Overview & Reviews

Ford's replacement for the aging Bronco is the all-new Expedition. Based on the 1997 F-150 platform, this full-size sport-utility vehicle is poised to do battle with the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon.

• Great big truck that can seat up to nine passengers and still fit inside a regular garage. Interior ergonomics are outstanding, and a nice standard equipment list make it competitive with other full-size utes.

• Engine could use a bit more oomph
• Upshifts are rather abrupt and downshifts should happen a bit quicker.
• Even the optional 5.4-liter has difficulty accelerating beyond speeds of 70 mph. The transmission could also use some refinement

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 69.00

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  19 yr & still trucking strong - 1997 Ford Expedition
  By glenda - November 2 - 9:42 am

  This has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned plus the most economical overall when you consider purchase price over 19 yr with no repairs other than maintenance. The only expense has been fuel, regular oil changes, tires, air filters, brake pads, battery, and replacement of one broken suspension arm. This SUV has gone in deep snow when my other truck ( GMC) wouldnt. I no longer need to transport heavy or bulky loads but I hate to sell this reliable friend so I plan to continue to see how many more years shell go. Ill trade only if I can get a 20 yr. guarantee on a new SUV.

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  Old Faithful with 200,000 miles - 1997 Ford Expedition
  By adeanhobdy - September 3 - 1:16 pm

  The car that doesnt die. If you want reliability, this car doesnt get the props it deserves. It keeps going. We bought the car in 2011. After purchasing it, we realized that it hadnt had regular maintenance. Had never even had a tuneup and had the original spark plugs. We were a little worried but it has never given us one problem. We even took it climbing a few times and it faired well. The one con is that it doesnt have the power I would like. We dont feel comfortable pulling our 25 foot trailer with it. We solved that by recently purchasing the Excursion. Hope the Excursion will be as reliable as the Expedition

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  417000 Miles and still Going!!!!! - 1997 Ford Expedition
  By cedric626 - August 4 - 8:06 am

  I have a 1997 Ford Expedition that I purchase in 2000. The only maintenance that I have had done to the engine is the sprark blugs and coil paks. I am repainting it and putting it back on the road after seating for a year. I am trying to find out what is the record for miles on this 4.6 engine.

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  333,000+ and still goin hard! - 1997 Ford Expedition
  By chrischris71 - January 1 - 11:19 pm

  Bought this truck at 300,000 miles with a cracked radiator. Only real maintenance done to this truck is a new radiator, new alternator, one new coil pack, and some gaskets and seals. Before we started playing around with it it got about 17 city 20-25 highway. After putting a 2.5 inch suspension and 2.5 inch body lift its down to about 10 city and 15-17 highway. Mine is actually the 5.4L Triton V8. Soon the driver side A-frame will need replacing and the passenger side rotor needs to be replaced.

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  14 years of driving - 1997 Ford Expedition
  By objr - March 9 - 9:58 pm

  I bought her when my second son was born, traded in the 4 Runner. Towed the boat many miles and slept in the back camping many days. Snow, mud, rain did not slow her down. No major maintenance issues beyond a stuck shifter, compressor and alternator. Approaching 200,000, hot in winter, cold in summer. in a foot of snow and pulling a hill, nothing can stop her. I wanted to jump on the Obama $4,500 clunker deal but I couldnt bring myself to dumping her, they were going to seize her engine. It would be like putting my dog down, could not do it. I will drive her until she dies which will probably be around 280,000 to 300,000 miles.

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  My Expedition - 1997 Ford Expedition
  By innersouls - September 1 - 8:29 am

  My Expedition gets me 20 mpg on the freeway and still around 15 - 16 mpg in town. This has been the best vehicle I have ever owned

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  Better gas - 1997 Ford Expedition
  By justin - July 19 - 7:26 pm

  I bought my exp in June. I like it a lot. It has 220,000 miles in it it is a very good SUV. I like it a lot safe for my kids but I got spark plugs done. It gets good gas now like 16 miles a gal.

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  254,000+ Miles and its still going! - 1997 Ford Expedition
  By Not a Ford Guy - June 10 - 2:19 pm

  We bought our 1997 Expedition XLT 4x4 in 2000 with about 100K miles already on it. I was leery because the first year Exped had already developed a notorious reliability reputation, but the price was so good I couldnt resist. At the time it was a good looking truck (and still isnt bad, after all these years) and gas was "cheap." Well, weve broken 250K miles and have only sunk about $2500 in 10 years into actual repairs, not including "consumables" of course. The small 4.6 L V8, which underpowered for such a large vehicle, still holds its own and still gets 14+ MPG in mixed driving -- and EVERYTHING still works (all electrical, power, transmission, 4WD, etc)! Color me impressed!

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  The Big Blue Beast - 1997 Ford Expedition
  By ZZebbeddiahh - January 17 - 11:22 pm

  I have owned this truck for as long as I can remember, and it has only needed regular repair. The 5.4L could pull Chuck Norris in half if it had to. I tow snowmobiles every weekend for four months of every year in harsh MN winters, and I have done all of it in my 97. Nothing compares in power and comfort, and I would look to buy another one if this one dies

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  Update on our 1997 Expedition - 1997 Ford Expedition
  By jessepatty - December 21 - 10:02 pm

  Ive written a review before on our Expedition and I shared it was getting close to 200K.. Well she finally went over the 200K mark and shes still a very reliable vehicle. I just want to share that with everyone.. This Expedition has been the most reliable vehicle we have ever owned... Thanks Ford! We appreciate not having to buy a new vehicle every couple years. Sure Saves us allot of money.