1998 Ford Expedition complaints

UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT @ 1250000. PREVIOUSLY A DIFFERENT SPARK PLUG HAD BLOWN OUT @ 40000 AND WAS REPAIRED WITH A HELICOIL. REPAIRS WERE UNDERWAY. THIS APPEARED TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE 5.4L ENGINES! *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE ENTIRE HOOD AND ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE INSPECTOR STATED THAT HE WAS AWARE OF RECALL # 05V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND FOUND THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT HE IS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 134,000. UPDATED 12/30/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED FORD HIRED A CONSULTANT TO INVESTIGATE THE FIRE, BUT IT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CONSUMER CLAIM WAS DENIED BY FORD. UPDATED 01/05/08. *JB

I WAS DRIVING MY 98 EXPEDITION THROUGH OUR CUL-DE-SAC WHEN WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. MY WIFE AND I HAD TO PUSH THE TRUCK BACK TO OUR DRIVEWAY AND IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO CHECK THE SPARK PLUGS.(I AM A MECHANIC BY TRADE) WE SOON DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS THE #3 SPARK PLUG. IT HAD BLOWN OUT, STRIPPING ALL THREADS. FORD IS NO HELP AT ALL. THEY WANT $4000 TO REPLACE THE HEADS, (AND CLAIM TO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS DEFECT)BUT CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT THIS WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. SINCE YESTERDAY,I'VE DISCOVERED THAT I'M ONE OF THE MANY THOUSANDS WHO'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM. WHEN IS SOMEONE GOING TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY? *TR

1998 FORD EXPEDITION INTERIOR LIGHTS STAYING ON, DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYING ON, RADIO TURNING ON AND OFF BY ITSELF, TRAILER LIGHTS NOT WORKING, DASH LIGHTS FLASHING OFF AND ON. I FOUND OUT THERE ARE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THESE CARS HAVING LEAKING WINDSHIELDS ALLOWING WATER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE ELECTRICAL SHORTING ON THE GEM AND FUSE BOX. FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN ISSUE WITH A TSB 98-9-13 !!! I DID A QUICK SEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THESE CAN CAUSE ELECTRICAL FIRES OR CAUSE CARS TO START BY THEMSELVES, LOSING ELECTRICAL STABILITY WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS. (NO BRAKE LIGHTS, ETC..) *JB

BACK IN 2005 MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION HAD A SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. HAD IT FIXED THE FIRST TIME WITH A HELI-COIL. IN 2006 IT BLEW OUT AGAIN HAD TO REPLACE THE CYLINDER HEADS. *NM

ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE THERE IS AN AUDIBLE, HIGH FREQUENCY RATTLE OR VIBRATION THAT IS INCREASED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN GEAR, STOPPED AND IN IDLE. THE NOISE REDUCES AND OFTEN GOES AWAY WHEN THE ENGINE RPMS ARE INCREASED ABOVE 600 PER MINUTE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXAMINED BY THE DEALER THREE TIMES, HAS HAD ALL OF THE EXHAUST BRACKETS TIGHTENED OR REPLACED TO NO AVAIL. OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A "BACKED OUT BOLT IN THE EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD", THIS BOLT WAS CHANGED BY DEALER ON THE 3RD TRIP, WITH NO CHANGE, IN FAT, THAT MADE IT WORSE. TWO DIFFERENT MUFFLER SHOPS HAVE LOOKED AT AND NOTICE NOTHING ELSE LOOSE OR MISSING. ON THE LAST VISIT TO THE DEALER, OWNER WAS TOLD THAT THE REASON FOR THE NOISE IS THAT THE "EXHAUST PIPE IS TORQUED AND TWISTED A LITTLE BIT FROM HEAT CONTRACTION AND EXPANSION." *NM

