RoadVitals

1997 Ford Expedition Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
19
Latest Jul 24, 2014
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
2%
of 853 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Ford Expedition submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming fuel system

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structureFuel system
Filed Jul 24, 2014

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*CN

NHTSA ID
10615972
Incident
Jul 21, 2014
Mileage
260,000 mi
Body & structureFuel system
Filed Jul 24, 2014

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*LJ

NHTSA ID
10615968
Incident
Oct 1, 2013
Mileage
260,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 19, 2011
Fire reported

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10430759
Incident
Oct 14, 2011
Body & structureFuel system
Filed Oct 17, 2011

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 ID
10430545
Incident
Sep 1, 2010
Mileage
45,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 5, 2011

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

NHTSA ID
10428855
Incident
Aug 1, 2011
Mileage
1,420,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Mar 4, 2010

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 ID
10316870
Incident
Jun 6, 2005
Mileage
120,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 21, 2008
Fire reported

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10231911
Incident
May 31, 2008
Mileage
130,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Feb 16, 2004

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.*AK

NHTSA ID
10058287
Incident
Feb 7, 2004
Mileage
105,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 23, 2001

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

NHTSA ID
560519
Incident
Mar 5, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Oct 12, 2000

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 ID
734153
BrakesHeating & air conditioningEngine+2 more
Filed Jun 4, 1999

EMERGENCY BRAKE IN FOR REPAIRS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DUE TO FAILURE, HOWEVER NOT ABLE TO BE RECTIFIED. MJS

NHTSA ID
545952
Incident
Jun 18, 1997
Fuel system
Filed May 7, 1999

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

NHTSA ID
545369
Incident
Feb 5, 1998
Fuel system
Filed Feb 1, 1999

FUEL GAUGE INACCURATE. YH

NHTSA ID
607230
Fuel system
Filed Feb 1, 1999

GAS CAP FAILED.

NHTSA ID
607026
Fuel system
Filed Jun 10, 1998

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 ID
536543
Incident
Aug 1, 1997
Fuel system
Filed Oct 1, 1997

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. *AK

NHTSA ID
816795
Incident
Jun 1, 1997
Fuel system
Filed Aug 28, 1997

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

NHTSA ID
518662
Fuel system
Filed Aug 11, 1997

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

NHTSA ID
518889
Fuel systemSteering
Filed Nov 12, 1996

VEHICLE HAS NO PICK UP WHEN TRAVELING UPHILL.

NHTSA ID
511212
Incident
Oct 25, 1996

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .