Complaints
1,022
Crashes
54
Fires
80
Injuries
44
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Ford Expedition Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#160 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:114,153 mi
Fires:13
#258 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Avg mileage:111,037 mi
Fires:3
#343 complaints
Unintended Acceleration
Avg mileage:125,939 mi
Crash-related:6
Fires:13
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Ford Expedition.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 60 | — | 13 | 114,153 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 58 | — | 3 | 111,037 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 43 | 6 | 13 | 125,939 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Torsion Bar | 39 | — | — | 71,349 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Stabilizer Bar | 32 | 1 | — | 75,369 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 29 | 1 | 1 | 108,400 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 29 | 4 | — | 42,500 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 28 | — | 3 | 127,580 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 28 | — | — | 87,312 mi | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 28 | — | 18 | 108,417 mi | |
| Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | 28 | 3 | — | 134,350 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 26 | — | — | 76,000 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 26 | 1 | — | 166,138 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 22 | — | — | 132,867 mi | |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 20 | 1 | — | 67,526 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 17 | — | — | 126,500 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 17 | 1 | — | 159,310 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 16 | — | 3 | 171,770 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 14 | — | — | 70,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 13 | — | 13 | 116,931 mi | |
| Suspension:Rear | 13 | — | — | 157,817 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 12 | 12 | — | 87,032 mi | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 12 | — | — | 79,000 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 9 | — | — | 136,220 mi | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 9 | — | — | 109,569 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 9 | 2 | — | 234,000 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 8 | — | — | 115,000 mi | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 8 | — | 2 | — |
Electrical Faults
60
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
13
Avg Miles
114,153
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
58
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
111,037
Unintended Acceleration
43
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
13
Avg Miles
125,939
Suspension:Front:Springs:Torsion Bar
39
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
71,349
Suspension:Front:Stabilizer Bar
32
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
75,369
Automatic Transmission
29
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
108,400
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
29
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
42,500
Engine & Cooling
28
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
127,580
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
28
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
87,312
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
28
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
18
Avg Miles
108,417
Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
28
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
134,350
Suspension:Front
26
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
76,000
Tire Defects
26
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
166,138
Suspension Failures
22
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
132,867
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
20
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
67,526
Electrical System:Ignition
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
126,500
Transmission / Drivetrain
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
159,310
Engine Problems
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
171,770
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
70,000
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
13
Avg Miles
116,931
Suspension:Rear
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
157,817
Air Bags:Frontal
12
complaints
Crashes
12
Fires
—
Avg Miles
87,032
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
79,000
Gasoline Fuel System
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
136,220
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
109,569
Wheel Issues
9
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
234,000
Headlight/Taillight Failures
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
115,000
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Ford Expedition. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Expedition Years
1998 Ford Expedition — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Ford Expedition reliable?
Verdict: Severe Issues. The 1998 Ford Expedition has 1,022 NHTSA complaints, 54 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 60 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Ford Expedition?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (60 complaints, avg 114,153 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (58 complaints, avg 111,037 mi); Unintended Acceleration (43 complaints, avg 125,939 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Ford Expedition?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 110,152 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Ford Expedition include 54 crash-related reports, 80 fire reports, 44 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Ford Expedition have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Ford Expedition as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Ford Expedition?
Proceed with extreme caution. The 1998 Ford Expedition shows significantly more complaints than average for its class. If you're buying one, a pre-purchase inspection and a VIN history check are essential — skip them and you're gambling.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Expedition reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Ford Expedition
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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