1998 Ford Expedition

Family: Expedition · filed with NHTSA as EXPEDITION

Summary

In its first three years the 1998 Expedition drew 267 complaints — 1.1× the median of its generation (1997–2002). It does not stand out from the other years of this generation.
These are complaint counts, not failure rates: they are not divided by how many cars were sold, because no public source reports U.S. sales by model year.
Complaints are spread across systems: the largest, Suspension, holds 17% of the 828 that name a component.
7 recalls filed for this model year.
5 federal defect investigations cover this model year.

At a glance

Owner complaints: 836
Recalls: 7
Investigations: 5
NCAP overall: Not rated
Combined MPG: 13–15
Annual fuel cost: $4,150–$4,800
Median mileage at complaint: 110,000 mi (n = 310)
Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths: 43 / 73 / 37 / 1

What owners report

Suspension

144 complaints · 17% of complaints that name a component · median 98,000 mi (n = 28)

Owner report 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' SUSPE…

Owner report 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.

Engine

143 complaints · 17% of complaints that name a component · median 115,000 mi (n = 95)

Owner report 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 TURNIN…

Owner report 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…

Electrical System

115 complaints · 14% of complaints that name a component · median 100,000 mi (n = 61)

Owner report 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

Owner report 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 READ…

1% of complaints name no specific component and are left out of the shares above.

Across the generation (1997–2002)

To compare years fairly, each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints. Median of the comparable years: 252.

Model year	All complaints	First three years	Note
1997	853	262
1998	836	267
1999	946	352
2000	890	242
2001	578	132	fewest complaints
2002	340	69	fewest complaints

Recalls

Whether a recall has been fixed on a specific car depends on its VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

06E067000 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Filed 2006-08-01 · 19,413 vehicles

Defect: CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 331-1129L-ASN AND 331-1129R-ASN, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.

06E060000 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Filed 2006-06-29 · 87,745 vehicles

Defect: CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

05V388000 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Filed 2005-09-07 · 4,500,000 vehicles

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

Risk: A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.

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)

00V168000 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Filed 2000-06-19 · 20,637 vehicles

Defect: 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.

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

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

00V073000 · TRAILER HITCHES

Filed 2000-03-07 · 565,800 vehicles

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

Risk: THE TRAILER HITCH COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

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

98V095000 · WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

Filed 1998-05-13 · 1,520,000 vehicles

Defect: 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.

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.

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.

97V171000 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

Filed 1997-10-07 · 866,000 vehicles

Defect: 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."

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.

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.

Federal investigations

Action	Component	Opened	Closed	Recall
DP05005	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	2005-09-22	2006-01-04
EA05005	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2005-03-22	2006-08-02	05V388000
PE01022	SUSPENSION	2001-07-02	2001-11-09
PE99060	EQUIPMENT	1999-09-27	2000-03-08	00V073000
PE98024	STEERING	1998-04-21	1998-07-21

DP05005: SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

EA05005: ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

PE01022: FRONT STABILIZER LINK

PE99060: FACTORY INSTALLED TOWING HITCH SEPARATIO

PE98024: TIE ROD END FAILURES

Engines and fuel economy

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Fuel cost / yr
Expedition 2WD	4.6L 8cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	13	18	15	$4150
Expedition 2WD	5.4L 8cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Rear-Wheel Drive	12	16	13	$4800
Expedition 4WD	4.6L 8cyl	Automatic 4-spd	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive	12	16	14	$4450
Expedition 4WD	5.4L 8cyl	Automatic 4-spd	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive	11	15	13	$4800

Fuel cost is EPA's estimate at the fuel prices of its last update, not today's.

Crash test ratings (NCAP)

Variant	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover
1998 Ford Expedition 4-DR. 4x4	Not Rated	Not Rated	Not Rated	Not Rated

Service bulletins

Ford issued 294 service bulletins listed against this model year, most often about engine and engine cooling.

A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known condition. It is not a recall and not a defect finding. Most bulletins cover several model years at once, so one listed here may not be specific to this year. The number of bulletins tracks how long and how widely a model was sold, so it is not a measure of reliability.

Date	Component	Summary
2007-10-01	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	SOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG THREAD REPAIR PROCEDURE--NOT COVERED UNDER NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY. NJ THIS INCLUDES F-53 MOTORHOME CHASSIS. UPDATED 2/23/10. PE
2005-11-14	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT
2005-04-01	POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY	REAR AXLE NOISE REPAIR. *TT
2005-03-21	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE	USE OF STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST STUDS IN SERVICE FOR 5.4L 2V ENGINE. *TT
2005-03-07	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)	INTERMITTENT ROUGH IDLE - NON-COMMANDED EGR (EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE) FLOW. *TT
2005-01-01	SUSPENSION:REAR	REAR AXLE NOISE REPAIR. *SC
2004-12-13	POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)	GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT
2004-09-01	STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY	CUSTOMER MAINTENANCE REMINDER - LITERATURE PROGRAM 04L19 - TIE ROD INSPECTION PROCEDURE. *TT
2004-08-23	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE	ENGINE MISFIRE OR RUNNING - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIPS. TO INCLUDE VARIOUS 2005 MODELS. * AR THIS ARTICLE 04161 SUPERSEDES TSB 03-14-04.
2004-03-22	SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM	AIR SUSPENSION COMPRESSOR NOISE. *TT

How to read this page

Complaint counts are not failure rates. A model that sells more cars draws more complaints, and owners file more often after news coverage or a recall. That is why this page compares a model year only with other years of the same generation, never with other models.

Each complaint is counted once, even when it names several components; a complaint that names several systems appears under each of them. Owner reports are quoted as filed and have not been verified by NHTSA or by us.

Every model year of this Expedition, including the ones without a page of their own, is listed on the Ford Expedition model page.

Sources

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: complaints, recalls and investigations (bulk files, data as of 2026-10-28).
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program: crash test ratings.
U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov: engines, transmissions and fuel economy.

MotorAlmanac is independent and not affiliated with NHTSA, EPA or any manufacturer. This page summarises public records; it is not a mechanical inspection. Before buying a used car, check its VIN for open recalls and have it inspected.