Total Complaints
1022 filings
FORD EXPEDITION · model year
1022 NHTSA complaints, 54 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998FORDEXPEDITION carries 1022 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 54 crashes, 80 fires, 44 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1998 EXPEDITION is electrical system with 60 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (58) and vehicle speed control (43). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 4 investigation files overlapping the 1998 EXPEDITION. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
1022 filings
Crashes Reported
54 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 60 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 58 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 43 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR | 39 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR | 32 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 29 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 29 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 28 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 28 |
| WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS | 28 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 28 |
| TIRES | 26 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 26 |
| SUSPENSION | 22 |
| STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | 20 |
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.
PARKING ON THE STREET IN IS GONE
PARKING ON THE STREET IN IS GONE
PARKING ON THE STREET IN IS GONE
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.
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.
Mileage: 98,710
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.
Mileage: 98,710
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.
Mileage: 200,000
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.
Mileage: 246,233
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.
Mileage: 246,233
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
Mileage: 220,447
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.
Mileage: 165,000
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.
Mileage: 209,000
(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.
(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.
(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.
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.
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.
Mileage: 180,000
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.
Mileage: 100,000
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.
Mileage: 100,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.