FaultScore report
Owners have filed 20 complaints about the 1998 Ford Ford with NHTSA between 1998 and 2007. The largest single group is the acceleration & cruise control. Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 10 worst.
FaultScore 57/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Ford Ford.
How this is worked out20
Complaints
2
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
0 crashes, 1 fires
0 crashes, 2 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires
0 crashes, 2 fires · median 112,500 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 112 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 112 mi
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
1998 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT FIRE AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH (ACCORDING TO INSURANCE FIRE INVESTIGATOR) - FORD CLAIMED THEY SENT 3 RECALL NOTICES, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ANY UNTIL 3 DAYS AFTER THE FIRE - I SUFFERED PERSONAL PROPERTY AND OTHER DAMAGES AND FORD HAS REFUSED LIABILITY.
NHTSA complaint #10202565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT ON FIRE AT 4:00 AM BY ITSELF. IT WAS LAST DRIVEN 14 HOURS PRIOR TO CATCHING ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS SO HOT IT MELTED THE HOOD OF THE CAR. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FIRE INSPECTOR SAID IT STARTED WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS LOCATED.
NHTSA complaint #10148494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I WAS DRIVING FROM THE STORE ON 10/27/05 ,WHEN I STOP TO A RED LIGHT AND I SAW SMOKE COME FROM THE SIDE AND FRONT OF THE CAR. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I PROCEEDED TO GO HOME ,WHEN I GOT HOME I RAN UP THE STAIRS TO WHERE I LIVE AND EXPLAIN TO MY BOYFRIEND SMOKE IS COMING FROM THE CAR HE WENT DOWN STAIRS TO CHECK AND THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER MY HOOD MY BOYFRIEND PUT THE FIRE OUT AND THEN WE TALKED ABOUT THE FIRE AND WE ALSO DROVE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHICH WE GOT NO ANSWERS. NOW ON 10/28/05 WE HAD A WRECKER TO TOW THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP SO THEY WOULD SEE THE DAMAGE THEY LOOKED ON THE COMPUTER AND WE WERE INFORMED THERE'S NO RECALL ON THE FORD WINDSTAR GL, BUT THEY WOULD FIX IT BUT NOT UNDER WARRANTY, I ASK THE MANAGER WHAT DID HE SUGGEST HE SAID, CALL MY INSURANCE AND SEE WHAT THEY SAY. BUT INSTEAD OF DOING THAT I TOWED THE CAR TO A ELECTRITION AND HIS DESCRIPTION WAS THE PIGTALE WAS BURNT AND ALSO THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH WAS BURNT UP AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT CARS, BUT I KNOW THERE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10141596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY WIFE WAS TEACHING AT THE LOCAL JR. COLLEGE HERE IN PENSACOLA FLORIDA. SHE PARKED THE TRUCK AT APPROX. 6:45PM ,HER CLASSROOM FACES THE PARKING LOT. FROM THE SECOND FLOOR SOME OF HER STUDENTS COULD SEE SOMETHING ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT, IT'S APPROX. 8:40PM BY NOW. THE CAR WAS SEEN BY THE GROUNDSKEEPERS AND SERCURITY TO HAVE WHAT APPEARED TO BE SMOKE AND SPARKS OF FIRE COMMING FROM THE HOOD. THEY ATTEMPTED TO USE FIRE EXTINGUSHERS BUT THE FLAMES AND FIRE BY THIS TIME WAS TO HOT.SOON AFTERWARDS THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED. MOST OF THE FIRE WAS UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE THAT ENGULFED THE FRONT DRIVERSIDE INCLUDING THE ROOF DRIVER DOOR AND THE TIRE COMPLETLY MELTED AWAY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. WE'VE SPOKEN WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WE WHERE ASKED VERY POINTANTLY EXACTLY WHAT DID WE EXPECT OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY.WE CAN'T IMAGION A MORE LUDACRIS QUESTION! WE WHERE TOLD THAT THE LEGAL DEPT. AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY WOULD GET BACK WITH US IN 24-48HRS. WE'VE EXCEEDED 48HRS + NOW...
