Known Recalls

Model year record

1998 Ford Expedition

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,022 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V388000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
4,500,000
Reported to NHTSA
2005-09-07
Owners notified
2005-09-12

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Safety risk

A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS WHO DID NOT HAVE THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED TO HAVE THEIR SYSTEM REMEDIED BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS ARE URGED TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE FREE DISCONNECT SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FIRE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 06V286)

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V168000

Exterior lighting

Component
Exterior lighting
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
20,637
Reported to NHTSA
2000-06-19
Owners notified
2000-07-19

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS, LIGHT PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. OFF LEASE CANADIAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WHICH MEET CANADIAN REQUIREMENTS AND NOT THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." ACCORDING TO FORD, THE VEHICLES WERE IMPORTED INTO THE U.S. ERRONEOUSLY.

Safety risk

THE LIGHT GIVEN OFF FROM THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS BRIGHTER THAN ALLOWED BY U.S. STANDARDS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL BE ADVISED TO DEACTIVATE THE RUNNING LIGHT FUNCTION AND TO COMPLETE ANY OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECALLS ON THESE VEHICLES.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V073000

Trailer hitches

Component
Trailer hitches
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
565,800
Reported to NHTSA
2000-03-07
Owners notified
2000-05-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. THE TRAILER HITCH ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME ATTACHING BOLTS COULD LOSE THE CLAMP LOAD.

Safety risk

THE TRAILER HITCH COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUT PLATES.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V095000

Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Component
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
1,520,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-05-13
Owners notified
1998-07-20

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES AND LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE LUG NUTS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT CREATE SUFFICIENT CLAMP LOAD ALLOWING WHEEL MOVEMENT IN RELATION TO THE HUB/ROTOR MOUNTING SURFACE.

Safety risk

THIS CAN RESULT IN THE LOOSENING OF LUG NUTS, STUD FATIGUE FAILURE, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A WHEEL SEPARATION FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WILL BE RECEIVING TWO NOTIFICATIONS. THE FIRST NOTIFICATION, WHICH BEGAN IN MAY 1998, WILL PROVIDE AN INTERIM REPAIR PROCEDURE UNTIL PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. THIS INTERIM PROCEDURE CAN BE COMPLETED BY OWNERS OR THEIR DEALERS. IT SPECIFIES THAT THE LUG NUT TORQUE MUST BE VERIFIED TO BE 100 LBS. THEN THE LUG NUTS NEED TO BE TIGHTENED AN ADDITIONAL 1/8 TO 1/4 TURN MORE. THERE WILL BE A SECOND OWNER NOTIFICATION, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN JULY 20, 1998, UNDER WHICH DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WHEEL STUDS AND REPLACE THE WHEEL LUG NUTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V171000

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
866,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-10-07
Owners notified
1997-10-20

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 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. THE VEHICLE OPERATOR WOULD THEN NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION FROM ONE OF THE DRIVE GEAR POSITIONS INTO THE PARK POSITION EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WOULD INDICATE "PARK."

Safety risk

THE CONDITION WOULD NOT ALLOW A DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE PARK POSITION OR AFFECT PROPER NEUTRAL START SWITCH OPERATION. UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR IF THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT SET.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL MAKE THE PROPER ATTACHMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL CABLE TO THE STEERING COLUMN BRACKET AND ADD A TIE STRAP TO THAT CONNECTION.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system6098,710 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine58107,000 mi
Vehicle speed control43126,030 mi
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar3986,000 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar3269,600 mi
Power train: automatic transmission29115,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2930,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling28125,319 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2892,102 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control28110,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2880,816 mi
Suspension: front2676,000 mi
Tires26136,455 mi
Suspension22145,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly2064,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition17125,000 mi
Power train17169,000 mi
Engine16180,000 mi
Unknown or other14122,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1440,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood13118,000 mi
Suspension: rear13160,000 mi
Air bags: frontal1280,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls1270,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline9138,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)9104,985 mi
Wheels9160,000 mi
Exterior lighting8100,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system8—
Structure: body: door8—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator771,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system792,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner7—
Interior lighting787,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch727,900 mi
Tires: tread/belt760,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor7—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior710,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module668,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring676,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.640,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other6130,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar644,714 mi
Trailer hitches6—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal6109,555 mi
Air bags5118,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash588,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights5115,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch5—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly5125,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor5—
Steering5174,000 mi
Structure5120,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension system513,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor5—
Equipment486,627 mi
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack4—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit450,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap4—
Fuel system, other4165,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system4138,008 mi
Seat belts4200,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage4—
Seats4—
Service brakes4117,831 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic477,897 mi
Steering: linkages4—
Structure: body4120,000 mi
Structure: frame and members4170,000 mi
Tires: sidewall452,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core486,000 mi
Visibility: windshield495,200 mi
Electrical system: horn327,900 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers380,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe370,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift3150,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit3125,000 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft3—
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)392,184 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)3—
Visibility365,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear3—
Electrical system: ignition: switch277,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system276,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2—
Exterior lighting: turn signal244,714 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2160,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages2169,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly227,900 mi
Seat belts: front: webbing2—
Seats: front assembly: recliner2160,640 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings257,295 mi
Steering: column287,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers2—
Structure: body: trunk lid2—
Suspension: front: control arm2—
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire270,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages2—
Visibility/wiper281,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module120,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module188,000 mi
Air bags: side/window1—
Child seat1130,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1220,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank: selector devices1—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1—
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: filling/charging1—
Parking brake1—
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable1—
Parking brake: indicator light188,000 mi
Power train: driveline168,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts: front183,300 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust127,900 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler1—
Service brakes, air: antilock1—
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1—
Structure: body: hood1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint195,000 mi
Suspension: front: hub1—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1—
Suspension: front: shock absorber1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing130,000 mi
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1—
Suspension: rear: springs: air suspension system1—
Suspension: rear: springs: air suspension system: springs/bags1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: linkages1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior1—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: switch/wiring1—

The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1999 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.