70 of the
1,022 complaints about the 1998 Ford Expedition are about the
glass, mirrors and wipers — 7% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
83,500 miles.
A
70
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Windshield Wiper/Washer
1420.0%
Power Window Devices AND Controls
1217.1%
Exterior
710.0%
Motor
710.0%
Motor
57.1%
Windshield
45.7%
Heater Core
45.7%
Glass, Side/Rear
34.3%
Visibility
34.3%
Visibility/Wiper
22.9%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every Ford Expedition year
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 81,000 milesBaltimore, MD
VISIBILITY/WIPER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, WATER BEGAN TO LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE WINDSHIELD AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
NHTSA complaint #10562633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 169,000 milesLowell, MI
VISIBILITY
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 65,000 milesAberdeen, WA
VISIBILITY
I HAVE A 98 EXPEDITION, WINDOWS ROLL DOWN, STEREO COME ON HEAT TURNS ON, ALL DASH PANEL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF,THE AIR BAG LIGHT GO ON AND OFF,AND THE WIPERS AND OVERDRIVE GO ON AND OFF ,THE STARTER TRIES TO START WHILE RUNNING IT STARTED FEW YEARS AGO ON OCCASION WHEN IT WOULD RAIN NOW EVERYTIME ,FOUND OUT THE WINDSHIELD LEAKS WATER ON THE FUSE BOX AND SOME OTHER GENERIC BOX, I FEEL FORD SHOULD FIX THE EXPEDITION ITS THERE DEFAULT LOOK ON THE INTERNET ,THERE ARE LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROB. PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10296517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 132,456 milesCoeurdalene, IDFire
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
I HAVE A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION EB MODEL. I JUST HAD TO TAKE IT INTO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT SEALED PROPERLY AND THE GEM MODULE HAS BEEN GETTING WET AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE FUSE BOX. APPARENTLY THIS IS QUITE COMMON WITH THIS YEAR AND MODLE.I HAVE TO SPEND 885 TO HAVE IT FIXED AND NOW HAVE TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED AS WELL. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND THE LIGHTS FLICKERS ON AND OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE POWER LOCKS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE WINDOWS WOULD GO UP AND DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS IS NOT SAFE! IT DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION ONCE THEN THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND IT WOULDN'T STOP. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THE DASH STARTED SMOKING AND A BEEPING NOISE CAME FROM UNDER THE DASH SOMEWHERE. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET THE BATTERY DISCONNECTED BEFORE THERE WAS ANY REAL FIRE DAMAGE. IF I HAD KNOW NOTHING ABOUT CARS I WOULD HAVE KEPT DRIVING AND COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #10296394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,900 milesMarion, WI
VISIBILITY
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER SEAT MECHANISM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, RESULTING IN DRIVER'S INABILITY TO VIEW THE ROAD. THE SEAT MOVES UP AND DOWN, BUT WILL NOT GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 3/17/2006 - RIGHT FRONT AXLE LEAKED, WINDSHIELD WASHERS FAILED. THE GLASS IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP. THE DOOR LOCKS LOCKED THE CONSUMER OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE HORN WAS DIFFICULT TO LOCATE. THE REAR TAILGATE WINDOW EXPLODED.
NHTSA complaint #10150989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,200 milesGibbstown, NJ
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
WHEN IT RAINS WATER LEAKS ONTO THE GEM MODULE AND FUSE BOX UNDER THE DASHBOARD LEFT OF THE STEERING COLUMN. SOME OF THE EFFECTS ARE, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPING, TRANSMISSION GOING INTO LIMP MODE WITH OD LIGHT FLASHING, BATTERY GOING DEAD IF RAINING OVERNIGHT, SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING, HEATER FAN RUNNING WHILE OFF, LEFT FRONT POWER WINDOW NOT WORKING, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS FLASHING ON AND OFF. EVERYTHING COMES BACK TO NORMAL AFTER IT DRIES OUT. I HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED. I HAD THE NEW WINDSHIELD RESEALED TWICE. I HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. I STILL CAN SEE WATER DRIPPING NEXT TO THE PARKING BRAKE. I HAVE BROWSED THE NET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH EXPEDITIONS AND F150'S. I WOULD LIKE FORD TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND REPAIR THIS DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10129916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesVirginia Beach, VA
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
BOTH OUTSIDE MIRRORS SEPARATED FROM THE OUTSIDE, MAKING VISUAL CONTACT VERY POOR. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO. *AK SIDEVIEW MIRRORD WERE DELAMINATING,CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. *AK SIDE MIRRORS ARE DELAMINATING CAUSING POOR VISABILITY.
