1997 Ford Expedition Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 2%of 853 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the seat belts of the 1997 Ford Expedition, 2% of the 853 complaints for this model year. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 1997 Ford Expedition. Both the driver side and passenger side seat belts for the middle seat will not extend. They are locked in the retracted position. From reviewing this on the internet it is a common problem. This is the only vehicle I have ever had that had seat belt problems. There should be a recall to replace these as it makes it so you can't buckle anyone into the middle seat. (related vehicle information: model year=1997, make=Expedition, model=Ford ).”
NHTSA complaint #10503425, filed 2013-03“The seatbelt holding the child safety seat in place has disconnected without it being intentionally released, consumer believes this may be occuring because of the prolonged side-ways tension on the seat belt receptor. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #553077, filed 2000-07“When brakes were depressed the accelerator floored itself, passenger witnessed foot on brake and not the throttle. Passenger side seat belt did not work, and not air bags deployed. The vehicle frame was bent from the crash.”
NHTSA complaint #704504, filed 1999-03“While driving under icy conditions vehicle slid into a telephone pole at 20 MPH. Air bags did not deploy, and seta belt ripped, causing rug to burn to driver's neck. Dealer has not been contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #856941, filed 2000-02“The rear lap belt, behind the driver ,got stuck and would not release owner's child. Seatbelt started to tighten around child, and had to be cut loose. Dealer has not replaced the seatbelt.”
NHTSA complaint #859661, filed 2000-04Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 2 | 3% |
| 2022 | 3 | 3% |
| 2021 | 4 | 2% |
| 2020 | 39 | 9% |
| 2019 | 113 | 21% |
| 2018 | 14 | 4% |
| 2017 | 6 | 2% |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2014 | 3 | 4% |
| 2013 | 2 | 2% |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 14 | 2% |
| 2002 | 20 | 6% |
| 2001 | 36 | 6% |
| 2000 | 9 | 1% |
| 1999 | 8 | 1% |
| 1998 | 25 | 3% |
| 1997 | 15 | 2% |
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 31, 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