1998 FORD EXPEDITION Electrical System Problems

PARKING ON THE STREET IN IS GONE

TAKATA RECALL: THE SPARK PLUGS HAVE BLOWN OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRED 3 TIMES. EACH TIME, IT SMELLS OF AN ELECTRICAL LINE IS BURNING, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOES ERRATIC AND THEY ZEROS OUT AND DOESN'T MOVE. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON CITY AND HIGHWAYS.

Mileage: 98,710

TAKATA RECALL MY TRUCK HAS A BURNING SPELL AND WAS SOME SMOKE IT WAS PARK I WAS ABOUT TO PULL OFF ON MY STREET WHERE I LIVE

Mileage: 220,447

THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT FOR THE SECOND TIME IN2 MONTHS. IT SOUNDED LIKE THE MOTOR WAS KNOCKING . FORD ONLY PUT 3 THREADS IN THE CYLINDER HEAD TO HOLD THE SPARK PLUG BUT THE SPARK PLUGS HAVE 10 THREADS. I CALLED FORD AND THEY ACTED LIKE THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE. THERE ARE FORUMS GOING BACK TO 2002 THAT I WAS READING YESTERDAY ABOUT THIS ISSUE SO CLEARLY THEY WERE LYING. OWNERS REPORT ENGINE FIRES WHEN THE PLUG BLOWS OUT. MY VEHICLE DIDN'T CATCH FIRE .THEY REFUSE TO FIX THIS DEFECT AND DENY ITS THEIR FAULT.

Mileage: 209,000

(TAKATA RECALL) I HAVE PURCHASED MY TRUCK FROM A LEGAL CAR DEALERSHIP IN RENO NV HAD 135000 MILES WEN BOUGHT IVE HAD TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP HAD TO BUY DIFFERENT RIMS/TIRES DUE TO WEAR OF STOCK RIMS .. EXHAUST PROBLEMS REPLACED FUEL INJECTOR. . WEAR OF THING CAUSING WATER DAMAGE WHEN RAINING OUTSIDE. SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM ENGINE WAS IN MOTION 45 MPH STATIONARY MOVING PROBLEMS ALSO N WEN TURNING.

WENT TO STORE, CAME OUT BATTERY DEAD, CAR WOULDN'T START. HAD NOT LEFT LIGHTS OR ANY ACCESSORIES ON. GOT A JUMP, DROVE TO AUTO PARTS STORE. THEY CHECKED ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY AND SAID BATTERY DEAD, NEEDED AN OVERNIGHT CHARGE. LET THEM CHARGE BATTERY, PUT BACK IN CAR, HORN STARTED BLOWING AND WOULD NOT STOP DESPITE MY USING BOTH THE KEY AND KEY FOB. HORN BLEW FOR 5 HOURS BEFORE I FOUND OUT HOW TO DISCONNECT FROM GOOGLE. GOT HORN TO STOP, AND CAR WOULDN'T START. FORD DEALER SAID ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED AT COST OF $250 PLUS TOW TO DEALER. I NEVER ARMED THE SYSTEM AND IT SHOULD NOT HAVE SHUT MY TRUCK DOWN AND PREVENTED ME FROM DRIVING IT. I DON'T HAVE $250 AND THEN I FOUND OUT THE REPAIR IS ONLY $100 AT MOST. BUT THIS ACCORDING TO MY DEALER HAPPENS TO ANY FORD ANYTIME THE BATTERY GOES DEAD AND IS REPLACED, ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM IS MAKING PEOPLE PAY $250 TO FORD TO REPROGRAM WHAT SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPROGRAMMED. PLEASE HELP ME. THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 203,538

WHEN IT RAINS EVERYTHING INSIDE GOES DEAD AND IT WILL NOT CRANK. CAN BE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT SHUTS OFF ON YOU . THIS WILL CONTINUE FOR A FEW DAYS UNTIL EVERYTHING DRIES OUT OR ITS NOT DAMP OUTSIDE ANYMORE.I HAVE LOOKED THIS UP ON COMPUTER AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS COMING BACK TO THE FUSE PANEL GETTING WET BECAUSE OF POOR DRAINAGE COMING FROM WINDSHIELD , SOME PEOPLE ARE SAYING THAT IT HAS CAUSED FIRES. IHAVE ONLY OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 11/2 YEARS AND DON'T KNOW IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY RECALLS OR ANYTHING FIXED ON IT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW . THANKS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE VEHICLE ROLLS WHEN IN PARK. IT MAKES A LOUD GRINDING SOUND WHILE IT IS ROLLING UNLIKE A PARKING PAWL MAKES. I HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY RECALL NOTICES ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 170,000

