Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford expedition. While driving 20 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the steering column needed to be replaced and noticed corrosion underneath the undercarriage. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 63,000.
1997 Ford Expedition: steering wheel locks up
5 of the 850 complaints about the 1997 Ford Expedition describe steering wheel locks up.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 10 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Steering wheel locks up by model year
- 20201
- 20191
- 20072
- 20063
- 20051
- 20045
- 20033
- 20021
- 20001
- 19991
- 19981
- 19975
What owners say
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.
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.)
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.
While exiting a busy freeway steering locked up, causing vehicle to lose control. Also ABS brakes failed, and engine check light came on/off.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Customer maintenance reminder - literature program 04L19 - tie rod inspection procedure
- Tie rod end inspection procedure
- Tie rod end inspection procedure
- Steering -alignment-toe set procedure service tip
- Information regarding new service steering gear
- Diagnostic service tips on passive anti theft system ( pats )
- Concerns of squeaky / noisy pitman arm
- Steering column- high speed vibration- 4X2 vehicles equipped with 5.4L engine
Related recalls
Steering: gear box: shaft sector
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- This could result in loss of steering control, potentially resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 03V196000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1997 Ford Expedition steering lock-up
Is steering wheel locks up a common problem on the 1997 Ford Expedition?
5 of 850 owner complaints about the 1997 Ford Expedition (1%) mention steering wheel locks up. The model year with the most reports is 1997.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Ford Expedition?
There is 1 recall and 10 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1997 Ford Expedition
Fire or smoke 59Adaptive cruise 40Ball joint 34ABS 30Brake failure 28Tire blowout 21Wipers 18No deployment 16Grinding brakes 15Headlights 13Stalling 13Check engine light 11Door locks 11Water leak 11Loss of power 10Power steering loss 10Knocking 9Pulling 9Engine failure 8Won't shift 7Won't start 7Airbag light 6Harsh shifting 6Jerking 5
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