NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Ford Expedition. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
THE FUSE FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT KEEPS MELTING. IT APPEARS WHERE THE FUSE GOES IS MELTING AS WELL IF NOT CAUSING IT. FROM TIME TO TIME THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT BLINKS AND THEN GOES OUT. IF YOU WIGGLE THE FUSE IT LIGHTS BACK UP. *TR
THE #4 SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED WITHIN TWO YEARS. *TR
MY SUV CAUGHT FIRE PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT RUNNING AT THE TIME. *TR
PLUG BLEW OUT OF HEAD. HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT THE TRUCK AND THEY SAID THAT IT'S COMMON FOR THAT TRUCK TO DO THAT SO I CHECKED WITH ANOTHER GARAGE TO SEE WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME THING .SO WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THIS? *TR
I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS FAILURE 3 TIMES NOW, THE FIRST TIME HAPPENED A MONTH AGO 12-12,2008 THEN AGAIN 12- 22-,2008 & AGAIN TODAY 1-16-09, ALL THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE SINGLE DIGITS TO TEENS. MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AT STOP SIGNS & STOP LIGHTS WITHOUT SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL & TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. IF I WOULD JUST SHIFT TO NEUTRAL THE ENGINE WOULD REV TO 4000-5000 RPM & I WOULD NOT HAVE ANY CONTROL OF THE STEERING OR BRAKES. WHEN I TRIED TO USE THE BRAKES BY USING CONSTANT VERY FIRM PRESSURE THE BRAKES WOULDN'T WORK , BUT WOULD OVERHEAT & SMELL BURNED. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT DETERMINED THERE WAS ICE & OTHER JUNK BUILT UP ON THE THROTTLE CABLE. THIS WAS REMOVED AFTER THE 12-22-08 INCIDENT. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME TO WARM UP THE VEHICLE FOR A LEAST 20 MINUTES BEFORE I STARTED DRIVING ANYWHERE & THEN LEAVE IT RUNNING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, BECAUSE THE DRIVING OF SHORT DISTANCES COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THE ICE BY JUST TAKING SHORT TRIPS OF 4 MILES OR LESS. TODAY 1-16-09 I HAD A DIFFERENT MECHANIC LOOK AT IT & HE IS ORDERING A NEW THROTTLE CABLE & HOPEFULLY THIS WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE SITUATION COULD HAVE TURNED OUT VERY BADLY IF THERE HAD BEEN VEHICLES TOO CLOSE TO ME WHEN I COULDN'T CONTROL MY VEHICLE. I AM VERY FORTUNATE THAT NO INJURIES OCCURRED,ALTHOUGH I SUFFERED MENTAL STRESS AND ANGUISH. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PLACED INTO DRIVE AND THEN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO REVERSE THE GEARS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN LATER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND ANY EXPENSES WOULD HAVE TO COVERED BY THE OWNER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
1998 FORD EXPEDITION 4X4 4.6L, THE POOR QUALITY STEEL USED FOR THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS AND BOLTS RUST VERY FAST. MINE RESULTED IN THE DRIVERSIDE BOLTS RUSTING AWAY CAUSING EXHAUST COMING DIRECTLY OUT OF THE ENGINE, ALSO THE EGR TUBE RUSTED OFF THE DRIVERS MANIFOLD CAUSING HOT EXHAUST TO BLOW TOWARD THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THE MANIFOLD BOLTS/STUDS ALSO RUSTED AWAY CAUSING EXHAUST TO DISPERSE IN THE ENGINE BAY. ALSO ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THE MANIFOLD CRACKED ABOUT 3 INCHES LONG ON THE TOP OF THE MANIFOLD CAUSING HOT EXHAUST TO BLOW UPWARD TO THE UPPER ENGINE BAY. I CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE BAD MANIFOLDS/STUDS WITH PACESETTER SHORTY HEADERS AND BOLTS, IT WAS THE CHEAPEST FIX. THE PACESETTER SHORTY HEADER KIT WAS $150 FROM WWW.SUMMITRACING.COM . THE TRUCK WAS EXTREMELY LOUD BEFORE I FIXED THIS PROBLEM AND I WAS PULLED OVER FOR IT BY THE POLICE 4 TIMES, THEY LET ME GO IF I PROMISED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SINCE I FIXED THE PROBLEM THE TRUCK IS VERY QUIET AND I DON'T GET THREATENED WITH $75 TICKETS ANYMORE PLUS I HAVE THE PEACE OF MIND THE TRUCK WONT BURN TO THE GROUND WITH MY FAMILY IN IT FROM HOT LEAKING EXHAUST MANIFOLDS OR RUSTY FAILED STUDS/BOLTS. *TR