WE HAVE OUR EXPEDITION FOR A WHILE AND WE KNOW THE PEOPLE WHO OWNED IT BEFORE US. WHILE IT IS RAINING AND DAYS AFTER THE POWER TO THE TRUCK DOES NOT TURN OFF. THE RADIO WILL TURN ON, THE BLOWER FOR HEAT OR AIR WILL KEEP BLOWING, THE LIGHTS WILL TURN ON, THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WILL STOP, ABS WILL STOP, AND THE WIPER BLADES WILL NOT WORK. SO BECAUSE THE ELECTRICAL ITEMS WILL TURN ON AT RANDOM, THEY DRAIN THE BATTERY AND THE TRUCK WILL NOT START THE NEXT DAY. WE FOUND OUT THAT DUE TO MANUFACTURING ERROR, THE WINDSHIELD LEAKS WATER INTO THE GENERAL ELECTRIC MODULE. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THE PART NOT ONLY EXPENSIVE, BUT IF YOU BUY ONE AND IT DOES NOT WORK, IT IS NOT RETURNABLE. AND THAT WAS TOLD TO US BY MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS. SO BASICALLY FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

VEHICLE DRAINING POWER AFTER IGNITION SHUT TO OFF. POWER IS ON TO VEHICLE DUE TO WATER DAMAGE FROM VEHICLES EXTERIOR DEFECT DRAINING WATER DIRECT TO THE FUSE PANEL. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE BEFORE THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION IS ADDRESSED BY OUR NHTSA, DEATHS? I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A PROBLEM IN ALMOST EVERY ONE IF NOT EVERY ONE OF THESE VEHICLES, IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF WHEN THESE PROBLEMS START. DO YOUR RESEARCH AND YOU WILL FIND COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? WILL THIS BE ANOTHER STOP SIGN INSTALLED AFTER SOMEONE IS KILLED. IS THAT WHAT WE ARE WAITING ON? PLEASE STEP UP AND PROTECT THE PEOPLE THAT NOW OWN THESE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE REALLY GETS HURT. *TR

Mileage: 161,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 20-30 MPH WHEN THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION HAD A RECALL AND THEY WANTED TO KEEP MY CAR FOR THREE DAY MINIMUM OF THREE DAYS. I HAVE TO WORK SO I WAITED UNTIL I HAD A LONG WEEKEND. I WAITED TO LONG I GUESS BECAUSE I CAME OUT OF THE BANK AND MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. I CALLED AUTO FAIR FORD IN MANCHESTER,NH AND THEY SAID BECAUSE I DID NOT BRING IT IN IMMEDIATELY THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE PART THAT STARTED THE FIRE BUT I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING ELSE DESTROYED BY THE RECALLED PART. I WILL NEVER BUY OR DEAL WITH FORD OR FORD VEHICLES AGAIN! *TR

MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION BEGAN HAVING SEVERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AFTER HEAVY RAINS. THE STARTER WILL CYCLE WHEN THE KEY IS NOT EVEN IN THE IGNITION, THE AC BLOWER REMAINS ON WHEN TRUCK IS SHUT OFF, SPEEDOMETER FAILS TO WORK, TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ROUGHLY, INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON, TRUCK SHUTS OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. RESEARCHED ON INTERNET AND APPARENTLY MANY FORD TRUCKS MADE IN 1998 HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS DUE TO LEAKY WINDSHIELDS, ALLOWING WATER TO ENTER FUSE BOXES. THIS PROBLEM COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS PARTICULARLY THE CONSTANT CYCLING OF THE STARTER IN AN UNATTENDED TRUCK, AND SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. I WOULD IMAGINE ENGINE FIRES ARE ALSO A POSSIBILITY GIVEN THE RANGE OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES THIS IS CAUSING. REPAIRS INCLUDE A NEW WINDSHIELD AND GEM BOX, RUNNING APPROXIMATELY $1,000. *TR

