RoadVitals

1998 Ford Expedition Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
836
Latest Jul 21, 2023
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
117
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 25, 1998

What this page shows

Our database holds 836 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Ford Expedition. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 836 · page 1 of 34

Brakes
Filed Jul 21, 2023

Bought replacement brake pads from RockAuto 07/08/2023 9:06PM order 244457897 that are supposed to be Bosch BSH BC702 ceramic. What arrived is unbranded, unnumbered tag torn off the box with no identifiers at all. All brake pads used should have numbers to identify street legal for use but these have NOTHING on them, the box, anything. Unsafe if cannot identify use. RockAuto wants me to pay for return for their mistake, but bigger problem is that unknown pads are being sent out by RockAuto. I still have unopened set if interested.

NHTSA ID
11533688
Incident
Jul 8, 2023
ElectricalExterior lightingSuspension
Filed Jan 20, 2020

PARKING ON THE STREET IN IS GONE

NHTSA ID
11300577
Incident
Jan 15, 2020
Driver assistance
Filed May 24, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND SURGED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11209744
Incident
May 23, 2019
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 9, 2019

TAKATA RECALL: THE SPARK PLUGS HAVE BLOWN OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRED 3 TIMES. EACH TIME, IT SMELLS OF AN ELECTRICAL LINE IS BURNING, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOES ERRATIC AND THEY ZEROS OUT AND DOESN'T MOVE. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON CITY AND HIGHWAYS.

NHTSA ID
11206618
Incident
Jun 13, 2015
Mileage
98,710 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 26, 2018

5.4L GAS ENGINE. SPARK PLUGS HAVE BLOWN OUT OF 2 DIFFERENT CYLINDERS IN 2 MONTHS. I HAVE FOUND ONLY THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR SEVERAL MODELS WITH THIS ENGINE INCLUDING THE F-150. FORD HAD DONE NOTHING TO ADDRESS THIS FAULTY ENGINE DESIGN. BOTH TIMES MY PLUGS BLEW OUT I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP WHILE TURNING LEFT.

NHTSA ID
11163573
Incident
Dec 26, 2018
Mileage
200,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed Sep 12, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER TRAILMARK TIRES, SIZE: P265/65/R18 (NA). THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE BRAND NEW TIRES FROM WALMART. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED THAT STATED THAT THE LUG NUTS WERE COMPLETELY GONE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. WALMART FILED A CLAIM WITH THEIR INSURANCE COMPANY, WHICH STATED THAT WALMART FOLLOWED PROCEDURES WHEN THEY INSTALLED THE TIRES AND WERE NOT LIABLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH HER STATE'S ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 246,233.

NHTSA ID
11129172
Incident
Aug 9, 2018
Mileage
246,233 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 1, 2018

TAKATA RECALL MY TRUCK HAS A BURNING SPELL AND WAS SOME SMOKE IT WAS PARK I WAS ABOUT TO PULL OFF ON MY STREET WHERE I LIVE

NHTSA ID
11075758
Incident
Feb 22, 2018
Mileage
220,447 mi
Suspension
Filed Sep 18, 2017

WHEN WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IT HAD 22 INCH CHROME WHEELS AND TIRES. IT ALSO WANDERED ALL OVER THE ROAD. WE BOUGHT NEW STOCK SIZED RIMS AND NEW STOCK SIZED TIRES. IT STILL WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD. WE HAD IT ALIGNED. IT STILL WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD. GOOGLE SHOWS MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THESE VEHICLES' SUSPENSION, BLAMING RUSTING REAR LOWER TRAILING ARMS AND IN ONE CASE A LEFT STABILIZER LINK BROKE. I HAVE NOT CRAWLED UNDER THE CAR AS IT IS MY SISTER'S AND SHE LIVES A WAYS AWAY, BUT SHE WANTS TO SELL IT AND IS WORRIED IF IT IS SOMETHING MAJOR SOMEONE MAY GET HURT. WE CAN BE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD FROM 25MPH TO 60MPH AND THE VEHICLE JUST SORT OF FEELS LIKE THE BACK END IS NOT IN LINE WITH THE FRONT OR SOMETHING AND IT JUST TRIES TO CHANGE LANES ON ITS OWN.

