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 at a glance
Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.
1997 Ford expedition recalls 9
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.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
1997 Ford expedition MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.
What's a 1997 Ford expedition worth?
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1997 Ford expedition costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
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
1997 Ford expedition vehicles on record
1997 Ford expedition 4x4 xlt1FMFU18L4VLB38144
1997 Ford expedition XLT1FMEU18W4VLB45004
1997 Ford expedition XLT1FMEU18WXVLC15220
1997 Ford expedition 4x2 ed bauer1FMEU17L2VLB20044
1997 Ford expedition 4x4 xlt1FMFU18L2VLB97225
1997 Ford expedition 4x2 xlt1FMEU17L8VLB94164
1997 Ford expedition XLT1FMEU1762VLC03175
1997 Ford expedition XLT1FMEU18W4VLA55982
1997 Ford expedition XLT1FMEU1764VLB28219
1997 Ford expedition XLT1FMEU18W5VLA13000
1997 Ford expedition XLT1FMEU1763VLA52587
1997 Ford expedition XLT1FMEU1762VLC28612
1997 Ford expedition XLT1FMEU1766VLC03678
1997 Ford expedition XLT1FMFU18L6VLC24460
1997 Ford expedition XLT1FMFU18L9VLB03809
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.