RoadVitals

1998 Ford Expedition Transmission Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the transmission system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Transmission reportsComplaints 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.
48
Latest Sep 10, 2010
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 836 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules. 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. 48 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.

Owner reports naming transmission

The 25 most recent of 48, in the owner's own words

Transmission
Filed Sep 10, 2010

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.

NHTSA ID
10354861
Incident
Sep 10, 2008
Mileage
100,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Aug 6, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF WHEN IT BEGAN TO UNEXPECTEDLY ROLL FORWARD. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE AND UTILIZED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AS THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IDLE IN THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT LOCATED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V171000 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: GEAR POSITION INDICATION: PRNDL) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 114,000.

NHTSA ID
10347792
Incident
Jun 6, 2010
Mileage
114,000 mi
Transmission
Filed May 29, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE IS EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH HIS VEHICLE. HE CANNOT SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION FROM ONE OF THE DRIVE GEAR POSITIONS INTO PARK, EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR INDICATED PARK. IN ADDITION, THE IMPROPER NEUTRAL START SWITCH OPERATION WAS NOT WORKING AND EXHIBITED UNINTENDED MOVEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V171000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION)(PRNDL)). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ID
10272345
Incident
May 11, 2009
Mileage
115,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 26, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS STATED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V171000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115,000.

NHTSA ID
10263182
Incident
Mar 3, 2009
Mileage
115,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jan 21, 2009

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.

NHTSA ID
10255813
Incident
Feb 11, 2008
Mileage
90,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 14, 2008

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

NHTSA ID
10234159
Incident
Jul 11, 2008
Mileage
144,000 mi
Transmission
Filed May 23, 2008

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.

NHTSA ID
10228747
Incident
May 17, 2008
Mileage
199,000 mi
Exterior lightingSteeringTransmission
Filed Feb 29, 2008

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.

NHTSA ID
10219666
Incident
Jun 1, 2007
Mileage
115,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Nov 30, 2006

THE GEAR MARKER FOR MY 98 EXPEDITION TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO MARK INCORRECTLY. THE GEAR SHIFT CHANGER SHOWS THATS ITS IN PARK, WHEN ITS ACTUALLY IN REVERSE. IT ALSO SHOWS THAT ITS IN NEUTRUAL WHEN ITS ACTUALLY STILL IN DRIVE. THE MARKER IS OFF ITS CENTER AND HAS CAUSED ME AND MY WIFE SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER WHICH SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERD BY THE 97 RECALL, (97V171000) OF SEPT 30, 1997. I ALSO CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO RELATED THE SAME INFO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER HAD STATED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD FIX IT FOR US. MY WIFE AND I HAVE HIT SEVERAL PARKED CARS WHEN TRYING TO NEGOTIATE THE VEHILCE INTO A PARKING SPACE. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE,BUT WE WERE LUCKY. *NM

NHTSA ID
10174804
Incident
Sep 25, 2006
Mileage
155,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Oct 16, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL #97V171000 REGARDING POWERTRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION(PRNDL) DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE SHIFT CONTROL NEEDED A TIE REPLACEMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.

NHTSA ID
10171001
Incident
Oct 12, 2006
Mileage
98,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Nov 23, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL, 97V171000 CONCERNING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: GEAR POSITION INDICATOR. THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE RECALL EXPIRED. THE CONTACT ORDERED THE CABLE, AND PLANNED ON REPAIRING THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10143550
Incident
Nov 19, 2005
Transmission
Filed Oct 14, 2005

DT: 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT FOUND RECALL 97V171000, FOR THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED IT WAS NOT PART OF THIS RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED FOR A MONTH THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE IN REVERSE TO BE IN PARK AND IN NEUTRAL TO BE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE HAS TO BE IN DRIVE TO BE IN NEUTRAL AND IT HAS TO BE DRIVEN IN DRIVE 1 OR 2. THE VEHICLE WAS LOOKED AT IN THE DEALERSHIP AND HE HAS RECEIVED AN ESTIMATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FIXED AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT CALLED FORD AND THEY STATE THE SAME AS THE DEALERSHIP, ACCORDING TO THE VIN THE VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE CONTACT DID HAVE THE TRANSMISSION CHECKED, BUT THE TRANSMISSION SHOP STATED THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM.. *AK

