1997 Ford Expedition: doors won't lock, open or latch

Filed Dec 14, 2015 · Electrical · 190,000 miles · WA

Miscellaneous electrical problems caused by water leaking from driver's side windshield into the fuse box causing, windshield wipers to quit. Door lock won't work, radio quit. Problem is never the same, depends on where the water leak occurs. Very scary and dangerous when driving at night in the rain.

Filed Jan 6, 2012 · Electrical, Transmission · 140,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford expedition. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idled in the driveway, he noticed that the exterior and interior lights were flashing, the stereo would turn on and off, and the door locks would lock and unlock. The contact unplugged the battery and the vehicle operated as normal. In addition, the contact stated that the transmission completely failed and the contact noticed water leaking in from the windshield onto the dashboard. Both the dealer and manufacturer were notified, but denied any assistance with repairs of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000 and current mileage was 197,000.

Filed Jul 14, 2008 · Locks · NV

1997 ford expedition. Rear child door locks. One side eventually locks by itself. Rear occupants cannot get out,must open door from outside. Dealer said nothing wrong with it and no recall. After 8 years my kids did not require them and I tied them open with wire.

Filed Jun 17, 2008 · Body, Locks · 130,000 miles · TN

The child safety door locks on the rear doors of our 1997 ford expedition will gradually move themselves from the off to the on position, preventing the rear passengers from being able to exit without someone opening the door from the outside. Have attempted to tape the locks in the off position, but this has not worked.

Filed Oct 11, 2006 · Locks · NV

Child safety locks on both rear doors automatically engage after the door is shut, or the car is driven for several miles. Sometimes the switch is hard to flip back to unlock without jiggling the outside door handle. I have made sure both switches were secure in the unlock position before passengers rode in the back, only to have the doors automatically lock while on our way to our destination. Very hazardous in an emergency.

Filed Oct 26, 2005 · Acceleration · 130,000 miles · IN · fire

Dt:the contact stated vehicle caught fire while driving. He received recall 05v388000 concerning vehicle speed control:cruise control. Smoke was coming from the air vents. He stopped the vehicle, tried to put the vehicle into park and it would not go. He put the vehicle in neutral, turned vehicle off, and then was able to put into the park position. The automatic door locks would not work . The contact had to break the window and unlock the door with the key to get out of the vehicle. He was able to pull the hood latch, and when the hood opened, there was a big cloud of black smoke and then flames. The fire department was called and a report was taken. The ford investigator determined that the extent of the fire was severe. However, they could not determine the cause of the fire. The manufacturer will not offer any restitution.

Filed Mar 21, 2005 · Locks · 42,000 miles · OH

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.

Filed Feb 5, 2002 · Electrical · AL

Shorts in the electrical system resulted in misfunctioning door locks (repaired), electronic 4wd (still malfunctioning) and failure of internal dome light to turn off. All occurred within the first 12000 miles. 4wd and dome light are still a problem.. Dome light makes vehivcle difficult to drive at night.

Filed Dec 1, 2000 · Locks · MS

Rear doors keep going into child's lock mode. *ak the rear passenger door locks in automaticaly and pauses danger during emergency.

Filed Oct 9, 2000 · Electrical · AR

I have had several electrical malfunctions in the past 9 months. First starting may 2000, clicking noises under dash, dash lights blinking on and off seems low washer fluid light is effected most. Beeping noises from behind glove box. A/c comes on without key in ignition. Took it to ford imediatly they couldn't find a problem. Next incident, was during a weekend and it seemed to correct itself. Second time to the shop, same problem as first. They could not find what was causing the problem. This problem has happened several times either at night or on weekend as this is the only time the car is driven. By monday am problem is gone. In june another incident this time windows and door locks affected. Windows rolled up and down by selves, then would not perform at all. Door locks came up on their own. Dealership could not find problem. Oct. 5, 2000 driving and clicking noises start under dash, window rolls down by self, beeping noises start under dash, cigerette lighters malfunction(cell phone stops working), speedometer, odomerter, tackometer, quit working while I'm driving. Windsheild wipers malfunction. Car begins shifting hard. This is scary when you are driving in the rain, on dark windy roads with 3 children in the car. I just kept thinking , what if the engine dies and the steering locks up. I feel this to be a huge problem and could be life threatening. Again I took the car to ford who once again could not find a problem. Found the trottel to need adjusting. Drove car home and the next morning the same thing happened (saturday ford service is closed) I turned off the vehicle and when I started it again the problem corrected itself. Please help, I'm worried about the safety of my family.)

Filed Feb 1, 1999 · Body · CA

Passenger door handle came off.