1997 FORD EXPEDITION Suspensionrear Problems

THE REAR LOWER TRAILING ARMS THAT HOLD THE REAR AXLE IN PLACE ARE MADE TOO THIN AND WITH CORROSION WILL FAIL. THIS WILL CAUSE THE REAR AXLE TO MOVE BACKWARD AND BREAK THE DRIVE SHAFT. *KB

THERE IS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL, IT ROCKS FROM SIDE TO SIDE. I AM A MECHANIC SO I REPLACED BOTH SHAFT BEARINGS BUT THIS DID NOT CURE THE PROBLEM. THE UPPER STEERING SHAFT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE YOKE IS WEARING OUT CAUSING THIS CONDITION. IF THE YOKE SHOULD SNAP THE ABILITY TO STEER WILL BE LOST AND CAN CAUSE DEATH. THIS IS A CRUCIAL AND CRITICAL STEERING COMPONENT THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. CAN YOU LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS THIS REPAIR WILL HAVE TO BE DONE ASAP. ALSO THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS ARE RUSTED OUT THEY ACTUALLY HAVE HOLES IN THEM I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS WOULD BE COVERED AS WELL. THIS VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED, I HAVE DRIVEN A LOT OF DIFFERENT VEHICLES AND NEVER SEEN STEERING AND SUSPENSION PARTS WEAR...

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. *TR

FIRST COMPLAIN: REAR END DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM - FORD SAFETY RECALL NO. 96S60 EXPLAINS THAT 1997 FORD EXPEDITIONS REAR AXLE TRACK BAR CAN SEPERATE FROM THE FRAME DUE TO MISSING WELDS OR A WELD PATTERN THAT IS NOT FULLY COMPATIBLE WITH THE DESIGN LEVEL OF THE BRACKET. THIS RECALL STATES THAT FORD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR OF THIS DEFECT FROM 12/1996 FORWARD, REGARDLESS OF THE AGE, MILEAGE, OR OWNERSHIP. THIS DID HAPPEN TO MY VEHICLE AND I DID CONTACT FORD, AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THIS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE DISENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CURB. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LUGS WERE STRIPPED AND COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE WHEELS: LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 98V095000) HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, SHE HEARD A CLINKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE TRACK BAR BRACKET SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SUSPENSION: REAR (NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 96V252000) HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE SPARE TIRE DISENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. AS OF FEBRUARY 11, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED...

WHEN I TAKE OFF THE GAS IS STICKY AND TAKES ALOT TO GET IT GOING, WHEN TURNING FROM STOP MY REAR END VIBRATES LIKE IT'S GOING TO FALL OFF. AREADY HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BY THE DEALER SHIP I GOT THE CAR FROM. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW CLUNKS WHEN ROLLING DOWN, MOTOR MAKES A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN COLD. I JUST DON'T EXPECT THIS KIND OF PROBLEMS WHEN YOU PAY ALOT OF MONEY FOR A NICE CAR.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR AXLE TRAC BAR BRACKET SEPARATED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *MR

BOTH BOLTS ON SWAY BAR SUPPORT BRACKET WERE STRIPPED. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

AFTER MAKING A RIGHT TURN OFF A MAJOR PARKWAY IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY NY, WHERE WE HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT 60 MPH, I MADE A RIGHT TURN AT EXIT . AFTER PROCEEDING 25 FEET, A HORRIFIC NOISE WAS HEARD, THE CAR LOST STEERING ABILITY AND SHOOK AND BUCKED WILDLY. HIT A TREE ON ROADSIDE AND CAME TO REST. FOUND THAT THE LEFT TIE ROD BALL JOINT COMPLETELY SEPARATED AND THE LEFT WHEEL HAD NO STEERING AT ALL. THE INCIDENT WOULD HAVE KILLED MY ENTIRE FAMILY HAD IT HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THIS SHOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. PRIOR TO THIS, LAST YEAR, BOTH SWAY BAR LINKS FRACTURED, ALSO RESULTING IN A NEAR CRASH SITUATION. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. IT IS A DEATH MACHINE ON WHEELS!!!!*AK

DRIVERS SIDE SWAY BAR LINK HANGING, THE PASSENGER SIDE LINK IS MISSING COMPLETELY, REPLACE SWAY BAR LINK AND LUBE SWAY BAR BUSHING.

THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. CONSUMER LOOKED UNDERNEATH, AND NOTICED THAT LEFT SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

BOTH SWAY BAR END LINKS FAILED-- RIGHT IN 3/01 AND THE LEFT JUST FAILED IN 8/01. HANDLING GOES BAD WITH EXCESS FRONT BODY ROLL. DESIGN IS POOR WITH A SINGLE LONG BOLT THAT IS OVER STRESSED AND CORRODES, THEN FAILS. IT IS NOT EASY FOR THE AVERAGE CONSUMER TO EVEN DETECT THAT IT HAPPENED UNLESS YOU GET UNDER THE CAR AND LOOK.

