Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA
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Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Ford Expedition submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 24 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
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.
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.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE VEHICLE ROLLS WHEN IN PARK. IT MAKES A LOUD GRINDING SOUND WHILE IT IS ROLLING UNLIKE A PARKING PAWL MAKES. I HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY RECALL NOTICES ON THIS ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHIFTER COLUMN FAILED AND THE SHIFTER COULD NOT BE ENGAGED IN ANY GEAR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V171000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 220,000. UPDATED 03/05/14*LJ
YEARS AGO WHEN PURCHASED THE EXPEDITION I NOTICED THE SHIFT GEAR OUT OF ALIGNMENT. I TRY TO CONTACT THE DEALER AS I HEARD THAT THIS WAS A RECALL; I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL IS NOT FOR MY VEHICLE. IT HAS KNOW BEEN A FEW YEARS SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK AND I'M NOW EXPERIENCING WHAT I'VE NOTICED MANY OTHERS WITH AN EXPEDITION WHICH IS TRUCK IS NOT ENGAGING INTO PARKING POSITION AND ROLLS. THIS IS A CONCERN TO ME AS MY DRIVE WAY IS ON A SLIGHT UP HILL. THIS IS AN ENDANGERING TO THE PUBLIC, THE ISSUE HAPPENS UNEXPECTEDLY. I WOULD NOT LIKE TO SEE SOMEONE HURT BECAUSE OF A ROLL BACK OR FORWARD DUE TO WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT FROM THE MANY CASES I'VE READ UP ON SO FAR. FORD DEALER NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AS WELL AS THE COIL AND SPARK PLUG WHICH BLOWS OUT OF ENGINE AND AIR SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. THIS VEHICLE HAS COST ME THOUSANDS IN REPAIR,ITS NOT WORTH AND CAN NOT AFFORD THE PRESENT REPAIRS. *TR
COIL AND SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT OF ENGINE WHEN TRUCK WAS STARTED (1998). THE EXPEDITION HAS BEEN KNOWN TO HAVE THIS ISSUES AS WELL AS OTHER ISSUES. WHY IS FORD NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY; SO FAR ACCIDENT AVOIDED. I HAD TO REPLACE ONE COIL PACK EACH YEAR SO FAR BUT THIS WAS THE WORSE. I NEEDED THE CINDER RETREADED TO FIT THE SPARK PLUG IN. *TR
WHILE SITTING AT THE RED TRAFFIC LIGHT ,WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN TO GO UPON TAKING OFF AT NORMAL SPEED THE DRIVE SHAFT FELL COMPLETELY OUT AND BROKE AT THE DRIVE SHAFT UNIVERSAL EARS OF THE SHAFT AND THE RIGHT LOWER REAR CONTROLLING/TRAILING ARM BROKE AT COUPLER BECAUSE IT WAS VERY BADLY CORRODED WITH RUST FROM WEAK MATERIAL AND DRIVERS SIDE REAR LOOKS THE SAME WAY . ALSO MY EXPEDITION IS NOT A RUST BUCKET, IT IS DRIVEN VERY LITTLE IN THE WINTER. THE DRIVE SHAFT EARS THAT HOLD THE UNIVERSAL JOINT IS MADE OF CAST STEEL,WHICH IS VERY UNSAFE, IF FORD WOULD SEND THE PAIR OF TRAILING/CONTROLLING ARMS WE WILL HAVE THEM PUT ON AT MY COST. WITH THE DRY SHAFT MADE OUT THE OF THAT KIND OF MATERIAL THE VEHICLE CAN FLIP OUT OF CONTROL AND CAUSE DAMAGE, HARM OR DEATH. SOUNDS TO ME THAT ONE DAY FORD MAY HAVE A LAW SUIT BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS AND I'M SURE THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO . NO WONDER WHY ITS A LOT OF FORD EXPEDITIONS ON THE LOTS CHEAP. FROM SOME RESEARCH OF THE WEB IT SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING A LOT. FORD NEEDS TO MAKE RITE WHAT THEY DID WRONG!
FIRST, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND RUNNING LIGHTS WOULD NOT POWER OFF WHILE ALL DOORS WERE CLOSED, DOOR AJAR INDICATOR WAS ON. TOOK TO DEALER PROBLEM RESOLVED FOR A MONTH OR SO. NOW NEED TO SPRAY WD40 ON LATCHES RELIGIOUSLY. DEALER ALSO REPLACED CRUISE CONTROL HARNESS AT THIS TIME. THEN CAME THE RADIO AND HEATER RUNNING WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. BEEPS AND CLICKS AND BAD SMELLS COMING FROM UNDER DASH. AGAIN TO THE DEALER, NO CODES FOUND FOR THE ISSUES I WAS HAVING. BATTERY DRAINING OCCURRING FREQUENTLY NOW AND NO RESOLUTION. I NOW HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY EVERYNIGHT. NOW WHEN I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD I GET THE MANY FAILURE LIGHTS FLASHING ON THE DASH, THE WINDOWS WON'T WORK, SPEEDOMETER FAILS, TRUCK LOSES POWER AND THE TRANSMISSON SHIFTS STRANGELY. I WAS HOURS FROM HOME AND DOING 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN EVIDENCING DECIDED TO NOT WORK AT THE SAME TIME. THEN I REALIZE THAT THIS IS OCCURRING ONLY WHEN IT RAINS OR IS VERY WET OUT. AND I WAS TRULY AFRAID FOR MY LIFE AND THE OTHERS THAT WERE ON THE ROAD WITH ME. I HAD TO DRIFT ACROSS A LANE OF TRAFFIC WITH NO POWER TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK AND PUT MY HEAD DOWN, WHEW, AND THE MOTOR POWERED BACK UP AND ALL THE FAILURE LIGHTS WERE OFF. ONLY AFTER INVESTIGATING ON THE INTERNET TODAY DO I FIND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. AND THE FIX... REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD SEAL! AND POSSIBLE DAMAGED FUSE BOX AND GEM! NOW WHY DIDN'T THE FORD DEALER HELP REMEDY THIS PROBLEM ONE OF THE MANY TIMES I WAS IN? THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. NEW WINDSHIELD $165 AND THEY COME TO THE HOUSE. I PAID BIG MONEY FOR "NO CODES MATCH YOUR ISSUES, MISS." TW*
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.