NHTSA complaint #10119345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesSanta Maria, CA
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
OUTSIDE MIRRORS ON BOTH SIDES OF AUTO HAVE SHOWN LINES IN THE MIRRORS AND THEY SHOW UP IN SUNLIGHT AND WHEN IN TRAFFIC AT NIGHT. THEY CAUSE YOU TO LOSE SOME VISION. I NOTICED THIS CONDITION FOR SOME TIME BUT THE DEALERS TOLD ME THIS WAS NORMAL. THIS AUTO HAS ONLY 500 MILES NOW BUT THIS STARTED BACK IN 2000. I JUST WENT IN FOR SERVICE 3/17/05 AT FORD AND THEY SAID ITS UP TO ME TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS COMMON ON FORD SUV. THANK YOU R VUSICH.
NHTSA complaint #10115954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesParker, CO
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
FRONT WINDSHIELD/WIPER FLUID DISPENSER: CROSS-COUNTRY ROAD TRIP - FAILURE TO DISPENSE WIPER FLUID. SPORADIC DISPENSING OF WIPER FLUID ON ROAD TRIP AND CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. PUSHING BUTTON HARD & AT DIFFERENT ANGLES SOMETIMES WORKS.
NHTSA complaint #10107599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEATER COIL WAS REPLACED FIVE TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT RADIO WAS MAKING THE PART DEFECTIVE. THE COIL WENT OUT AGAIN, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DOWN. MANUFACTURER STATED NO MORE REPLACEMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10101971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesDallas, TX
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
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.
FOX Lake, IL
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR
BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE MIRRORS GLASS BROKE OFF FROM THE INSIDE. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE MIRRORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10079601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesNEW Hill, NC
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
POWER WINDOWS, FRONT AND BACK FAIL TO OPERATE. DRIVERS SIDE WILL POWER DOWN, BUT WILL NOT POWER UP. SOMETIMES WHEN I CONTINUOUSLY OPERATE THE SWITCH I CAN HEAR A CLICKING NOISE ALMOST LIKE SOMETHING IS NOT CONNECTING. I HAVE NOT YET TAKEN IT TO A DEALER TO INVESTIGATE BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THE COST TO 'FIX' WILL BE HUGH. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLES WITH THE REAR WINDOW WIPER. IT HAS NEVER WORKED CONSISTENLY. I HAD IT WORKED ON ONE TIME, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS LOCKED UP AND FIXED IT. IT WORKED ABOUT TWICE AND HAS NOT WORKED SINCE, THAT WAS ABOUT A YEAR AGO.
