1998 Ford Expedition complaints

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COOLANT LEAK.*JB

THE FRONT TORSION BAR BROKE.*JB

I OWN A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION, WHEN IT RAINS ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON,THE PANEL IS SAYING DOOR AJAR(WHEN IN FACT THERE IS NO DOOR AJAR).THERFORE ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON AS IF THERE WERE A DOOR AJAR. I FIND THIS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ON EXPECIALLY AT NIGHT.FORD TOLD ME IT WAS A FAULTY SWITCH.I VE SPOKEN WITH OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE.ALSO 128 FORD SOLD ME THIS VEHICLE WITH A RECALL THAT WAS NEVER CHECKED. THEY NEVER DID A SAFETY CHECK AS THEY STATED. WHEN I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE IT WAS NEVER MOVED FROM THE SPOT WHERE I LEFT IT, AND THEY NEVER PUT A INSPECTION STICKER ON THE VEHICLE AND NEVER LOOKED IT OVER.

AT 58,000 MILES ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS WAS BLOWN OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE REPAIR REQUIRED A REPLACEMENT HEAD ASSEMBLY; HOWEVER, NO HEADS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. ONLY OPTION FROM FORD WAS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE! THE ENGINE HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED AT 33,900 MILES DUE TO A PISTON SLAP PROBLEM. THE CYLINDER HEAD ONLY HAD 25,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT. FORD WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE ENGINE WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 24,000 MILES.

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

CONSUMER WAS HAVING PROBLEM WITH WIPER BACK AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE, WERENOT WORKING AT ALL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK *TR

INTERIOR LIGHT (DOME LIGHTS) STAYED ON WHILE DRIVINGVEHICLE, EVEN WHEN CONSUMER WAS NOT DRIVING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK *TR

SPARK PLUG BLOWN OUT OF STRIPPED SOCKET

THIS HAS OCCURRED 8 OR 9 TIMES IN THE LAST 4 WEEKS' (THE MOST RECENT BEING 01/14/2003) MY 98 E/B 4X4 RECENTLY BEGAN OVER ACCELERATING AT INTERMITTENT TIMES. (I LIVE IN MN, AND HAVE NOTICED THIS PROBLEM IS WORSE WHEN THE TEMP IS BELOW ZERO.) I HAVE HAD 2 MINOR ACCIDENTS ALREADY BECAUSE OUT OF THE BLUE MY VEHICLE TAKES OFF AS THOUGH IT IS GOING 70 MILES AN HOUR. THE BRAKES DO NOT SEEM TO WORK WHEN THIS IS OCCURRING. IN ORDER TO STOP THIS FROM OCCURRING, I NEED TO QUICKLY SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, WHICH CAUSES THE ENGINE TO REV UP TO 4500 RPM. I HAVE TRIED RESTARTING THE ENGINE MULTIPLE TIMES, AND KICKING DOWN THE GAS PEDAL, AND EACH TIME THE RPM REMAINS HIGH. WHEN I AM TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND THIS BEGINS TO OCCUR, THE ENGINE REVS TO 3000 RPM, AND DRIVES ITSELF AT 65-70 MPH (ACTS ALMOST AS IF THE CRUISE IS SET). I HAVE BEEN STRANDED TWICE NOW, AND HAVE FOUND THAT ONCE THE VEHICLE SITS FOR 10 MINUTES OR SO, IT SEEMS TO BE OK.

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 AT 80 MPH, VEHICLE'S LEFT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED THE TIRE FREE OF CHARGE. *NLM A SECOND TIRE WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE. A METAL BELT WAS STICKING OUT OF THE SIDEWALL, WHICH WAS THE SAME PLACE WHERE THE OTHER TIRE FAILED. SCC

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SWAB BAR LINKS. ALSO STATED THAT BECAUSE OF THAT IT CAUSES THE STEERING TO NOT BE THE WAY THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND HAVE NOT FOUND ANY PROBLEMS. TS

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SWAB BAR LINKS. ALSO STATED THAT BECAUSE OF THAT IT CAUSES THE STEERING TO NOT BE THE WAY THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND HAVE NOT FOUND ANY PROBLEMS. TS

INTERRIOR LIGHT FAILS TO GO OFF, EVEN WITH VEHICLE RUNNING. ON ONE INSTANCE, IT BEGAN FLASHING. THIS WAS VERY DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS AS IT WAS AT NIGHT. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO TURN THE INTERIOR LIGHT OFF BY PULLING THE RELAY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 1999-2000 EXPEDITIONS, BUT APPARENTLY IT AFFECTS 1998 VEHICLES AS WELL.

