Motor Almanac

Ford / Expedition / 1999

1999 Ford Expedition

Family: Expedition · filed with NHTSA as EXPEDITION

Summary

  • In its first three years the 1999 Expedition drew 352 complaints — 1.4× 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, Engine, holds 29% of the 935 that name a component.
  • 9 recalls filed for this model year.
  • 5 federal defect investigations cover this model year.

At a glance

Owner complaints
946
Recalls
9
Investigations
5
NCAP overall
Not rated
Combined MPG
12–14
Annual fuel cost
$4,450–$5,200
Median mileage at complaint
99,078 mi (n = 401)
Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths
52 / 77 / 62 / 5

What owners report

Engine

274 complaints · 29% of complaints that name a component · median 105,000 mi (n = 188)

Owner report TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1999 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE POLICE BELIEVED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED ON THE DRIVER SIDE UNDER THE HOOD. A POLICE AND A FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH TWO FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND A…
Owner report I WAS SITTING AT MC DONALDS GETTING FOOD FOR MY SON, WHEN A LOUD POP COME FROM UNDER MY HOOD THEN MY TRUCK STARTED TO SMELL FUNNY. SOME CARS WERE IN FRONT OF ME SO THEY LET ME OUT. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE AND CALLED A FEW PEOPLE THAT COULD TELL ME WHAT WAS GOIN ON. A MAN COME AND LOOKED AT IT THAT WORKED ON CARS A CRO…

Wheels & Tires

201 complaints · 21% of complaints that name a component · median 102,000 mi (n = 20)

Owner report SPARE TIRE FELL OFF. THE TINY (1/8") STEEL CABLE THAT HELD SPARE IN PLACE UNDER THE TRUCK BODY FAILED ALLOWING HUGE SPARE TIRE TO DROP TO ROAD. FORTUNATELY, THIS HAPPEN AS I WAS PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY AFTER A 2000 MILE TRIP. HAD THIS OCCURRED ON I95 IN 75MPH / BUMPER-TO-BUMPER TRAFFIC, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER F…
Owner report 1999 EXPEDITION XLT 4WD W/17" STEEL WHEELS. WHILE TRAVELING ON A WELL GRADED GRAVEL ROAD, ABOUT 35MPH THE RIDE SUDDENLY BECAME SHUDDERING, LIKE A TIRE WAS GOING FLAT. AS I WAS SLOWING TO STOP & CHECK IT, BUT WHILE STILL TRAVELLING ABOUT 20-25 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN THUMPING THUD, AND THE RIGHT REAR CORNER OF THE V…

Windows, Wipers & Visibility

123 complaints · 13% of complaints that name a component · median 61,000 mi (n = 40)

Owner report MY SIDEVEIW MIRRORS KEEP LOSING THE REFLECTIVE MIRROR. I HAVE REPLACED THEM BEFORE AND AFTER A WHILE THE NEW MIRRORS DO THE SAME THING OVER TIME. *KB
Owner report TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPEDITION. THE REAR VIEW MIRRORS ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER DOORS HAVE DETERIORATED. THE CONTACT HAS POOR VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING IN ONCOMING AND INCOMING TRAFFIC. HE HAS NOT YET NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER TO REPORT THE DEFECT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT…

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 yearAll complaintsFirst three yearsNote
1997853262
1998836267
1999946352
2000890242
2001578132fewest complaints
200234069fewest 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.

06E056000 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Filed 2006-06-13 · 58,640 vehicles

Defect: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Risk: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

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)

01X001000 · TIRES:TREAD/BELT

Filed 2001-05-22 · 13,000,000 vehicles

Defect: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.

Risk: SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

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.

99V099000 · WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

Filed 1999-04-29 · 53,784 vehicles

Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE (4X4), 17" CHROME STEEL WHEELS. THE CLAMP LOAD CAN BE LOST ON THE WHEEL LUGS DUE TO INSUFFICIENT WHEEL CONTACT AREA WITH THE HUB. IN SOME CASES, THE CONTACT AREA CAN DEFORM, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF LUG NUT TORQUE.

Risk: LOSS OF LUG NUT TORQUE CAN CAUSE VIBRATION OR SEPARATION OF A WHEEL AND TIRE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-TORQUE THE WHEEL LUGS TO PROPER SPECIFICATIONS AND ALSO INSTALL A LABEL THAT SPECIFIES THAT THE WHEEL LUGS BE TORQUED TO 110 LB-FT ANY TIME THE WHEEL IS REMOVED.

98V312000 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Filed 1998-12-07 · 305 vehicles

Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE FUEL LINE ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY THE SUPPLIER DURING MANUFACTURING, ALLOWING LEAKAGE.

Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FUEL LINE ASSEMBLIES.

98V296000 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

Filed 1998-11-17 · 4,000 vehicles

Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A MISSING OR PARTIALLY INSTALLED RETAINER CLIP THAT HOLDS THE MASTER CYLINDER PUSH ROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM.

Risk: INCREASED BRAKE STOPPING DISTANCE CAN OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES TO SEE IF THE RETAINER CLIP WAS INSTALLED, AND REPAIR, IF NECESSARY.

Federal investigations

ActionComponentOpenedClosedRecall
EA05015ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2005-10-132006-12-06
DP05005ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2005-09-222006-01-04
PE05033ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2005-06-152005-10-13
EA05005ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2005-03-222006-08-0205V388000
PE99060EQUIPMENT1999-09-272000-03-0800V073000

EA05015: WINDSHIELD LEAK CAUSES ELECTRIC FAILURES

DP05005: SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

PE05033: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE

EA05005: ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

PE99060: FACTORY INSTALLED TOWING HITCH SEPARATIO

Engines and fuel economy

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyCombinedFuel cost / yr
Expedition 2WD4.6L 8cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive121714$4450
Expedition 2WD5.4L 8cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive111613$4800
Expedition 4WD4.6L 8cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive111513$4800
Expedition 4WD5.4L 8cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive111512$5200

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

Crash test ratings (NCAP)

VariantOverallFrontalSideRollover
1999 Ford Expedition 4-DR. 4x2Not RatedNot RatedNot RatedNot Rated

Service bulletins

Ford issued 293 service bulletins listed against this model year, most often about power train.

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.

DateComponentSummary
2007-10-01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINESOME 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
2005-11-14ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGWDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT
2005-04-01POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLYREAR AXLE NOISE REPAIR. *TT
2005-03-21ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPEUSE OF STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST STUDS IN SERVICE FOR 5.4L 2V ENGINE. *TT
2005-03-07ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)INTERMITTENT ROUGH IDLE - NON-COMMANDED EGR (EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE) FLOW. *TT
2005-01-01SUSPENSION:REARREAR AXLE NOISE REPAIR. *SC
2004-12-13VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOWREAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT
2004-12-13POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT
2004-09-01STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLYCUSTOMER MAINTENANCE REMINDER - LITERATURE PROGRAM 04L19 - TIE ROD INSPECTION PROCEDURE. *TT
2004-08-23ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINEENGINE 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.

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.