APPROXIMATELY 2.5 HRS. INTO A 3 HR. TRIP WITH OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IN THE SINGLE DIGIT RANGE, AND WITH CONSTANT HIGHWAY DRIVING (NO STOPPING) MY THROTTLE BECAME STUCK WHILE TRAVELING APPROX. 70 MPH. WHILE TRYING TO AVOID THE TRAFFIC THAT HAD SLOWED IN FRONT OF ME I REACHED FOR THE IGNITION KEY AND TURNED THE TRUCK OFF WHILE I SEARCHED FOR A PLACE TO PULL-OVER TO. AFTER THE TRUCK WAS STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY I RESTARTED THE ENGINE ONLY TO HAVE IT RACE IN RPM'S. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE TRUCK HOME THE REMAINING PART OF THE TRIP AFTER I REMOVED THE THROTTLE BODY COVER AND JUST LIGHTLY TOUCHED THE THROTTLE LINKAGE (JUST LEFT OF THROTTLE PLATE) WHICH RETURNED THE THROTTLE TO IDLE POSITION. TRUCK HAS BEEN TAKEN TO FORD DEALER WHERE AN UPGRADE OF THE PCV SYSTEM HAS BEEN PERFORMED (TSB 01-21-12). TRUCK INFORMATION: 1998 FORD EXPEDITION 5.4 ENGINE 126000 MILES. *NM

TL*- THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL 05V38800) IN THE MAIL. REGARDING VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL. THE RECALL WAS HONORED AT THE DEALER. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT IT WAS FORD'S RESPONSIBILITY TO WARN THE CONSUMERS THAT THE BRAKE FLUID COULD BE LOST THROUGH A DEFECTIVE SWITCH, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS NEVER REPLACED UNDER RECALL, ONLY A FUSE LINE WAS ADDED TO THE SWITCH. THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER TOLD THAT THE BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAK THROUGH THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH. UPDATED 03/19/07. *JB

1998 FORD EXPEDITION, TRITON ENGINE, FORCIBLE EJECTION OF SPARK PLUG. THREADING STRIPPED FROM CYLINDER HEAD WILL NOT ALLOW REINSERTION OF SPARK PLUG. COST TO REPAIR PER FORD SERVICE $4000. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND ISSUE RECALL. NO GUARANTEE IF REPAIRED THAT SAME FAILURE WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN. PROBABLE CAUSE: POORLY DESIGNED ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS WITH INSUFFICIENT THREADING TO RETAIN SPARK PLUGS. *NM

1998 FORD EXPEDITION TRITON MOTOR-SPARK PLUG BLOWOUT #2 CYLINDER. *JB

THE BATTERY KEEPS RUNNING DOWN. CAN'T FIND ANYTHING LEFT ON INSIDE TRUCK. HAVE REPLACED BATTERY THREE TIMES. BATTERY HAS THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF CRANKING AMPS. STILL KEEPS RUNNING DOWN. HEARD THAT THERE MAYBE PROBLEMS WITH THE BATTERY CABLES OR SOME OTHER TYPE OF ELECTRICAL WIRING. *JB

ABOUT 3-4 YEARS AGO, THE LEFT STABILIZER LINK BROKE. I NOTICED A LOUD THUMP WHEN HITTING BUMPS AFTER PULLING OFF THE INTERSTATE. 2 WEEKS AGO, WE HAD A LOUD THUMP UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THIS TIME THE RIGHT STABILIZER LINK WAS BROKE. THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED IN THE PAST HERE, HOWEVER IT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN DISMISSED. THIS PROBLEM INCREASES THE ROLL OF THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING AND CAN BE DANGEROUS IN A QUICK TURN TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, ETC. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT USED OFF ROAD OR WHERE INCREASED STRESSES ARE PUT ON THE SUSPENSION. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE ON THIS VEHICLE. *JB

