1997 Ford Expedition Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 89about this part
- Share
- 10%of 853 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 131,629miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 89 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Ford Expedition, 10% of the 853 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 131,629 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 8 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Engine making a load noise after traveling to my inlaws which was 216 miles pulled over noticed number 8 cylinder had blown the spark plug out of the block 2 months prior number 3 cylinder blew out and in 2008 number 1 cylinder blew out plug from the block. I have been in touch with Ford motor company they there was nothing they could do.”
NHTSA complaint #10265447, filed 2009-04, 96,000 miles“Feburary 28, 2011 I purchased a 97 Ford Expedition. I drove the truck for one day and on march 4, 2011 I parked the truck under the garage around 8:30 a.m. And around 10:45 a.m the truck caught fire under the hood on the drivers side by the time the fire was put out . The whole front end was burned up.”
NHTSA complaint #10386795, filed 2011-03, 140,000 miles“1997 Ford Expedition, 5.4 v8. Driving about 25 MPH when a spark plug blue out. This is the second time this has happened. The first time it happened when my wife was driving. My mechanic is going to use a helicoil kit to repair the threads. I was out of town for the first incident and do not know what was done to repair the problem the first time.”
NHTSA complaint #10232947, filed 2008-07, 127,502 miles“In a matter of 9 months, my 1997 Ford Expedition has misfired and blown out spark plug 4 times now. Has cost me over $3,000 in repairs. The last time it happened my truck smelled like fire, but never ignited. My check engine light is now on for a 5th time, the truck is misfiring again and it is only a matter of time before another blowout occurs.”
NHTSA complaint #10234761, filed 2008-07, 100,000 miles“Our 1997 Ford Expedition ejected a sparkplug, multiple times in the past year. Was helicoiled and still damaged motor to the point of rebuild or replacing motor. Happened during a holiday towing our boat, very lucky it didn't hurt anyone. We had to have boat and Ford towed, ruined our vacation, thanks to having a class a driver behind the wheel minimized a major accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10295706, filed 2009-12, 155,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10023943Oct 1, 2007Some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6l 2v, 5.4l 2v, or 6.8l 2v engine--spark plug thread repair procedure--not covered under new vehicle limited warranty. *nj this includes…
- 10018745Nov 14, 2005Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running.
- 10014685Mar 21, 2005Use of stainless steel exhaust studs in service for 5.4l 2v engine.
- 10011162Aug 23, 2004Engine misfire or running - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - wds cop kit diagnostic tips. To include various 2005 models. * ar this article 04161 supersedes tsb 03-14-04.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 4 | 1% |
| 2019 | 31 | 6% |
| 2018 | 25 | 7% |
| 2017 | 5 | 1% |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 3% |
| 2010 | 3 | 5% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 9 | 4% |
| 2006 | 75 | 25% |
| 2005 | 47 | 15% |
| 2004 | 26 | 9% |
| 2003 | 127 | 21% |
| 2002 | 95 | 28% |
| 2001 | 122 | 21% |
| 2000 | 116 | 13% |
| 1999 | 248 | 26% |
| 1998 | 127 | 15% |
| 1997 | 89 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Expedition
138 complaintsBrakes
110 complaintsElectrical system
95 complaintsSteering
94 complaintsVehicle speed control
79 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
76 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
44 complaintsWheels
41 complaintsBody and structure
38 complaintsTires
36 complaintsAir bags
26 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
26 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford Expedition
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology