FaultScore

1998 Ford Expedition headlight problems

29 of the 1,022 complaints about the 1998 Ford Expedition are about the lighting — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 100,000 miles.

A

29

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Exterior Lighting 8 27.6%
Interior Lighting 7 24.1%
Headlights 5 17.2%
Flasher Unit 4 13.8%
Switch 2 6.9%
Turn Signal 2 6.9%
Brake Lights 1 3.4%

Lights across every Ford Expedition year

1997 21 20.4%
1998 29 28.2%
2000 18 17.5%
2003 12 11.7%
2018 23 22.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Granada Hills, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

PARKING ON THE STREET IN IS GONE

NHTSA complaint #11300577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Milwaukee, WI

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WE HAVE OUR EXPEDITION FOR A WHILE AND WE KNOW THE PEOPLE WHO OWNED IT BEFORE US. WHILE IT IS RAINING AND DAYS AFTER THE POWER TO THE TRUCK DOES NOT TURN OFF. THE RADIO WILL TURN ON, THE BLOWER FOR HEAT OR AIR WILL KEEP BLOWING, THE LIGHTS WILL TURN ON, THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WILL STOP, ABS WILL STOP, AND THE WIPER BLADES WILL NOT WORK. SO BECAUSE THE ELECTRICAL ITEMS WILL TURN ON AT RANDOM, THEY DRAIN THE BATTERY AND THE TRUCK WILL NOT START THE NEXT DAY. WE FOUND OUT THAT DUE TO MANUFACTURING ERROR, THE WINDSHIELD LEAKS WATER INTO THE GENERAL ELECTRIC MODULE. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THE PART NOT ONLY EXPENSIVE, BUT IF YOU BUY ONE AND IT DOES NOT WORK, IT IS NOT RETURNABLE. AND THAT WAS TOLD TO US BY MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS. SO BASICALLY FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA complaint #10572858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 220,000 miles Santa Clara, NM

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FLICKERED. THE READING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE RANDOMLY AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

NHTSA complaint #10496835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 169,000 miles Lowell, MI

INTERIOR LIGHTING

FIRST, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND RUNNING LIGHTS WOULD NOT POWER OFF WHILE ALL DOORS WERE CLOSED, DOOR AJAR INDICATOR WAS ON. TOOK TO DEALER PROBLEM RESOLVED FOR A MONTH OR SO. NOW NEED TO SPRAY WD40 ON LATCHES RELIGIOUSLY. DEALER ALSO REPLACED CRUISE CONTROL HARNESS AT THIS TIME. THEN CAME THE RADIO AND HEATER RUNNING WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. BEEPS AND CLICKS AND BAD SMELLS COMING FROM UNDER DASH. AGAIN TO THE DEALER, NO CODES FOUND FOR THE ISSUES I WAS HAVING. BATTERY DRAINING OCCURRING FREQUENTLY NOW AND NO RESOLUTION. I NOW HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY EVERYNIGHT. NOW WHEN I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD I GET THE MANY FAILURE LIGHTS FLASHING ON THE DASH, THE WINDOWS WON'T WORK, SPEEDOMETER FAILS, TRUCK LOSES POWER AND THE TRANSMISSON SHIFTS STRANGELY. I WAS HOURS FROM HOME AND DOING 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN EVIDENCING DECIDED TO NOT WORK AT THE SAME TIME. THEN I REALIZE THAT THIS IS OCCURRING ONLY WHEN IT RAINS OR IS VERY WET OUT. AND I WAS TRULY AFRAID FOR MY LIFE AND THE OTHERS THAT WERE ON THE ROAD WITH ME. I HAD TO DRIFT ACROSS A LANE OF TRAFFIC WITH NO POWER TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK AND PUT MY HEAD DOWN, WHEW, AND THE MOTOR POWERED BACK UP AND ALL THE FAILURE LIGHTS WERE OFF. ONLY AFTER INVESTIGATING ON THE INTERNET TODAY DO I FIND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. AND THE FIX... REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD SEAL! AND POSSIBLE DAMAGED FUSE BOX AND GEM! NOW WHY DIDN'T THE FORD DEALER HELP REMEDY THIS PROBLEM ONE OF THE MANY TIMES I WAS IN? THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. NEW WINDSHIELD $165 AND THEY COME TO THE HOUSE. I PAID BIG MONEY FOR "NO CODES MATCH YOUR ISSUES, MISS." TW*

NHTSA complaint #10303088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 169,000 miles Lowell, MI