ABOUT 3-4 YEARS AGO, THE LEFT STABILIZER LINK BROKE. I NOTICED A LOUD THUMP WHEN HITTING BUMPS AFTER PULLING OFF THE INTERSTATE. 2 WEEKS AGO, WE HAD A LOUD THUMP UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THIS TIME THE RIGHT STABILIZER LINK WAS BROKE. THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED IN THE PAST HERE, HOWEVER IT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN DISMISSED. THIS PROBLEM INCREASES THE ROLL OF THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING AND CAN BE DANGEROUS IN A QUICK TURN TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, ETC. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT USED OFF ROAD OR WHERE INCREASED STRESSES ARE PUT ON THE SUSPENSION. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE ON THIS VEHICLE. *JB

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

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A SPARK PLUG POPPED OUT OF PLACE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND DETERMINED THE CYLINDER HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/28/2006 - *NM

MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION XLT CAUGHT FIRE WHEN PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT OF GEORGIO'S RESTAURANT AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND REMAINED LOCALIZED THERE. ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FLAMED UP, BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE HOOD, AND DAMAGED EVERYTHING FORWARD OF THE VEHICLES FIREWALL. FLAME WAS CONTAINED AND EXTINGUISHED USING INDUSTRIAL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AVAILABLE AT THE RESTAURANT GEORGIO'S WHERE MY WIFE, DAUGHTER, AND I WERE MEETING MY PARENTS FOR DINNER. THE VEHICLE HAS A GOOD SERVICE RECORD AND HAS BEEN SERVICE AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALER A FEW TIMES, SO THIS WAS A HUGE SURPRISE. I AM FAIRLY CONFIDENT THE VEHICLE WILL BE DECLARED "TOTALED" BY MY INSURANCE CARRIER GEICO. MY WIFE AND I DEPEND ON HAVING A SECOND VEHICLE BECAUSE I DRIVE OUR OTHER VEHICLE 60 MINUTES AWAY EVERY DAY FOR WORK. SINCE SHE SPENDS HER TIME RAISING OUR DAUGHTER, I AM THE SOLE SOURCE OF INCOME, BUT WE'RE UNSURE THAT INCOME CAN ACCOMMODATE A CAR PAYMENT (BOTH OF OUR VEHICLES ARE PAID FOR). *NM

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.

A SPARK BLEW OUT THE ENGINE LEADING TO MAJOR ENGINE DAMAGE. TO FURTHER HURT THE FORD REPUTATION THEY SAID IT WOULD COST MY LIFE SAVINGS TO REPAIR IT WHEN I HAD IT TOWED TO A REPUTABLE MECHANIC MY FINDINGS IS THAT IT WOULD ONLY COST HALF OF MY LIFE SAVINGS NOT ONLY WAS I TOLD THIS BUT THEN I FIND EVIDENCE THAT THERE IS A HUGE COVER UP .PLEASE LORD DON'T LET MY GOVERNMENT BE CAUGHT UP IN THIS MESS THIS CORPORATION HAS A LOT OF INFLUENCE BUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO LIVE IN A JUST SOCIETY WE THE PEOPLE ARE WHAT THIS NATION IS MADE FROM AND CORPORATIONS COME AND GO. *NM DUPLICATE OF ODI #10170656. NO INJURIES PER CONSUMER CALL BY C. ROSE ON 1/16/07

ENGINE SHOT A SPARK PLUG OUT DEALER ADVISED TO REPLACE WHOLE ENGINE FOR 5000 INSTEAD OF 4000 TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE CYLINDER HEAD DEALER CHARGED ALMOST 300 TO CHANGE OUT SPARK PLUGS COULDN'T FINISH JOB BECAUSE THREADS IN HOLE WERE STRIPPED OUT REQUIRING MAJOR ENGINE WORK VEHICLE HAS ONLY 96000 MILES FOUND MECHANIC THAT IS DOING WORK TO HOPEFULLY FIX FOR ABOUT 2000. *JB DUPLICATE OF ODI #10170816. NO INJURIES PER CONSUMER CALL BY C. ROSE ON 1/16/07

MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN I WAS IN THE BANK,THE FIRE TOTALED THE VEHICLE , I WAS INJURED TRYING TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE FIRE DEPT CHIEF AND STAFF HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO STOP FIRE FROM CONTINUING. THEY INDICATED THE INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY FACTORY RECALL(SPEED CONTROL RECALL-DEFECT) MY EXPEDITION WAS TOTALLY DAMAGED AND WAS PICKED UP BY APPEL FORD IN SEP-06-2006 I AM NOT HAPPY WITH APPEL FORD'S REACTION, AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM FORD???????? *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED DOWN THEIR HOUSE, GARAGE, CAR AND OTHER BELONGINGS. THERE WAS A RECALL REMEDY #05V388000 PERFORMED FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL LAST YEAR. THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH CAUSED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN THE GARAGE FOR TEN MINUTES BEFORE CATCHING ON FIRE.

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

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED WHILE PARKED. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE STARTED DUE TO AN OVERHEATED SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 05V388000 WHICH PERTAINED TO THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, HOWEVER THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED.

WHEN VEHICLE WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL, IT COULD NOT BE DEACTIVATED BY BRAKE PEDAL. THIS OCCURRED AFTER THE "CRUISE CONTROL" RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKE LAMP LIGHTS ARE NOW OUT AND THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. (THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME DEFECT AS THE RECALL FOR THE 2001 FORD TAURUS, BUT DOES NOT SEEM TO APPLY TO THE 1998 FORD EXPEDITION). *NM

I OWN A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION XLT. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR THE PAST 8 MONTHS. WHEN TRUCK IS CONNECTED TO COMPUTER FOR TROUBLE SHOOT EGR CODE IS DETECTED. I HAVE CHANGED EGR,SOLENOID,COMPUTER AND TO THIS DATE LIGHT IS STILL ON. I HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WITH FORD EXPEDITIONS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE ONTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BEHIND THE ENGINE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINED THE UPPER PART OF THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REMOVED TO REPAIR THE LEAK.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AREA. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE GARAGE AND DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID# 05V388000. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT THE CONTACT WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. THE FORD MANUFACTURER HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED.

MY WIFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE A 98 FORD EXPEDITION ON U.S HIGHWAY 27 ABOUT 5 MILES EAST OF CLEWISTON AND THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE, SHE STOPPED IT , GOT OFF AND THEN THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. *NM

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 THERE IS CURRENTLY NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #05V388000 ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CRUISE CONTROL. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THEIR VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THEIR LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

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

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD DUE TO THE THREAD HOLDING THE SPARK PLUG INTO PLACE AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALERSHIP PUT A HELI COIL IN THE CYLINDER HEAD AND REPLACED THE SPARK PLUG, WHICH REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 3/9/2006 - THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED AT 48000 MILES ON THE #2 CYLINDER. THE PLUG WAS BLOWN OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. THE LATEST FAILURE WAS ON THE #7 PLUG. *NM

I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AS I SHIFTED OUT OF REVERSE AND INTO NEUTRAL. AS SOON AS I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE THE ENGINE ACCELERATED WITH GREAT FORCE. I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHIFTED BACK INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNED OF THE IGNITION STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT. I MEASURED THE RESULTING TIRE SKID MARK FROM THE LEFT REAR TIRE AND IT WAS ABOUT 9 FEET LONG. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER ON JANUARY 23, 2006 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC CHECKUP. THEY KEPT IT OVERNIGHT AND TRIED TO DUPLICATE THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND TO CHECK OUT ANY POSSIBLE MECHANICAL DEFECTS. NONE WERE FOUND AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED WITH A SUGGESTION TO HAVE A VEHICLE DATA RECORDER INSTALLED WHEN ONE WAS AVAILABLE.*AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LEFT FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WILL NOT PROPERLY LOCK INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A DEALER. UPDATED 02/28/06. *JB

SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT FORD 5.4 V8. *NM

WHILE DRIVING ON THE NORTHBOUND 405 IN LA, MY 1998 EXPEDITION SHOT A SPARK PLUG FROM THE ALUMINUM HEAD. I WAS TRAPPED IN 70MPH TRAFFIC IN THE DARK WAITING A TOW TRUCK. *NM

DRIVING DOWN TO BAKERSFIELD, FOLLOWING A SEVERE SKIING INJURY, MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION BLEW A SPARK PLUG OUT THE ALUMINUM HEAD, SHEARING OFF THE COIL, AND INCAPACITATING THE CAR. *NM

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

I WAS ACCELERATING NEAR MY HOME WHEN THE PLUG BLEW IN THE ENGINE OF MY FORD EXPEDITION. NO ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED. THIS IS THE SECOND PLUG TO BLOW ON THIS VEHICLE IN 3 YEARS. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT LOW SPEEDS THE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR, AND VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, WITH NO SPECIFIC PATTERN OR CONDITIONS. THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS NORMAL PERFORMANCE FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

JUST ARRIVED HOME IN MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION FROM WORK ON OCTOBER 6, 2005 AROUND 5:50 PM RAN IN TO CHANGE CLOTHES. WE WERE IN THE HOUSE NO MORE THAN 5-8 MINUTES WHEN WE HEARD A STRANGE SOUND. RAN TO THE FRONT DOOR AND NOTICED SMOKE AND FIRE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF MY VEHICLE. MY NEIGHBOR RAN FOR THE WATER HOSE & PUT WATER ON THE FIRE UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO HELP. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED JUST A FEW MINUTES BEFORE WE WOULD HAVE BEEN STILL IN THE VEHICLE AND COULD HAVE LOST OUR LIVES IN THE FIRE. JUST A FEW DAYS BEFORE THIS INCIDENT FORD CHOOSE TO SEND OUT RECALL NOTICES IN SEPTEMBER 2005 ON THIS YEAR\ MAKE\MODEL REGARDING THE SPEED CONTROL WIRING. NOT ONLY THAT I HAD JUST TAKEN MY VEHICLE INTO FORD SERVICE AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR A PROBLEM WITH MY AIR CONDITIONER AND THE REAR END. THEY SHOULD HAVE CORRECTED THIS DEFECT AT THAT TIME BUT DID NOT. FORD SHOULD HAVE SENT OUT RECALL NOTICES A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO DUE TO THIS DEFECT WHEN PEOPLE WERE HAVING PROBLEMS THEN. IF IT HAD BEEN DONE I WOULD STILL HAVE MY VEHICLE UP TO THIS DAY. *JB

98 FORD EXPEDITION UNDER HOOD FIRE I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE ON TUESDAY AND ON WEDNESDAY THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN OVER 24 HRS. FORD HAS BEEN UNRESPONSIVE TO REPEATED CALLS! *NM

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE OUTER TIE ROD BROKE ON HER VEHICLE AS SHE WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 50-60 MPH. THIS HAPPENED ON 8-30-05. SHE REPORTS HAVING NO PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THIS. THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT. SHE HAD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD ON 9-04 TO HAVE THE TIE RODS INSPECTED EVERY 15,000 MILES. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER RECEIVING THE LETTER. THE CAR HAD 90,000 MILES AT THAT TIME. BOTH OUTER TIE RODS WERE REPLACED. *JB *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATES RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL NOTICE 05V017000. VEHICLE IS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND TRIED TO ARRANGE FOR RECALL WORK TO BE DONE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT FORD WOULD BE SENDING HIM ANOTHER LETTER, TO WAIT FOR THE PART TO COME IN AROUND NOVEMBER. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO PUT THE CONTACT ON THE CALL LIST FOR THE PART. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN ON THE PHONE WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY, THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NO ADDITIONAL LETTERS COMING IN THE MAIL. FORD SAID THAT HE SHOULD WAIT FOR THE DEALER TO CONTACT HIM, THEN ,HUNG UP ON THE CONTACT . NO ONE WAS INTERESTED IN FIXING THE RECALL PART. LUCKILY HE KNEW THAT WAS TO BE DISCONNECTED, SO HE DID HIMSELF. THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE GETTING THE CONTACT ON THE WAITING LIST FOR THE PART. THE CONTACT WAS ON THE PHONE TRYING TO GET THROUGH TO FORDS CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH TASK FORCE, AND THE NUMBER FOR FORD KEPT REPEATING THE OPTIONS FOR THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT TRIED TO GET THROUGH FOR ALMOST TWENTY MINUTES. THEN THE CONTACT CALLED BACK THREE DIFFERENT TIMES.*AK

