Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||||
| 0399 | 05/12/2003 | 10002781 | Tie rod end inspection procedure. *tt | 09/17/2003 | |
| 9912778 | 05/01/1999 | 607096 | Information regarding new service steering gear. *tt | 09/13/1999 | |
| STEERING - COLUMN LOCKING - ANTI-THEFT DEVICE | |||||
| 98241 | 12/07/1998 | 604053 | Diagnostic service tips on passive anti theft system ( pats ). *yc | 03/16/1999 | |
| STEERING - LINKAGES | |||||
| 9810569 | 04/01/1998 | 603601 | Concerns of squeaky / noisy pitman arm. *yc | 02/25/1999 | |
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | |||||
| 04L19 | 09/01/2004 | 10010001 | Customer maintenance reminder - literature program 04l19 - tie rod inspection procedure. *tt | 11/03/2004 | |
| 031513 | 08/04/2003 | 10003192 | Tie rod end inspection procedure. *tt | 10/10/2003 | |
| 03610 | 03/31/2003 | 10001861 | Tie rod end inspection procedure. canada vehicles only. *tt *jb | 07/23/2003 | |
| STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR | |||||
| 98169 | 04/07/2000 | 609742 | Steering -alignment-toe set procedure service tip. yd | 04/07/2000 | |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | ||||||
| PE98024 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 04/21/1998 | 07/21/1998 | TIE ROD END FAILURES | ||
| Alleged tie rod end separates from the adjustment sleeve compropision steering control | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 07/20/2011 | 174000 | ||
| Years ago when purchased the expedition i noticed the shift gear out of alignment. i try to contact the dealer as i heard that this was a recall; i was told that the recall is not for my vehicle. it has know been a few years since i bought the truck and i'm now experiencing what i've noticed many others with an expedition which is truck is not engaging into parking position and rolls. this is a concern to me as my drive way is on a slight up hill. this is an endangerment to the public, the issue happens unexpectedly. i would not like to see someone hurt because of a roll back or forward due to what is supposed to be a manufacture defect from the many cases i've read up on so far. ford dealer needs to address this issue as well as the coil and spark plug which blows out of engine and air suspension problems. this vehicle has cost me thousands in repair,its not worth and can not afford the present repairs. | |||
| 03/31/2003 | 1 | ||
| The steering stabilizer bolts broke. *jb | |||
| After being corrected to drive straight vehicle steered to the right. dealer has attempted to correct problem four times, and problem still exists.*ak | |||
| 02/13/1999 | 1 | ||
| Torsion bar on passenger's side corroded, causing vehicle to drop. also, experienced problems with the steering & braking. was informed by mechanic it was a bad casting. nothing happened on the driver's side. *ak | |||
| 07/07/1998 | |||
| Consumer experiencing problem with steering while driving above 30 mph. steering becomes difficult to control. vehicle been in the dealer shop, and cause cannot found at this time, dealer notified. *ak | |||
| STEERING - COLUMN | |||
| 06/01/2007 | 115000 | 3 | 03/01/2000 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford expedition. when the key was turned in the ignition, the vehicle would not start. the gear indicator was not in park and the contact was unable to shift into park. he noticed a screw on the floor. the contact, a mechanic, took the dashboard apart and noticed that the screw fell from the steering column. the screw was replaced, but it continued to fall out. the manufacturer stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 97v171000 (power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl). the passenger side headlight would fail every three months and was replaced. the failure mileage was 115,000 and current mileage was 126,000. | |||
| 07/20/2005 | 87000 | 1 | 10/20/2004 |
| Dt: the consumer stated that the 1998 ford expedition was having a problem with the steering and was making a loud noise. there is a clanking sound. the problem is intermittent. when turning the steering wheel at a slow speed one can hear the noise. the speed is 5 mph. the consumer had the vehicle in the shop three times over the noise problem. no one can find the cause of the problem. the only thing that they know is that is coming from the front end. the consumer has not contacted ford about this problem. the mechanic suggested that it may be the steering column or around that area.*ak | |||
| STEERING - COLUMN LOCKING - ANTI-THEFT DEVICE | |||
| 07/27/2005 | 1 | 12/28/1997 | |
| Dt: 1998 ford expedition. the steering wheel locked while making a turn. consumer will take vehicle to dealership tomorrow. the power steering fluid was checked. also, stated that everything was checked, and the vehicle was very well maintained. *ak | |||
| STEERING - GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) | |||
| 07/22/2002 | 1 | 04/01/2098 | |
| Internal failure of component noted by knocking noise in steering gear box. additional play in steering noted and other owners have stated same problem.*ak | |||