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

FIRST, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND RUNNING LIGHTS WOULD NOT POWER OFF WHILE ALL DOORS WERE CLOSED, DOOR AJAR INDICATOR WAS ON. TOOK TO DEALER PROBLEM RESOLVED FOR A MONTH OR SO. NOW NEED TO SPRAY WD40 ON LATCHES RELIGIOUSLY. DEALER ALSO REPLACED CRUISE CONTROL HARNESS AT THIS TIME. THEN CAME THE RADIO AND HEATER RUNNING WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. BEEPS AND CLICKS AND BAD SMELLS COMING FROM UNDER DASH. AGAIN TO THE DEALER, NO CODES FOUND FOR THE ISSUES I WAS HAVING. BATTERY DRAINING OCCURRING FREQUENTLY NOW AND NO RESOLUTION. I NOW HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY EVERYNIGHT. NOW WHEN I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD I GET THE MANY FAILURE LIGHTS FLASHING ON THE DASH, THE WINDOWS WON'T WORK, SPEEDOMETER FAILS, TRUCK LOSES POWER AND THE TRANSMISSON SHIFTS STRANGELY. I WAS HOURS FROM HOME AND DOING 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN EVIDENCING DECIDED TO NOT WORK AT THE SAME TIME. THEN I REALIZE THAT THIS IS OCCURRING ONLY WHEN IT RAINS OR IS VERY WET OUT. AND I WAS TRULY AFRAID FOR MY LIFE AND THE OTHERS THAT WERE ON THE ROAD WITH ME. I HAD TO DRIFT ACROSS A LANE OF TRAFFIC WITH NO POWER TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK AND PUT MY HEAD DOWN, WHEW, AND THE MOTOR POWERED BACK UP AND ALL THE FAILURE LIGHTS WERE OFF. ONLY AFTER INVESTIGATING ON THE INTERNET TODAY DO I FIND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. AND THE FIX... REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD SEAL! AND POSSIBLE DAMAGED FUSE BOX AND GEM! NOW WHY DIDN'T THE FORD DEALER HELP REMEDY THIS PROBLEM ONE OF THE MANY TIMES I WAS IN? THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. NEW WINDSHIELD $165 AND THEY COME TO THE HOUSE. I PAID BIG MONEY FOR "NO CODES MATCH YOUR ISSUES, MISS." TW*

NHTSA complaint #10303088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 86,000 miles NEW Freedom, PA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE FUSE FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT KEEPS MELTING. IT APPEARS WHERE THE FUSE GOES IS MELTING AS WELL IF NOT CAUSING IT. FROM TIME TO TIME THE PASSENGER SIDE HEAD LIGHT BLINKS AND THEN GOES OUT. IF YOU WIGGLE THE FUSE IT LIGHTS BACK UP.

NHTSA complaint #10261104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Columbus, MS

INTERIOR LIGHTING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. EVERYTIME THE CONTACT ENTERS THE VEHICLE, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING REMAINS ILLUMINATED EVEN AFTER THE DOOR IS CLOSED. SHE MUST MANUALLY TURN OFF THE LIGHT. AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE BATTERY EVENTUALLY FAILS AND HAS TO BE RECHARGED IN ORDER TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,000. UPDATED 07/15/08 *BF UPDATED 07/15/08

NHTSA complaint #10229643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 115,000 miles Chicago, IL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE GEAR INDICATOR WAS NOT IN PARK AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK. HE NOTICED A SCREW ON THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT, A MECHANIC, TOOK THE DASHBOARD APART AND NOTICED THAT THE SCREW FELL FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SCREW WAS REPLACED, BUT IT CONTINUED TO FALL OUT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V171000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL). THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WOULD FAIL EVERY THREE MONTHS AND WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

NHTSA complaint #10219666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Dallas, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS FAILED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK THE VEHICLE'S WIPER ALSO FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #10090299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 87,000 miles Nova, OH

INTERIOR LIGHTING

INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING AND LOCKING SYSTEM; LIGHTS STAY ON INSIDE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING - DISTRACTING AT NIGHT. SOMETIMES CAN TAKE UP TO 30 MINUTES TO "DECIDE" TO TURN OFF - OTHER TIMES WITHIN A FEW MINUTES OF DRIVING... NO REAL PATTERN HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED. "DOOR AJAR" LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF EVEN THOUGH NUMEROUS CHECKS OF ALL DOORS HAVE BEEN DONE AND NONE ARE OPEN. RUNNING BOARDS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON AFTER CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF (WHETHER LOCKED OR UNLOCKED). THESE LIGHTS DO NOT SHUT OFF FOR OVER 1 HOUR AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXITED LAST. DOOR LOCKS WILL SPONTANEOUSLY LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE DRIVING. "BEEPING" SOUND WILL ALARM WHILE DRIVING ALERTING THAT DOORS ARE UNLOCKED OR POSSIBLY AJAR - THEN DOORS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK - SOMETIMES ONCE, OTHER TIMES FOUR OR FIVE TIMES IN A ROW. LIGHTING ISSUE OCCURS EVERY TIME CAR IS EXITED. INTERIOR LIGHTING ISSUE (WHILE RUNNING) OCCURS 3 TIMES WEEKLY, IF NOT MORE AT TIMES. LOCKING ISSUE OCCURS AT LEAST TWICE WEEKLY. NOT UNDER WARRANTY... AFTER INQUIRING WITH DEALER THEY RESPONDED, "NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE". HOWEVER, I HAVE ASKED RANDOM EXPEDITION OWNERS IN PARKING LOTS AND GAS STATIONS - ALL HAVE CONFIRMED THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10080836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Bloomingdale, IL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT

TURN SIGNAL CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS. RIGHT SIGNAL NOT WORKING UNLESS STALK IS PULLED SLIGHTLY BACK AND LANE CHANGE FEATURE IS USED. EMERGENCY FLASHERS FAIL TO OPERATE. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AND IS NOW CONSTANT.

