1997 Ford Expedition Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 3%of 853 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 1997 Ford Expedition, 3% of the 853 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“There is a safety defect with the child safety locks on the rear drivers side and passenger side doors of my 1997 Ford Expedition. The child safety locks will gradually move themselves from the off position to the on position as vehicle is driven and doors are opened and closed. The passenger(s) occupying the rear seat will be unable to open their doors without help from someone outside the vehicle. The problem started about 5 years ago and is usually noticed more often while we are traveling and our teenage sons are getting in and out of the vehicle for rest stops, etc.”
NHTSA complaint #10227528, filed 2008-05, 54,000 miles“Door ajar light comes on and stays on intermently. I had this same issue with my 1995 Ford ranger. On both vehicles the door latch mechanism was replaced and fix the problem temporarily. The issue returns with oem replace part. Mechanic mentioned that the Ford motor company uses a very thick lubricant on the mechanism causing the issue. I now just live with the issue as I am not going to keep spending my money on latch mechanism that keeps going bad. The only issue is the interior lights stay on until the delay out 45 seconds later. …”
NHTSA complaint #10114418, filed 2005-03, 42,000 miles“The child safety door locks on the rear doors of our 1997 Ford Expedition will gradually move themselves from the off to the on position, preventing the rear passengers from being able to exit without someone opening the door from the outside. Have attempted to tape the locks in the off position, but this has not worked.”
NHTSA complaint #10231265, filed 2008-06, 130,000 miles“Child safety locks engage locking passenger into vehicle. Passenger is not able to exit vehicle without someone opening the door. Locks are set manually however even if they are set to off, once the door is closed it locks itself. It happened on both doors equipted with child safety locks. First on one side, then on the other.”
NHTSA complaint #10074909, filed 2004-06, 98,000 miles“While in the vehicle the consumer could not open the rear doors from the inside although the child safety locks were not engaged. The dealership had been notified. Both of the rear doors could be locked from the inside without the child lock being manually engaged. The rear doors were opened with normal use and was an intermittent problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10042239, filed 2003-11, 50,000 milesLatches, locks and linkages: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 4 | 1% |
| 2017 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 2 | 1% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 11 | 2% |
| 2002 | 3 | 1% |
| 2001 | 7 | 1% |
| 2000 | 9 | 1% |
| 1999 | 2 | 0% |
| 1998 | 9 | 1% |
| 1997 | 26 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1997 Ford Expedition
138 complaintsBrakes
110 complaintsElectrical system
95 complaintsSteering
94 complaintsEngine cooling
89 complaintsVehicle speed control
79 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
76 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
44 complaintsWheels
41 complaintsBody and structure
38 complaintsTires
36 complaintsAir bags
26 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Ford Expedition
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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