1999 Ford Expedition Powertrain & Transmission Problems

After I put it in park and turned the engine off the truck started to roll back and it didn't stop until it hit the curb across the street.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE GEAR INDICATED IT WAS IN REVERSE AND WHEN PLACED INTO DRIVE, THE GEAR INDICATED IT WAS IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SHIFT CABLE DETACHED FROM THE BRACKET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

HERE IS MY PROBLEM: ABOUT A MONTH AGO, MY 99 EXPEDITION BEGAN TO MAKE A "CLUNKING" NOISE WHILE MAKING SHARP TURNS (LIKE INTO PARKING SPACES). IT IS NOT JUST A NOISE - YOU CAN FEEL IT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT MAKES THE WHOLE TRUCK JERK AROUND. IT IS ALMOST LIKE MY FRONT WHEELS ARE DRIVING OVER GOLF BALL-SIZED ROCKS. THE PROBLEM STARTED VERY SUDDENLY, AND IT IS SOMEWHAT INTERMITTENT - BUT IT IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT AS TIME GOES ON. I HAD IT IN TO THE FORD GARAGE TWICE NOW, AND IT JUST DOES NOT WANT TO ACT UP WHEN A TECHNICIAN IN THE VEHICLE. SINCE I CAN'T ALWAYS MAKE IT HAPPEN, I AM INCLINED TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS NOT A MECHANICAL PROBLEM (LIKE A U-JOINT OR CV JOINT). IT IS EITHER REALLY BAD OR NON-EXISTENT. ALSO, I DO NOT NOTICE ANY MAJOR SYMPTOMS WHILE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE, ALTHOUGH I SOMETIMES DO HEAR A HIGH-PITCHED WHINE FROM THE FRONT END WHILE TRAVELING ABOVE 40 MPH. THIS NOISE IS ALSO INTERMITTENT, AND IT SOUNDS SOMEWHAT LIKE A WHEEL BEARING GOING OUT (THEY CHECKED OUT OK). WHEN I FIRST EXPERIENCED THE JUMPY FRONT END WHILE TAKING CORNERS, I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT THAT THE TRUCK HAD BEEN SWITCHED INTO 4WD. THE JERKY, CLUNKY BEHAVIOR OF THE FRONT END IS NEARLY IDENTICAL TO HOW THE TRUCK ACTS WHEN YOU RUN IN 4WD ON DRY PAVEMENT. I HAVE PUT THE TRUCK INTO 4WD TO TEST THIS THEORY, AND THE PROBLEM IS SIMILAR, BUT MUCH WORSE WHEN I FORCE THE TRANSFER CASE INTO 4WD. ONE OF THE MOST NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCES IS HOW THE TRUCK ACTS WHEN I FIRST START TO MOVE. IN 4WD, THE TRUCK IS MUCH MORE HESITANT TO START MOVING - IT WILL NOT EVEN CREEP FORWARD IN IDLE. ONCE I START TO MOVE, HOWEVER, THE TRUCK JERKS AROUND JUST LIKE I DESCRIBED ABOVE. *TR

I PURCHASED A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SEL 3 YEARS AGO AND HAVE HAD HELL WITH IT EVER SINCE. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY BEEN OWNED BY ONE OTHER PERSON AND HE HAD TO PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION IN IT RIGHT OVER 50,000 MILES. @ 130,000 MILES I TOO HAD TO PUT ANOTHER TRANSMISSION IN IT. NOW THE VAN HAS 160000 AND I AM AGAIN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I THINK THAT FORD HAS DONE A TERRIBLE JOB OF TAKING CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND THEY ARE LOOSING ME AS A CUSTOMER. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD. *TR

WHEN THE CAR IS HOT IT AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTS INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND SENT AN ADVISORY TO DEALERSHIP SHOPS. THEY ADVISED THIS IS PROBLEM AND MUST REPLACE THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE MOTOR WHICH IS AT A COST OF 525.00. THEN AND ONLY THEN IF THAT DOESN'T FIX IT YOU HAVE TO REPLACE 2 OTHER SWITCHES WHICH THEN COSTS AN ADDITIONAL 600-800.00. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT WHY THIS IS NOT CONSIDERED A RECALL BY FORD SINCE THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE SHOULD THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE KICK IN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE WHEELS WOULD LOCK UP AND ALL PEOPLE IN THE CAR WOULD BE KILLED. I HAVE FILE A COMPLAINT WITH FORD AND THEY ADVISED THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT SINCE THE CAR IS A 1999. ACCORDING TO OUR FORD DEALERSHIP THIS CAN HAPPEN IN 1999 THROUGH 2002 FORD EXPEDITIONS, EXPLORERS AND EXCURSIONS AS WELL AS THERE F SERIES TRUCKS. *JB

