1998 Ford Expedition steering problems

Filed Apr 2, 2012 · Steering, Suspension · 174,000 miles · FL

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 endangering 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.

Filed Feb 29, 2008 · Lights, Steering · 115,000 miles · IL

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Oct 18, 2005 · Steering · 99,165 miles · MI

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

Filed Oct 5, 2005 · Steering · 87,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Jul 27, 2005 · Steering · VA

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.

Filed Jun 13, 2005 · Steering · 45,000 miles · MA

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.

Filed Jun 6, 2005 · Steering · 100,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Mar 26, 2005 · Steering · UT

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.

Filed Sep 7, 2004 · Steering · 64,000 miles · NY

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 .

Filed Aug 30, 2004 · Steering · 59,500 miles · NC

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.