THE ENGINE IN MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION CONTINUES TO HAVE SPARK PLUG PROBLEMS. THE ENGINE MISFIRES, RUNS POORLY, AND IS A HAZARD TO HAVE ON THE ROAD. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL SPARK PLUGS BLOW OUT AND HAVE HAD TO SPEND $4000 TO HAVE ONE OF THE HEADS REPLACED BECAUSE FORD DID NOT INCLUDE ENOUGH THREADS IN THEIR ORIGINAL DESIGN. THEY LATER CHANGED THE DESIGN IN 2003 I AM TOLD. IF SOMEONE THERE WOULD VISIT THE FOLLOWING SITE [HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_SPARK.HTML], THEY WOULD SEE THAT THESE ENGINES CONTINUE TO BLOW OUT SPARK PLUGS AS RECENTLY AS YESTERDAY, 9/16/08. WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO ISSUE A RECALL? THESE ENGINES HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS AND DEFECTIVE FOR YEARS. I AM NOT SURE WHAT IT TAKES, BUT FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AN RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE GEAR THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 308,000.
FORD EXP EDDIE B. BLEW OUT #3 SPARK PLUG. STRIPED THE THREADS IN THE HEAD. COST IS ABOUT 2 GRAND TO REPAIR AND CORRECT THE 7 OTHER PLUG HOLES TO ENSURE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN TO OTHERS. *TR
MY 1998 GEAR POSITION INDICATOR SHIFTED SUDDENLY TO REFLECT THE WRONG GEAR. WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK, THE INDICATOR INDICATES IT IS IN REVERSE, WHEN IN REVERSE IT INDICATES IT IS IN NEUTRAL. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT, DEALERSHIP AND FORD BOTH STATE IT IS NOT A VIN INCLUDED IN THE 97V171000 RECALL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT RECEIVING ENOUGH PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HE REPLACED THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH IN JULY OF 2008 AND AGAIN IN JANUARY OF 2009. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WILL CALL THE MANUFACTURER AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. HE TURNED THE VEHICLE AROUND TO RETURN HOME AND THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE APPLIED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AND NOTICED SEVERAL FAILURES WITH THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE LINE. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED IF FORD WOULD COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIRS, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,295. UPDATED 07/29/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE LINE FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MATERIAL THAT WAS USED WAS DEFECTIVE. THE BRAKE LINE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE OF STAINLESS STEEL OR OTHER CORROSION REISTANT MATERIAL. UPDATED 08/07/08. *JB
FORD 5.4L ENGINE SPARK PLUGS BLOWING OUT OF ENGINE. *TR
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON RT 3 WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE THE VEHICLE STARTED LIKE WOBBLING AND SHE WAS TRYING TO FIND A WIDE SPOT TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. WHEN SHE WENT AROUND THE CURVE THE TIRE CAME OFF AND SHE WAS SLUNG INTO THE OTHER LANE AND SHE COUNTER STIRRED AND WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT. OLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY WENT. CAUSE THE STUD BOLTS BROKE AND LUG NUTS CAME OFF. PUT NEW STUD BOLTS IN AND BOUGHT NEW LUG NUTS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, HE SMELLED SMOKE. HE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE, LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE CONTACT PULLED THE CABLES FROM THE BATTERY AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND NEEDS TO BE TOWED; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR THE TOWING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 102,000.
ON SUNDAY, JUNE 1ST 2008, I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON THE HIGHWAY 99 IN MY WIFE'S 1998 FORD EXPEDITION FROM FRUITRIDGE RD TO FLORIN RD. AS I EXITED ONTO FLORIN RD GOING WESTBOUND, I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE PLASTIC CAUGHT ON THE SIDE. I PULLED INTO THE 76 GAS STATION ON FLORIN ROAD AND EAST PARKWAY TO ASSES THE DAMAGE. THE VALVE STEM ON MY NEARLY NEW GOODYEAR EAGLE GT II 285/50-20 TIRE HAD TORN. THE HORROR IS THAT I DECIDED TO TAKE MY WIFE'S TRUCK AND LEAVE MY 2002 FORD EXCURSION AT HOME THAT MORNING BECAUSE IT HAD MY BOAT ATTACHED AND I DIDN'T WANT TO MOVE IT. THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN EXTREME HARM DONE TO MY WIFE AND CHILDREN. IT COST ME TIME AND MONEY TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE GEAR INDICATOR DID NOT DISPLAY THE ACTUAL GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS IN. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE VIN RANGE FOR RECALL # 97V171000 AND THAT HE WOULD BE LIABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 199,000.
