I have a 1997 ford expedition which has had the following symptoms: the fan blower stays on while truck is off, the battery dies for no apparent reason after truck has sat unused for short periods, various lights on instrument panel come on and off while driving(including ABS, airbag, all 4wd related lights, low wash, check engine), overdrive light blinks, speedometer doesn't work, truck doesn't accelerate and shift properly, radio comes on when truck is off. Clicks and beeps can be heard sometimes when in use and off. The dealer said the gem and fuse box were damaged by water leaking from windshield. They replaced parts(for $600 and told me that I had to go and get the windshield fixed. I asked how they knew the water was certainly coming from windshield, and they said because of location etc. And I asked them what will happen if it rains after I pick it up and before it gets looked at. They said I'd be fine if it's within a few days ("just don't wait a month"). Well I picked it upon the evening, and made an appointment for the next day for windshield. It rained overnight, though I even covered the area as best I could. I woke up to the radio blaring from my truck. I turned the truck on, shut it back off, radio still played so I shut its power off. As I drove to work, some of the other things started to happen again as well. I am not happy that (a) I have had to pay for ford's inadequate workmanship and (b) I now have to fight with them about what is going to happen now since the rain has already screwed it up again because they left it in my hands before the leak was fixed. That truck never should have left their garage until it was taken care of. I don't know why they couldn't do it themselves, but they could have at least had the glass company come and do it there. This clearly is a common problem with expeditions, and I think ford should be forced to do something about it. Electrical malfunctions are not something to let.
1997 Ford Expedition transmission complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 76, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The steel lines connection the transmission to a transmission cooler rusted out and failed resulting in a loss of fluid. This causes it to start slipping and almost get stuck in traffic. I had to cut out several bad sections of steel line and replace them. Note that the filler tube to replace the fluid also rusted out.
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.
Parked the vehicle early in the day at around 11:00 am and notified of fire in building. No witness to fire until fire department arrived. Cruise control was not working properly. It was intermittent. Also, transmission was having trouble. No after market equipment. The fire spread to the building where the vehicle was parked. Will e-mail pictures and VIN to bruce york.
Recall campaign: the federal safety agency campaign 97v171000/ transmission cable assembly. Vehicle will not allow disengagement of the transmission from the park position or it will effect the proper neutral start switch operation. Owner contacted the manufacturer and was informed that the service on this vehicle was serviced by a ford dealer in indiana. However, as per the current owner, this problem is still occurring. Provide further details.
Changed lanes at speed of aprox 35 MPH right rear axle of vehicle broke off at axle end by wheel causing damage to wheel, tire and backing plate. Replaced all parts and old parts are available at my home .
Consumer stated vehicle got stuck in first gear. Shifter will not move. Consumer managed to get the vehicle home, and vehicle was not drivable. A recall on the transmission cable was issued, but this vehicle was not involved in the recall due to VIN.
Paint and finish on roof of vehicle peeling, cracking, flaking off - oxidation from rust, ruining entire outer car surface - have been advised that primer coat was either missed or skimped during the production process... Ford will not address this issue - one male rep from ford stated: "the paint job is only supposed to last 2 years" not an acceptable answer...also, child safety locks engage themselves, thus preventing occupants in rear seats to exit vehicle, can cause injury or death in an emergency situation... Also, vehicle rear wheels and or axels "chatter" at low speed turns... Also, an audible hum in vehicle at normal highway speeds...also, audible squeaking from interior side panels...ford dealer states: cause cannot be located...also, leather seats have cracked and show signs of abnormal wear - this is apparant in all leather seat coverings but especially in the front "bucket" or "captain" seats...ford states warranty for vehicle no longer covers -engine has had several episodes of "misfiring" of "revving" on it's own - has been explained away as a "computer" problem or a "sensor" problem - always at cost to consumer..."check engine" light has come on on numerous occasions, using previous explanations as stated previously. Have numerous invoices for replacements of sensors, computer chips, etc.
