1997 Ford Expedition: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Feb 1, 2005 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · NE

Wet conditions cause electrical malfunctions on my 1997 ford expedition. Was traveling on 01-10-05 on snow packed roads with 4x4 activated. Four whell drive cluster on the instrument panel started to flash intermittently causing the vehicle to shift very akwardly. Took car out of 4x4 and seemed to correct the problem. Next occurance was on 01-21-05, traveling on wet roads. Turned off vehicle in parking lot and interior lighting and running board lights would not shut off for a few minutes. After the vehicle had dried out after a few days the problem seemed to fix itself again. The next incident was on 01-29-05, once again wet road conditions. Parked vehicle in driveway overnight went out to start the next day and heater blower was still running without the key in the ignition. Vehilcle had dead battery, jump started the car and the interior lights would not turn off, as well as the running boards. Heater blower would not shut off. Took the vehicle out to make sure that the battery was charged enough and the speedometer stopped working and it would not shift correctly. It felt at one point that it had shifted itself into neutral. This is very unsafe as the traffic behind me had to suddenly brake. Managed to get the car home safely. I have been made aware that this seems to be a common problem on the expeditions of any year. I am having the car serviced tomarrow to find out what the problem is. Hopefully this can be corrected, but the more I look into it other owners have had their vehicles in several times before it can be corrected. I think this is a terrible situation that should be looked into by the ford motor company. It is not an isolated incident.

Filed Aug 30, 2004 · Transmission · OR

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.

Filed Apr 26, 2004 · Electrical · MN

When I drive through a puddle or it rains it leaks somewhere and the g.e.m. (gem) module gets wet and the speedometor, odometer, runningboard lights don't work and it doesn't shift correctly until you let it dry out.

Filed Feb 17, 2004 · Transmission · 164,568 miles · MN · crash

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.

Filed Oct 23, 1999 · Body, Transmission · AK

Transmission would not shift up or down, repaired as per tsb 980920, then replaced.gear shifter would not release from park, re-started many times and eventuall able to shift.essentially over the course of 6 visits the entire component has been replaced and is now returned.front fenders were curled in, paint defects with rust spots and paint clumps.

Filed Apr 6, 1999 · Transmission · WY

After car is started it will not shift into gear, manufacturer has a bypass in manual to drive. But when safety switch is by passed it allows cruise control to be used. When brakes are hit the cruise control will not disengage. Dealer aware o problem. Repairwork has been done. Manufacturer not aware.

Filed Apr 15, 1997 · Transmission · CA

Went to start vehicle, would not shift into gear, called ford and was told to call tow co. At ford was told to shift into neutral after hearing click, had no brake lights. On 1st click put into neutral & started vehicle; will not start in another gear.