NHTSA ID
10139666
Incident
Sep 3, 2005
Mileage
116,000 mi
Driver assistanceSuspensionTransmission
Filed May 20, 2005
Fire reported

THE CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES, AND UPON HER RETURN, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE VEHICLE, AND THE FIRE SMOLDERED ITSELF OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THE WIRE HARNESS WAS BURNED. *AK THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL SENSOR/SWITCH. FORD STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE AIR SUSPENSION CONTROL MODULE MALFUNCTIONED ALSO THE INDICATOR FOR THE GEAR SHIFT HAD BROKEN AND WERE REPLACED. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10117117
Incident
Mar 29, 2005
Mileage
13,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 29, 2005

RECALL CAMPAIGN 97V171000 CONCERNING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE SHIFT LEVER WILL NOT GO INTO PARK. THE SHIFT INDICATOR IS OFF BY ONE. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10117051
Incident
Mar 29, 2005
Mileage
120,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Sep 14, 2004

HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY ON MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE NHSTA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V17100. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO ORANGE FORD FOR REPAIRS. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO SUCH RECALL ON MY VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE VIN NUMBER. I CALL THE FORD HOTLINE ALSO AND WAS TOLD THE SAME. SEEMS TO ME IF THERE WAS A RECALL SEEM LIKE ALL FORD LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED.

NHTSA ID
10090965
Incident
Sep 11, 2004
Mileage
104,985 mi
Transmission
Filed Sep 5, 2004

MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I OWN A 1998 EXPEDITION AND IT IS NOW IN THE SHOP BECAUSE I HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT, IS THERE OR WAS THERE EVER A RECALL ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS. I AM SURPRISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT IN THIS CAR.*JB

NHTSA ID
10090475
Incident
Jul 30, 2004
Mileage
118,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Aug 12, 2004

THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN 97V171000. LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS NOT FULLY ATTACHED TO THE STEERING COLUMN BRACKET, THE SHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY CAN COME OUT OF THE BRACKET. DEALERSHIP INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER, YES YOU HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM DUE TO VIN NOT BEING INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10081926
Incident
Jul 14, 2004
Transmission
Filed Aug 2, 2004

VEHICLE DISENGAGES WHEN PARKED. WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT IT FAILS, AND WHEN REMOVING THE KEY IT IS DIFFICULT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10084007
Incident
Oct 8, 2003
Transmission
Filed Dec 9, 2003

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INDICATOR NEEDLE SLIPPED TO A POSITION WHERE IT IS NO LONGER INDICATION THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE TRANSMISSIN. I.E. WHEN THE INDICATOR SHOWS NEUTRAL, THE TRANSMISSION IS IN REVERSE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10049476
Incident
Dec 4, 2003
Mileage
64,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Nov 18, 2003

SHIFT LINKAGE CABLE BROKE, BETWEEN SHIFT LEVER AND TRANSMISSION. *LA

NHTSA ID
10047134
Incident
Nov 16, 2003
Mileage
150,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Nov 5, 2003

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LEVER GEAR PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAD BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE ONE MENTIONED IN A RECENT RECALL. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10046414
Mileage
70,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Sep 27, 2002

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION. CONTACTED DEALER, PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *MR

NHTSA ID
8019655
Incident
Jul 2, 2002
Transmission
Filed Sep 9, 2002

3 TRANSMISSIONS IN 2 YRS, ORIG + NEW FROM DEALER, 1 REBUILT FROM AAMCO. *AKI

NHTSA ID
766931
Incident
Jul 12, 2002
Transmission
Filed Jul 9, 2002

2 TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENTS IN 2 YRS. 49K (1/01) & 73K (7/02 - NOT UNDER WARRANTY). *AK

NHTSA ID
764016
Incident
Jul 6, 2002
ElectricalTransmission
Filed Jun 20, 2002

AT 25MPH SPARK PLUG BLEWOUT WITH NO WARNING. THEN, VEHICLE SHUTDOWN. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REPLACED SPARK PLUGS. *AK TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 17,000 MILES *TT

NHTSA ID
8012286
Incident
May 17, 2002

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .