1997 Ford Expedition Wheels Problems
- Complaints
- 41about this part
- Share
- 5%of 853 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 139,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the wheels of the 1997 Ford Expedition, 5% of the 853 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 139,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving at 55 MPH, the consumer felt the vehicle wobble and thump to the ground. The consumer lost control of the vehicle which did a three hundred sixty degree turn on the highway. When the vehicle stopped spinning the consumer found that the right rear wheel had separated from the vehicle. The lug nuts had simply sheared off of the wheel. This problem has occurred twice on this vehicle. The only difference is on the second time one lug nut was saved from being sheared off.”
NHTSA complaint #10083424, filed 2004-07, 120,000 miles“In december 1998, the front passenger side wheel came off the vehicle. I was told that there was a problem with the lugs: nuts not being tightened properly by marina Ford (marina del rey, california). The car was taken to magic Ford for repair. In april/may of 2000, the driver side rear tire peeled like an onion and did extensive damage to the rear panel of the truck. At that time, the aaa towing service said that the stems and lug nuts were stripped. We took the car to manhattan beach Ford for repair and investigation. …”
NHTSA complaint #723590, filed 2000-06“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10217733, filed 2008-02, 158,000 miles“Recall 98v095 for wheel lug nuts problems on 1997 Expedition. While driving one of the vehicle's wheels came off the truck. When the consumer was able to stop the vehicle he noticed that all the lug nuts had broken off. The vehicle was taken to a garage where they determined that the truck had the wrong lug nuts on it. The consumer was then told that the year before a recall was issued and the lug nuts had been changed.”
NHTSA complaint #10098928, filed 2004-10“Was traveling 65mph, when right rear wheel just came off. Vehicle hit ground, hard. Driver was able to maintain control and pulled to side of road. Vehicle had rear end damage. Had vehicle towed to dealer. Mechanic indicated that bolts on wheel had been sheared off. Would need to replace hub assembly/ wheel and tire.”
NHTSA complaint #897059, filed 2001-09Related recalls
- 98V095000May 13, 1998Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles and light duty pickup trucks. The lug nuts on these vehicles may not create sufficient clamp load allowing wheel…Covers: Ford Expedition 1997–1998, F-150 1997–1998, F-250 1997–1998 +1 more
Wheels: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 40% |
| 2025 | 4 | 11% |
| 2024 | 3 | 4% |
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2020 | 1 | 0% |
| 2019 | 2 | 0% |
| 2018 | 9 | 2% |
| 2017 | 16 | 4% |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2014 | 2 | 3% |
| 2013 | 2 | 2% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 3 | 4% |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 10 | 3% |
| 2005 | 4 | 1% |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% |
| 2003 | 6 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 6 | 1% |
| 2000 | 14 | 2% |
| 1999 | 17 | 2% |
| 1998 | 37 | 4% |
| 1997 | 41 | 5% |
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 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 28, 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