Recurring oil leak, right side cylinder head, Ford trucks with 4.6 engine.

- Fond Du Lac, WI, USA

Head gaskets blowing out on 1999 Ford Expedition. I have had mine replaced 3 times so far. It is also occurring on other peoples same vehicles. It is on the 4.6 and 5.4 liter engines. The last time I had it to the dealer for this I asked why this keeps happening? they said that Ford is aware of the problem but keeps telling the dealer to replace the gaskets. There is a manufacturers defect here.

- Liberty Twp., OH, USA

I have a 1999 Ford Expedition. It has had both head gaskets already replaced once, and now they are blown again. The car is out of warranty and the dealership has informed me that there is an abnormality in my engine which will cause this problem to continue to re-occur unless I pay $5000 to have a new engine put in. Ford has recalled similiar vehicles due to the problems with the same engines, however offers no assistance on their much pricier Expedition. I guess they figure we can afford the repairs. They refuse to discuss my problems and tell me that blown head gaskets are considered "normal wear and tear". the head gasket problem aside, this car has been in the shop over 30 times for non-routine maintenance issues. The leather seats had to be replaced, the exterior molding went bad, the exhaust system was faulty, wiring was faulty, mirrors and windows were faulty, electronic components were faulty, the list goes on and on.

- Bixby, OK, USA

On my recent purchase of a used 1999 Ford Expedition with the 4.6L V8 engine, with low miles only approx 31,500 when purchased, and after only adding 12,000 more miles to the vechicle, in which we haven't had the car for a full year, we experienced a blown right side head gasket that I just recently found out was a known problem with this model. The car wasn't under warrenty and the cost for repairs ran up to $1300 which is outragious. I feel that if Ford has known about this defect that Ford should have recalled this defect long before so many have needed repairs. I regret that this is the last Ford I will ever own, which is directly due to the inept customer service that Ford is now known for.

- Locust Grove, VA, USA

I notice oil drops on my driveway, I took my vehicle in to verify where leak was coming from, the dealer stated that my head gasket was blown. The repair cost for labor and parts would be over $1200. The extended warrenty would not cover seal or gasket for this vehicle. I request NHTSA have Ford dealer or manufactor's do a recall on this vehicle engine. My vehicle has the 4.6L engine with less than 49000 miles.

- Killeen, TX, USA

Oil leak from rh head/block interface. Number of complaints and tsb about this issue indicate manufacturing assymbly defects. Tsb note "chips could be present or dimples in mating surface of gasket area". customers should not have to pay for manufacturing problems that are none to be present.

- Marshall, MO, USA

After an oil change at 42K miles, noticed a burning smell and some smoke coming out of the right side engine compartment near battery. Took truck to dealer and was advised that the right side head gasket was leaking towards the rear. Vehicle out of manufacturer's warranty but luckily I had an extended warranty. Was told by the dealer mechanic that there is indeed a head gasket leak problem with the 97-02 Expedition. Head gaskets should not fail at 43K miles and Ford should repair problem at no cost to the consumer.

- Laguna Niguel, CA, USA

While driving approx 70mph w/cruise control engaged, the engine's head gasket "blew" causing the vehicle to stall.

- Thousand Oaks, CA, USA

Is Ford trying to recover money from the Explorer/Firestone tragedy or what? you would think that they would have learned. It is shameful that a high dollar vehicle like the Expedition has become a high maintenance liability. We have repaired this gasket valve cover three times at $1800 each. It is embarrassing to drive such a nice vehicle that is polluting the air with oil smells and smoke. The vehicles are sluggish and it will not be long before someone is killed. I pray daily that it is not me, my children and foster children that I Transport for my job. My local county government has purchased a fleet of Expedition and each one has been repaired at least once. Come on Ford step up to the plate. A ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. My grandfather hated Ford products and stated that Ford meant found on road dead. Unfortunately now the customers are the ones that are found on road dead because of faulty equipment and the lack of regard for the common citizen. What are you waiting for my car to burst into flames and my kids are scared that I can't get them out of the third row seatbelts before they parish in a burning vehicle. I am a social worker with a demanding schedule and a modest salary and I can't afford the repairs. So many abuses and neglected children lives depend on me and all I am asking is that I have a vehicle that I can depend on to get me there. Do the right thing. Recall!!!!

- Waynesboro, GA, USA

Engine head gasket needs replacing. Headgasket is leaking oil. Dealer stated there was no recall.

- Southern Pines, NC, USA

Consumer states while servicing vehicle noticed there was an oil leak in the engine, dealer has been notified and states it is not a manufacturing defect consumer is having it serviced. The cause of oil leak was determined to be head gasket failure.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

Timing chain went out and engine misses. Had engine replaced once, still having problems. Took vehicle to dealer, and dealer could not duplicate problem. Please add VIN.

- Mt Vernon, OH, USA

This vehicle has had three blown head gaskets within the first 40000 miles, vehicle hestitates during acceleration which produces a significant safety hazard at intersections.

- Covington, KY, USA

Oil leak from right rear corner of engine (head gasket)leaks oil onto hot exhaust causing significant smoke at speed. Defect unrepaired as manufacturer will not cover cost.

- St. Paul, MA, USA

Ehicle is leaking oil. Took vehicle to dealer, and dealer indicated leak was in head gasket. Had repaired it, but problem still exiss. Please add VIN.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

4.6L V8 engine was leaking oil, vehicle taken to dealer and informed consumer of a blown head gasket. The vehicle was taken in for routine service when consumer was informed that the vehicle had an oil leak. Consumer called the dealership and was informed that there were several vehicles that complained of the same failure but no recall has been issued.

- Marion, AR, USA

The right side head gasket is leaking oil. My dealer told me they have had many of these failures for this model. With only 27000 miles on an expensive vehicle like this, it shouldn't be leaking oil all over my garage floor. The 3 year warranty expired 3 weeks ago and the dealer as well as Ford Motor Company said I will have to pay for it. I am outraged and would like the NHTSA to order a recall. We all know Ford Motor Company will not recall this defect on their own!

- Mahomet, IL, USA

During christmas while driving around town, we noticed that the truck felt sluggish and non-reponsive to acceleration attempts. At which time it was noticed on the driveway that a oil leak had begun. We took the Expedition into the local Ford dealership for a service evaluation. We were informed that the head gasket had been blown. We decided to get a second opinion by a respected independent mechanic, who gave us the same prognosis. We again contacted the Ford dealership to see if the cost of the repair could be negotiated lower than the $1,850. Estimate. A Ford mechanic mentioned that a special plan might be available, by extending the warranty due to the nature of the failure. That request was rejected. In trying to talk with a Ford factory service manager, he wouldn't talk with me about the problem nor did we receive any additional help. In purchasing a used vehicle, I realize there is a risk of failure, but 7 months & 14,000 miles later, to payout close to $2,000!, that's too extreme. A head gasket should not fail this soon into a vehicle's life. I've noticed that Ford's have had a recent history of head gasket problems and we would like this to be "recalled" and to be reinbursed for this expense. Thank you.

- Canyon Country, CA, USA

Passenger side head gasket is leaking oil. This is a common problem on the 5.4L emgine. Ford should have a recall to correct the problem. With 60oo miles. I do not expected to have this kind of failure.

- Grapevine, TX, USA

Light came on the dashboard indicating there wa sno oil inside of vehicle, and it started making clunking noise. Dealership was aware of problem.

- Cinn, OH, USA