SPARK PLUG BLOWOUT IN A FORD EXPEDITION 5.4L V8. *TR
I NOTICED THAT MY TRUCK WAS LEANING TO THE RIGHT SIDE. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACE A CONNECTOR IN THE LIFT SYSTEM ON APRIL 30,2008. THE LIFT SYSTEM FAILED WHILE DRIVING. 05/06/08. SINCE I PURCHASED MY 98,FORD EXPEDITION BACK IN 2000,THE LIFT SYSTEM HAS BEEN A PROBLEM. IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I 'VE HAD THIS TRUCK. THE TRUCK WAS FLATBED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM ON THE TRUCK NEVER CODED UNTIL THE 8TH OF MAY AT THE SHOP. WHEN THE LIFT/SUSPENSION FAILED NO INDICATOR LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. THE REAR STARTED TO DROP AS I WAS DRIVING IT HOME. NOW I HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT CONVERT TO A COIL SYSTEM. *TR
MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION BLEW OUT A SPARK PLUG ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE I HAD MY BABY DAUGHTER IN THE TRUCK. I LOST POWER AND HAD TO SWERVE INTO THE SLOW LANE ALMOST CAUSING MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS . THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND STILL NO RECALL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER STATED THAT IF THE RECALL WAS FROM 2005, THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT THE MOST THEY COULD DO WAS DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE SPARK PLUGS LITERALLY SHOT OUT AND BURNED A WHOLE RIGHT THROUGH THE ENGINE. SHE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER SELLS A TOOLKIT TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 127,000.
1998 FORD EXPEDITION WITH 97,000 MILES BLEW OUT THE #4 SPARK PLUG DURING NORMAL OPERATION. THIS WAS THE FACTORY ORIGINAL SPARK PLUG. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT CONTROL WOULD MALFUNCTION EVERY TIME HE USED THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK CORRECTLY. IF THE VEHICLE DID SHIFT INTO PARK, IT WOULD ROLL BACKWARD, ESPECIALLY ON AN INCLINE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, BUT THEY WOULD NOT INSPECT OR DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT HAD OVER 120,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V171000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)). THE CONTACT OWNED TWO OTHER FORD EXPEDITIONS THAT EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
SUSPECTED FAILURE OF ABS CONTROL MODULE RESULTED IN TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING. DISABLING THE ABS BY REMOVING THE FUSE RESULTS IN RELIABLE BRAKING. FORD WANTS TO REPLACE THE MODULE, BUT IF THE MODULE FAILS AGAIN THEN THERE WILL BE A LOSS OF BRAKES. THE BRAKING IS MORE RELIABLE WITHOUT THE ABS ACTIVATED. *TR
AS I WAS DRIVING I HEARD A LOUD CLATTERING NOISE. IN A FEW SECONDS IT BECAME LOUDER. I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. MY HUSBAND CAME AND DROVE THE EXPEDITION APPROX 1/4 MILE HOME. THE # 4 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE HEAD. IT SLAMMED THE COIL PACK INTO THE FUEL RAIL AND CUT THE FUEL LINE. AS OF THIS TIME, WE HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE YET. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. AN INVESTIGATION IS CURRENTLY ONGOING. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06E060000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 159,000.
