10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 37,379 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The contact owns a 1998 Ford Expedition. The contact stated the vehicle was parked with the engine off when it began to unexpectedly roll forward. The contact depressed the brake and utilized the emergency brake as the vehicle came to a stop. The contact stated that the failure would recur whenever the vehicle was sitting idle in the park position. The contact located NHTSA campaign id number: 97V171000 (power train: Automatic transmission: Gear position indication: Prndl) but was advised by the dealer that his VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 114,000.
- Massillon, OH, USA
The contact owns a 1998 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that he is experiencing transmission failure with his vehicle. He cannot shift the transmission from one of the drive gear positions into park, even though the gear shift selector indicated park. In addition, the improper neutral start switch operation was not working and exhibited unintended movement. The manufacturer stated that his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 97V171000 (power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication)(prndl)). The failure mileage was 115,000.
- Bohemia, NY, USA
The contact owns a 1998 Ford Expedition. The contact believed that his vehicle was experiencing the same failure as stated in NHTSA campaign id number 97V171000 (power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)). The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact feels that the manufacturer should pay for the repairs to the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 115,000.
- Syracuse, UT, USA
The contact owns a 1998 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the gear shift control would malfunction every time he used the vehicle and attempted to shift. The vehicle would not shift into park correctly. If the vehicle did shift into park, it would roll backward, especially on an incline. He took the vehicle to a dealer, but they would not inspect or diagnose the vehicle because it had over 120,000 miles. The contact stated that both the dealer and manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 97V171000 (power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)). The contact owned two other Ford Expedition that exhibited the same failure. The current mileage was approximately 170,000 and failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
- Brooklyn, NY, USA
My 1998 gear position indicator shifted suddenly to reflect the wrong gear. When the car is in park, the indicator indicates it is in reverse, when in reverse it indicates it is in neutral. This is a known defect, dealership and Ford both state it is not a VIN included in the 97V171000 recall.
- Lilburn, GA, USA
The gear marker for my 98 Expedition transmission began to mark incorrectly. The gear shift changer shows thats its in park, when its actually in reverse. It also shows that its in neutrual when its actually still in drive. The marker is off its center and has caused me and my wife several close calls. I called the local Ford dealer which said my vehicle was not coverd by the 97 recall, (97V171000) of Sept 30, 1997. I also contacted Ford customer service who related the same info the local Ford dealer had stated. This is a dangerous situation and I believe Ford should fix it for us. My wife and I have hit several parked cars when trying to negotiate the vehilce into a parking space. There was no damage, but we were lucky.
- Claremont, CA, USA
The consumer parked the vehicle for approximately 10 minutes, and upon her return, smoke was coming from under the hood. The consumer checked the vehicle, and the fire smoldered itself out. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the wire harness was burned. The problem was caused by the cruise control sensor/switch. Ford stated that there was nothing they could do. The air suspension control module malfunctioned also the indicator for the gear shift had broken and were replaced.
- Benton, AR, USA
Recall campaign 97V171000 concerning automatic transmission cable assembly. The shift lever will not go into park. The shift indicator is off by one. Owner contacted the manufacturer, but was informed that this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.
- Opa-Locka, FL, USA
My complaint is that I own a 1998 Expedition and it is now in the shop because I had to have the transmission rebuilt, is there or was there ever a recall on these transmissions. I am surprised that the transmission would have to be rebuilt in this car.
- Mccormick, SC, USA
Vehicle disengages when parked. When trying to shift it fails, and when removing the key it is difficult.
- Lawton, OK, USA
This vehicle experienced the same problem as mentioned in NHTSA campaign 97V171000. 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 shift cable assembly can come out of the bracket. Dealership indicated to the consumer, yes you have the same problem due to VIN not being included in this recall.
- Raleigh, NC, USA
3 transmissions in 2 yrs, orig + new from dealer, 1 rebuilt from aamco.
- Vacaville, CA, USA
2 transmission replacements in 2 yrs. 49K (1/01) & 73K (7/02 - not under warranty).
- Vacaville, CA, USA
At 25mph spark plug blewout with no warning. Then, vehicle shutdown. Cause unknown. Dealer notified and replaced spark plugs. Transmission failed at 17,000 miles
- Malvern, OH, USA
The overdrive switch for my vehicle is located at the end of the shifting lever, which is located on the steering column. The wiring for the od switch runs through the shifting lever and exits at the base of the steering column, then down into some wiring harnesses. The steering column is covered by a plastic housing. This plastic housing has worn through this wire, which has caused the od system to switch on and off while the vehicle is in operation. This has created a dangerous situation, especially when operating vehicles on the highway. I have encountered problems when passing vehicles on the highway and the od system fails because of this short in the wire system. In my opinion, this is a design defect. There's no clearance between the plastic housing and the wire that exits the shifting lever. I brought this to the attention of the dealership and they refused to accept responsibility because the warranty period is over. They estimated the repairs at $300. I also notified Ford at (800) 392-3673 and they refused to accept responsibility.
- Lincoln, CA, USA
While operating the vehicle at about 20 mph, it droped into 4 wheel low range completely on its own. The dash switch was still in 2 wheel drive. The transmission began screaming and grinding gears and would not come out of 4 wheel low. Vehicle was towed to Ford dealership where they found nothing wrong. After reporting these NHTSA complaints and service bulletins about this very same problem, and providing the service manager with copies, they suddenly found the problem. They are replacing all the components including "mode switch" GEM module, 4X4 shift motor. They'll also check all connections, change all fluids including transfer case and transmission. We've been assured this will resolve the situation. We'll submit a follow-up report if problem recurs.
- Ronks, PA, USA
A cotter pin has broken, causing tires to lockup while in reverse gear. Please provide further information regarding the area where it happened.
- Sacramento, CA, USA
Vehicle will accelerate very slowly and will not automatically shift to next gear. Ford dealership could not determine reason for T defect, and would have to take engine apart. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
- Leisure City, FL, USA
Shortly after purchase transmission leaked, had to be repaired. Currently, transmission squealed. Took vehicle to dealer, who found a leak. Also, transmission was tearing itself up, and had to be replaced. Transfer case broke and drive shaft was shuddered. Steering was very loose due to lower steering shaft failure.
- Inglewood, CO, USA
- Conyers, GA, USA