Model year guide

1997 Ford expedition

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Ford expedition is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 15 on record.

1997 Ford expedition — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1997 Ford expedition at a glance

Safety recalls9
Owner complaints906
Combined14 mpg
Typical price$1,314

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

1997 Ford expedition recalls 9

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #06E067000 · 01/08/2006

CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 331-1129L-ASN AND 331-1129R-ASN, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.

Vehicle Speed Control NHTSA Campaign #05V388000 · 07/09/2005

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Fix: BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO…

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #00V168000 · 19/06/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS, LIGHT PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. OFF LEASE CANADIAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WHICH MEET CANADIAN REQUIREMENTS AND NOT THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." ACCORDING TO FORD, THE VEHICLES WERE IMPORTED INTO THE U.S. ERRONEOUSLY.

Fix: DEALERS WILL BE ADVISED TO DEACTIVATE THE RUNNING LIGHT FUNCTION AND TO COMPLETE ANY OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECALLS ON THESE VEHICLES.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E060000 · 29/06/2006

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Fix: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Trailer Hitches NHTSA Campaign #00V073000 · 07/03/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. THE TRAILER HITCH ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME ATTACHING BOLTS COULD LOSE THE CLAMP LOAD.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUT PLATES.

Steering:gear Box:shaft Sector NHTSA Campaign #03V196000 · 27/05/2003

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.

Fix: 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 RE…

Suspension:rear NHTSA Campaign #96V252000 · 18/12/1996

THE REAR AXLE TRACK BAR BRACKET CAN SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME DUE TO MISSING WELDS OR INADEQUATE WELD PENETRATION.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A TRACK BAR BRACKET REINFORCEMENT KIT AND INSPECTION OF THE AXLE TUBES. THE SUSPECT AXLE TUBES DO NOT HAVE A STAMPED DATE CODE ON THE TUBE. AXLES WITHOUT DATE CODES ON THE TUBES WILL BE REPLACED.

Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs NHTSA Campaign #98V095000 · 13/05/1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES AND LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE LUG NUTS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT CREATE SUFFICIENT CLAMP LOAD ALLOWING WHEEL MOVEMENT IN RELATION TO THE HUB/ROTOR MOUNTING SURFACE.

Fix: OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WILL BE RECEIVING TWO NOTIFICATIONS. THE FIRST NOTIFICATION, WHICH BEGAN IN MAY 1998, WILL PROVIDE AN INTERIM REPAIR PROCEDURE UNTIL PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. THIS INTERIM PROCEDURE CAN BE COMPLETED BY OWNERS OR THEIR DEALERS. IT SPECIFIES THAT THE LUG NUT TORQUE MUST BE V…

Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl) NHTSA Campaign #97V171000 · 07/10/1997

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…

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

1997 Ford expedition common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 906 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

1997 Ford expedition MPG & running costs

Combined14 mpg
City12 mpg
Highway17 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,413

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 1997 Ford expedition worth?

Low
$700
Typical price
$1,314
High
$4,488

From 10 comparable 1997 Ford expedition listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1997 Ford expedition costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$22,065
Fuel only$22,065
Per mile$0.29

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1997 Ford expedition trims & engines on record

Trims
XLT · 4x4 xlt · 4x2 ed bauer · 4x2 xlt
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl 210 hp · 5.4L 8-cyl

1997 Ford expedition vehicles on record

Other Ford expedition model years

1997 Ford expedition — frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 Ford expedition have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls for the 1997 Ford expedition. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Ford expedition?

Based on 906 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are steering, suspension, vehicle speed control.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Ford expedition get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 1997 Ford expedition at about 14 mpg combined (12 city / 17 highway).

How much is a 1997 Ford expedition worth?

Comparable 1997 Ford expedition listings run roughly $700–$4,488, typically around $1,314 (from 10 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.