| 01/29/2001 | 1 | ||
| The vehicle drove into a large dip on the roadway (with no traffic control device posted) causing the driver to loose control of the vehicle and drove off into the grass stricking a ditch which caused the vehicle to rollover on it's left side three times before coming to rest, one ocupant was killed the other was injured, the client believes this accident was as a result of faulty steering component similar to the one in recall 98v-116 (attorney for client). nlm | |||
| 11/17/1997 | 1 | 11/16/1997 | |
| Steering box failure. *yc | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS | |||
| 11/18/1997 | 2 | ||
| Was out driving when the steering wheel became uncontrollable. had tendency to oversteer. took to dealer & mechanic informed owner that a pinched steeering hose was found & needed to be repaired or replaced. *ak. | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - PUMP | |||
| 05/12/1998 | |||
| This is an intermittent problem that occurs when going around a curve, the tensioner on the wheels gives way, and the truck will swerve across the road. *ak | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||
| 75 | 09/01/2098 | ||
| Wipers/washer don't always work. will work if turn signal is turned on.*ak | |||
| 12/12/2000 | 11/01/1997 | ||
| I uderstand this faliure is quite common but at only 19000 miles if this were to happen on the highway, and it is likely to it would result in loss of steering and brakes.*ak | |||
| 1 | 10/01/1998 | ||
| Driving 70 mph on interstate and lost power steering, while passing slower vehicle. cj | |||
| 3 | |||
| The power steering is makine a high pitched groaning noise. *slc | |||
| 12/20/1999 | |||
| While driving 35 mph on a sheet of ice vehicle lost control and slid into a guardrail. upon a frontal impact, driver's and passenger's airbags did not deploy, whichnot protecting the occupants. also, driver's seatbelt did not retract, which did not hold the occupant in seat, and causing occupant to sustain injuries. please provide further information. *ak | |||
| 07/01/1998 | |||
| When driving along a curve at times steering control is briefly interrupted causing a sense of loss of control of the vehicle. i took it to the dealer and explained the problem, they indicated that my vehicle was out of alignment and that my tires needed rebalancing and rotation. i paid for the alignment and they through in the rebalancing and rotation, but the problem persists. *ak | |||
| 03/26/1999 | |||
| The engine loses coolant with no visible signs of leak found, the steering pulls to right and is loose, feels like you can easily loose control. drove other new vehicle and did not have this problem, similar to odi id# 702318. | |||
| 09/01/1998 | |||
| Speed sensitive power steering: at the time of purchase the vehicle pulled right. the vehicle also exhibited a problem i call steering burst or hang. when turning either left or right the power assist steering would continue to apply pressure to the steering wheel. this continued pressure could only be stoped by jerking hard, back in the opposite direction on the steering wheel. another issue experienced is when accelerating hard from a stop or passing etc. the vehicle moves to the right of the lane of travel. this occurs in a surprisingly quick and unusual manner as if the vehicle where dog tracking to the right.?. the vehicle was aligned by the dearler 4 times in the first weak of ownership. also the frame and the tires were checked. after the forth alignment i noticed the vehicle wondering left & right on the road. suspecting somthing fishy, i took the vehicle to an independent auto shop. the mechanic ther pointed out visually the caster and camber adjustment slots and how they were maxed out. the caster and camber had been intentionally set to 3 degrees and 6 degrees out of manufactors specifications so as to pull left. left so as to bury the pull right problem. this steering system is either mal-engineered, mal-assembled or has defective parts. a problem which the dealer nor manufacturer can resolve or don't want to resolve it. ford had two of thier reps look at the problem. both times they stated the vehicle operates as per design. the last time they (ford & dealer) had the vehicle they deactivated the speed sensitve feature which makes the problem feel less apparent but is non the less still there. the power steering is now stiffer and tighter i can only surmise to further attemp to cover -up the problem. other expeditions i test drove had the same problem. and on theford expedition enthusiest web site there are many of the same complaints. the a/c failure was catastrophic the vehicle had to be towed, late at night i might add. more details please call. | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES | |||
| 03/10/2005 | 1 | 10/14/2001 | |
