1998 Ford Expedition
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1993 | 1 |
| 1994 | 4 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 1997 | 853 |
| 1998 | 836 |
| 1999 | 946 |
| 2000 | 890 |
| 2001 | 577 |
| 2002 | 340 |
| 2003 | 615 |
| 2004 | 296 |
| 2005 | 315 |
| 2006 | 299 |
| 2007 | 215 |
| 2008 | 146 |
| 2009 | 28 |
| 2010 | 58 |
| 2011 | 71 |
| 2012 | 116 |
| 2013 | 90 |
| 2014 | 71 |
| 2015 | 164 |
| 2016 | 210 |
| 2017 | 353 |
| 2018 | 357 |
| 2019 | 455 |
| 2020 | 367 |
| 2021 | 212 |
| 2022 | 104 |
| 2023 | 61 |
| 2024 | 68 |
| 2025 | 26 |
| 2026 | 6 |
| 2027 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
7% of complaints: electrical system — 60 distinct reports on file.
FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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
NHTSA ODI report, 20180301
7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 58 distinct reports on file.
FIRE INJURY5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 42 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A SHORT IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120419
5% of complaints: suspension — 38 distinct reports on file.
INJURYShow complaint excerpts
THE RIGHT TORSION BAR OF MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION CRACKED IN MARCH 2001. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20030106
4% of complaints: suspension — 31 distinct reports on file.
CRASHSAFETY TIMELINE
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 SHI
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.
Campaign 97V171000 — check if this car was fixed
TIE ROD END FAILURES
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 MOU
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 PRO
Campaign 98V095000 — check if this car was fixed
FACTORY INSTALLED TOWING HITCH SEPARATIO
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. THE TRAILER HITCH ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME ATTACHING BOLTS COULD LOSE THE CLAMP LOAD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUT PLATES.
Campaign 00V073000 — check if this car was fixed
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 PHOTOME
Remedy: DEALERS WILL BE ADVISED TO DEACTIVATE THE RUNNING LIGHT FUNCTION AND TO COMPLETE ANY OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECALLS ON THESE VEHICLES.
Campaign 00V168000 — check if this car was fixed
FRONT STABILIZER LINK
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
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 CONTRO
Campaign 05V388000 — check if this car was fixed
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
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 CONFOR
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.
Campaign 06E067000 — check if this car was fixed
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 RE
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.
Campaign 06E060000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1998 Ford Expedition — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (60 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (58 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (42 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 97V171000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V095000 (wheels) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V073000 (trailer hitches) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V168000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V388000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E067000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E060000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1998 Ford Expedition reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Ford Expedition is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Ford Expedition?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 7% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Ford Expedition have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.