EXPEDITION FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO BOTH SWAY BAR LINKS BROKEN. CHECKED WITH FORD AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON EXPEDITION FOR THIS PROBLEM.*AK

CONSUMER WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH SWAY BAR. SWAY BAR HAS BOLTS ON EACH SIDE BROKE. NOTHING WAS HOLDING SWAY BAR IN PLACE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOUND THE FRONT END HIGH SPEED ANTI SWAY BAR LINKS WERE COMPLETELY MISSING. *SLC

WHEN MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY ACTS LIKE BACK IS INDEPENDENT FROM FRONT. WHEN COMING TO A STOP, VEHICLE BUCKS AND DRAGS. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT MOTOR, REAR SWAY BAR LINK, FORWARD DRIVE SHAFT AND SPEED SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE SWAY BAR IN PLACE ON THE FRONT OF MY 1997 FORD EXPEDITION BROKE OFF COMPLETELY. HAD I BEEN DRIVING ON A FREEWAY OR AROUND A CORNER I FEEL THAT I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED MY FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS.*AK

SWAY BAR LINK HAD BROKEN AND WAS JUST HANGING FROM VEHICLE.*AK

FRONT AND REAR SWAY BARS KEEP BREAKING AND DISAPPEARING. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY , AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE DONE AT CONSUMER'S COST. *AK

PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY INTO TRAFFIC WITH FAMILY IN VEHICLE AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL. TIE ROD END SNAPPED OUT (FAULTY DESIGN), REPLACED WITH MOOG BRAND PROPERLY DESIGNED OUTER TIE ROD. ALSO THE SWAY BAR SEPARATED FROM THE TRUCK. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT USED FOR ANY TYPE OF "OFF ROAD" DRIVING, THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE THE TIE ROD WENT. MORE THAN ONE AUTO MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THAT FORD IS THE ONLY AUTO COMPANY THAT MAKE THEIR TIE RODS IN THIS MANNER. THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ANY "SAFETY" FEATURE TO THE TIE ROD END TO KEEP IT FROM FALLING OUT. I HAD JUST BEEN TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH TWO MINUTES PRIOR TO THE TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. WE ARE CERTAINLY AWARE THAT THE MILEAGE ON OUR VEHICLE WARRANTS SOME WEAR AND TEAR, HOWEVER, THESE TIE RODS ARE JUST NOT MADE...

LOST CONTROL WHILE TURNING INTO AN INTERSECTION AT 5 MPH DUE TO DRIVER'S SIDE INNER TIE ROD DISCONNECTING. ALSO, BOTH SIDE SWAY BAR LINKS FELL OFF. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. *AK *ML

SWAY BAR LINKS ARE MISSING, DETECTED DURING A BRAKE JOB. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK.ET.

REAR SWAY BAR FELL OUT OF BUSHING, MAKING DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. ENGINE HAS ROUGH IDLE.ROOF RACK FELL OFF DUE TO SCREWS THAT HOLD RACK TO ROOF WERE NOT INSTALLED.EXTERIOR MOLDINGS AND GLASS TRIM DISCOLORED.PASSENGER POWER WINDOW STICKS AND SQUEAKS.SERPENTINE BELT NOISY UPON COLD MORNING STARTS.

HOOD LIGHT CONNECTION FAULTY.'CLUNK' GOING OVER MODERATE BUMPS DUE TO SUSPENSION CONCERN-DEALER SAID IT WAS BECAUSE MY GAS TANK WAS 3/4 FULL AND IT WAS 'SLOSHING' AROUND.TECHNICIAN DESCRIBED A 'TRANSMISSION CHATTER' BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE.STEERING WHEEL HAS 1/2 INCH OF PLAY.***OUR VEHICLE HAS HAD 42 REPAIRS, 38 REPAIR DAYS, 36 PAGES OF WARRANTY WORK AND OVER $10,000(CDN) IN WARRANTY COSTS. IT HAS 6 WARRANTY REPAIRS PENDING (PLUS A REPEATED REQUEST TO ADDRESS THE DOCUMENTED 'PISTON SLAP'). WE ARE CURRENTLY SLATED FOR ARBITRATION WITH CAMVAP OCTOBER 27, 1999. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US. WE ARE SIMPLY FED UP! REGARDING THE SIGNATURE CARD, IF IT IS APPLICABLE FOR CANADA PLEASE FORWARD US A CARD. IF WE CAN BE OF ANY ASSISTANCE PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS ATTACHED TO TRAILER THE REAR WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE AND SHAKE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY ARE AWARE AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE UNTIL THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM. MEANTIME, CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO USE VEHICLE FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH HE IS PAYING FOR. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

RIGHT REAR SWAY BAR BUSHING FAILED, FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE TOWING A BOAT. VEHICLE BOUNCED AND LOST CONTROL. SWERVED UPON MAKING LEFT HAND TURN AND HIT A GUARDRAIL.

WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS 70MPH & UP THE VEHICLE'S REAR WOULD SWAY BACK & FORTH. HAD STEERING CONTROL PROBLEM. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & NO FAULT WAS FOUND WITH THE STEERING. *AK

DEALER CLAIMS TO HAVE NO INFORMATION ON RECALL. THE RECALL STATES THAT THE REAR AXLE BAR BRACKET CAN SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME DUE TO MISSING WELDS OR INADEQUATE WELD PENETRATION. (ID #97V171000)

SWERVED UPON MAKING LEFT HAND TURN VEHICLE HIT GUARD RAIL. NOTICEABLE NOISE FROM REAR END. DILEMMA: SWAY BAR NOT ATTACHED TO RUBBER BUSHINGS AND SEPARATED FROM ITS FRAME. REFER TO SERV. BUL. 10596. *AK

HAD PROBLEM REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL NOTICE (#96V252000); PROBLEM HAS SINCE RETURNED. *AK