Mileage: 180,000

FORD SPECIAL MESSAGE #15773. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL FOR THIS? THIS IS DESPICABLE. THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE THIS CAUSES IS HORRIBLE. THE AIR BAGS CAN DEPLOY BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. HOW MANY CHILDREN ARE IN DANGER BECAUSE OF THIS? HOW MANY FIRES CAN BE STARTED? ANY VECHICLE THAT FALLS UNDER THIS MESSAGE SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY FORD AT FORD EXPENSE. I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY TRYING TO FIND OUT WHY THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN FORD HAS KNOWN THE ENTIRE TIME. MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH SAME ISSUE. SEE LINK: HTTP://WWW.MY3CENTS.COM/SHOWREVIEW.CGI?ID=15119

OUR 1998 EXPEDITION ONLY HAS 93,000 MILES AND IT IS POSING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, THE MECHANIC HAS TOLD US IT NEEDS A NEW GEM MODULE. I HAVE READ AT LEAST 50 COMPLAINTS ABOUT FORDS WINDSHIELD LEAKING AND CAUSING SAME SYMPTOMS. WHY WOULD FORD DO A RECALL. OR MAYBE THEY HAVE. CAN YOU TELL ME IF THEY HAVE. THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE WHICH COULD CAUSE A SEVER ACCIDENT. ALL THE COMPLAINTS ARE VERY SIMILAR SO IT IS A MANUFACTURED DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 93,000

FIRST, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND RUNNING LIGHTS WOULD NOT POWER OFF WHILE ALL DOORS WERE CLOSED, DOOR AJAR INDICATOR WAS ON. TOOK TO DEALER PROBLEM RESOLVED FOR A MONTH OR SO. NOW NEED TO SPRAY WD40 ON LATCHES RELIGIOUSLY. DEALER ALSO REPLACED CRUISE CONTROL HARNESS AT THIS TIME. THEN CAME THE RADIO AND HEATER RUNNING WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. BEEPS AND CLICKS AND BAD SMELLS COMING FROM UNDER DASH. AGAIN TO THE DEALER, NO CODES FOUND FOR THE ISSUES I WAS HAVING. BATTERY DRAINING OCCURRING FREQUENTLY NOW AND NO RESOLUTION. I NOW HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY EVERYNIGHT. NOW WHEN I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD I GET THE MANY FAILURE LIGHTS FLASHING ON THE DASH, THE WINDOWS WON'T WORK, SPEEDOMETER FAILS, TRUCK LOSES POWER AND THE TRANSMISSON SHIFTS STRANGELY. I WAS HOURS FROM HOME AND DOING 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN EVIDENCING DECIDED TO NOT WORK AT THE SAME TIME. THEN I REALIZE THAT THIS IS OCCURRING ONLY WHEN IT RAINS OR IS VERY WET OUT. AND I WAS TRULY AFRAID FOR MY LIFE AND THE OTHERS THAT WERE ON THE ROAD WITH ME. I HAD TO DRIFT ACROSS A LANE OF TRAFFIC WITH NO POWER TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK AND PUT MY HEAD DOWN, WHEW, AND THE MOTOR POWERED BACK UP AND ALL THE FAILURE LIGHTS WERE OFF. ONLY AFTER INVESTIGATING ON THE INTERNET TODAY DO I FIND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. AND THE FIX... REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD SEAL! AND POSSIBLE DAMAGED FUSE BOX AND GEM! NOW WHY DIDN'T THE FORD DEALER HELP REMEDY THIS PROBLEM ONE OF THE MANY TIMES I WAS IN? THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. NEW WINDSHIELD $165 AND THEY COME TO THE HOUSE. I PAID BIG MONEY FOR "NO CODES MATCH YOUR ISSUES, MISS." TW*