NHTSA ID
11023952
Incident
Jun 27, 2017
Mileage
165,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 9, 2017

THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT FOR THE SECOND TIME IN2 MONTHS. IT SOUNDED LIKE THE MOTOR WAS KNOCKING . FORD ONLY PUT 3 THREADS IN THE CYLINDER HEAD TO HOLD THE SPARK PLUG BUT THE SPARK PLUGS HAVE 10 THREADS. I CALLED FORD AND THEY ACTED LIKE THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE. THERE ARE FORUMS GOING BACK TO 2002 THAT I WAS READING YESTERDAY ABOUT THIS ISSUE SO CLEARLY THEY WERE LYING. OWNERS REPORT ENGINE FIRES WHEN THE PLUG BLOWS OUT. MY VEHICLE DIDN'T CATCH FIRE .THEY REFUSE TO FIX THIS DEFECT AND DENY ITS THEIR FAULT.

NHTSA ID
10971476
Incident
Apr 8, 2017
Mileage
209,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 4, 2017

(TAKATA RECALL) I HAVE PURCHASED MY TRUCK FROM A LEGAL CAR DEALERSHIP IN RENO NV HAD 135000 MILES WEN BOUGHT IVE HAD TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP HAD TO BUY DIFFERENT RIMS/TIRES DUE TO WEAR OF STOCK RIMS .. EXHAUST PROBLEMS REPLACED FUEL INJECTOR. . WEAR OF THING CAUSING WATER DAMAGE WHEN RAINING OUTSIDE. SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM ENGINE WAS IN MOTION 45 MPH STATIONARY MOVING PROBLEMS ALSO N WEN TURNING.

NHTSA ID
10949552
Incident
Oct 1, 2014
Suspension
Filed Nov 13, 2016

I GOT IN MY 1997 EXPEDITION AND THE BRAKE WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN HAVING THE BACK BRAKES INSTALLED THE MECHANICS NOTICED THE LOWER ON TROLL ARM WAS RUSTED OUT. HE THE LOOKED AT MY 1998 AND IT IS THE SAME WAY. HE SAID I CANNOT DRIVE THEM LIKE THIS. I DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE DAILY.

NHTSA ID
10925686
Incident
Nov 13, 2016
Engine
Filed Oct 11, 2016

I HAVE A FORD 1998 EXPEDITION, EDDIE BAUER EDITION. IT HAS A 5.4 LITER ENGINE WITH ALUMINUM HEADS. THREE TIMES I'VE HAD A HELICOIL BLOWN OUT LEAVING ME STRANDED. NOW A SPARK PLUG HAS BLOWN OUT BREAKING TWO COILS. FORD HAS MADE THIS VEHICLE FOR YEARS WITH THIS ENGINE. ALL WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS OF COMPONENTS BLOWING OUT OF THE ENGINE. I FEEL IT IS FORD'S RESPONSIBILITY TO START A RECALL AND FIX THIS DEFECT.

NHTSA ID
10915249
Incident
Oct 1, 2016
Mileage
180,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Sep 29, 2016
Crash reported

HE BRAKE PEDAL IS LOATED TOO CLOSE TO THE ACCELERATOR AND WHEN DEPRESSED GOES DOWN BELOW THE ACCELERATOR SO WHEN THE EXTREME RIGHT SIDE OF THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED BY A BRUAD SHOE THE ACCELERATOR IS ALSO DEPRESSED CAUSING THE CAR TO ACCELERATE RATHER THAN BRAKING. THIS CAN AND DID RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH I REAR ENDED THE CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. THIS OCCURRED ON A CITY STREET WHEN I WAS MOVING IN TRAFFIC BELOW THE POSTED 30MPH LIMIT.

NHTSA ID
10910620
Incident
Sep 19, 2016
Mileage
100,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 15, 2016

#2 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF 5.4L 2 V V8. WAS ON HIGHWAY AT TIME. HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER AND DISCONNECT FUEL AND SPARK FOR THAT CYLINDER. WAS OVER 100KM FROM HOME, COULDNT AFFORD TO TOW VEICLE SO I HAD TO DRIVE IT THE REMAINDER OF THE DISTANCE HOME. INSPECTED TODAY, THERE IS NO THREADS LEFT. NOW NEED TO DRILL AND TAP HEAD, INSTALL HELICOIL/TIMESERT AND HOPE FOR THE BEST.

NHTSA ID
10896138
Incident
Aug 14, 2016
Mileage
13,600 mi
Brakes
Filed May 18, 2016

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROX 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED HARD. I IMMEDIATELY STEPPED HARD ON MY BRAKES. THE BRAKES INITIALLY APPLIED AND THEN FAILED. I SWERVED INTO A PARKING LOT AND APPLIED MY BRAKES AGAIN WITH NO SUCCESS. MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I THEN PUT THE GEAR SELECTOR IN PARK WHILE MOVING AT A FAIRLY HIGH RATE OF SPEED IN ORDER TO STOP. THE VEHICLE GROUND TO A HALT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY AND I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED AND DUE TO THE PRESSURE OF ATTEMPTING TO STOP HARD, THE LINE RUPTURED AND THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED.

NHTSA ID
10865581
Incident
May 17, 2016
Mileage
199,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 30, 2016

WENT TO STORE, CAME OUT BATTERY DEAD, CAR WOULDN'T START. HAD NOT LEFT LIGHTS OR ANY ACCESSORIES ON. GOT A JUMP, DROVE TO AUTO PARTS STORE. THEY CHECKED ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY AND SAID BATTERY DEAD, NEEDED AN OVERNIGHT CHARGE. LET THEM CHARGE BATTERY, PUT BACK IN CAR, HORN STARTED BLOWING AND WOULD NOT STOP DESPITE MY USING BOTH THE KEY AND KEY FOB. HORN BLEW FOR 5 HOURS BEFORE I FOUND OUT HOW TO DISCONNECT FROM GOOGLE. GOT HORN TO STOP, AND CAR WOULDN'T START. FORD DEALER SAID ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED AT COST OF $250 PLUS TOW TO DEALER. I NEVER ARMED THE SYSTEM AND IT SHOULD NOT HAVE SHUT MY TRUCK DOWN AND PREVENTED ME FROM DRIVING IT. I DON'T HAVE $250 AND THEN I FOUND OUT THE REPAIR IS ONLY $100 AT MOST. BUT THIS ACCORDING TO MY DEALER HAPPENS TO ANY FORD ANYTIME THE BATTERY GOES DEAD AND IS REPLACED, ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM IS MAKING PEOPLE PAY $250 TO FORD TO REPROGRAM WHAT SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPROGRAMMED. PLEASE HELP ME. THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10852469
Incident
Mar 17, 2016
Mileage
203,538 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 16, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT ROLLED OVER MULTIPLE TIMES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD, SHOULDER, AND HIP INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE CRASH SCENE AND WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10850051
Incident
Nov 26, 2015
Mileage
198,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 18, 2015
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID
10717145
Incident
May 3, 2015
Mileage
160,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 20, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

MY HUSBAND WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY. HE SWITCHED THE TRUCK FROM PARK TO REVERSE AS HE DOES TO SLOWLY BACK UP, WITHOUT ACCELERATING, THE TRUCK ACCELERATED AT FULL FORCE IN REVERSE AND HE WENT CLEAR THROUGH OUR GARAGE DOOR WHICH BENT, CRUSHED AND DE-HINGED, THE GARAGE DOOR WAS THEN PUSHED BACK INTO HIS MOTORCYCLES AND INTO THE FRAMING OF THE HOUSE CAUSING MASS DESTRUCTION. THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP, THE GEAR WOULD NOT SWITCH INTO PARK AND THE BREAKS WOULD NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STOPPED FROM ACCELERATING AT TOP SPEED IN REVERSE INTO MY HOME. THERE IS BURN OUT MARKS IN MY GARAGE FROM WHERE THE WHEELS WERE SPINNING FULL SPEED, THERE IS A TAILPIPE BURN MARK WHERE THE TRUCK WAS LAUNCHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. THE VEHICLE CLEARLY FAILED MECHANICALLY AND IN THE PROCESS OF THAT THERE IS MASS DESTRUCTION TO MY HOME, OUR VEHICLE, OUR BIKES AND A TON OF STUFF IN THE GARAGE. THANK GOD MY HUSBANDS INJURIES DID NOT RESULT IN DEATH AND THANK GOD MY CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE GARAGE AS THEY USUALLY ARE WHEN WE ARE OUTSIDE. THERE IS NO WAY MY LITTLE 3 YEAR OLD WOULD HAVE SURVIVED THIS. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE AND WILL NEVER DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10711796
Incident
Apr 10, 2015
Mileage
130,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Dec 7, 2014