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE MY SPARK SHOT OUT AND I HAD TAKE TO THE AUTO REPAIR FOR THEM TO REPLACE THE HALO COIL IN WHICH IT HAPPEN TWICE. *CN
MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION XLT HAS THE LEAKING WINDSHIELD PROBLEM, WHICH HAS LED TO MISDIAGNOSIS BY THE DEALER AND BY INDEPENDENT MECHANICS. THE LIGHTS, FANS, AND SWITCHES RANDOMLY TURN ON AND OFF, THE POWER WINDOWS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, THE BLOWER FAN AND RADIO STAYS ON, AND THE BATTERY HAS GONE DEAD THREE TIMES. TODAY IS THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM, AND I FOUND IT AS NOTED IN AN ONLINE FORUM. FORD IS/HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, YET WILL ONLY FIX IT IF THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 75,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, WHICH WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AS WELL. APPARENTLY THE REPAIR WILL RUN IN EXCESS OF $1,000, EVEN THOUGH FORD HAS MULTIPLE REPORTED CASES OF THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
1998 FORD EXPEDITION 5.4L V8 ENGINE, SPARK PLUG FROM CYLINDER#3 BLEW OUT OF HEAD CAUSING DAMAGE TO CYLINDER HEAD AND IGNITION COIL. CLEANED OUT THREADS WITH TAP OF SAME SIZE, WHICH ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE IN TIGHT AREA OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND INSTALLED NEW SPARK PLUG BUT IT BLEW OUT AGAIN TWO DAYS LATER. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE IDLING AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. AN INVESTIGATOR FROM FIRE FORENSICS STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. FORD STATED THAT THEY SENT THE RECALL NOTICE TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND COULD NOT PROVIDE HER WITH ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. SHE STILL HAS POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. THE POWERTRAIN AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 180,000.
I TOOK TRUCK TO NAPLETON LINCOLN/MERCURY FOR REPAIR BECAUSE SUSPENSION AIRBAGS WENT DOWN THEY CHECKED THE TRUCK OUT TOLD ME IT WOULD BE $1100 TOTAL BECAUSE OF BAD PUMP AND CENSORS... ABOUT A YEAR LATER THE SAME AIRBAGS WENT DOWN AGAIN I BROUGHT THE TRUCK BACK AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT I NEED A ANOTHER PUMP THAT WAS UNDER WARRANTY BY THEM IT WENT OUT AGAIN WITH NO CHARGE TO ME. LESS THAN A YEAR'S TIME THE AIRBAGS WENT DOWN AGAIN TOOK IT BACK TO SAME SHOP THEY CHECKED CAR OUT AND CHARGED AN ADDITIONAL $800 FOR AN AIRBAG PUMP AND LABOR. WITH THE ABOVE WARRANTY I FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A CHARGE TO ME BECAUSE ALL CHARGES SHOULD BEEN COVERED BY THEM. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED DUE TO THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. FORD REFUSED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE, EVEN THOUGH THE FIRE WAS DUE TO THEIR VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 136,000. UPDATED 01/0308.*LJ RECALL #05V388000. UPDATED 12/12/07
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR STATED THAT A CRUISE CONTROL DEVICE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 00V422000). THE CONTACT FELT THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED. AS OF OCTOBER 9, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. EVERYTIME THE CONTACT ENTERS THE VEHICLE, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING REMAINS ILLUMINATED EVEN AFTER THE DOOR IS CLOSED. SHE MUST MANUALLY TURN OFF THE LIGHT. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE BATTERY EVENTUALLY FAILS AND HAS TO BE RECHARGED IN ORDER TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,000. UPDATED 07/15/08 *BF UPDATED 07/15/08
I LEFT WORK ON TUESDAY AUGUST THE 21ST AND WENT TO A LOCAL RESTAURANT ABOUT 4 MINUTES AWAY FOR MY JOB. I PARK THE CAR OUTSIDE AND AFTER JUST ABOUT 5 MINUTES I SEE A BIG SMOKE COME OUT THE ENGINE OF MY CAR. THE FRONT MIRROR SPLASHED ALL INSIDE THE CAR. THE THE WHOLE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP. *TR
THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH IN MY 1997 EXPEDITION SHORTED OUT AND FAILED EARLIER THIS YEAR, CAUSING MY WIFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS AND FURTHER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME UNDRIVABLE DUE TO THE INABILITY TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN GEAR. I DISCOVERED TODAY THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS SUBJECT TO A SAFETY RECALL 05V-388 ON THIS ISSUE IN SEPTEMBER 2005. I RECEIVED NO NOTIFICATION FROM FORD ON THIS RECALL. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TODAY TO CHECK ON THIS RECALL, AND THEY REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OR EVEN CONFIRM THAT MY VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. I OWN TWO OTHER FORD VEHICLES THAT MAY BE SUBJECT TO THE RECALL, A 1995 F150 AND A 1998 CROWN VICTORIA AND I AM NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE SUBJECT TO THE RECALL. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE SPREAD FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO THE RADIATOR AND FINALLY TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SOURCE FROM THE ENGINE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS FILED A REPORT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 220,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE GEAR INDICATOR WAS NOT IN PARK AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK. HE NOTICED A SCREW ON THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT, A MECHANIC, TOOK THE DASHBOARD APART AND NOTICED THAT THE SCREW FELL FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SCREW WAS REPLACED, BUT IT CONTINUED TO FALL OUT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V171000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL). THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WOULD FAIL EVERY THREE MONTHS AND WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT @ 1250000. PREVIOUSLY A DIFFERENT SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT @ 40000 AND WAS REPAIRED WITH A HELICOIL. REPAIRS WERE UNDERWAY. THIS APPEARED TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE 5.4L ENGINES! *AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE ENTIRE HOOD AND ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE INSPECTOR STATED THAT HE WAS AWARE OF RECALL # 05V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND FOUND THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT HE IS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 134,000. UPDATED 12/30/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED FORD HIRED A CONSULTANT TO INVESTIGATE THE FIRE, BUT IT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CONSUMER CLAIM WAS DENIED BY FORD. UPDATED 01/05/08. *JB
I WAS DRIVING MY 98 EXPEDITION THROUGH OUR CUL-DE-SAC WHEN WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. MY WIFE AND I HAD TO PUSH THE TRUCK BACK TO OUR DRIVEWAY AND IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO CHECK THE SPARK PLUGS.(I AM A MECHANIC BY TRADE) WE SOON DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS THE #3 SPARK PLUG. IT HAD BLOWN OUT, STRIPPING ALL THREADS. FORD IS NO HELP AT ALL. THEY WANT $4000 TO REPLACE THE HEADS, (AND CLAIM TO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS DEFECT)BUT CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT THIS WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. SINCE YESTERDAY,I'VE DISCOVERED THAT I'M ONE OF THE MANY THOUSANDS WHO'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM. WHEN IS SOMEONE GOING TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY? *TR
APPROXIMATELY 2.5 HRS. INTO A 3 HR. TRIP WITH OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IN THE SINGLE DIGIT RANGE, AND WITH CONSTANT HIGHWAY DRIVING (NO STOPPING) MY THROTTLE BECAME STUCK WHILE TRAVELING APPROX. 70 MPH. WHILE TRYING TO AVOID THE TRAFFIC THAT HAD SLOWED IN FRONT OF ME I REACHED FOR THE IGNITION KEY AND TURNED THE TRUCK OFF WHILE I SEARCHED FOR A PLACE TO PULL-OVER TO. AFTER THE TRUCK WAS STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY I RESTARTED THE ENGINE ONLY TO HAVE IT RACE IN RPM'S. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE TRUCK HOME THE REMAINING PART OF THE TRIP AFTER I REMOVED THE THROTTLE BODY COVER AND JUST LIGHTLY TOUCHED THE THROTTLE LINKAGE (JUST LEFT OF THROTTLE PLATE) WHICH RETURNED THE THROTTLE TO IDLE POSITION. TRUCK HAS BEEN TAKEN TO FORD DEALER WHERE AN UPGRADE OF THE PCV SYSTEM HAS BEEN PERFORMED (TSB 01-21-12). TRUCK INFORMATION: 1998 FORD EXPEDITION 5.4 ENGINE 126000 MILES. *NM
1998 FORD EXPEDITION, TRITON ENGINE, FORCIBLE EJECTION OF SPARK PLUG. THREADING STRIPPED FROM CYLINDER HEAD WILL NOT ALLOW REINSERTION OF SPARK PLUG. COST TO REPAIR PER FORD SERVICE $4000. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND ISSUE RECALL. NO GUARANTEE IF REPAIRED THAT SAME FAILURE WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN. PROBABLE CAUSE: POORLY DESIGNED ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS WITH INSUFFICIENT THREADING TO RETAIN SPARK PLUGS. *NM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT IS DISPLEASED BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO HAVE HIS VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL REPLACED OR REMOVED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
1998 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT FIRE AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH (ACCORDING TO INSURANCE FIRE INVESTIGATOR) - FORD CLAIMED THEY SENT 3 RECALL NOTICES, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ANY UNTIL 3 DAYS AFTER THE FIRE - I SUFFERED PERSONAL PROPERTY AND OTHER DAMAGES AND FORD HAS REFUSED LIABILITY. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026