| I have noticed a large increase in amount of sway when steering at higher speeds. i went to change my oil and found that one of the linkages from the stablizer arm to the axles? (sides where the wheel is connected) had snapped and the other one was missing. i contacted two different ford dealers, one acknowledged that they had seen that problem several times and the other one said they had never seen or heard of it. they wanted $75.00 for just the parts (linkages), which i paid considering the safety issue. i am a mechanical engineer and when you have bolts snapping like that it appears to be bad engineering or faulty parts. also when you consider these vehicles have had a rolling issue in the past (although attributed to the tires), i thought this would definitly warrant a recall investigation (there have been other documented cases on your site of this problem also). i replaced the parts: two (2) xl3z-5495aa studs, two (2) f65z-5c491-bc nut & washers, two (2) f65z-5k483-cc links. i have kept the one stud that had snapped showing the break. it did not snap on the threaded end.*ak | |||
| 07/01/2001 | 3 | ||
| The links have fallen off or self destrucuted 3 times. twicw on the left front, and once on the right front. the dealership is fully aware a problem exists as they told us a recall might be forth coming. however, after reading in the paper that only 14 problems have been reported, i felt i must inform your organisation of the chronic failure on my expedition. *ak | |||
| 02/07/2001 | 1 | 06/01/2000 | |
| No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak | |||
| 06/05/1999 | |||
| While driving about 25 mph pitman arm broke, causing to driver to lose control of truck and strike a light post. vehcle has been repaired. *ak | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - KNUCKLE - SPINDLE - ARM | |||
| 08/11/1998 | 1 | 07/20/1998 | |
| Left front control arm separated from knuckle causing wheel to collapse due to failure of a nut. | |||
| STEERING - LINKAGES - TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | |||
| 08/30/2005 | 99165 | 1 | 10/03/1998 |
| Dt: the consumer stated the driver's side outer tie rod broke on her vehicle as she was driving on the expressway at 50-60 mph. this happened on 8-30-05. she reports having no problems prior to this. there was not an accident. she had received a letter from ford on 9-04 to have the tie rods inspected every 15,000 miles. she had the vehicle inspected immediately after receiving the letter. the car had 90,000 miles at that time. both outer tie rods were replaced. *jb *nm | |||
| 02/01/2002 | 45000 | 2 | 08/01/1998 |
| Dt: consumer was driving on highway and prepared to exit on off ramp when left driver's side tie rod separated from vehicle and entered the wheel well which caused vehicle to come to a violent halt. vehicle was towed to dealer, and dealer confirmed tie rod broke. inspected right side, and said that tie rod was near failure as well. repairs were made. that was second time in 3 years that tie rods were replaced. the first time it was under warranty, and the second incident was not covered under warranty. consumer was upset that these parts t failed. had not occurred under normal wear and tear circumstances. this was street and highway driving, no rough wear on the vehicle. *ak | |||
| 06/03/2005 | 100000 | 1 | 06/08/2002 |
| While driving my 1998 ford expedition at about a 35 mph speed, on a smooth dry paved road, a sudden load bang noise with tire squealing and a loss of controll of the steering occured. inspection of vehicle steering revealed the rh inner tie rod joint had fallen apart. the ball and socket of the tie rod had broken and no sterring controll of the rh frt tire resulted. no vehicle damage resulted (other than the tierod), no personal or property damage occured. ford had sent me a letter of concern with the steering and suspension. it contained a brief note on how to check for defective or worn parts. when i called the dealership they informed me their would be a charge for the service. i checked the vehicle myself using their recomendation and noticed no worn parts. i have informed ford and the dealership of the concern, they said bring it in to the dealer to inspect. again the wanted $$. i will have a private garage install all new front steering parts on my vehicle. i wanted to inform your department of the vehicle steering component failier and the sudden loss of control to my vehicle which could have lead to very bad crash. | |||
| 03/15/2004 | 64000 | 1 | |
| While driving at 60 mph the front end tie rod broke without warning. as a result the driver lost control of the vehicle but was able to recover and pulled to the side of the road. the front left side of the vehicle had collapsed. please provide additional information . *jb | |||
| 08/09/2004 | 59500 | 1 | |
| Consumer heard a sound while steering the vehicle. it was a thumping sound. dealer stated that it sounded like tie rod failure . dealer advised consumer that tie rod was defective and would need to be replaced.*ak | |||
| 12/10/2002 | 4 | 06/05/2000 | |
| 1998 ford expedition after reviewing all the complaints listed i realized i had experience similar ones for instance spark plug blew out in dec/02. in aug./03 the tie rod broke. we have had trouble with 4x4 working or in this case not. when switched in while lifted on a hoist it registers, but when on the ground it doesn't work. something to do with the weight. also the door locks no longer work, something to do with a sensor. interior light stays on in hot weather. and the list goes on. *la | |||
