1998 Ford Expedition Complaint Log

CONSUMER STATES THE SPARK PLUGS POPS OUT OF ENGINE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.

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

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

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

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A CLICKING SOUND FROM RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. DEALER DETERMINED LUGS: NUTS HAD COME OFF. THERE IS RECALL 98V095000, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED DUE TO VIN. *AK

ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS BLEW OUT COMPLETELY AS ENGINE WAS RUNNING, REPAIR SHOP SAID IT WAS VERY UNUSUAL AND COULD BE SOME TYPE OF DEFECT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE BEFORE WITH SO FEW MILES. THE THREADS WERE COMPLETELY STRIPPED OUT WHERE SPARK PLUG SCREWS INTO HEAD.*AK

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS WAS BLOWN OUT OF THE HEAD. I AM WAITING TO SEE HOW THE DEALERSHIP WILL HANDLE THIS PROBLEM. *AK

BOTH TIE ROD ENDS WERE BROKEN AND REPLACED BY A REPAIR SHOP. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE GETTING OTHER REPAIRS DONE ON VEHICLE TECHNICIAN POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS NO STABILIZER BAR. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS AT WORK. THE COWORKER ALERTED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CRUISE CONTROL NHTSA RECALL 05V017000. *AK

PASSENGER DOOR PANEL CAUGHT FIRE. VEHICLE HAS POWER DOORS AND LOCKS. SMOKE WAS COMING OUT INNER PANEL. ALSO, THERE WAS A GLOW FROM OUTSIDE. DRIVER AND 2 CHILDREN GOT OUT. A FIREMEN THAT ARRIVED MOVED VEHICLE BEFORE PARTIALLY CATCHING FIRE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE IN MOTION, THE PASSENGER DOOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FORD DEALERSHIP ACCUSED CONSUMER OF STARTING THE FIRE. THE BROOKLYN FIRE DEPT INFORMED CONSUMER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE AND THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE FORD DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THEY WOULD REPLACE THE DOOR AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE AND NOT UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. *JG

THE AIR BAG IN MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION FELL OFF OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR.

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

VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN CONSUMER HEARD ALARM GO OFF, SHE CHECKED VEHICLE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. 2 HOURS LATER, SHE NOTICED DRIVER FRONT HAD LOWERED, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. TORSION BAR HAD BROKEN.*AK *SCC

WHILE CHANGING THE OIL SWAY BAR DIDN'T HAVE ANY RUBBER SEALS ATTACHED. RUBBER SEAL WAS ATTACHED TO THE A FRAME BUT NOT THE SWAY BAR. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. PLEASE ADD MORE INFORMATION.*AK

CONSUMER IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE CHILD PULLED GEAR SHIFT AND VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING BACK. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK *YD

THE TRUCK BEGAN TO PULL TO THE RIGHT, THEN THE TIE ROD BROKE FROM THE WHEEL.*AK

VEHICLE HESITATES/ STALLS AND KICKS BACK WHEN IT ACCELERATES. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENTS BUT PROGRESSING. DEALER HAS CHECKED VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM IN ORDER TO FIND THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE AT IDLE THE #3 SPARKPLUG BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER STRIPPING THE THREADS. THE REPAIR FACILITY ESTIMATES $2000 TO REPAIR. THIS IS EXACTLY LIKE ODI #743868. THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE HEADS. THIS ENGINE WAS REPLACED TWICE AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES BECAUSE OF LEAKS IN THE HEADGASKET. THE CURRENT ENGINE ONLY HAS 34000 MILES. WHEN THE SPAKPLUG BLEW OUT IT SPEWED GAS OVER THE ENGINE CREATING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, HEARD A NOISE UNDER THE TRUCK AS IF VEHICLE RAN OVER SOMETHING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, MECHANIC STATED IT WAS SWAY BAR LINK THAT BROKE OFF. *AK CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED; DEALER FOUND HEGO SENSORS WERE NOT RESPONDING; BANK 1 AND 2 HEGO SENSORS WERE REPLACED. *TT

