Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
138,648 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 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Ford Expedition:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1997 Ford Expedition Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

Nov 242011

Expedition

  • 145,000 miles

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

While driving on a expressway traveling at 55mph, my wife felt a thumping and heard noise coming from under the truck. When I looked underneath, I noticed 2 holes punched through the backing plate of the rear brakes on the drivers side. I pulled the wheel and the rotor off and the parking brake shoes and hardware fell out onto the ground. After talking to a Ford dealership I learned that this is a common problem with Expedition. I researched it on line and found other reports of the same issue including some instances of wheels locking up. This could cause serious accidents. Why has Ford not issued a recall? I have also had 2 leaking exhaust manifold gaskets that I am told is also common.

- Quinton, VA, USA

problem #25

Oct 182007

Expedition

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, a loud banging noise was heard and the vehicle began to shake. The vehicle was towed home and the contact noticed that one of the spark plugs fractured and destroyed the motor. The motor and spark plugs were replaced. The failure had since recurred three times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 150,000.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #24

May 072011

Expedition

  • 232,936 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire, which originated from under the hood. The police and the fire department were called and a police report was filed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 232,936.

- Mesquite, TX, USA

problem #23

Mar 042011

Expedition 4WD 8-cyl

  • 140,000 miles

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

Feburary 28, 2011 I purchased a 97 Ford Expedition. I drove the truck for one day and on March 4, 2011 I parked the truck under the garage around 8:30 a.M. and around 10:45 a.M the truck caught fire under the hood on the drivers side by the time the fire was put out. The whole front end was burned up.

- Pine Bluff, AR, USA

problem #22

May 292010

Expedition

  • 155,067 miles
1997 Ford Expedition 5.4L trition engine. Engine has experience several coil pack failures since about 25000 miles. Around 120,000 miles it has had 3 failures due to spark plugs blowing out of the heads. Had to have the car towed each time with a rather expensive repair bill each time. Needless to say Ford says this is not a problem. This car is in great condition and has always been service properly.

- Dora, AL, USA

problem #21

Apr 022010

Expedition

  • 233,357 miles
I have a 1997 Ford Expedition, my 15 year daughter and I was driving on 10 freeway going eastbound towards san beradino, when my check engine light started flashing a then I heard a loud pop under my hood as my truck started to lose power and make loud popping sounds. I was terrified cause this happen as I was going between 65 and 70 miles per hour on free way. Once I coasted safely to side of freeway and examined under my hood I see my spark plug wire laying to the side and spark plug laying on axle I was in disbelief until I tried to pick up spark plug and it was too hot, to hold in my hand yes this was my spark plug! it had been spit out of the engine. This is very dangerous once this happens your truck lose power and slows down tremendously, I had my truck towed to shop. I knew I would have a hard time explaining this to mechanic, because I'm a woman and mechanic was not going to believe me, but he stated that it was common in Ford trucks, the same thing happen to him and when he contacted dealer they did not acknowledge that there is an issue with they're spark plugs. My question is does some have to be killed before you guys do something it cost me $400 dollars to repair this and it could have cost me my life mechanic stated that it could happen again and maybe I should get rid of it as he sold his Navigator after his incident. Would not feel right putting someone else thru this. As I research this issue I see I'm not the only one and this is not an isolated incident. This has happened enough times to enough people for Ford to be held accountable.

- Rialto , CA, USA

problem #20

Jun 062005

Expedition

  • 120,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 1997 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the vehicle attempted to stall while driving 10 mph and there was a leak in the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to midas for an oil change and the vehicle began to stall immediately after it was serviced. The contact took the vehicle back to midas three times after it stalled. The mechanic stated that the vehicle needed a coil pack. The mechanic performed a tune up and that the spark plugs were damaged. The cylinder head also needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. The contact was told by Ford a representative that the Ford Expedition spark plugs recall was closed. The current mileage was approximately 132,000.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #19

Sep 112009

Expedition

  • 131,629 miles
Fire center of hood drivers side vehicle sitting not running.

- Farmer City , IL, USA

problem #18

Jul 042007

Expedition

  • 155,000 miles
Our 1997 Ford Expedition ejected a sparkplug, multiple times in the past year. Was helicoiled and still damaged motor to the point of rebuild or replacing motor. Happened during a holiday towing our boat, very lucky it didn't hurt anyone. We had to have boat and Ford towed, ruined our vacation, thanks to having a class a driver behind the wheel minimized a major accident.

