1997 Ford Expedition: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed May 29, 2024 · Steering, Visibility · 171,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 1997 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the steering wheel became loosened while making a left turn. The contact stated that the "Check Suspension" and "Check ABS" messages were displayed on the instrument panel along with the oil, brake, and battery warning lights being illuminated. The contact called a local dealer and was informed that the part needed to repair the steering wheel was no longer in stock. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was provided the same information as from the dealer. The contact also stated that moisture had begun to leak from the sunroof. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000.

Filed Aug 26, 2015 · Brakes · 130,021 miles · KY

In driveway upon depressing the brake pedal, to put car in gear, brake pedal went to the floor. No brakes at all. No warning. No lights indicating failure ahead of time. Both brake lines that go from master cyl, to ABS unit rusted through. Upon for dealer replacing both lines on a test drive frt driverside brake line failed due to rust. Cost $976 for those rusted out lines and still 3 ore badly rusted, to go. Hardly safe with severely rusted lines. When those two lines burst,(at same time) no backup brake system in affect.

Filed Oct 8, 2008 · Brakes · 136,000 miles · OR

Initially, while applying the brakes on dry pavement, the ABS would engage intermittently. The front brakes were replaced after this happened. Unfortunately, it continued to occur intermittently. After which, the ABS light would light up. The rear ABS sensor was replaced and it still continued to happen, but the brake pedal would be hard initially but could be pushed through. A bearing was replaced on the frontend. The ABS would continue to engage randomly. Now, after the vehicle has been driven, then sat for 15-30 minutes, and then driven again, the ABS will engage--but then the brake pedal is very hard and difficult to push. The ABS light comes on. Our mechanic is now using his "tech hotline" to learn how to fix this.

Filed Dec 22, 2006 · Electrical, Transmission · PA

I have a 1997 ford expedition which has had the following symptoms: the fan blower stays on while truck is off, the battery dies for no apparent reason after truck has sat unused for short periods, various lights on instrument panel come on and off while driving(including ABS, airbag, all 4wd related lights, low wash, check engine), overdrive light blinks, speedometer doesn't work, truck doesn't accelerate and shift properly, radio comes on when truck is off. Clicks and beeps can be heard sometimes when in use and off. The dealer said the gem and fuse box were damaged by water leaking from windshield. They replaced parts(for $600 and told me that I had to go and get the windshield fixed. I asked how they knew the water was certainly coming from windshield, and they said because of location etc. And I asked them what will happen if it rains after I pick it up and before it gets looked at. They said I'd be fine if it's within a few days ("just don't wait a month"). Well I picked it upon the evening, and made an appointment for the next day for windshield. It rained overnight, though I even covered the area as best I could. I woke up to the radio blaring from my truck. I turned the truck on, shut it back off, radio still played so I shut its power off. As I drove to work, some of the other things started to happen again as well. I am not happy that (a) I have had to pay for ford's inadequate workmanship and (b) I now have to fight with them about what is going to happen now since the rain has already screwed it up again because they left it in my hands before the leak was fixed. That truck never should have left their garage until it was taken care of. I don't know why they couldn't do it themselves, but they could have at least had the glass company come and do it there. This clearly is a common problem with expeditions, and I think ford should be forced to do something about it. Electrical malfunctions are not something to let.

Filed Dec 21, 2006 · Brakes, Transmission · 78,000 miles · NY

I was braking and brake pedal sank to the floor. It turned out steel hydraulic brake lines had failed. I had all of them replaced in about 3/06 for a cost of $1000. I did not replace at the time the master cylinder to ABS lines. They failed on 11/23/2006 and I have retained them. If these components had failed at highway speeds it could have been potentially deadly. Note that my 1994 taurus sho had a similar failure. This vehicle has also had the transmission cooler steel lines fail and other severe undercarriage rust problems.

Filed Aug 9, 2006 · Brakes · PA

Low speed to moderate speed you apply the brake pedal as you would normally do and all of a sudden you have no pedal and it starts to pump for no reason at all it happens on dry roads and wet or snow covered roads then you finally stop and look down at the dash trying to figure out what just happened and the ABS light is illuminated on the dash for no reason at all. I have had just about every brake part sensors,computer ect.. Replaced it worked for a couple of months and now it is starting again there is no warning before it happens. I am really worried cause now I have a son 17 who occasionally drove the vehicle but as a result of the brakes malfunctioning he can no longer drive the expedition (unsafe). I have read other complaints on here about the same thing happening. I am going to contact the local ford dealership but I know that is going to cost me more money than I already put out to fix it!

Filed Jul 10, 2006 · Brakes · CA

Abs light comes on at random times. Brake failure at slow to moderate speeds like in antilock mode or like stopping on gravel. Pedal stiff and cannot pump brakes while feeling and sounding jerky. Have replaced wheel speed sensor and ABS solenoid sensor. Will finally grab and stop after approx. 20 feet of pumping.

Filed Apr 6, 2005 · Brakes · 62,000 miles · ID

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

Filed Feb 8, 2005 · Brakes · 123,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Apr 16, 2004 · Brakes · 15,000 miles · WI

Abs brakes: brakes on '97 ford expidition often failed due to malfunctioning ABS brakes. Pedal becomes jerky and will not go down. Clunking noise from front. Does not happen consistantly. I have to approach very cautiously to avoid collosions. Every other owner I have talked to has same complaint, yet ford has no knowledge of it. Front breaks have been redone, still happens. Has done it since new.

Filed Sep 10, 2001 · Brakes · KS

Abs braking system intermittently engages while driving, resulting in vehicle not being able to stop. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further details.

Filed Aug 15, 2001 · Brakes · CA

While driving attempted to slow down to make a turn, and found out that vehicle did not have any brakes. Took automobile to repair shop, and found out that ABS unit was not preforming.*ak consumer states there was never any kind of warning prior or after incident.