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 9 recalls, the latest in August 2006 for the headlights.
NHTSA data checked
AFar fewer problems than a typical Expedition year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1997 Ford Expedition recalls 9
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
- The risk
- Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash
- The fix
- Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall began on august 1, 2006. Owners may contact aai motorsports at 909-923-9188.
- The problem
- On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn.
- The risk
- A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.
- The fix
- 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)
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This could result in loss of steering control, potentially resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- The light given off from the daytime running lights is brighter than allowed by u.S. Standards.
- The fix
- Dealers will be advised to deactivate the running light function and to complete any outstanding safety recalls on these vehicles.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly to the frame attaching bolts could lose the clamp load.
- The risk
- The trailer hitch could then separate from the vehicle.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the trailer hitch mounting bolts and nut plates.
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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."
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- The rear axle track bar bracket can separate from the frame due to missing welds or inadequate weld penetration.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1997 Ford Expedition yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Ford Expedition: every year compared
All Expedition years1997 Ford Expedition vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Ford Expedition | 0 | 9 | A | |
| 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser | 17 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1997 Jeep Wagoneer | 2 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1997 Lincoln Navigator | 0 | 2 | A | Compare |
| 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe | 0 | 2 | A | Compare |
| 1997 Chevrolet Suburban | 0 | 3 | B | Compare |
| 1997 GMC Yukon | 0 | 1 | A | Compare |
| 1997 Ford Contour | 234 | 8 | C | Compare |
| 1997 Ford Aspire | 76 | 0 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1997 Ford Expedition
Does the 1997 Ford Expedition have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 1997 Ford Expedition: headlights (August 2006); exterior lighting (June 2006); vehicle speed control (September 2005); shaft sector (May 2003) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1997 Ford Expedition had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1997 Ford Expedition a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 96 out of 100 (grade A: far fewer problems than a typical Ford Expedition year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Ford Expedition years have the most complaints?
2003 (655), 2001 (609), 2019 (533). See every Ford Expedition year compared.
What should I do if my 1997 Ford Expedition has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data