120 of the
1,065 complaints about the 1997 Ford Expedition are about the
braking system — 11% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
106,000 miles.
WHILE COMING TO A STOP AND THE INTERSECTION OF LONGSTREET AND HIGHWAY 82. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDDLE AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND I SLED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION INTO A DITCH. I WAS TRAVELING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 50 MPH. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVERS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE A BROKEN NOSE FROM HITTING STEERING WHEEL. SEAT BELTS WERE ON FRONT SEAT DRIVER AND PASSENGER.
NHTSA complaint #11383877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Luttrell, TN
SERVICE BRAKES
MY BRAKE WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE LAST WEEK. I WAS GOING TO AVE MY BAKES REPLACED TODAY WHEN THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE VERY RUSTED IT HAS PIECES BREAKING OFF AND THERE IS ACTUALLY A HOLE IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE METAL BRAKE LINES IS ALSO RUSTED IN TWO. HE LOOKED AT MY 1998 EXPIDITION AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON THE BACK OF IT ARE ALSO RUSTED OUT. HE SAIDIDN'T I SHOULD NOT DRIVE EITHER OF THEM UNTIL THEY ARE REPLACED. I'M WONDERING IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THESE.
NHTSA complaint #10925688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,021 milesBowling Green, KY
SERVICE BRAKES
IN DRIVEWAY UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, TO PUT CAR IN GEAR, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. NO BRAKES AT ALL. NO WARNING. NO LIGHTS INDICATING FAILURE AHEAD OF TIME. BOTH BRAKE LINES THAT GO FROM MASTER CYL, TO ABS UNIT RUSTED THROUGH. UPON FOR DEALER REPLACING BOTH LINES ON A TEST DRIVE FRT DRIVERSIDE BRAKE LINE FAILED DUE TO RUST. COST $976 FOR THOSE RUSTED OUT LINES AND STILL 3 ORE BADLY RUSTED, TO GO. HARDLY SAFE WITH SEVERELY RUSTED LINES. WHEN THOSE TWO LINES BURST,(AT SAME TIME) NO BACKUP BRAKE SYSTEM IN AFFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10759629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesQuinton, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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 EXPEDITIONS. 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.
NHTSA complaint #10439189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 133,000 milesSkaneateles, NYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
LOST BRAKES ON 476 OUTSIDE OF PHILLY DITCHED CAR SO I WOULD NOT HIT STOPPED CARS, TOTALED MY EXPEDITION AND WIFE, KIDS, DOG, AND I ALL SURVIVED, JUST BLEEDING AIRBAG BURNS.
NHTSA complaint #10383317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165 milesBenton Harbor, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY BRAKES STARTED SQUIKING, AND THAT WENT ON FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND THEN IT BECAME HARD FOR ME TO STOP. SO NOW I HAVE A LOT OF SQUIKING AND I HAVE TO STOP WAY BEFORE I AM SUPPOSE TO. I BOUGHT SOME BRAKE PADS THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10281669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesJackson, MS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
RUBBER BRAKE LINE SEPARATED AT THE CALIPER. CAUSED TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. LUCKILY I WAS PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT A SLOW SPEED WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #10265008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesSpring, TX
PARKING BRAKE
PARKING BRAKE ON 1997 EXPIDITION CAME APART WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10253854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 136,000 milesRedmond, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
INITIALLY, WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES ON DRY PAVEMENT, THE ABS WOULD ENGAGE INTERMITTENTLY. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED AFTER THIS HAPPENED. UNFORTUNATELY, IT CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER WHICH, THE ABS LIGHT WOULD LIGHT UP. THE REAR ABS SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND IT STILL CONTINUED TO HAPPEN, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD BE HARD INITIALLY BUT COULD BE PUSHED THROUGH. A BEARING WAS REPLACED ON THE FRONTEND. THE ABS WOULD CONTINUE TO ENGAGE RANDOMLY. NOW, AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN, THEN SAT FOR 15-30 MINUTES, AND THEN DRIVEN AGAIN, THE ABS WILL ENGAGE--BUT THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY HARD AND DIFFICULT TO PUSH. THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON. OUR MECHANIC IS NOW USING HIS "TECH HOTLINE" TO LEARN HOW TO FIX THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10244886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 milesHolmdel, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL NEARLY TOUCHED THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE STOPPING DISTANCE HAD DOUBLED. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED AND HAD A PINHOLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 113,000.