DT: THE STEEL BELT IS STICKING OUT OF THE RUBBER ON THE TIRE. IT IS OCCURRING WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE SIDEWALL. THE TIRE IS A GOODYEAR WRANGLER RT/S P265/70R17. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD ALLOWED AIR TO LEAK OUT OF THE TIRE. THIS WAS ON OCTOBER 13, 2005. THE TIRE WAS LOCATED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE . THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE TIRE, AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS NO PUNCTURE MARKS IN THE TIRE. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THAT IT WAS DUE TO DRIVING ON A LOW TIRE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT DRIVEN WITH THE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE WHEN HE NOTICED THE PROBLEM. THE TIRE WAS PURCHASED USED. *AK

DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT HAD A LOT TROUBLE WITH THE DRIVER'S SEAT. IT GETS STUCK AND WON'T GO FORWARD. *AK

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

ON JULY 1, 2003 WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY I HEARD A LOUD POP FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO GALPIN FORD. I WAS TOLD THE #2 SPARK PLUG BLEW THROUGH THE HEAD GASKET. TOTAL REPAIRS PAID WERE $4059.99. APPROX. 1 MONTH LATER SPARK PLUG #4 ON THE OTHER HEAD BLEW. NOT WANTING ANOTHER 4 GRAND BILL I TOWED THE VEHICLE TO DODGE BROTHERS WHERE I WAS CHARGED $402.95 TO INSERT A HELI-COIL FOR THE ONE SPARK PLUG HOLE. ON 11/10 A 3RD PLUG BEW. KNOWING THAT I STILL HAD TWO MORE PLUGS THAT COULD BLOW MY WIFE TOWED VEHICLE BACK TO GALPIN. WHEN TOLD REPAIRS WOULD BE IN EXCESS OF $2500.00 SHE BROKE DOWN AND GOT THEM TO REDUCE THE COST TO $874.00. TOTAL COSTS WITH TOW AND RENTAL 5,736.94. *NM

SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT FROM ENGINE. NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, FAILURE CAUSED LACK OF DRIVING POWER. IF INCIDENT HAD OCCURRED DURING RUSH HOUR, ACCIDENTS WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE ENGINE BLOCK HAD TO BE RE-TAPPED, PLUG AND COIL REPLACED. *NM

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 1998 FORD EXPEDITION ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN HER SPARE TIRE SUDDENLY FELL FROM BENEATH THE VEHICLE AND KICKED UP THE REAR END. FORTUNATELY, SHE DID NOT LOSE CONTROL, AND THE CARS BEHIND HER WERE ABLE TO SWERVE AROUND THE LOOSE TIRE WITHOUT INCIDENT. UPON INSPECTION, WE FOUND THAT THE CABLE WHICH SUPPORTS THE SPARE TIRE SNAPPED OFF AT THE END. OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO RECURRENT PROBLEM, AND THAT WE CAN PURCHASE A NEW SPARE TIRE CARRIER (JUST LIKE THE DEFECTIVE ONE) FOR $100. HOWEVER, WITH A SIMPLE SEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND NUMEROUS DOCUMENTED CASES JUST LIKE MINE WHERE THE SPARE TIRE MECHANISM FAILED AND LOOSE TIRES HAVE CAUSED CRASHES AND INJURIES. I DO NOT THINK IT IS RESPONSIBLE TO PUT THESE VEHICLES BACK ON THE ROAD WHEN THE TIRE CAN FALL OUT AT ANY MOMENT.*JB