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
Vehicle was placed in park. While the vehicle was running it jumped out of park into reverse and rolled down a hill into some metal poles which stopped the vehicle. This occurred on private property and there was no other damage to property or person other than the rear door panel of the vehicle which was damaged by the impact. The shift lever of the vehicle will not go into park properly now and appears to be somewhat loose. I have an invoice that indicates work was done under warranty to correct a problem with the shifting cable on 12/29/1997, but the dealer and ford claim no such work was ever done.
Problem with gear shift on 1997 ford expedition. The problem is a "sticking" shifter that won't allow the vehicle to placed in park. Therefore, the vehicle can't be properly secured and/or restarted since the vehicle can't be shifted to the start postion. The indicator indicates "p" for park but the transmission is still in reverse. Vehicle must be shifted to neutral for starting giving the opportunity for potential roll offs. Could be related to the federal safety agency campaign # 97v-171nsa-111 although local dealer states my vehicle id doesn't fall under this recall. Local certifed mechanic states the problem is in the actual cable that be the result of vehicle recall defect. He has personnally fixed 3-5 of these defects within the last 3 months in a small rural shop.
Vehicle was idling in park on a slight incline when suddenly vehicle jumped in drive and rolled down an embankment. The vehicle collided with several trees, causing the vehicle to be totaled. Parking brake was not on at the time of the incident, nor was there any one in the vehicle.
While driving 4-wheel drive engaged without warning.
Upon merging into oncoming traffic consumer heard a noise and vehicle seized to accelerate. Dealership indicated that this was caused by rear differential breaking. This was a common problem. The part was replaced.
When I take off the gas is sticky and takes alot to get it going, when turning from stop my rear end vibrates like it's going to fall off. Aready had the transmission replaced by the dealer ship I got the car from. Driver side window clunks when rolling down, motor makes a knocking noise when cold. I just don't expect this kind of problems when you pay alot of money for a nice car.
When the gear was shifted into drive, the vehicle accelerated in reverse, which caused a minor accident.
Consumer states that the vehicle locked up on four wheel drive, which results in the vehicle not driving at faster then 10-15 MPH. Contacted dealer
While driving vehicle will jump out of gear. Put vehicle in park, unable to get it out of park ,and wouldn't start.
Vent tube from differential is leaking onto the brake pad and rotor. Dealer notified. Feel free to provide any further information.
Vehicle was idling in park when transmission shifted into reverse and took off, colliding into two other vehicles. Shift lever was still in park position after vehicle had stopped.*ak the other two vehicles were totaled, manufacturer stated they have no responsibilites regarding this incident.
Dealer refused to correct recall 97v171000 concerning automatic transmission cable assembly. Dealer insisted that recall repairs were alrerady done. Consumer stated that problem mentioned in recall was the same that consumer's vehicle was expierencing. Please provide any further infomation.
Vehickles stuck in 4x4 low range, with no diagnostic trouble codes sored in th gem module.
When making right hand turns vehicle intermittently acts like back is independent from front. When coming to a stop, vehicle bucks and drags. Dealer informed consumer that motor, rear sway bar link, forward drive shaft and speed sensor needed to be replaced.
While driving front differential crank case started to leak fluid. Wheel well was being coated with fluid. Had contacted manufacturer and informed consumer that he knew the problem. Had a fix for problem, but no recall issued. *ak the crankcase bleed valve was moved from the bottom of the differntial to the top.
Intermittently vehicle will stall out and die when coming to a stop due to transmission sensor. A recall has been issued on vehicle's make and model. However, this vehicle was not included due to VIN.
Engine check light comes on and blinks when vehicle is first started up and goes above a certain mileage. Vehicle doesn't accelerate as before, it feels sluggish. Ford had no suggestions,and there is no recall for problem.*ak
Odometer failed.
When key is between off and on shift lever can be moved out of park and emergency brake cannot stop vehicle from rolling backwards. Please provide further information.
Consumer has noticed that differential vent is building up pressure, and causing oil to spill into engine compartment which is causing a fire hazard. Consumer has contacted dealer. Dealer was provided with instructions from manufacturer for correcting problem. Please provide any further details.
Two transmission oil line fittings that are located on the radiator worked loose, causing the lower radiator hose to swell and potentially rupture. Transmission is burning on the engine from getting thrown back by radiator fan.
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