STABILIZER BAR BROKE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT ABOUT 35-40 MPH.*AK

SWAY BAR LINKS BROKEN. VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND IN STRONG WINDS. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN OFF-ROAD, NOR HAS IT BEEN SUBJECTED TO ANY UNUSUAL IMPACTS. THERE ARE OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENT REPORTS ON THIS SITE, AND MANY REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM ON WEB FORUMS ON THE INTERNET. GIVEN MILEAGE AND USE, THIS DOES NOT SEEM LIKE A NORMAL FAILURE, AND THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS SEEMS TO BE GROWING. *AK

FORD SPECIAL MESSAGE #15773. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL FOR THIS? THIS IS DESPICABLE. THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE THIS CAUSES IS HORRIBLE. THE AIR BAGS CAN DEPLOY BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. HOW MANY CHILDREN ARE IN DANGER BECAUSE OF THIS? HOW MANY FIRES CAN BE STARTED? ANY VECHICLE THAT FALLS UNDER THIS MESSAGE SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY FORD AT FORD EXPENSE. I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY TRYING TO FIND OUT WHY THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN FORD HAS KNOWN THE ENTIRE TIME. MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH SAME ISSUE. SEE LINK: HTTP://WWW.MY3CENTS.COM/SHOWREVIEW.CGI?ID=15119

DEALERSHIP SAYS OIL LEAK DUE TO ENGINE BLOCK BEING MIS-CAST. DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDS NEW ENGINE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. HEADS COULD BE REPLACED BUT PROBLEM WOULD REOCCUR AGAIN. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IN MANY ENGINES AND FORD IS AWARE OF THIS BUT IS OFFERING NO HELP WITH THE COST OF REPLACEMENT OR RECALL ON THE ENGINE TO ANYONE BUT THOSE WHO HAVE FORD EXTENDED WARRANTIES. THIS IS THE ORIGINAL ENGINE THAT WAS PUT IN THE TRUCK. THE DEFECT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE AND IS NOT SOMETHING THAT HAS OCCURRED OVER TIME. COST OF NEW ENGINE APPROXIMATELY $4,500.*AK

FRONT SWAY BAR LINK ON LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE BROKE WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

LUGS: NUTS AND STUDS ON REAR PASSENGER WHEEL BROKE OFF, ONLY ONE LUG NUT WAS STILL INTACT. THERE IS A RECALL, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED. *AK

I UNDERSTAND THIS PROBLEM IS UNDER INVESTIGATION AS OF SEPT. 2001. AS STATED 14 INCIDENTS REPORTED. I HAVE A VERY HARD TIME BELIEVING THAT I AM NUMBER 15. THIS IS LUDICROUS. THIS IS A FORD DEFECT, JUST LIKE THE EXPLORER AND SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY RECALLED. I WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY, AS IT SEEMS THE OTHERS WERE ALSO. I GUESS THE NHTSA ONLY REALLY CARES IF THERE ARE FATALITIES INVOLVED. PEOPLE SAVING PEOPLE, WHO ARE THEY KIDDING. THEY PROBABLY HAVE THE FORD MOTOR CO. IN THEIR POCKETS. PLEASE NOTE THAT WE LEASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED IT.*AK

DT: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND PREPARED TO EXIT ON OFF RAMP WHEN LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE AND ENTERED THE WHEEL WELL WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO COME TO A VIOLENT HALT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER, AND DEALER CONFIRMED TIE ROD BROKE. INSPECTED RIGHT SIDE, AND SAID THAT TIE ROD WAS NEAR FAILURE AS WELL. REPAIRS WERE MADE. THAT WAS SECOND TIME IN 3 YEARS THAT TIE RODS WERE REPLACED. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE SECOND INCIDENT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. CONSUMER WAS UPSET THAT THESE PARTS T FAILED. HAD NOT OCCURRED UNDER NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS WAS STREET AND HIGHWAY DRIVING, NO ROUGH WEAR ON THE VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT ALIGNMENT MIGHT BE OFF. PROBLEM WAS DUE TO BREAKING OF LINKS ON STABLIZER BAR.*AK