BEGAN MAKING NOISE. HAD IT CHECKED AND REPAIRED BY DEALER. DEALER SAID THIS WAS A "FACTORY" DEFECT WHERE THE RING AND PINION GEAR WERE VERY BADLY MIS-ALIGNED. THE FORD DEALERSHIP MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE WORST HE HAS EVER SEEN. HE SAID THIS WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PENDING FAILURE. HE SAID IF WE HAD WAITED, IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A FAILURE. WE REPORTED THIS TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY, BUT THEY SAID THEY WOULD TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY. WE FEEL SINCE THIS WAS A FACTORY DEFECT AND NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. *JB
1998 EXPEDITION CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISCONNECTED. WHEN IT WAS RECONNECTED THERE WAS A SUDDEN VIBRATION. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL ON THE CRUISE CONTROL IN SEPTEMBER 2005 AND HAD IT DISCONNECTED WHILE WAITING TO HAVE IT FIXED. ON DECEMBER 28, 2005 THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS RECONNECTED BUT WASN'T USE UNTIL JANUARY 2006. WHEN IT WAS FINALLY USED THERE WAS A VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE CONSUMER OBSERVED FLUID LEAKING ONTO THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WAS THAT THE VIBRATION WAS CONNECTED TO THE RECALL WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CONSUMER'S REGULAR MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE BUSHING WAS DAMAGED ALONG WITH THE DRIVELINE AND TRANSFER CASE. ALL PARTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER SEAT MECHANISM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, RESULTING IN DRIVER'S INABILITY TO VIEW THE ROAD. THE SEAT MOVES UP AND DOWN, BUT WILL NOT GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 3/17/2006 - RIGHT FRONT AXLE LEAKED, WINDSHIELD WASHERS FAILED. THE GLASS IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP. THE DOOR LOCKS LOCKED THE CONSUMER OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE HORN WAS DIFFICULT TO LOCATE. THE REAR TAILGATE WINDOW EXPLODED. *NM
WHINE FROM REAR END OF FORD EXPEDITION NUMEROUS EXPEDITION OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN AS THERE IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR ENDS IN FORD EXPEDITIONS EVEN THE 2003 HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AS THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS. *JB
COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ASE/AAA REPAIRMAN FOUND ONE MISSING AND ALL OTHER BOLTS SECURING VALVE BODY BACKED OUT AND HOLDING BY A FEW THREADS. THIS AFTER TOTAL WARRANTY REBUILD BY FORD DEALER @ 14,972MI 8/18/98. I HAD RETURNED VEHICLE TO SAME DEALER WITH TRANSMISSION COMPLAINT @ 53,382MI 5/10/01. WOULDN'T TEST ON N/C BASIS AND WOULDN'T TEST DRIVE. FORD REFUSES ASSISTANCE.
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN DRIFTING, CONSUMER THEN MADE A CORRECTION AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, ONE PERSON WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT, SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE DEALER FOUND SOME ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. *SLC
SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE TRANSMISSION LEAKED , HAD TO BE REPAIRED. CURRENTLY, TRANSMISSION SQUEALED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO FOUND A LEAK. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WAS TEARING ITSELF UP, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK TRANSFER CASE BROKE AND DRIVE SHAFT WAS SHUDDERED. STEERING WAS VERY LOOSE DUE TO LOWER STEERING SHAFT FAILURE. *YH
REAR DIFFERNTIAL FLUID COVERS BRAKES, MAKES BRAKING DIFFICULT (MAJOR HAZZARD??)
ON TWO OCCASIONS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HIGH ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT ENGAGE/ENGINE CHECK LIGHT REMAINED ON/VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHENEVER TRANSMISSION CHANGED GEARS, AND BOTH ODOMETER/SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
DRIVESHAFT IS TOUCHING THE EXHAUST, CAUSING THE EXHAUST TO CRACK IN HALF. DEALER HAS REPLACED 3 TIMES, BUT DEFECT IS OCCURS. *AK
I HAVE HAD THE DRIVE TRAIN FROM THE TRANSMISSION BACK REPLACED AND STILL HAVE A VIBRATION THRUOUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. ALONG WITH THIS IT IS DIFFICULT TO STAY IN YOUR LANE WHILE DRIVING. THE FIX FROM FORD WAS TO HANG A TWENTY OR SO POUND WIEGHT OFF THE DIFFERENTIAL. THROUGH THE TSB ON THE VEICHLE PRINT OUT I WAS ALSO INFORMED TO WATCH OUT FOR THE TIRES SPINNING ON THE WHEEL FORM 45 - 80 MPH (FORD TSB - SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGE 11276 UNDER VIBRATIONS CONCERNS)
DRIVE TRAIN VIBRATION.
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.
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