Ten problems related to axle assembly have been reported for the 1997 Ford Expedition. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The first time we took the Expedition on the road, 180 miles into the trip we pulled into a gas station and noticed liquid on the ground by the front axle and found it had pumped app. 1/2 of the front axles grease out. I contacted the company and they have a technical bulletin out about that and it was suppose to be fixed under warranty. They said since it was not fixed under warranty and I did not buy it from a Ford dealer it was up to me to fix it. I called the local Ford dealer(rozum motor CO - 605-996-5614) and talked to brian per Ford's instructions and he told me it would cost me about $500. If it pumps out all the grease while travelling down the road what happens if it ruins the front axle or even worse would lock up? I don't see how they can have a design problem and tell me I have to fix it especially when they admit they know of the problem! they say it only happens in about 1 out of a 1000 vehicles then why don't they fix those that spew grease out inadvertently as they say.
The transmission failed at 28169 miles(1/19/99 - 18 months after delivery), and the rear at 42407 miles(11/19/99 - 28 months after delivery). In my 41 years of driving, I have never heard of this kind of failures that fast. Usually these failures occur after 10 or 15 years. I suggest it was a part failure, but Ford will not honor the repairs, because I have gone beyond the 36,000 warrenty. I think Ford should shoulder some of the $1700. 00 cost, as a good will gesture. They have declined.
Axle-front- lubricant leaking from front axle tube vent hose--issue oil is forced out the vent tube and sprayed oil all over right/front tire and disc brake and rotor. I paid to repaired it. Ford had no concern about the safety problem. Ford knows about the problem. There is a TSB (97-10-10). Oil on the brake pads rotor and tire would cause a stopping problem . Also oil based lubricants cause rubber parts (seals) to swell up on anti-lock brake system. Ford would not pay to repair the factory built- in defect and would not acknowledge any safety problem. A new design axle tube is needed to correct the origional design flaw. Oil coated tires and brakes do not stop well, and should be looked into before someone gets into an auto wreck.
Panhard bar bracket has large crack on drivers side. I have talked to many other Expedition owners and many have had the same problem. However, I see nothing on your website about a recall on this from Ford. If this bracket would fail, say, in a corner, it could certainly cause a loss of control, as the panhard bar helps locate the rear axle assembly under the truck in cornering. Is there a recall on this by Ford? if not, there should be as this appears to not be an isolated incident. Thank you for any help you can give me in getting Ford to fix this problem.
Right rear axle broke, causing the front wheel to come off. Vehicle lost control, resulting in an accident.
The truck is brand new and the axle and the whole underside of the vehicle was rusted.
Vehicle's rear axle failed.
Truck was parked in 4-wheel drive and when the emergeny brake was let up the truck would not move. Then the brakes got ripped off the rear axle, and the brake fluid went all over the ground.
Owner received recall notice, contacted manufacturer and was told they had no knowledge of recall. Recall#96v252000.
Rear axle sheared off, causing wheel to fall off. Vehicle lost control, resulting in a crash and a fatality.