NHTSA complaint #10056519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Edmonds, WA

INTERIOR LIGHTING

ALL INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OUT AFTER ALL DOORS ARE CLOSED AND VEHICLE IS STARTED. AS YOU BEGIN DRIVING, THERE IS NO WAY TO TURN THEM OFF. THEY EVENTUALLY WENT OFF. SOMETIMES THE LIGHTS WILL GO ON BY THEMSELVES. IN ALL CASES THE 'DOOR OPEN' LIGHT SHOWS ON THE DASHBOARD, BUT AFTER OPENING AND CLOSING ALL DOORS, TAILGATE AND TAILGATE WINDOW THE LIGHTS "DOOR OPEN" LIGHT REMAINS ON, AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10047536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stoney Creek, 00

INTERIOR LIGHTING

1998 FORD EXPEDITION AFTER REVIEWING ALL THE COMPLAINTS LISTED I REALIZED I HAD EXPERIENCE SIMILAR ONES FOR INSTANCE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT IN DEC/02. IN AUG./03 THE TIE ROD BROKE. WE HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH 4X4 WORKING OR IN THIS CASE NOT. WHEN SWITCHED IN WHILE LIFTED ON A HOIST IT REGISTERS, BUT WHEN ON THE GROUND IT DOESN'T WORK. SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WEIGHT. ALSO THE DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER WORK, SOMETHING TO DO WITH A SENSOR. INTERIOR LIGHT STAYS ON IN HOT WEATHER. AND THE LIST GOES ON.

NHTSA complaint #10045078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,714 miles Port Charlotte, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TILTED TO LOWEST POSITION TURN SIGNALS FAIL TO OPERATE.

NHTSA complaint #10021332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Dedham, MA

INTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10005522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Anchorage, AK

INTERIOR LIGHTING

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

NHTSA complaint #10006143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tucson, AZ

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH

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

NHTSA complaint #8018602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ANN Arbor, MI

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

RIGHT REAR LAMP SOCKET CIRCUIT INOPERATIVE, RIGHT REAR RUNNING BOARD BULB FAILED AND REPLACED..

NHTSA complaint #563693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ANN Arbor, MI

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

RIGHT REAR LAMP SOCKET CIRCUIT INOPERATIVE, RIGHT REAR RUNNING BOARD BULB FAILED AND REPLACED..

NHTSA complaint #563693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Norcross, GA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT

THE BLACK BACKING INSIDE THE SIDE MIRRORS ARE MELTING EXPOSING ALL COMPONENTS INSIDE THE MIRROR. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THA IT IS CAUSED BY THE TURNING SIGNAL LIGHTS IN THE MIRROR. MY TRUCK HAS THE DOUBLE BAND LIGHTS AND THEY NEED TO BE SINGLE BAND.

NHTSA complaint #752655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Long Branch, NJ

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS DIMMED. THEN, PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW FELL OUT.

NHTSA complaint #885898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wayne, NJ

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT NIGHT ON 1/10/01 MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO GO OUT.

NHTSA complaint #878157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wayne, NJ

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT NIGHT ON 1/10/01 MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO GO OUT.

NHTSA complaint #878157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seadrift, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEADLIGHTS FAILED WHILE DRIVING AFTER DARK.

NHTSA complaint #735924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Austin, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT

WINDOWS- ALL POWER WINDOWS OCCASSIONALLY WILL NOT LET UP IF DOWN OR DOWN IF UP. ENGINE- WHEN STOPPED, GIVES AN INTERMITTEN VIBRATION. CHILD LOCKS- ENGAGES WHEN UNLOCK POWER LOCKS. TURN SIGNAL- IF STEERING WHEEL NOT STRAIGHT, CAN'T ENGAGE TURN SIGNAL. TIRES- MAKING SOUND AS IF THEY WILL PEEL OFF AT ANY MOMENT. (TIRESIZE: P255/70R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )

NHTSA complaint #735920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Diego, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEAD LIGHT BULB OUT. YH

NHTSA complaint #609892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Valencia, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

BRAKE LIGHT FAILED. YH

NHTSA complaint #608740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Worth, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

RUNNING BOARD LIGHTS FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #544197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chesterfield, MO

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT

TURN SIGNALS FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #540003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1998 Ford Expedition problems

← Full 1998 Ford Expedition report