NHTSA complaint #10230475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesSlingerlands, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
I WAS BRAKING AND BRAKE PEDAL SANK TO THE FLOOR. IT TURNED OUT STEEL HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES HAD FAILED. I HAD ALL OF THEM REPLACED IN ABOUT 3/06 FOR A COST OF $1000. I DID NOT REPLACE AT THE TIME THE MASTER CYLINDER TO ABS LINES. THEY FAILED ON 11/23/2006 AND I HAVE RETAINED THEM. IF THESE COMPONENTS HAD FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT COULD HAVE BEEN POTENTIALLY DEADLY. NOTE THAT MY 1994 TAURUS SHO HAD A SIMILAR FAILURE. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALSO HAD THE TRANSMISSION COOLER STEEL LINES FAIL AND OTHER SEVERE UNDERCARRIAGE RUST PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10176780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesGarland, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH ON A DRY ROAD DURING NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WHICH RESULTING IN AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A GROANING NOISE IN THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER DRIVING UP OVER A ROADSIDE CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE. UPDATED 9/13/2006 - THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A FORD DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY WAS BAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY FOR REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10166325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Altoona, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
LOW SPEED TO MODERATE SPEED YOU APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL AS YOU WOULD NORMALLY DO AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU HAVE NO PEDAL AND IT STARTS TO PUMP FOR NO REASON AT ALL IT HAPPENS ON DRY ROADS AND WET OR SNOW COVERED ROADS THEN YOU FINALLY STOP AND LOOK DOWN AT THE DASH TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT JUST HAPPENED AND THE ABS LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH FOR NO REASON AT ALL. I HAVE HAD JUST ABOUT EVERY BRAKE PART SENSORS,COMPUTER ECT.. REPLACED IT WORKED FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AND NOW IT IS STARTING AGAIN THERE IS NO WARNING BEFORE IT HAPPENS. I AM REALLY WORRIED CAUSE NOW I HAVE A SON 17 WHO OCCASIONALLY DROVE THE VEHICLE BUT AS A RESULT OF THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONING HE CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THE EXPEDITION (UNSAFE). I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS ON HERE ABOUT THE SAME THING HAPPENING. I AM GOING TO CONTACT THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP BUT I KNOW THAT IS GOING TO COST ME MORE MONEY THAN I ALREADY PUT OUT TO FIX IT!
NHTSA complaint #10165022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Gatos, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS LIGHT COMES ON AT RANDOM TIMES. BRAKE FAILURE AT SLOW TO MODERATE SPEEDS LIKE IN ANTILOCK MODE OR LIKE STOPPING ON GRAVEL. PEDAL STIFF AND CANNOT PUMP BRAKES WHILE FEELING AND SOUNDING JERKY. HAVE REPLACED WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND ABS SOLENOID SENSOR. WILL FINALLY GRAB AND STOP AFTER APPROX. 20 FEET OF PUMPING.
NHTSA complaint #10162046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesWest Orange, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
SUDDEN AND CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED BY RUPTURE OF RT. FRONT BRAKE HOSE, LOSS OF ALL FLUID AND TOTAL FAILURE OF BRAKE SYSTEM. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY USE OF EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL. NO CASUALTY BUT AS INCIDENT HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY WARNING IN A HOSPITAL PARKING LOT CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN DIRE. ORIGINAL PURCHASE DEALER MAINTAINED VEHICLE ON SCHEDULE: MOST RECENT SERVICE AND INSPECTION IN AUGUST 2005. VEHICLE GARAGED WITH 96,000 MI.
NHTSA complaint #10145246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,070 milesFayetteville, AR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1997 FORD EXPEDITION BRAKES FAILED DURING A FORCED EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID A HEAD ON COLLISION. *TS
NHTSA complaint #10142084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,750 milesRuther Glen, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE BRAKE LINES RUPTURE WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS ABSOLUTELY NO BRAKES. THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. IF IN TRAFFIC, THIS BRAKE LINE RUPTURE COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. BRAKE LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10139529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,000 milesCentral Square, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT: ON JUNE 27, 2005 WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE. AND UPON STOPPING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF. NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WAS REPORTED. THE CABLE BROKE COMPLETELY OFF, AND THE TIRE WAS GONE. OWNER CALLED FORD, AND THEY WERE NOT CONCERNED.*AK THE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED.
