FaultScore

1997 Ford Expedition fuel system problems

20 of the 1,065 complaints about the 1997 Ford Expedition are about the fuel system — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 125,000 miles.

B

20

Complaints

0

Crashes

2

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Tank Assembly 7 35.0%
Fuel System, Gasoline 6 30.0%
Fuel System, Other 2 10.0%
Filler Pipe AND CAP 2 10.0%
Fuel Pump 1 5.0%
Fuel Gauge System 1 5.0%
Fuel Injection System 1 5.0%

Fuel & Propulsion across every Ford Expedition year

1997 20 4.5%
1998 31 7.0%
1999 28 6.3%
2000 23 5.2%
2001 23 5.2%
2002 22 5.0%
2003 38 8.6%
2004 23 5.2%
2005 66 15.0%
2006 24 5.4%
2007 38 8.6%
2008 10 2.3%
2015 22 5.0%
2016 17 3.9%
2017 20 4.5%
2019 10 2.3%
2021 14 3.2%
2022 12 2.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 260,000 miles Cohasset, MN

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP BECAME SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO RUSTING OF THE SUB FRAME AREA. THE AREA THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE STRAP TO THE SECURE THE FUEL TANK WAS THE AFFECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 260,000. UPDATED 09/05/14

NHTSA complaint #10615968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 260,000 miles Cohasset, MN

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO RUSTING OF THE SUB FRAME AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 260.000. UPDATED 9/4/14

NHTSA complaint #10615972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Quincy, FL Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I PULLED UP TO MY HOUSE AND AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN SMOKING THEN CAUGHT A FIRE UNDER HOOD. FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITH WATER HOSE.

NHTSA complaint #10430759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Manville, RI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAPS FRACTURED AS A RESULT OF CORROSION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FRAME ON THE DRIVER SIDE WAS ALSO AFFECTED BY CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA complaint #10430545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dagsboro, DE

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE STRAPS HOLDING THE GAS TANK IN PLACE HAVE RUSTED OUT CAUSING THE GAS TANK TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10428855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Cincinnati, OH

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

TL*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.

NHTSA complaint #10316870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Bear, DE Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

MY TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN I WAS TAKING MY GRANDCHILDREN HOME I LATER FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS THE FUEL RAIL THAT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING THE NIGHT IT HAPPEN I HAD IT TOWED HOME.

NHTSA complaint #10231911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles Magna, UT

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

I HAVE OWENED A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION FOR 1 YEAR. IN THIS TIME I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM TWICE. THE SPARK PLUGS COME LOOSE FROM THE PISTON HEAD AND ARE BLOWN OUT AND DAMAGE THE COIL PACK. THERE IS THEN UN-BURNT FUEL COMING FROM THE PISTON CHAMBER AND THE SPARK PLUG IS STILL FIRING WITH THE POSSIBLITY OF A FIRE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN AND ADDRESSED ISSUE BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY, BUT FORD WILL ONLY PAY FOR REPAIRS UPTO 75,000 MILES. THIS LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED IT DAMAGED THE HEAD AND WILL REQUIRE MAJOR REPAIRS. I AM MOSTLY CONCERNED WITH THE FIRE SAFTEY AND BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE A MANDITORY RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10058287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oregon CIT, OR

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FUEL DELIVERY PROBLEM WHICH AFFECTED THE ENGINE AND CAUSED IT TO SHIFT ERRATICALLY AND HESITATE. NLM

NHTSA complaint #560519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tallahassee, FL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

IF VEHICLE IS ON AN INCLINE IN A NOSE-DOWN POSITION, EITHER IDLING OR TURNED OFF, IT RUNS OUT OF GAS EVEN IF THE TANK IS MORE THAN 1/4 FULL. IT APPEARS THAT THE DESIGN OF THE FUEL TANK / FUEL INTAKE SYSTEM IS FLAWED. GAS CANNOT MOVE FROM THE TANK TO THE ENGINE IF VEHICLE IS ON AN INCLINE. VEHICLE HAS STALLED IN TRAFFIC ON HILLS, AND HAS FAILED TO START IF LEFT PARKED NOSE-DOWN ON AN INCLINE. AGAIN THIS HAPPENS WITH MORE THAN 1/4 TANK OF GAS IN TANK.

NHTSA complaint #734153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Townsend, TN

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

GAS WOULD NOT GO INTO FILLER NECK, RESULTING IN SPILLING OUT ON PAVEMENT WHEN TRYING TO FILL TANK. MJS

NHTSA complaint #545952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santa Barb, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

FUEL GAUGE INACCURATE. YH

NHTSA complaint #607230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Shreveport, LA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

FUEL PUMP AND SENDER FAILED CAUSING THE NOZZLE TO SHUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE NOT TO COMPLETELY FILL UP. NLM

NHTSA complaint #545369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Shreveport, LA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

FUEL PUMP AND SENDER FAILED CAUSING THE NOZZLE TO SHUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE NOT TO COMPLETELY FILL UP. NLM

NHTSA complaint #545369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Simi Valle, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

GAS CAP FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #607026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brentwood, MD

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

GAS TANK PUNCTURED RESULTING IN LEAKING, DESIGN DOES NOT INCLUDE A PROTECTIVE SHIELD IN GAS TANK ASSEMBLY TO PREVENT DAMAGE DUE TO ROAD DEBRIS.

NHTSA complaint #536543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lake Elson, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

WHEN DRIVING ON A DECLINE WITH A QUARTER OF FUEL IN THE TANK THE VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF/SHUT DOWN AS IF THE VEHICLE HAD NO FUEL. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #816795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

W Palm Beach, FL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

26 GALLON FUEL TANK; AFTER 17 GALLONS DRIVER MUST SPOON FEED THE BALANCE.

NHTSA complaint #518662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

W Palm Beach, FL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

FUEL TANK LOSES GAS QUICKLY. AFTER 17 GALLONS DRIVER MUST SPOON FEED THE BALANCE.

NHTSA complaint #518889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Roselle, NJ

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

VEHICLE HAS NO PICK UP WHEN TRAVELING UPHILL.

NHTSA complaint #511212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 Ford Expedition problems

← Full 1997 Ford Expedition report