NHTSA complaint #10124174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
DRIVING 1998 FORD EXPEDITION V8 5.4 LITER... DOWN THE HIGHWAY UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND THE # 4 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE HEAD, CAUSING A VERY LOAD BANG FOLLOWED BUY LOAD EXHAUST, ESCAPING FROM THE PLUG HOLE AND HIGH VOLUME OF FUEL VAPOR AND SOME FUEL, THIS WILL BE THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I HAVE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME A SMALL FIRE STARTED WHICH MY HUSBAND PUT OUT IMMEDIATELY, I AM CURRENTLY A SINGLE MOM WITH TWO CHILDREN AND CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP FIXING THIS PROBLEM OVER AND OVER AT ABOUT 600.00 AN OCCURRENCE... NOR CAN I AFFORD THE SAFETY ISSUE WITH MYSELF AND CHILDREN. THIS TIME THE MECHANIC IS SAYING THE WHOLE HEAD MUST BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAS TORN UP THE TREADS.(ALUMINUM HEAD AS WELL) THIS WILL COST ME ABOUT $1500-2$000. TO HAVE REPAIRED. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL FORD DEALERS AND TONS OF MECHANICS AND THEY ARE ALL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 5.4 LITER !!! WHY HAS NOTHING BEEN DONE? WHO'S SUPPOSE TO WATCHING OUT FOR THE LITTLE POEPLE.
NHTSA complaint #10118508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
I WAS DRIVING MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 5 PASSENGERS, AND MYSELF AS THE DRIVER. WE REAR ENDED A CAR ON THE LEFT FRONT BUMPER. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THAT IS A QUESTION FOR MYSELF. MY 4YR OLD IN BACKSEAT DIRECTLY BEHIND ME SITS IN A HIGH BACK BOOSTER, NOT USING THE 5 PT HARNESS. HE IS IN A REGULAR SHOULDER/LAP BELT. UPON IMPACT MY CHILD FLEW FORWARD SLAMMING INTO MY SEAT AND HAVING HIS GLASSES ALSO FLY FORWARD OFF OF HIS FACE. QUESTION ON SEAT BELT. PLEASE HELP!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10113855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
1998 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT FIRE AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH (ACCORDING TO INSURANCE FIRE INVESTIGATOR) - FORD CLAIMED THEY SENT 3 RECALL NOTICES, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ANY UNTIL 3 DAYS AFTER THE FIRE - I SUFFERED PERSONAL PROPERTY AND OTHER DAMAGES AND FORD HAS REFUSED LIABILITY.
NHTSA complaint #10202565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT ON FIRE AT 4:00 AM BY ITSELF. IT WAS LAST DRIVEN 14 HOURS PRIOR TO CATCHING ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS SO HOT IT MELTED THE HOOD OF THE CAR. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FIRE INSPECTOR SAID IT STARTED WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS LOCATED.
NHTSA complaint #10148494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I WAS DRIVING FROM THE STORE ON 10/27/05 ,WHEN I STOP TO A RED LIGHT AND I SAW SMOKE COME FROM THE SIDE AND FRONT OF THE CAR. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I PROCEEDED TO GO HOME ,WHEN I GOT HOME I RAN UP THE STAIRS TO WHERE I LIVE AND EXPLAIN TO MY BOYFRIEND SMOKE IS COMING FROM THE CAR HE WENT DOWN STAIRS TO CHECK AND THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER MY HOOD MY BOYFRIEND PUT THE FIRE OUT AND THEN WE TALKED ABOUT THE FIRE AND WE ALSO DROVE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHICH WE GOT NO ANSWERS. NOW ON 10/28/05 WE HAD A WRECKER TO TOW THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP SO THEY WOULD SEE THE DAMAGE THEY LOOKED ON THE COMPUTER AND WE WERE INFORMED THERE'S NO RECALL ON THE FORD WINDSTAR GL, BUT THEY WOULD FIX IT BUT NOT UNDER WARRANTY, I ASK THE MANAGER WHAT DID HE SUGGEST HE SAID, CALL MY INSURANCE AND SEE WHAT THEY SAY. BUT INSTEAD OF DOING THAT I TOWED THE CAR TO A ELECTRITION AND HIS DESCRIPTION WAS THE PIGTALE WAS BURNT AND ALSO THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH WAS BURNT UP AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT CARS, BUT I KNOW THERE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10141596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY WIFE WAS TEACHING AT THE LOCAL JR. COLLEGE HERE IN PENSACOLA FLORIDA. SHE PARKED THE TRUCK AT APPROX. 6:45PM ,HER CLASSROOM FACES THE PARKING LOT. FROM THE SECOND FLOOR SOME OF HER STUDENTS COULD SEE SOMETHING ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT, IT'S APPROX. 8:40PM BY NOW. THE CAR WAS SEEN BY THE GROUNDSKEEPERS AND SERCURITY TO HAVE WHAT APPEARED TO BE SMOKE AND SPARKS OF FIRE COMMING FROM THE HOOD. THEY ATTEMPTED TO USE FIRE EXTINGUSHERS BUT THE FLAMES AND FIRE BY THIS TIME WAS TO HOT.SOON AFTERWARDS THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED. MOST OF THE FIRE WAS UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE THAT ENGULFED THE FRONT DRIVERSIDE INCLUDING THE ROOF DRIVER DOOR AND THE TIRE COMPLETLY MELTED AWAY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. WE'VE SPOKEN WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WE WHERE ASKED VERY POINTANTLY EXACTLY WHAT DID WE EXPECT OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY.WE CAN'T IMAGION A MORE LUDACRIS QUESTION! WE WHERE TOLD THAT THE LEGAL DEPT. AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY WOULD GET BACK WITH US IN 24-48HRS. WE'VE EXCEEDED 48HRS + NOW...
