On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn.
Risk: A fire at the switch could occur.
Sell your 1997 Ford Expedition for cash
The 1997 Ford Expedition is a vehicle that came with a choice of 4.6L 8-cyl and 5.4L 8-cyl engines. At 29 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
- Free offer for your 1997 Expedition in about 30 seconds
- Free towing, running or not
- Paid at pickup
FordEXPEDITION1997
1997 Ford Expedition at a glance
| Body style | Special Purpose Vehicles |
|---|---|
| Engines | 4.6L 8-cyl, 5.4L 8-cyl |
| Transmissions | Automatic 4-spd |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 11–14 city / 16–18 highway / 13–15 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $4,450–$5,150 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 592–684 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 4 configurations: Expedition 2WD, Expedition 4WD |
| Age | 29 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
What affects its junk value
- Age: at 29 years old, most of a 1997 Expedition's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
- Weight: as a vehicle, it weighs less than a truck or SUV, so its value leans more on parts than on scrap weight. See how scrap prices by weight work.
- Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
- Recalls: NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 1997 Expedition. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
- Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the electrical system, typically around 102,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.
1997 Ford Expedition recalls
NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls covering the 1997 Ford Expedition. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, if the intermediate shaft yoke separates from the steering gear input shaft, the steering system becomes disconnected.
Risk: This could result in loss of steering control, potentially resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Vehicle description: mini vans, light pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Off lease canadian vehicles equipped with daytime running lights which meet canadian requirements and not the photometric requirements of fmvss 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." according to Ford, the vehicles were imported into…
Risk: The light given off from the daytime running lights is brighter than allowed by u.s. Standards.
Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly to the frame attaching bolts could lose the clamp load.
Risk: The trailer hitch could then separate from the vehicle.
Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles and light duty pickup trucks. The lug nuts on these vehicles may not create sufficient clamp load allowing wheel movement in relation to the hub/rotor mounting surface.
Risk: This can result in the loosening of lug nuts, stud fatigue failure, and the potential for a wheel separation from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. If the automatic transmission shift cable assembly was not fully attached to the steering column bracket, the shift cable assembly can come out of the bracket. The vehicle operator would then not be able to shift the transmission from one of the drive…
Risk: The condition would not allow a disengagement of the transmission from the park position or affect proper neutral start switch operation. Unintended vehicle movement could occur if the parking brake was not set.
The rear axle track bar bracket can separate from the frame due to missing welds or inadequate weld penetration.
Risk: If both brackets separate, the rear axle can move laterally until the tires contact either the frame or the wheelhouse resulting in either tire damage or a significant reduction in vehicle handling performance.
Common 1997 Expedition problems
Owners have filed 853 complaints about the 1997 Ford Expedition with NHTSA. 52 reports involved a crash and 74 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 48 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Most-reported components
Typical mileage when problems were reported
- Electrical System102,000 mi
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic100,000 mi
- Vehicle Speed Control132,000 mi
- Wheels158,000 mi
- Engine and Engine Cooling128,000 mi
- Suspension134,000 mi
1997 Ford Expedition service bulletins
Manufacturers have filed 373 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1997 Ford Expedition. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
Most common bulletin topics
Recent bulletins
Some 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
Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running. *tt
Rear axle noise repair. *tt
Use of stainless steel exhaust studs in service for 5.4l 2v engine. *tt
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA opened 7 defect investigations covering the 1997 Ford Expedition.
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 Ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or t
Engine compartment fires
Ea05-005 is closed with Ford?s actions in recalls 05v-017, 05v-388, and 06v-286, recalling approximately 6.7 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).the brake systems in these recalled vehicles generate a vacuum that can potentially cause the scds to fail and, in cert
Steering shaft separation
See attached summary for technical details
Front stabilizer link
Factory installed towing hitch separatio
This investigation was opened on september 27, 1999 based on five consumer reports alleging that some of the eight hitch mounting bolts either became loose or came completely out of its retaining plate.one of the complaints indicated that while towig a trailer the hitch actually separated from the frame on the passenge
Tie rod end failures
There is no summary currently available
Independent front suspension torsion bar
Three consumers have reported failure of one of the two front suspension torsion bars in the subject vehicles.in one case the failure occurred while the vehicle was in operation, and the vehicles were parked when the other two failures occurred.no crashes have been reported.torsion bar failures are considered to be fai
Other Ford Expedition years
Sell a 1998 Expedition › · All Ford Expedition years
Other 1997 Ford models
Selling a 1997 Expedition: questions
How much is a 1997 Ford Expedition worth for junk?
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Can I junk a 1997 Expedition that doesn't run?
Yes. We buy 1997 Expeditions that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Can I sell a 1997 Expedition with open recalls?
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 1997 Ford Expedition; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What paperwork do I need to sell my 1997 Expedition?
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Before you sell
Sources
- EPA fuel economy data (specs and MPG)fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA recallsnhtsa.gov
- NHTSA complaints, service bulletins and investigationsnhtsa.gov
Data retrieved October 2026.
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