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.

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLES ENGINE SHUTS OFF. CONSUMER STATES' VEHICLE WILL NOT RESTART FOR SEVERAL DAYS. FORD HAS REPLACED THE COMPUTER MODULE AND THE THEFT SYSTEM AND PROBLEM KEEPS REOCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

FRONT AND REAR WIPERS AND WASHERS STOP WORKING. WILL WORK IF TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED. DT

TS

CONSUMER STATES INVOLVED IN A DRIVER'S SIDE FRONTAL COLLISION AT APPROX 25-28MPH. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MR

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

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TURN SIGNAL, EMERGENCY FLASHER AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE INOPERATIVE. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL MULTI-FUCTION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM

WIPERS/WASHER DON'T ALWAYS WORK. WILL WORK IF TURN SIGNAL IS TURNED ON.*AK

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

COOLANT SYSTEM VAPOR FORM INSIDE OF HEATER COMPARTMENT, AND FUMES ARE COMING INSIDE OF VEHICLE . DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

REPEATED PROBLEM THAT HAS ESCALATED TO A SUGGESTED ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THE #4 COIL HAS BEEN REPAIRED 10 TIMES. THE VEHICLE WARRANTY AND EXTENDED WARRANTY HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED. FORD HAS REPEATLY FAILED TO FIND THE REAL PROBLEM. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES AND SUPERVISOR HAVE SAID THAT THERE'S NOTHING FORD CAN DO ABOUT MY PROBLEM. "IT'S THE FORD POLICY."*AK

TIE ROD END ON FRONT LEFT WHEEL HAS DISCONNECTED WHILE DRIVING AT 30-35 MPH. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DRIVER HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE AFTER CROSSING THE RAILROAD TRACKS. *SLC

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE STALLS. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

SPARK PLUGS VIBRATED AND BLEW OUT ON THE TOP OF THE MOTOR, VEHCILE STALL OUT.DEALER CONTACTED,SAD IT SHOULD NOT HAPPENED. *AK

INTERNAL FAILURE OF COMPONENT NOTED BY KNOCKING NOISE IN STEERING GEAR BOX. ADDITIONAL PLAY IN STEERING NOTED AND OTHER OWNERS HAVE STATED SAME PROBLEM.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THE ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A REMANUFACTURED ENGINE 3 TIMES ONCE BEING DUE TO A FAULTY CONNECTION ROD, AND AN OUT OF BALANCE CRANKSHAFT, THE SERPENTINE BELT, THERMOSTAT AND GASKET HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED, ALSO, THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATING, DEALER REPLACED SPARK PLUGS.*JB *YH

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

FUSE BOX KEEPS FAILING/ TAIL LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONS. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER HAS REPLACED A SWITCH IN VEHICLE, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.*AK

PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WRAPPED AROUND CHILD'S WAIST. MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING DUE TO A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. THE LOSS OF POWER RESULTED IN BRAKE AND STEERING FAILURES. *YH

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

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

THESE ARE AREAS THAT HAVE HAD AN IMPACT ON OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE SUCH AS TIRE WEAR, AND BRAKES. MY MECHANIC STATED THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH FORD MOTOR THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.*AK

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

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

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

RIGHT REAR WHEELS ARE MISSING THREE BOLTS AND LUGS WHICH HAVE SHEARED OFF. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFROMATION.*AK

WHILE TRYING TO BUCKLE CHILD IN REAR SEAT BUCKLE MECHANISM BROKE, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO USE SEAT BELT.*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

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

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

SON WAS SITTING ON THE PASSENGER VERY REAR SEAT--HE TURNED IN A COMPLETE CIRCLE WHICH CAUSED THE SAFETY RESTRAINT TO WRAP AROUND HIS TORSO--TRIED TO LOOSEN THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE--THE BELT BECAME TIGHTER--HAD TO CUT THE BELT TO GET MY SON OUT OF THE RESTRAINT

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