NHTSA complaint #10124174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
DRIVING 1998 FORD EXPEDITION V8 5.4 LITER... DOWN THE HIGHWAY UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND THE # 4 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE HEAD, CAUSING A VERY LOAD BANG FOLLOWED BUY LOAD EXHAUST, ESCAPING FROM THE PLUG HOLE AND HIGH VOLUME OF FUEL VAPOR AND SOME FUEL, THIS WILL BE THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I HAVE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME A SMALL FIRE STARTED WHICH MY HUSBAND PUT OUT IMMEDIATELY, I AM CURRENTLY A SINGLE MOM WITH TWO CHILDREN AND CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP FIXING THIS PROBLEM OVER AND OVER AT ABOUT 600.00 AN OCCURRENCE... NOR CAN I AFFORD THE SAFETY ISSUE WITH MYSELF AND CHILDREN. THIS TIME THE MECHANIC IS SAYING THE WHOLE HEAD MUST BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAS TORN UP THE TREADS.(ALUMINUM HEAD AS WELL) THIS WILL COST ME ABOUT $1500-2$000. TO HAVE REPAIRED. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL FORD DEALERS AND TONS OF MECHANICS AND THEY ARE ALL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 5.4 LITER !!! WHY HAS NOTHING BEEN DONE? WHO'S SUPPOSE TO WATCHING OUT FOR THE LITTLE POEPLE.
NHTSA complaint #10118508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
I WAS DRIVING MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 5 PASSENGERS, AND MYSELF AS THE DRIVER. WE REAR ENDED A CAR ON THE LEFT FRONT BUMPER. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THAT IS A QUESTION FOR MYSELF. MY 4YR OLD IN BACKSEAT DIRECTLY BEHIND ME SITS IN A HIGH BACK BOOSTER, NOT USING THE 5 PT HARNESS. HE IS IN A REGULAR SHOULDER/LAP BELT. UPON IMPACT MY CHILD FLEW FORWARD SLAMMING INTO MY SEAT AND HAVING HIS GLASSES ALSO FLY FORWARD OFF OF HIS FACE. QUESTION ON SEAT BELT. PLEASE HELP!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10113855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
I WAS DRIVING MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 5 PASSENGERS, AND MYSELF AS THE DRIVER. WE REAR ENDED A CAR ON THE LEFT FRONT BUMPER. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THAT IS A QUESTION FOR MYSELF. MY 4YR OLD IN BACKSEAT DIRECTLY BEHIND ME SITS IN A HIGH BACK BOOSTER, NOT USING THE 5 PT HARNESS. HE IS IN A REGULAR SHOULDER/LAP BELT. UPON IMPACT MY CHILD FLEW FORWARD SLAMMING INTO MY SEAT AND HAVING HIS GLASSES ALSO FLY FORWARD OFF OF HIS FACE. QUESTION ON SEAT BELT. PLEASE HELP!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10113855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS GALORE--I'LL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD, PERIOD--LET ALONE A WINDSTAR. TAILGATE LOCK NEVER OPENED WITH KEY. DRIVER SIDE DOOR STOPPED OPENING WITH KEY 6 MONTHS LATER. PASSENGER SIDE DOOR STOPPED OPENING WITH KEY 3 WEEKS AFTER THAT. DOWN TO SLIDER ONLY THAT OPERATES WITH KEY AND IT TURNS VERY HARD. INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON....AND STAYED ON. REMOVED FUSE AND WINDOWS SHARING FUSE ALSO WOULDN'T GO UP--WAS WORTH IT TIL I HAD TIME TO GO AROUND AND REMOVE EVERY SINGLE INTERIOR BULB IN THE VEHICLE. REPLACED FUSE JUST TO HAVE WINDOWS OPERATE. DOOR AJAR SENSOR GOES OFF WHEN ALL DOORS ARE CLOSED SECURELY AND ACCOMPANYING WARNING BELL CONTINUES TO GO OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THEN IT DROPS TO GOING OFF WHEN I SLOW TO A CERTAIN SPEED AND THEN SHUT OFF AGAIN WHEN I SPEED UP. ABSOLUTELY THE WORST VEHICLE I'VE EVER OWNED IN MY LIFE. POS -- DOES NOT MEAN POINT OF SALE. HINT: FIRST WORD MEANS "PIECE" AND SECOND WORD MEANS "OF." YOU GET THE IDEA.
NHTSA complaint #10106369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
'98 FORD EXPEDITION - CAR FIRE - CAR DESTROYED. DROVE 1.8 MILES FROM MY HOME AND WENT INTO A STORE. 5 MINUTES LATER I COME OUT TO THE CAR ON FIRE. IT LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE HAD BUILT A CAMPFIRE ON THE ENGINE HOOD RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DRIVERS SIDE. INSURANCE DID INVESTIGATION BUT COULD NOT PROVE ANYTHING - NOT ENOUGH LEFT TO FIGURE IT OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10104348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
JULY 2002 GOING NORTH ON I65 IN THE EDGE OF LOUISVILLE KY DRIVING APX 55 MPH THE RIGHT REAR INSIDE DUEL TIRE BLEW OUT WITH THE OUTER RUBBER AND STEEL COMING OFF THE CASING OF THE TIRE. THIS WAS THE FIRST OF TWO BLOWOUTS. THE SECOND HAPPENED OCT 2002 IN FLORIDA ON I 75 NEAR OCALA. THE FIRST TIRE WAS REPLACED BY A FIRESTONE DEALER IN COLUMBUS INDIANA AT NO COST> THE SECOND WAS REPLACED BY A FIRESTONE DEALER IN OCALA, FL. AT A 60% COSTING ME 50.24. I HAVE CONTACTED FIRESTONE AND THEY OFFERED TO GIVE ME 50% OF THE COST OF THE TIRES ON ANOTHER TIRE THEY SAID I NEED TO UPGRADE TO THE CORRECT TIRE THAT SHOULD OF BEEN PUT ON THE M/H BY FORD FIRESTONE WANTS ME TO PUT 4 TIRES THAT ARE THEIR BETTER DESIGN FOR MH USAGE. THEY WILL GIVE ME ONLY 50% ON 4 TIRES SAYING I ONLY NEED TO REPLACE THE REAR TIRES. I HAVE HAD TWO TIRES SEPERATE IN THE LAST 3,000 MILES OR SO. I DO NOT THINK THESE TIRES ARE SAFE AND I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE SAFE TO MIX THE TWO DIFFERENT TIRES. I AM STUCK WITH 7 FIRESTONE TIRES THAT HAVE THE HISTORY OF FAILING . I HAVE REPLACED ALL THE TIRES (6 )ON THE GROUND WITH MICHELIN TIRES AT A COST OF $1,200.00. IS THERE ANY RELIEF I CAN GET FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THESE TIRES? DT
NHTSA complaint #769482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES, BOTH DRIVER AND OCCUPANT SUSTAINED INCAPACITATING INJURIES (MISSISSIPPI UNIFORM ACCIDENT REPORT, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, P235/75R15, WILDERNESS AT M/S, W2HL1PY088, RIGHT REAR). NLM
NHTSA complaint #555012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES, BOTH DRIVER AND OCCUPANT SUSTAINED INCAPACITATING INJURIES (MISSISSIPPI UNIFORM ACCIDENT REPORT, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, P235/75R15, WILDERNESS AT M/S, W2HL1PY088, RIGHT REAR). NLM
NHTSA complaint #555012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING SUDDEN ACCELERATION, RESULTING IN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #607873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED 3 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #607685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #607685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
ADHESIVE ON ROOF LINER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #607711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ZX2 - NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #540304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ZX2 - NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #540306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
THIS IS TO COMPLAIN ABOUT YOUR REQUIRING THE HEADLIGH DIMMER SWITCH TO BE ON THE STEERING COLUM. THAT IS NOT ONLY INCONVIENIENT, ITS DANGEROURS. IT IS EASIER TO KEEP BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO KEEP REACHING TO DIM YOUR LIGHTS. PLEASE ALLOW THE ON-FLOOR "FOOT CLICKER" SWITCH AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #701849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT PORTION OF ROAD, VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT, TURNED WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND HIT A GUARDRAIL. FLEW ABOUT 50-60 FEET OVER A CREEK AND ROLLED OVER, INJURING BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #533765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.