9.8

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,640
Average Mileage:
170,300 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (6 reports)
  2. replace defective heads that only have 4 threads! (2 reports)
  3. replace motor (1 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Ford Expedition:

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

problem #9

Mar 152017

Expedition Eddie Bauer/XLT 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200,000 miles

Ford fix your error, I will never buy a ford again

- LaMont G., Harlem, US

problem #8

Mar 012005

Expedition XLT 5.4L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

passenger side #4 cylinder blew out. I have not fully trusted that this will not happen again. How does Ford get away with this? This spark plug was supposed to blow out according to reports and it did. crap shoot as to which one is next

- Daryk A., Hollister, US

problem #7

Mar 122017

Expedition Eddie Bauer 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 221,613 miles

Started 97 Expedition and spark plug immediately blew out. Had been running smoothly just a couple hours earlier. Tried to install new plug but it tightened up like it was bottomed out or cross threaded after ~3/4 turn. I took no solace in learning that I was not alone with regard to this problem. I'm wondering now if my 97 F150 and my son's 01 F150 will do the same thing. I'm at a loss as to what to do now. The plan was to drive it to and from work for several more years at a minimum.

- Keith A., New Bern, NC, US

problem #6

Oct 232015

Expedition Eddie Bauer V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

I loved my Expedition until now. Having no knowledge of this flawed engine design, I felt my car was very reliable. Until the spark plug blew. I limped my car home. When my son and son in law looked at it they informed me that I was lucky my car did not catch on fire. I thought I smelled gas but being that it was late at night I wanted to get home. Now I know that this is a on going problem with this engine with no recall in sight. I am junking my car because it is not worth putting that much money ($3000) into it. I refuse to pass this problem on to another unsuspecting person. Let alone how dangerous this could be to anyone in this vehicle.

Ford beware if someone gets hurt or killed you will be sorry you did not put out a recall on this problem. I will no longer buy a Ford product or recommend it. In fact I will spread the word about the irresponsible and negligent business practice of Ford. I'm sure it will take a fatality before a class action lawsuit or recall takes place.

- Jeanne E., MILWAUKIE, OR, US

problem #5

Jan 112015

Expedition Eddy Bauer 5.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

This should be a factory recall before someone's car burns up with them in it.

- montegoman68, Roanoke, VA, US

problem #4

Oct 092013

Expedition Eddie Bauer 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 238,340 miles

click to see larger images

spark plug blew out

I currently own a 1997 Ford Expedition that keeps spitting out spark plugs! 1st time was cylinder #4 then #5, THEN today 2-3-2014, I met with #3 after starting the engine with the hood open looking for what I thought sounded like a vacuum leak or valve tick only to have the spark plug blow out and almost take out my eye!!!

Ford has known for years that there are millions of vehicles out there especially from 1997 through 2005 and still have done nothing to assist in either fixing the problem or compensating people for their losses due to this CRAP design they came out with that only has the heads of the motor holding the spark plug in with 4 threads!! I am told that they do not have a recall because they believe there is no eminent danger involved with the malfunction of this defect?? What about - hey the motor is running so the fuel injector is spewing out fuel all over the motor WHEN THE PLUG SHOOTS OUT LIKE A ROCKET AND THEN KNOCKS SOMEONES EYE OUT? FIRE DID U SAY?? EYE OUT?? NAAAH NO PROBLEM!!!

I am also told from my mechanic that I will have to live with this because even if you replace the heads that hold the plugs in you will only have the same problem again down the line. This is not an answer. Ford needs to step up and fix the problem, make a recall, redesign the heads and stop with the B.S. before someone gets hurt bad!!! Too much time and $$$ lost from having this problem going to the shop every damn few miles not to mention the time and $$$ I am loosing from work - JUST FIX IT FORD!!

- cmak46, Cumming, GA, US

problem #3

Feb 282014

Expedition XLT 5.4L Triton

  • Automatic transmission
  • 172,380 miles

I was on my way to work and heard a loud noise. I had to miss work for 4 days, and then the mechanic told me my motor was shot!!!!! So upset, i'm A single mom that works full time making minimum wage, struggling to survive and then my truck broke down, SOOOOO bummed. Finally the mechanic took another look and told me about the spark plugs popping off. I have no warranty as i bought the truck from a private party. When it was all said and done it cost me 541.00, that i had saved for rent, hopefully i don't get evicted.

- Erika O., Fallbrook, CA, US

problem #2

Dec 052010

Expedition Eddie Bauer 5.4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 290,000 miles

Blown out spark plug on engine. Front cylinder on drivers side. Stranded, unable to purchase another car at this time.

- Gregory N., Liberty, NC, US

problem #1

Jul 272006

(reported on)

Expedition

  • 92,000 miles

This is a major engine problem. Spark plug blew out ruining an entire cylinder in the motor. Only fix is to replace the head or the whole motor. Fixing the head does not guarantee that this will not happen again! According to my mechanic - Ford redesigned this engine after this year of vehicle was produced but no recall was ever sent out. Said he has seen this on more than one 2001 Ford Expedition and has called Ford Motor Co. Was treated very rudely and told it was not their problem.

- keelingfarm, Runnells, IA, US