I've had two tie rod break since I've owned this vehicle. (I wasn't sure of the date, so I made one up on the questionaire. I can find out if needed. It was in 1999 but I don't know the exact date the first time it happened)the second time it happened, we could have been killed. We were driving around 60mph down the road, with lots of curves, when all of a sudden the car started going out of control. Like when you get a blowout. I've contacted customer sevice for ford and she was no help. I'm going to bring the part that broke to my local ford dealer and see what he can do. Although when I spoke to him on the phone, he told me there probably would be nothing that could be done. I don't use this vehicle harshly and don't understand why the tyrods are breaking. That puts anyone in a life-threatening position and I feel something should be done about this. The ford dealer that I put on the questionaire might be out of business now so the phone number and address might be incorrect. My local ford dealer is copper country ford located in houghton mi.
1997 Ford Expedition steering complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 93, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Experienced a loss of power assist and steering while driving at approximately 50 MPH due to failure of power steering pump. Please provide further information.
Vehicle experienced total steering loss while driving at highway speeds. Dealer inspected vehicle, and said that steering shaft had sheared. Manufacturer has been notified.*ak the vehicle had a design defect. It cost the consumer over a thousand dollars for repaier, which the manufacturer declined to reimburse.
While driving 20-30 MPH steering froze. Consumer had a very hard time getting vehicle to mechanic. Mechanic could not find cause, stated to take vehicle to a ford dealer.
Consumer heard loud noise and noticed lack of steering control. Delaer found pitman arm had to be replaced. Ford was not concerned that this was a safety issue, claimed that this part was routine maintenance.
Consumer heard noise from front of vehicle, went to dealer who found that tie rod end was breaking, replaced at owner's expense.
While driving outer tie rod broke and caused tire to tow, and other tire is just going striaght.
Had taken vehicle at least 3 different times to dealer for non working radio. After 3rd time dashboard started smoking. Could smell rubber & plastic. Went back to dealership. Mechanic indicated would need to rewire & then reground the wires. Had also claimed penny in radio caused electrical short. Due to alarm going off, key could not be used. Vehicle could not be started. Mechanic could not resolve issue of electrical system & indicated it was driver's problem.
While driving power steering went out. Consumer said it took all his/her strength to turn wheel. Dealer has been contacted.
First time I heard a load noise about 4 months ago took it to ford dealer to be fixed they said it was the tie rod and replaced it. Now its months later and I had to have my steering gear assembly upper and lower column upper shaft and lower bearings and in looking under car find that steering shafts and assembly are still loose and wobble and would like to know if this is a common problem with this make of vehicle.
While vehicle was being driven steering wheel locked up and became inoperable due to a malfunction within power steering pump. Please give any further details.
The left tie rod disconnected from the steering control mechanism on a straight city roadway at a speed of 25 MPH. The vehicle began to vibrate severely (as only one wheel had steering control), but I was able to stop without incident. If this had happened at 65 MPH, a rollover would have probably occurred. This vehicle is mostly driven by my wife, and has never been off-road. The stabilizer links were severely worn, and one of them was missing entirely. The inner and outer left tie rods and the two stabilizer links were replaced by an independent repair shop (coon's repair of houghton, mi) at a cost of $186. Plus $40 towing. I did not take the vehicle to the ford dealer.
While backing the vehicle out of a parking spot I began to turn the wheel to the left, and heard/felt a grinding, then observed a 6" 3/8in bolt shoot out from the left front wheel well. After that the steering would not respond. Upon examination of the front left wheel well I found on the ground the 3 mount bolts that hold the steering box to the frame member. The steering box was hanging 4" forward and lower then it's normal mounting position. The vehicle is currently at skyline ford in salem, oregon and scheduled to be looked at first thing monday morning.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Pulled out of my driveway into traffic with family in vehicle and almost immediately lost all steering control. Tie rod end snapped out (faulty design), replaced with moog brand properly designed outer tie rod. Also the sway bar separated from the truck. This vehicle is not used for any type of "off road" driving, there was no warning before the tie rod went. More than one auto mechanic has told me that ford is the only auto company that make their tie rods in this manner. There does not seem to be any "safety" feature to the tie rod end to keep it from falling out. I had just been traveling on the interstate at 65 MPH two minutes prior to the total loss of vehicle control. We are certainly aware that the mileage on our vehicle warrants some wear and tear, however, these tie rods are just not made properly. Please research the design used and compare to the more appropriately designed moog brand replacements. Also the sway bar is completely unattached from the vehicle on the left front side.
Lost control while turning into an intersection at 5 MPH due to driver's side inner tie rod disconnecting. Also, both side sway bar links fell off. Dealer was not contacted. *ak
While driving at 70 MPH left front inner tie rod end broke, causing loss of steering. Manufacturer was notified about the problem. Part was replaced at owner's expense. Ford has provided no assistance. *ak
Heard a squeaky noise coming from the steering linkages: pitman arm. Consumer heard noises when making turns. Dealer said pitman arm could not be lubricated, has to be replaced at the consumer's cost.
The steering slips and over steers, 3 different dealers have checked and cannot find the problem.
Consumer noticed a "squeal/rubbing" noise from the front of the vehicle, dealers tech determined it was a bad pitman arm bushing, upon further investigation during the removal and replacement, tech noticed the steering shaft was also cracked in seven places.
While making a turn vehicle was making a funny noise. Dealer replaced tie rod end/t idler arm, and steering gear arm. Manufacturer has been notified.
Pitman arm had to be replaced on two occasions with 15,000 mile of wear due to noise coming from the steering column. Dealer notified.
Consumer veered right to avoid animal and the vehicle did not steer rack due to the power steering gear shaft assembly (sheared in two) failure causing loss of steering control and collision with parked vehicles.
Hood light connection faulty.'clunk' going over moderate bumps due to suspension concern-dealer said it was because my gas tank was 3/4 full and it was 'sloshing' around.technician described a 'transmission chatter' but was unable to determine cause.steering wheel has 1/2 inch of play.***our vehicle has had 42 repairs, 38 repair days, 36 pages of warranty work and over $10,000(cdn) in warranty costs. It has 6 warranty repairs pending (plus a repeated request to address the documented 'piston slap'). We are currently slated for arbitration with camvap october 27, 1999. Feel free to contact us. We are simply fed up! Regarding the signature card, if it is applicable for canada please forward us a card. If we can be of any assistance please let me know.
The steering box was completely loose which resulted in total loss of steering.
Power steering shaft fell out, causing loss of control. *ak comsumer states he replaced the powering steering pump himself.
Vehicle had two sets of front tie rod replacements since november, 1998, and believed that this condition was due to a manufacturer's defect (anti-sway bar link arms). Delaer notified and informed consumer that the 98 vehicle was corrected for that same problem, but nothing was done for owner of 1997 vehicle. Can the federal safety agency provide additional information or help in this matter.
Bolts whih hold the steering gear to frame broke. Dealer notified and repairs were done under warranty. For the federal safety agency information file.
Company vehicle. Ie98026; while driving one wheel pointed to right and one to left. When attempting to turn vehicle. Tie rod end became separated from link piece. Dealer contacted, and stated no warranty on vehicle. Repairwork done at owners expense. Provided further information.
While exiting a busy freeway steering locked up, causing vehicle to lose control. Also ABS brakes failed, and engine check light came on/off.
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