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.
1997 Ford Expedition: jerking or lurching
5 of the 850 complaints about the 1997 Ford Expedition describe jerking or lurching.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 62 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Jerking or lurching by model year
What owners say
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.
Around 60 MPH vehicle feels like it's shifting/ jerks, then stalls. Dealer cannot find problem, stated that water was getting in the engine.
Throttle cable intermittently sticks and lurches vehicle forward. It takes a little more pressure to accelerate which sometimes makes vehicle go faster than intended. Dealer was indifferent to safety concerns.
While driving at any speed it suddenly became hard to control vehicle. It started to veer all over the road and jerked further than the turn that was being made at the time. Dealer has been contacted.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Rear axle noise repair
- General (PCM) power train control module programming procedures
- New transmission cooler flusher - service tips
- Subject regarding driveline angle-related vibration at various speeds and load conditions
- Some vehicles equipped with 4 wheel drive may exhibit a notchy or sticking feeling in slow speed turns...
- Brake shift interlock
- Some vehicles may exhibit water in the transfer case, this could cause low range 4X4 lamp to illuminate,...
- Some vehicles may exhibit a driveline vibration at speeds between 60-70 mph
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. If the automatic transmission shift cable assembly was not fully attached to the steering column bracket, the shift cable assembly can come out of the bracket. The vehicle operator would then not be able to shift the transmission from one of the drive gear positions into the park position even though the gear shift selector would indicate "park."
- Risk
- The condition would not allow a disengagement of the transmission from the park position or affect proper neutral start switch operation. Unintended vehicle movement could occur if the parking brake was not set.
- Remedy
- Dealers will make the proper attachment of the transmission shift control cable to the steering column bracket and add a tie strap to that connection.
Recall number 97V171000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1997 Ford Expedition jerking
Is jerking or lurching a common problem on the 1997 Ford Expedition?
5 of 850 owner complaints about the 1997 Ford Expedition (1%) mention jerking or lurching. The model year with the most reports is 2020.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Ford Expedition?
There is 1 recall and 62 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 6Steering lock-up 5
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