WHILE PARKED LEFT FRONT TORSION BAR SNAPPED. THIS ITEM NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE KEY WAS IN IGNITION, BUT ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING, A CHILD KNOCKED GEAR SHIFT LEVER OUT OF THE PARK GEAR WHICH ALLOWED VEHICLE TO START ROLLING IN REVERSE. VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET, AND THEN STARTED MOVING FORWARD FOR AN APPROXIMATE DISTANCE OF 150 FEET. VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE, CAUSING BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY FROM WHICH CHILD SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

SWAY BAR CONNECTORS WERE BROKEN ON BOTH SIDES. *AK

THE RIGHT TORSION BAR OF MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION CRACKED IN MARCH 2001. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE GARAGE THAT REPAIRED MY VEHICLE SAID THAT THERE WAS A DISTINCT DEFECT IN THE TORSION BAR AND GAVE ME THE BAR TO OFFER PROOF TO FORD THAT THIS WAS INDEED AND MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED OF THIS PROBLEM. THE COMPANY DRAGGED CORRESPONDANCE OUT WITH US OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. NO RECALL WAS ENACTED. ON JANUARY 4, 2003 THE LEFT TORSION BAR WENT ON MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION AS I WAS EXITING THE HIGHWAY. THE TRUCK DROPPED ABOUT 12 INCHES ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE AND I SLAMMED MY HEAD ON THE DRIVER WINDOW. NO SERIOUS INJURY RESULTED, BUT I COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY TO THE OTHERS IN THE CAR AS WELL AS MYSELF.

FRONT WHEEL CONTROL ARM SHEARED OFF. CONSUMER NOTICED A RATTLE. THIS HOOKS SWAY BAR TO LOWER CONTROL ARM. CONTACTED DEALER WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS. FORD STATED WARRANTY EXPIRED.*AK

THE THROTTLE IN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO STICK. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE WEATHER STARTED GETTING COLD. WHEN CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANICS GARAGE, HE SHOWED CONSUMER A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (99-25-2) STATING THAT THE PCV SYSTEM MAY ICE UP. THE ACCELERATOR STICKS. CONSUMER WOULD SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON ONLY TO HAVE THE ENGINE RACE TO ABOUT 65 MPH. HOWEVER BEFORE CONSUMER WOULD GET OFF THE INTERSTATE THE ACCELERATOR WOULD RELEASE. NOW IT REMAINS STUCK. CONSUMER IS AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHICLE FOR FEAR OF AN ACCIDENT. *JG THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. *NM

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE CHILD LOCKS ARE ENGAGING THEMSELVES INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER ADVISED THAT LOCKS ARE MECHANICAL AND THEREFORE CAN NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY OF PASSENGERS IF THEY NEED TO EXIT VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY. TS

WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD POP IN VEHCILE, AND THEN VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER NOTED THAT HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWEN OUT. *AK

CONSUMER STATES THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK ON BOTH REAR DOORS WOULD ENGAGE IT SELF EVERY TIME THE DOORS ARE CLOSE SHUT, DEALER NOTIFED. NLM *YH

