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.
1997 Ford Expedition brakes complaints
Page 2 of 5: complaints 11 to 40 of 108, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 20 MPH on a dry road during normal braking conditions, the brake pedal went all the way to the floor which resulting in an extended stopping distance. This was accompanied by a groaning noise in the brakes. The vehicle stopped after driving up over a roadside curb. The vehicle was not immediately taken in for service. Updated 9/13/2006 - the vehicle was taken to a ford dealer who determined that the driver's side front hub assembly was bad. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility for repair.
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!
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.
Sudden and catastrophic brake failure caused by rupture of rt. Front brake hose, loss of all fluid and total failure of brake system. Vehicle was stopped by use of emergency brake pedal. No casualty but as incident happened without any warning in a hospital parking lot consequences could have been dire. Original purchase dealer maintained vehicle on schedule: most recent service and inspection in august 2005. Vehicle garaged with 96,000 mi.
1997 ford expedition brakes failed during a forced evasive maneuver to avoid a head on collision. *ts
The brake lines rupture with no warning. The vehicle has absolutely no brakes. The brake pedal goes straight to the floor. If in traffic, this brake line rupture could cause serious injury or death. Brake lines had to be replaced.
Dt: on june 27, 2005 while driving about 65 MPH the consumer heard a noise. And upon stopping, the consumer noticed the spare tire fell off. No damage to the vehicle was reported. The cable broke completely off, and the tire was gone. Owner called ford, and they were not concerned.*ak the brake line ruptured.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
While braking the brake pedal went to the floor. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
While pulling out of the driveway the brake pedal went to the floor. This caused loss of brake power. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that the brake line corroded and needed to be replaced.
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.
The consumer stated that the differential failed. The consumer heard a hissing noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The mechanic at the ford dealership determined that the differential was defective. *ak the brakes made noise when the vehicle was in motion. *sc
Front brake rotors failure.
While driving at 40 MPH, the driver applied the brakes and the brake pedal went to the floor. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic and the mechanic indicated that the steel line rusted and was allowing brake fluid to leak. *ak the first incident,the brake line from the master cylinder rusted through and then on the third occasion the power steering line from pump to reservoir rusted through. *scc
While approaching a utility crew flaman I applied the brakes. It slowed and then almost immediately thereafter the brakes were no longer available. I ran past the flagman flashing my lights, pumping the brakes as well as the emergency brakes and honking the horn. After running three cars off the road and checking on my four year old in the backseat we came to a stop. The drivers side brake line had rusted in two at the metal/rubber hose junction. I replaced both left and right hoses. The passenger side on visual inspection looked o.k. Did I mention we were pulling a flat bed trailer and going down hill with no shoulders, only drop offs!
I have had a total of three bolts back out that secure the passenger side front brake assembly. This has occurred on two different occasions. One bolt on one occasion was subsequently replaced. The second occasion resulted in two bolts backing out and allowing the brake assembly to fall against the inside of the wheel. This resulted in the brake assembly binding against the wheel and fracturing the wheel. Once the wheel was cracked the tire whent flat instantly, thus ruining the tire as well. I had been traveling at 75 MPH shortly before the failure occurred. Had I not heard the brake assembly scratching against the wheel and stopped, this could have resulted in a very serious accident. I feel like if it is happening to mine, it is probably happening with other ford expeditions and trucks as well. If this is not corrected I believe fatalities may result. By the way, I'm out about $700 for towing, rental car, tire and wheel replacement.
When applying brakes, brake line cracked and started to leak fluid. It was hard to stop vehicle. Dealer notified. *ak consumer states that the fluid sprayed into the cylinder, consumer had to replace spark plugs and wires.
Consumer states that the steering wheel vibrates when brakes are applied, the vehicle has been repaired several times, however the problem still exists.
Consumer has replaced rotors 7 times since purchase of vehicle, the dealer continues to evade the problem by replacing the rotors every 6 to 8 thousand miles. Severe vibration occurs when braking at speeds from 60 MPH down to 50 MPH. *ak the dealer can not find a remedy for the problem. Consumer also states there is a problem with the suspension.
When I went to replace the brakes and rotors on our 97 expedition with 71000 miles, I came to find out that both front rotors where rusted to the wheel hubs. I had to spend an additional $300 to buy new wheel hubs.
Vehicle was going 10-12mph and when pulling into home driveway bolt from caliper assembly dropped out. This caused aluminum wheel to explode. Dealer was concerned regarding this incident.
Abs braking system intermittently engages while driving, resulting in vehicle not being able to stop. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further details.
While replacing brake pads, noticed the stabilizer bars on both sides were not attached to the frame on top of the bars. Link bolts on both sides are gone.very dangerous.
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.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1997 Ford Expedition?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history