NHTSA complaint #10032748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Selma, CA
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
DRIVER AND PASSENGER POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCHES DO NOT WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10023652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anchorage, AK
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
CONSUMER WAS HAVING PROBLEM WITH WIPER BACK AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE, WERENOT WORKING AT ALL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA complaint #10006142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesHouston, TX
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
INTERRIOR LIGHT FAILS TO GO OFF, EVEN WITH VEHICLE RUNNING. ON ONE INSTANCE, IT BEGAN FLASHING. THIS WAS VERY DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS AS IT WAS AT NIGHT. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO TURN THE INTERIOR LIGHT OFF BY PULLING THE RELAY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 1999-2000 EXPEDITIONS, BUT APPARENTLY IT AFFECTS 1998 VEHICLES AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10000539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomingdale, IL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
FRONT AND REAR WIPERS AND WASHERS STOP WORKING. WILL WORK IF TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED. DT
NHTSA complaint #768730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
CONSUMER STATES THE REAR WIPER WAS SCRATCHING THE GLASS, DEALER STRAIGHTENED THE ARM AND BLADE WHICH WERE BENT, ALSO THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED.*JB
NHTSA complaint #566825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
CONSUMER STATES THE REAR WIPER WAS SCRATCHING THE GLASS, DEALER STRAIGHTENED THE ARM AND BLADE WHICH WERE BENT, ALSO THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED.*JB
NHTSA complaint #566825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
CONSUMER STATES THE HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE, AFTER BEING TOLD TWICE THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, THE DEALER FINALLY DETERMINED THE PROBLEM AS BEING A DEFECTIVE TEMPERATURE CONTROL SWITCH.*JB
NHTSA complaint #566825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ANN Arbor, MI
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THE FONT WIPER HAVE QUIT WORKING AND HAVE BEEN FIXED ON FOUR OCCASIONS WITH NEW SWITCHES, THE REAR WIPERS HAVE FAILED ON THREE OCCASIONS AND HAS HAD 3 MOTORS REPLACED, THE REAR WIPER IS CURRENTLY INOPERATIVE, THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #563693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ANN Arbor, MI
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THE FONT WIPER HAVE QUIT WORKING AND HAVE BEEN FIXED ON FOUR OCCASIONS WITH NEW SWITCHES, THE REAR WIPERS HAVE FAILED ON THREE OCCASIONS AND HAS HAD 3 MOTORS REPLACED, THE REAR WIPER IS CURRENTLY INOPERATIVE, THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #563693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ANN Arbor, MI
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE FRONT WINDOW IS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, DEALE REMOVED AND REPLACED THE DOOR PANEL AND ADJUSTED THE WINDOW TRACK.
NHTSA complaint #563693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntington Beach, CA
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
WHILE DRIVING DURING DAY LIGHT CAN'T SEE VEHICLE IN REAR OUT OF SIDE MIRRORS. CAN ONLY SEE INSIDE OF MIRROR. DEALER CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #8009147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laurel, MD
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
REAR WIPER MOTOR (RWM) HAS FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES WITHIN 36K MILES, 39 MOS FROM PURCHASE AS NEW. PURCHASED TRUCK ON 9/12/98; RWM REPLACEMENT #1 ON 6/3/99 AT 8530 MI; RWM REPLACEMENT #2 ON 9/25/99 AT 11965 MI; RWM REPLACEMENT #3 ON 7/13/00 AT 20413 MI; RWM REPLACEMENT #4 ON 12/12/01 AT 35419 MI. WHY HAS THIS COMPONENT FAILED SO OFTEN? DEFECTIVE DESIGN? DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS? IMPROPER INSTALLATION? ALSO SEE RWM FAILURE COMPLAINTS MADE BY OTHER CONSUMERS TO NHTSA. PLEASE REFER TO THOSE ODI #'S: 540834; 608809; 608715; 607562; 609271; 609531; 544197. THERE APPEARS TO BE A PATTERN OF RWM FAILURE. CONSIDER HOW MANY OTHERS HAVE NOT BOTHERED TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM. I CAN PROVIDE ANY DOCUMENTATION NEEDED. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN YOUR EFFORTS TO HAVE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CORRECT THE REAR WIPER MOTOR FAILURE PROBLEM. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #757163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CLAMP ON HEATER HOSE IS NOT STRONG AND IT BROKE, CAUSING FLUIDS TO LEAK INTO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. VEHICLE DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY. CONTACTED DEALER,AND DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, AND IT NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. PLEASE ADD VIN #.
NHTSA complaint #899884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
SIDE MIRRORS DETERIORATION .HARD TO LOOK FOR TRAFFIC.UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #754297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ANN Arbor, MI
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THE FONT WIPER HAVE QUIT WORKING AND HAVE BEEN FIXED ON FOUR OCCASIONS WITH NEW SWITCHES, THE REAR WIPERS HAVE FAILED ON THREE OCCASIONS AND HAS HAD 3 MOTORS REPLACED, THE REAR WIPER IS CURRENTLY INOPERATIVE, THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #563693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ANN Arbor, MI
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THE FONT WIPER HAVE QUIT WORKING AND HAVE BEEN FIXED ON FOUR OCCASIONS WITH NEW SWITCHES, THE REAR WIPERS HAVE FAILED ON THREE OCCASIONS AND HAS HAD 3 MOTORS REPLACED, THE REAR WIPER IS CURRENTLY INOPERATIVE, THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #563693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.