1999 FORD EXPEDITION-PERFECTLY MAINTAINED. 37000 MILES ON ODOMETER-TRANSMISSION BLOW OUT. JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN, ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LOSS OF POWER. THIS IS THE SECOND FORD VEHICLE OWNED THAT HAD A TRANSMISSION FAILURE! FIRST ONE AT ONLY 8000 MILES! UNDER WARRANTY FOR THAT ONE. FORD WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD AGAIN!*JB

GENERAL COMPLAINT ABOUT VEHICLES THAT ALLOW MOVEMENT WITHOUT STEPPING ON THE BRAKE. MY FRIEND HAD A TAHOE AND HIS GRANDSON GOT IN THE CAR TURNED THE IGNITION KEY NOT STARTING THE CAR, BUT TWO CLICKS AND THE CAR ROLLED, KID JUMPED OUT AND WAS CRUSHED BY THE TIRE. I BELIEVE THERE IS A SAFETY DEVICE THAT REQUIRES A FOOT ON THE BRAKE THAT SHOULD BE REQUIRED IN ALL CARS. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 7 AND AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. I TESTED MY FORD EXPEDITION AND IT DOES NOT HAVE THE SAFETY FEATURE. *NM

I PURCHASED A 1999 FORD WINSTAR IN 2005 AND MY TRANSMISSION STARTED TO GO 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED FOR 1500.00 WHILE SEARCHING YOUR SITE I DISCOVERED MANY DEFECTS AND RECALLS TO MY VAN WHICH I PLAN TO TAKE TO A FORD DEALER. I WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR 1999 FORD WINDSTAR TRANSMISSIONS. *TR

I HAVE A 1999 FORD EXPEDITION EDDIE BAUER 4X4 THAT HAS ALL THE SYMPTOMS OF YOUR INVESTIGATION #EA05015. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND I WAS DENIED A CLAIM FOR THEM TO FIX IT AT MY LOCAL DEALER BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT THE CAUSE WAS DUE TO MOISTURE AND IT WAS NOT COVERED BY UNDER WARRANTY. THIS SOUNDED TO ME TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND FELT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BY THEM. DURING THAT TIME I HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE WHICH ARE CONTROLLED IN SOME WAY BY THE GEM MODULE SO I AM TOLD. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE GEM AND FUSE BOX TO THIS DATE DUE TO THE HIGH COST THAT WAS PRESENTED TO ME. I AM NOT CERTAIN OF THE ACTUAL DATE THIS TOOK PLACE BUT IT WAS IDENTIFIED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

PURCHASED IN MAY 2001 - 1 WEEK LATER -BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ON. HAD TO FIX THAT. MANY MISC. THINGS I'VE HAD TO REPLACE ON THE VAN ALSO, TO THE TUNE OF $1500.00 OUT OF POCKET. IN 2003, MY "CHECK TRANSMISSION" LIGHT WENT ON EVERY TIME IT WAS DRIVEN. DEC 2004, I'M BY MYSELF W/2 KIDS, 1 HOUR FROM HOME ON A SUNDAY. CAR IS SMOKING ON FRONT END. TO MAKE THE LONG STORY SHORT, I ENDED UP GETTING A NEW TRANSMISSION & RADIATOR AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. TOTAL COST FROM ME - $3200.00. DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, I FIND THAT IT IS QUITE COMMON FOR 1999 FORD WINDSTAR'S TO HAVE TO HAVE TRANSMISSION'S REPLACED WITH LOW MILES. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE POSTED ON MSN AUTO'S ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEMS. MINE WAS REPLACED AT 70,000!! MY NEW TRANSMISSION (FORD FACTORY) "DIES" WHEN I PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR. SO, AFTER A 2 WEEK WAIT TO GET INTO FORD, I FIND THAT IT NEEDS ANOTHER TRANSMISSION, BECAUSE MY $3200 I GOT 3 WEEKS AGO, ONE HAS SOMETHING WRONG. SO, I'LL BE OUT FOR 1 WEEK & STILL HAVE A "LEMON" CAR. WHAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT IS THAT I DIDN'T HAVE $3200.00 FOR THIS CAR. I'M STILL PAYING ON THE 15,000.00 WE PAID ON THIS VEHICLE, IN ANTICIPATION OF NOT HAVING ANY MAJOR CAR PROBLEMS. A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SE. *NM

REAR AXEL SEAL LEAK CAUSED BY WEAR OF AXEL SURFACE AT BEARING. VEHILCE ONLY HAS 77,000 MILES. THIS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF AXEL PER DEALER ($600.) IT WAS STATED BY MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM TO EXPEDITIONS. *AK VEHILCE HAS BEEN SERVICED AT OR BETTER THAN MFG SPECIFICATIONS. LEAKING SEALS COULD LEAD TO FAILURE OF AXEL OR DIFFERENTIAL DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICANT

TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. AFTER TRAVELING 2000 MILES ON A TRIP, MOSTLY ON CRUISE CONTROL, THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND LUNGED FROM 1ST INTO 3RD. *AK

FAULTY TRANSMISSION ON 1999 FORD EXPEDITION XLT 4X4. 31,000 MILES, NEVER TOWED ANYTHING. OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO TIME. *NM

FORD 1999 EXPEDITION ; ESTIMATED FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT $1,899.67 + TAX TO OVERHAUL REAR AXLE. LOUD ROARING SOUND FROM REAR WHEELS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH, WHICH SOUND INCREASES IN PITCH WITH FASTER SPEEDS. *LA

SHIFTER CABLE BROKE. SHIFTER WAS OCCASIONALY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WHEN CAR WAS NEW, TOOK IT TO DEALER AND BECAUSE THE PROBLEM DIDN'T DEMONSTRATE ITSELF WHEN THE DEALER HAD IT, THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO REMEDY. 4 YEARS LATER (WHEN WARRANTY IS OUT), THE CABLE SNAPS. THE MECHANIC CALLS IN TO ORDER THE NEW CABLE AND THERE ARE PLENTY IN STOCK, I'M TOLD IT'S A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. IF SO, WHY ISN'T IT A RECALL?*AK

A "SPACER" WITHIN THE DIFFERENTIAL DISINTEGRATED, AND CAUSED THE DIFFERENTIAL TO SHIFT WHICH RESULTED IN A REAR WHEEL LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. *AK THE UNIT WAS COMPLETELY SEALED FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATED. AS THE CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER, THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE. THE CARRIER BEARING WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND CAUSED THE RING TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE PINION GEAR AND DESTROYED ALL OF THE REAR AXLE COMPONENTS. *SCC *JB

4WHEEL DRIVE ENGAGES SPORADICALLY WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED(NOTHING THEY CAN DO?) MUST STOP , DISENGAGE TRANSMISSION ,AND CYCLE TRANSFER CASE TO CLEAR.PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE IS A KNOWN RECALL AND/OR REPAIR PROCEDURE. ANY INFOMATION WOULD BE APPRECIATED-THANK YOU -JAO. *AK

FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION AT 43,000 MILES OF 1999 FORD EXPEDITION 4 X 4 EDDIE BAUER CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.

WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER WE KNEW VERY WELL AND ALL REGULAR MAINTANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED ACCORDING TO FORD RECOMENDATIONS. IN 2001 WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO HAVE O-RINGS REPLACED IN TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTING. WE HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED JUST PRIOR TO THE FOLLOWING INCIDENT AS RECOMMENDED BY THE FORD OWNERS MANUAL. IN JUNE 2002 WHILE TOWING A TRAILER (WEIGHTS WITHIN LIMITS OF VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS) WE EXPERIENCE A COMPLETE LOSS OF THE TRANSMISSION. ENGINE WOULD REV WHILE IN GEAR BUT ACTED LIKE IN NEUTRAL. TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS SPEWING OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE AND SMOKING. WE PULLED SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE RODE BUT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEXT AVAILABLE TOWN. THIS TRANSMISSION WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN AUXILLARY TRANSMISSION COOLER. THERE IS ONLY 58,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, LESS THAN 30,000 SINCE THE LAST PROBLEM. WE WERE INFORMED BY THE SERVICE TECH THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEITHER DRIVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH A FORD REBUILT TRANSMISSION. WITH IN APPROX. 1-2 MONTHS AFTER REPLACEMENT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE SERVICE TECH INFORMED US THAT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION CODE. AFTER RESETTING THE LIGHT AND WAITING FOR AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE "TRANSMISSION PERSON" AT THE DEALERSHIP THE LIGHT DID NOT COME BACK ON AN THE SERVICE TECH ADVISED TO 'WAIT AND SEE'. IN DEC. 2002 WHILE DRIVING IN THE MOUNTAINS WITH 4 ADULTS AND 3 CHILDREN IN THE CAR NOT PULLING A TRAILER, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING "HARD" AND AT INAPPROPRIATE TIMES WITH VARYIING RPMS AND SPEEDS. AFTER WAITING THE WEEKEND FOR THE APPOINTMENT TIME, THE SERVICE TECH INFORMED US THAT THE SOLINOID PACK IN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACED. AT THIS POINT THERE IS ONLY 8,000MILES ON THE 2ND TRANSMISSION. THE SOLINOID PACK WAS REPLACED AND CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE HAS NOT HAD ANYMORE PROBLEMS.

CONSUMER COULD TAKE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK WITHOUT THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS...*AK