THE OVERDRIVE SWITCH FOR MY VEHICLE IS LOCATED AT THE END OF THE SHIFTING LEVER, WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. THE WIRING FOR THE OD SWITCH RUNS THROUGH THE SHIFTING LEVER AND EXITS AT THE BASE OF THE STEERING COLUMN, THEN DOWN INTO SOME WIRING HARNESSES. THE STEERING COLUMN IS COVERED BY A PLASTIC HOUSING. THIS PLASTIC HOUSING HAS WORN THROUGH THIS WIRE, WHICH HAS CAUSED THE OD SYSTEM TO SWITCH ON AND OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. THIS HAS CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN OPERATING VEHICLES ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED PROBLEMS WHEN PASSING VEHICLES ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE OD SYSTEM FAILS BECAUSE OF THIS SHORT IN THE WIRE SYSTEM. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT. THERE'S NO CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE PLASTIC HOUSING AND THE WIRE THAT EXITS THE SHIFTING LEVER. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSED TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THE WARRANTY PERIOD IS OVER. THEY ESTIMATED THE REPAIRS AT $300. I ALSO NOTIFIED FORD AT (800) 392-3673 AND THEY REFUSED TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

DON'T KNOW WHEN THE STABILIZER BARS ACTUALLY SNAPPED, HAVE BEEN HAVING SHAKING PROBLEMS FOR MONTHS. HAD READ A NEWS ARTICLE THAT THE NHTSA WAS INVESTIGATING OTHER FORD EXPEDITION STABILIZER BAR PROBLEMS. FELT YOU SHOULD KNOW OF THIS FAILURE IN SUSPENSION FOR YOUR RECORDS AND HOPEFULLY FOR A FUTURE FORD RECALL. *AK

VEHICLE WAS GOING 55MPH ON A STARIGHT LINE WITH NO WHERE TO PULL OVER WHEN GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK. CONSUMER PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO STOP IT. CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED. *AK

CLAMP ON HEATER HOSE IS NOT STRONG AND IT BROKE, CAUSING FLUIDS TO LEAK INTO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. VEHICLE DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY. CONTACTED DEALER,AND DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, AND IT NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. PLEASE ADD VIN #. *AK

I CALLED FORD CONSUMER RELATIONS AND THEY PLAYED DUMB LIKE THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. I WAS STEAMED. AT LEAST ADMIT YOU HAVE A PROBLEM I TOLD THEM. AFTER FIRST TALKING TO SOME LACKIE, I GOT A "SUPERVISOR" WHO WAS VERY ARROGANT. HE TRIED TO BLAME IT ON A LACK OF "FORD CERTIFIED" MAINTENANCE. IF THEY WOULD HAVE JUST ADMITTED THE PROBLEM AND CHARGED ME COST FOR THE REPLACEMENT INSTEAD OF MAKING EVEN MORE MONEY ON THEIR OWN DESIGN FLAW, I WOULD HAVE BEEN HAPPY. THEY EVEN CHARGED ME $30 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM! I MENTIONED THE TSB, BUT AGAIN, HE PLAYED DUMB AND SAID HE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK INTO IT. *AK

HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END OF VEHICLE AFTER STRAIGHTENING OUT FROM A RIGHT HAND TURN. INVESTIGATED AND FOUND THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR HAD A BROKEN BOLT ON THE RIGHT END LINK. COULD POSSIBLY BE A HAZARD IF SWERVING AT HIGH SPEEDS.*AK

THE ENGINE CONSISTENTLY CUTS OUT WHEN PLACING THE TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE. ITS BEEN BACK TWICE, BUT NO TROUBLE FOUND. IT HAPPENS WHEN IN TRAFFIC AND HAS NEARLY CAUSED REAR END COLLISIONS. NO PARTICULAR ACTION CAUSES THIS, JUST COME TO A STOP AND PUT IT IN REVERSE.*AK

I THINK THAT FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THE COST OF REPLACING STABILIZER BAR LINKS,SINCE NO OTHER VEHICLE THAT I KNOW OF HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD THINK THAT IF FORD CHECKED THEIR REPAIR RECORD DATABASE THEY OR YOU WOULD FIND THAT A LOT OF THESE PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT NEVER REPORTED TO YOU PEOPLE.*AK

ABS WARNING LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT PANEL CAME ON AND STAYED ILLUMINATED UPON STARTING UP OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED ABS CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION. *AK