WHILE I WAS DIVING AROUND 35 MPH TO 45 MPH A HORRIBLE VIOLENT SHAKE STARTS TO OCCUR. AND IS VERY DIFFICULT TO ACCELERATE ESPECIALLY ONCE YOU HIT THE FREEWAY VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT SUCH SPEEDS. IT STARTS WITH A VIOLENT SHAKE WITH LOUD NOISES COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. IT HAS BLOWN 2 COILS ALREADY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10662626
Incident
Oct 1, 2014
Mileage
225,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 12, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER WAS PLACED INTO THE PARK POSITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD REVERSE AND FAILED TO MOVE BACK INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,096.

NHTSA ID
10654339
Incident
Nov 4, 2014
Mileage
211,096 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 4, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO SWITCH INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V171000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
10652477
Incident
Nov 1, 2014
Mileage
130,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 2, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AT MY GARAGE AND PLACED IT IN PARK SO I COULD UNLOAD GROCERIES. I LEFT THE CAR IGNITION ON AND EXITED THE VEHICLE TO PUT THE GROCERIES IN THE GARAGE. I UNLOADED ONE BAG AND RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE FOR THE SECOND BAG AND AS I WALKED UP TO IT, THE VEHICLE STARTED MOVING BACKWARDS SLOWLY I PANICKED. I ATTEMPTED TO GET INTO THE AUTO TO APPLY THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE THEN STARTED MOVING QUICKER BEFORE I WAS SECURELY IN IT. AS THE AUTO INCREASED SPEED I LOST MY FOOTING AND FELL OUT AND WAS RUN OVER BY THE EXPEDITION, AND NEIGHBORS CALLED THE AMBULANCE AND I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND TREATED BY THE TRAUMA TEAM IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND ADMITTED FOR MY INJURIES A RIGHT BROKEN ANKLE, 9 BROKEN RIBS, AND A BROKEN WRIST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10651886
Incident
Oct 13, 2014
Mileage
158,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 2, 2014

BLEW A SPARK PLUG, STRIPPED THE THREADS RIGHT OUT OF THE ALUMINUM HEADS (HORRIBLE DESIGN). NOT AN ISSUE FOR NEWER VEHICLES UNTIL THEY REACH 140-190,000 MILES, AND NOW I SEE ONLINE THAT IT IS A HUGE ISSUE FOR THOUSANDS OF OWNERS OF THE 4.6 & 5.4L ENGINES. BREACHING THE HEADS EXPOSES FUEL TO THE SPARK AND COULD CREATE DANGEROUS FIRES. THE FIXES ARE EITHER TEMPORARY OR VERY COSTLY, THIS SHODDY DESIGN SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY FORD NOW THAT ALL OF THESE VEHICLES ARE REACHING HIGHER MILEAGES AND STILL ON THE ROAD. FOR FORD TO SAVE A FEW BUCKS BY USING ALUMINUM HEADS IS NOT WORTH THE SAFETY OF THOUSANDS OF LOYAL CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE ALWAYS STOOD BY FORD. MY CONFIDENCE IS DEFINITELY SHAKEN BY THEIR WILLINGNESS TO COMPROMISE QUALITY AND SAFETY FOR PROFIT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10651884
Incident
Oct 30, 2014
Mileage
184,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 19, 2014

I HAVE A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION THE SPARK PLUGS NUMBER 3 AND 4 KEEP GOING OUT I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING I CAN OWN MY BUDGET TO TRY AND FIX BUT THE PROBLEM KEEP HAPPEN. I SMELL GAS AND SEE SMOKE THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE TO GET ME AND MY DAUGHTER AROUND I NEED THIS PROBLEM FIX PERMANENTLY DON'T WONT NOTHING TO HAPPEN TO ME AND MY KID AS FAR AS TRUCK FIRE OR GAS FUMES. SO PLEASE CAN YOU GET WITH FORD TO FIX BEFORE SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS TO US.THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID
10648684
Incident
Oct 19, 2014
Mileage
180,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Narrow this down by component

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .