1999 Ford Expedition: jerking or lurching

Filed Jun 18, 2013 · Transmission · 251,000 miles · OH

Here is my problem: about a month ago, my 99 expedition began to make a "clunking" noise while making sharp turns (like into parking spaces). It is not just a noise - you can feel it through the steering wheel and it makes the whole truck jerk around. It is almost like my front wheels are driving over golf ball-sized rocks. The problem started very suddenly, and it is somewhat intermittent - but it is becoming more frequent as time goes on. I had it in to the ford garage twice now, and it just does not want to act up when a technician in the vehicle. Since I can't always make it happen, I am inclined to believe that it is not a mechanical problem (like a u-joint or cv joint). It is either really bad or non-existent. Also, I do not notice any major symptoms while driving in a straight line, although I sometimes do hear a high-pitched whine from the front end while traveling above 40 MPH. This noise is also intermittent, and it sounds somewhat like a wheel bearing going out (they checked out ok). When I first experienced the jumpy front end while taking corners, I immediately thought that the truck had been switched into 4wd. The jerky, clunky behavior of the front end is nearly identical to how the truck acts when you run in 4wd on dry pavement. I have put the truck into 4wd to test this theory, and the problem is similar, but much worse when I force the transfer case into 4wd. One of the most noticeable differences is how the truck acts when I first start to move. In 4wd, the truck is much more hesitant to start moving - it will not even creep forward in idle. Once I start to move, however, the truck jerks around just like I described above.

Filed Jul 11, 2005 · Acceleration · WV · crash

Dt: the contact owns a 1999 ford expedition. She states that while they were in a parking lot they put the truck in reverse and it took off across the parking lot and hit another parked vehicle. The vehicle would not stop and it was jerking. The person that they hit his wife owns an expedition said that the same thing happened to them. She contacted ford and they said that she needed to take her vehicle in for service.

Filed Apr 13, 2005 · Electrical · 107,800 miles · TX · fire

Spouse woke up to glass popping, ran out of house, and saw garage completely engulfed in flames - one week prior to vehicle fire turn signals and hazard lights would not work - blown fuse and replaced it. Cruise control would jerk while activated.

Filed Apr 11, 2004 · Suspension · 56,500 miles · PA

While driving my vehicle there is a vibration in the rear end with a loud bumping noise. Much like a 4x4 in a hard turn. The dealer has repaired the problem four other times and this will be the fifth. I am worried that this could be a safety issue with something happening to the axle while driving. The vehicle only has 56k miles on it. The vehicle also lurches forward on start up.

Filed Mar 15, 2004 · Engine · 46,000 miles · CA

About a year ago the cylinder head gasket on our 1999 ford expedition was replaced due to leaking oil, by the dealership. The mileage was 35,000. Now a year later, while traveling at 70 MPH. On the freeway, a spark plug blew out of the same right cylinder. The loud noise and clatter caused a knee jerk response,almost causing an accident. The vehicle's mileage is now only 46,000. We feel that ford should do the responsible thing and recall these 5.4 l engines with the aluminum cylinder heads and and replace them with a better design with safety in mind. If you check other consumer compaints, you will see that this is not an isoleted incident.

Filed Sep 24, 2002 · NY · crash

I was slowly backing into a parking space behind the office building that I work at going approximately 4 to 5 MPH (just crawling). I have been backing into the same area for over 15 years. As I lightly stepped on the gas pedal, vehicle lurched backwards hitting the building squarely causing extensive damage as it was a powerful hit. This had happened two other times when the car was driven by my husband and parents. Those two separate incidents had occurred in other areas where there was ample room to react.

Filed Dec 12, 2001 · Acceleration · CA

Vehicle makes grinding noise and lurches upon acceleration up hills. Problem has occurred intermittently since first brought back to dealer in 11/00. Recently brought back to dealer the day after the problem became evident upon acceleration on flat road.

Filed Apr 13, 2001 · Acceleration, Transmission · IL

Intermittently vehicle jerks forward and jumps. Sealer has replaced transfer case. However , problem reoccurs. Manufacturer has been notified.

Filed Mar 20, 2001 · Engine · MN

Oil leak around the head gasket-had car serviced 4 times replacing plugs,wires ,gaskets and the whole head assembly. Finally they agreed to put a new engine in. We keep telling something was wrong with the block. They put in a remanufactured engine. Truck was in the shop over 35 days when they could of just drop a new engine the second time..not happy with apple valley ford for jerking me around. Now I do not trust this car. I bought new and now I have a used engine in my truck.

Filed Mar 2, 2001 · Tires · MS

While driving, consumer heard a booming noise, tire had separated and jerked vehicle into oncoming traffic, tire was firestone wilderness at, size p255/70r16, dot #w20u1rd.

Filed Oct 20, 2000 · Tires · GA

Traveling on interstate at 65 MPH when I heard a loud pop and felt a sudden jerk in steering and vibration. I exited to the soulder as fast as traffic would allow. We we shocked to see that the tire was in two pieces, the sidewall was no longer connected to the tread. The tire did have a nail in it which was so snugly in the tire that you could not push it out by hand. This tire should not have been in two pieces! (dot number: vncu tiresize: p255/70r16)

Filed Mar 1, 2000 · Airbags, Seat belts · AL · crash · 1 injury

We were involved in a two-vehicle crash with major damage to the front of our SUV. My husband was driving and I was a passenger in the front. Neither of our airbags deployed. We were both wearing our seat/shoulder belts. When we collided, my seatbelt did not catch, and I hit the dashboard. I was transported to russellville hospital by ambulance. I suffered bruising to my chin and both shins. Following our accident, a russellville police officer (along with a member of our fire department) went back to my vehicle and jerked on the seatbelt to try to get it to catch and he could not. I am continuing to have pain in my jaw and my back. My husband told the body shop manager at long lewis ford of muscle shoals, al about our airbags not deploying and my seatbelt not working properly. The faulty seatbelt has been removed from our vehicle and is in my possession.