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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
52,715 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Ford Expedition steering problems

steering problem

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1997 Ford Expedition Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #27

Jul 312020

Expedition

  • 261,900 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Steering is extremely overactive and seems twitching, meaning at low speed or at high rate of travel very slight movements of the steering wheel cause the vehicle to move suddenly, and uncontrollably, previous owner went off highway and felt unsafe in vehicle because of this issue. I imagine this has to do with the variable assist power steering but cannot find any diagnostic aide in resolution of issue.

- Smithfield, UT, USA

problem #26

Dec 012018

Expedition

  • 190,000 miles
Takata recall, my steering is bad like im fishtailing on the freeway, when I hit a bump it pulls to one side. Theres alot of play in the steering wheel.

- Daly City, CA, USA

problem #25

Oct 142018

Expedition

  • 180,000 miles
The steering is very loose and hard to keep on road, I called Ford headquarters to see if it was under recall and they said not my VIN was included. I also have a problem with the O/D light blinking. My transmission shift great until the light starts blinking.I think it is a bad cruise control sensor. I read where a lot of those shorted out and started fires.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #24

Aug 282017

Expedition

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The steering on the vehicle is loose and wonders all over the road contacted a mechanic and he told me where steering shaft slides together is really loos and steering shaft needs replaced

- Crimora, VA, USA

problem #23

Feb 012015

Expedition

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Expedition. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to remain in position. The contact had to steer the vehicle in excess to keep the vehicle in position. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 03V196000 (steering), but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 170,000.

- Taylorsville, KY, USA

problem #22

Sep 102015

Expedition

  • 134,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving approximately at 35 mph, there was a knocking noise coming from the steering wheel and noticed the steering wheel was becoming loose. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the intermediate shaft was loose. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V196000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.

- Toledl, OH, USA

problem #21

May 132015

Expedition

  • 63,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1997 Ford Expedition. While driving 20 mph, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the steering column needed to be replaced and noticed corrosion underneath the undercarriage. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 63,000.

- Wyncote, PA, USA

problem #20

Oct 312014

Expedition

  • 192,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Expedition. While turning the steering wheel to the left, the tires turned to the right without warning. While driving over a speed bump, the contact lost control of the vehicle. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 192,000.

- Lafayette, LA, USA

problem #19

May 092013

Expedition 8-cyl

  • 127,416 miles
Steering gets hard then cuts loose, steering column moves up and down, seems like a serious shaft problem or steering box issue, saw recall and dealer says it was not included, same problem as others, places people at risk and should be covered.

- Duncansville, PA, USA

problem #18

Jun 262011

Expedition

  • 105,000 miles
The contact 1997 Ford Expedition. The contact stated the steering bolt on the vehicle broke. The contact found NHTSA recall campaign in number: 03V196000 (steering: Gear box: Shaft sector), but was told by the manufacturer that his vehicle was not included. The failure and current mileages were 105,000.

- Peroria, AZ, USA

problem #17

Jun 012009

Expedition

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

There is excessive play in the steering wheel, it rocks from side to side. I am a mechanic so I replaced both shaft bearings but this did not cure the problem. The upper steering shaft will need to be replaced because the yoke is wearing out causing this condition. If the yoke should snap the ability to steer will be lost and can cause death. This is a crucial and critical steering component that should last the life of the vehicle. Can you let me know if this is covered by the manufacturer as this repair will have to be done asap. Also the rear lower control arms are rusted out they actually have holes in them I would like to know if this would be covered as well. This vehicle is well maintained, I have driven a lot of different vehicles and never seen steering and suspension parts wear out like this before. They don't make them like they used to. I like my truck though, I will buy another Ford in the future, but for right now I got to keep this one rolling down the highway. Thankyou

- Park City, IL, USA

problem #16

Oct 012003

(reported on)

Expedition

  • miles
While trying to park lost power steering. Dealer replaced pitman arm/steering assembly/ intermediate arm/power steering gear box, and rack and pinion.

- Ashby, MA, USA

problem #15

Aug 082003

(reported on)

Expedition

  • miles
While driving, the steering wheel became stiff, and then returned to normal.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #14

Feb 282003

Expedition 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Purchased used Expedition in late Feb, 2003. I immediately noticed extremely sensitive steering. Slight input, especially at highway speed in rain or wind, caused large changes in vehicle direction. Lower front tire pressure, neconnecting rear stab bar, fe alignment, and new shocks have helped the problem but it is still way touchier than it should be. Ford definitely has a problem built into this vehicle model. I have over 40 years driving experience in all types of vehicles and have seen nothing like this. I assume it is inherent in the variable assist power steering.

- Symsonia, KY, USA

problem #13

Jun 182002

Expedition

  • miles
While traveling about 35mph on highway right front steering rod fell off underneath vehicle. Dealership is aware of problem.

- Oregon City, OR, USA

problem #12

Apr 202001

Expedition 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving 20-30 mph steering froze. Consumer had a very hard time getting vehicle to mechanic. Mechanic could not find cause, stated to take vehicle to a Ford dealer.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #11

Feb 212000

(reported on)

Expedition 4WD

  • miles
The steering slips and over steers, 3 different dealers have checked and cannot find the problem.

- Fallon, NV, USA

problem #10

Jan 181998

Expedition

  • miles
Vehicle design is top heavy with very sensitive power steering, creating an over steering problem, due to design flaws the vehicle lost control in ice and roll over occurred.

- Saint Mari, ID, USA

problem #9

Feb 101999

Expedition

  • miles
While exiting a busy freeway steering locked up, causing vehicle to lose control. Also ABS brakes failed, and engine check light came on/off.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #8

Sep 221998

Expedition 4WD

  • miles
Made left turn from stop. As weel was correcting itself, vehicle began shaking and steering control was lost. Vehicle pulled to right then hit and jumped 9" curb. Steering arm down to right front tire is broken. Steering malfunctioned before striking curb, but damage is being blamed on fact that vehicle struck curb. Both tires hit curb at very low speed.

- Tinton Fal, NJ, USA

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