| 07/29/2003 | 1 | ||
| While backing out of the driveway left front tie rod broke. *ak | |||
| 07/02/2003 | 1 | 08/25/2002 | |
| Broken tie rod. *ak | |||
| 07/21/2003 | 105000 | 1 | 11/20/1997 |
| The ballstud of the driver's side inner tie rod broke apart while driving. the ball of the ballstud seperated from the socket. | |||
| 06/05/2003 | 1 | ||
| When the vehicle was turned, the driver's tire turned outward, which was the result of a broken tie rod. *jb | |||
| 03/23/2003 | 15 | 1 | 04/25/2000 |
| Tie rod broke while driving off highway 25-30 mph, resulting in tie rod and ball joint to be replaced. *jb | |||
| 07/31/2002 | 1 | 09/19/2001 | |
| Tie rod end on front left wheel has disconnected while driving at 30-35 mph. dealer and manufacturer were not notified at this time.*ak consumer states that the driver had no control over the vehicle after crossing the railroad tracks. *slc | |||
| 06/11/2002 | |||
| Both tie rod ends were broken and replaced by a repair shop. dealer notified. feel free to provide any further information.*ak | |||
| 05/02/2002 | 08/01/2098 | ||
| The truck began to pull to the right, then the tie rod broke from the wheel.*ak | |||
| 08/01/2001 | |||
| While backing out consumer heard a dragging sound, tie rod end broke. *ak | |||
| 02/24/2000 | 1 | ||
| Drivers side tie rod broke when backing out of garage. nlm | |||
| 02/26/1999 | 2 | 09/01/1998 | |
| From apr-98 to july-98 the nhtsa had investigated tierod-end failures in 96-98 ford f150, ford expeditions and lincoln navigators. this investigation needs to be re-opened. i believe i have found the reason for the failures. please have the engineer in charge of this issue call me as soon as posible. this is a major safety issue. kyle lembach 02-28-99. p.s. i have contacted the nhtsa twice in the past 2 weeks with no response. | |||
| 10/22/1998 | 1 | 05/17/1998 | |
| Tie rod broke causing tire to collaspe inward resulting in damage and loss of control. | |||
| 12/31/1998 | 1 | ||
| Dealer had to tighten and reglue the jam nut to the front left tie rod end and adjust the sleeve, which may cause loss of steering control. *ak.et. | |||
| 10/22/1998 | 1 | 05/01/1998 | |
| Ford motor company contacted--they deny liability--dealer contacted-ignored eye witness statement. tire snapped off tie rod assembly and caused vehicle to go off road-- no help from the dealership-- accident occured as result of tire snapping off the tie road right at the lock nut joint. there is no evidnece of steel bending. it just shattered. | |||
| STEERING - WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR | |||
| 09/08/2011 | |||
| Rear lower trailing arms rusted completely thru gas tank straps rusted thru | |||
| 03/16/2011 | 174300 | ||
| While sitting at the red traffic light ,when the light turned green to go upon taking off at normal speed the drive shaft fell completely out and broke at the drive shaft universal ears of the shaft and the right lower rear controlling/trailing arm broke at coupler because it was very badly corroded with rust from weak material and drivers side rear looks the same way . also my expedition is not a rust bucket, it is driven very little in the winter. the drive shaft ears that hold the universal joint is made of cast steel,which is very unsafe, if ford would send the pair of trailing/controlling arms we will have them put on at my cost. with the dry shaft made out the of that kind of material the vehicle can flip out of control and cause damage, harm or death. sounds to me that one day ford may have a law suit because of these problems and i'm sure that i'm not the only person that this has happened to . no wonder why its a lot of ford expeditions on the lots cheap. from some research of the web it seems to be happening a lot. ford needs to make rite what they did wrong! | |||
| 06/09/2003 | 44714 | 1 | 05/05/2003 |
| When steering wheel is tilted to lowest position turn signals fail to operate. *ak | |||
| 11/28/2000 | 1 | ||
| 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. *ak transfer case broke and drive shaft was shuddered. steering was very loose due to lower steering shaft failure. *yh | |||
| 02/20/2000 | 1 | 02/01/1998 | |
| Leather seat is wearing out and leather steering cover is wearing badly. color is coming off both. also color comes off back side panels easily. | |||
| 08/20/1998 | |||
| While driving 55mph steering has alot of play in the wheel which makes it impossible to keep the vehicle on the road. consumer contacted dealer and manufacturer. *ak | |||
| 03/26/1999 | 03/01/1999 | ||
| Steering has play and dealer has tried to fix three times. steering has feeling of no control. cooling system needed one gallon of coolant five days after taking ownership on 3/26/99. vehicle was a demo model and was still considered new even though it was a 1998 model. | |||
| If the steering wheel is not centered, the turn signals will not work. dealer and manufacturer have been notified. *ak | |||