- Copperopolis, CA, USA

problem #17

Apr 122009

Expedition

  • 96,000 miles
Engine making a load noise after traveling to my inlaws which was 216 miles pulled over noticed number 8 cylinder had blown the spark plug out of the block 2 months prior number 3 cylinder blew out and in 2008 number 1 cylinder blew out plug from the block. I have been in touch with Ford Motor Company they there was nothing they could do.

- Springfiled, OH, USA

problem #16

Apr 012009

Expedition

  • 106,000 miles

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

Spark plug blew out of motor.

- Joliet, IL, USA

problem #15

Jan 262009

Expedition

  • 179,421 miles
As I was driving my Ford the sparkplug blew out of my cylinder head and took out my coil.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #14

Nov 072008

Expedition

  • 175,896 miles
I have a 1997 Ford exp with a 5.4 engine, I was driving along and I heard this loud pop sound and then lost power! I open the hood and found that the spark plug ejected out the engine and blew the ign coil apart. I have had three set of spark plugs installed from 1998-2007 and never had a problem(175896 miles on my truck). Im a auto tech by trade and have worked for western auto for 11years, and pep boys auto for 14 years. Over the last several years I have seen alot of Ford trucks come in with this problem ! with so many people having the same problem when will Ford be held accountable or some type of recall put in place "it has not been fix yet, but I have look into buying a online insert kit that drills out the spark plug hole and install new threads to repair the damage threads. The cost of the kit is $367.95 and im doing the work myself but im sure it would be between 900 to 3000 thousand dollar if I have gone to a shop for repairs. Please contact me with a response " thank you for your time!

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #13

Sep 222008

Expedition 8-cyl

  • 165,000 miles
1997 Ford Expedition with a 5.4 L V-8. spark plug blew out of cylinder head. Have read this is common problem but to this date Ford hasn't had to recall to repair the defective cylinder heads.

- Easton, PA, USA

problem #12

Jun 302008

Expedition 8-cyl

  • 127,502 miles
1997 Ford Expedition, 5.4 V8. Driving about 25 mph when a spark plug blue out. This is the second time this has happened. The first time it happened when my wife was driving. My mechanic is going to use a helicoil kit to repair the threads. I was out of town for the first incident and do not know what was done to repair the problem the first time.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #11

May 182007

Expedition 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Expedition. While driving 55 mph, a spark plug ejected from the cylinder. The vehicle then make a loud noise and shut down completely. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but it would only advance approximately five miles afterwards. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and they wanted to replace the head at the cost of $2,000. He consulted Ford Motor Company, but has not yet received a response. The current mileage is 172,000 and failure mileage was 160,000. Updated 6/2/08 updated

- Park Falls, WI, USA

problem #10

Nov 032007

Expedition 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that his vehicle caught fire. The engine and hood burning were able to control the fire. A fire report was filed. The manufacturer is aware of the failure, but there are no recalls available. They advised the contact to have the insurance company perform an investigation. The current and failure mileages were 110,000.

- Glendale, CA, USA

problem #9

Jul 252007

Expedition 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,050 miles
Spark plug blew out of cyl. # 3 due to lack of threads in cylinder head, or lack of material in that location. The Triton V series engines have an inherent problem with blowing the plugs out, it will cost between 2500- 4000 to fix one plug blow out, putting in inserts only causes the repair again at a later date. When is the government going to step in and say enough, the public has already.

- Eubank, KY, USA

problem #8

May 092006

Expedition 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 154,000 miles
I had a ingnitor blow completely out of the head on my Expedition.. it immediately smelled of gas and sounded like a tractor. The ingnitor then kept hitting the fuel rail. We were lucky that the vehicle did not start on fire because of the two hitting and starting a fire with a spark. When I talked to a Ford dealer they said that yes it does happen quite a bit because of the on the head...they only put 2 threads in to thread the ingnitor in. I think there needs to be a recall on this if this happens. Some one could be working on the vehicle when this happened and could start a fire due to the gas. It will now cost me $3000 to fix this design default only to get replaced by the same issue!!!

- Halma, MN, USA

problem #7

Oct 302005

Expedition 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 118,000 miles
Traveling @ 65 mph and loud bang. Engine lost power and was extremely loud. Was told by authorized Ford dealer that the spark plug had blow out of the cylinder. The truck was not fixed. Ford wanted $5000 for new engine or $4200 to rebuild mine. 1997 eddie bauer Expedition.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

Read the next 6 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?