NHTSA complaint #10126789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 172,000 milesBuda, TXFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
DT: MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ABOUT 1/2 MILE, CAME HOME AND PARKED THE TRUCK. WITHIN 30 MINUTES THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE AND BURNED COMPLETELY. CONSUMER PUT OUT THE FIRE BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ON THE SCENE. THE FIRE DEPT CAME OUT TO MAKE SURE THE FIRE WAS COMPLETELY OUT, AND THEY CUT THE HOOD OPEN AND NOTICED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE MASTER CYLINDER AREA. THE TRUCK WAS STILL SITTING IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER'S HOUSE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10122489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesPowder Springs, GAFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1997 FORD EXPEDITION WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. UNDER HOOD FIRE AND SMOKE ERUPTED. CRUISE CONTROL DISCONNECT SWITCH HAD BURST INTO FLAMES AND SET BRAKE FLUID ON FIRE. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. PARTS REPLACED, OLD PARTS AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10114640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,879 milesBAY Village, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE CAR IS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE FRONT TO REAR BRAKE LINE CORRODED AND FAILED. THIS HAPPENED COASTING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. EVEN THOUGH IT IS A SPLIT SYSTEM THE BRAKING LEFT WAS MINIMAL. THE PARTITION BETWEEN THE FRONT CHAMBER AND THE BACK DIDN'T SEEM TO LEAVE ENOUGH FLUID IN THE FRONT CHAMBER TO ALLOW EFFECTIVE REMAINING BRAKING. NOT TO MENTION THE BRAKE LINE CORRODING THROUGH IN LESS THAN 8 YEARS. I HAD THE BRAKE LINE REPLACED BUT DID NOT RETAIN THE OLD BRAKE LINE. THE COST WAS $623.04.
NHTSA complaint #10114427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesPriest River, ID
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN PUSHING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT TOOK AN EXTRA TWENTY FEET TO STOP. IT FELT LIKE IT WAS ON ICE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND FOUND NO DEFECTS, AND THE COMPUTER SHOWED NOTHING. *AK THE BRAKES WOULD GET HARD AND THE CALIPERS WERE CLICKING. WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD GONE OVER BUMPS, THE ABS LIGHT WOULD APPEAR ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE WOULD BE TURNED OFF AND BACK ON AND THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10115213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Trabuco Canyon, CA
PARKING BRAKE
PARKING BRAKE ON 1997 EXPEDITION FALL TO PIECES, REPLACED BOTH E-BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. *BF THE CONSUMER STARTED USING THE PARKING BRAKE SINCE HIS DRIVEWAY CONTAINED A SLOP, UNTIL ONE DAY WHEN HE BACKED OF OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE FUNNY NOISES. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE GRINDING NOISES AND STARTED TO VIBRATE BADLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT FORD WOULD NOT FIX IT FOR FREE. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10109699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,000 milesWest Bloomfield, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY ENGAGES WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN VEHICLE NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. NO RESULTS, DEALER COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM, REPLACED WHEEL SENSOR, NO RESULT AS WELL. IT HAPPENS WHILE LOE SPEED DRIVING ONLY.THIS IS A DAILY ROUTINE.
NHTSA complaint #10110095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,000 milesWest Bloomfield, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY ENGAGES WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN VEHICLE NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. NO RESULTS, DEALER COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM, REPLACED WHEEL SENSOR, NO RESULT AS WELL. IT HAPPENS WHILE LOE SPEED DRIVING ONLY.THIS IS A DAILY ROUTINE.
NHTSA complaint #10110095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,000 milesWest Bloomfield, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY ENGAGES WHILE DRIVING, RESULTING IN VEHICLE NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. NO RESULTS, DEALER COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM, REPLACED WHEEL SENSOR, NO RESULT AS WELL. IT HAPPENS WHILE LOE SPEED DRIVING ONLY.THIS IS A DAILY ROUTINE.
NHTSA complaint #10110095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesBarto, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE BRAKING THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10089627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reidville, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF BRAKE POWER. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LINE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10079759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesPrairie DU SAC, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS BRAKES: BRAKES ON '97 FORD EXPIDITION OFTEN FAILED DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING ABS BRAKES. PEDAL BECOMES JERKY AND WILL NOT GO DOWN. CLUNKING NOISE FROM FRONT. DOES NOT HAPPEN CONSISTANTLY. I HAVE TO APPROACH VERY CAUTIOUSLY TO AVOID COLLOSIONS. EVERY OTHER OWNER I HAVE TALKED TO HAS SAME COMPLAINT, YET FORD HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF IT. FRONT BREAKS HAVE BEEN REDONE, STILL HAPPENS. HAS DONE IT SINCE NEW.
NHTSA complaint #10066282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesOrange, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL FAILED. THE CONSUMER HEARD A HISSING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK THE BRAKES MADE NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10059736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.