Mileage: 169,000

I HAVE A 98 EXPEDITION, WINDOWS ROLL DOWN, STEREO COME ON HEAT TURNS ON, ALL DASH PANEL WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF,THE AIR BAG LIGHT GO ON AND OFF,AND THE WIPERS AND OVERDRIVE GO ON AND OFF ,THE STARTER TRIES TO START WHILE RUNNING IT STARTED FEW YEARS AGO ON OCCASION WHEN IT WOULD RAIN NOW EVERYTIME ,FOUND OUT THE WINDSHIELD LEAKS WATER ON THE FUSE BOX AND SOME OTHER GENERIC BOX, I FEEL FORD SHOULD FIX THE EXPEDITION ITS THERE DEFAULT LOOK ON THE INTERNET ,THERE ARE LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROB. PLEASE HELP. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

I HAVE A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION EB MODEL. I JUST HAD TO TAKE IT INTO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT SEALED PROPERLY AND THE GEM MODULE HAS BEEN GETTING WET AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE FUSE BOX. APPARENTLY THIS IS QUITE COMMON WITH THIS YEAR AND MODLE.I HAVE TO SPEND 885 TO HAVE IT FIXED AND NOW HAVE TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED AS WELL. THE CAR WOULD NOT START AND THE LIGHTS FLICKERS ON AND OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE POWER LOCKS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE WINDOWS WOULD GO UP AND DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS IS NOT SAFE! IT DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION ONCE THEN THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND IT WOULDN'T STOP. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THE DASH STARTED SMOKING AND A BEEPING NOISE CAME FROM UNDER THE DASH SOMEWHERE. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET THE BATTERY DISCONNECTED BEFORE THERE WAS ANY REAL FIRE DAMAGE. IF I HAD KNOW NOTHING ABOUT CARS I WOULD HAVE KEPT DRIVING AND COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR

Mileage: 132,456

CORROSION ON BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR COMPONENTS AND THERMAL EVENT ON WIRING HARNESS TO BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR. *TR

Mileage: 197,400

MY SUV CAUGHT FIRE PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT RUNNING AT THE TIME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A CARPORT. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE ERUPTED UNCONTROLLABLY IN FLAMES AND EXPLODED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE TWO PET DOGS THAT WERE OUTSIDE WHEN THE MASSIVE FIRE ERUPTED SUSTAINED SEVERE BURNS. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE PROPERTY DAMAGE CONSISTED OF THE CARPORT AND PORTIONS OF THE HOUSE, SUCH AS THE ROOF, SIDING, AND A COUPLE OF ROOMS INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND CURRENTLY REMAINS AT THE SCENE FOR INVESTIGATION PURPOSES. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 181,000. UPDATED 05/08/09 *BF UPDATED 05/12/09.*JB UPDATED 06/09/09.*JB

Mileage: 181,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN HER DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE INSURANCE COVERAGE WAS CANCELLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WANTED POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO PERFORM AN INSPECTION; HOWEVER, IT WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE BECAUSE THE INSURANCE COMPANY DISPOSED OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH ANY REIMBURSEMENT AND STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT THE CUSTOMER'S CLAIM WILL BE CLOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE MY SPARK SHOT OUT AND I HAD TAKE TO THE AUTO REPAIR FOR THEM TO REPLACE THE HALO COIL IN WHICH IT HAPPEN TWICE. *CN

MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION XLT HAS THE LEAKING WINDSHIELD PROBLEM, WHICH HAS LED TO MISDIAGNOSIS BY THE DEALER AND BY INDEPENDENT MECHANICS. THE LIGHTS, FANS, AND SWITCHES RANDOMLY TURN ON AND OFF, THE POWER WINDOWS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, THE BLOWER FAN AND RADIO STAYS ON, AND THE BATTERY HAS GONE DEAD THREE TIMES. TODAY IS THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM, AND I FOUND IT AS NOTED IN AN ONLINE FORUM. FORD IS/HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, YET WILL ONLY FIX IT IF THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 75,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, WHICH WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AS WELL. APPARENTLY THE REPAIR WILL RUN IN EXCESS OF $1,000, EVEN THOUGH FORD HAS MULTIPLE REPORTED CASES OF THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 145,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE SPREAD FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO THE RADIATOR AND FINALLY TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SOURCE FROM THE ENGINE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS FILED A REPORT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 220,000.

Mileage: 220,000

1998 FORD EXPEDITION INTERIOR LIGHTS STAYING ON, DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYING ON, RADIO TURNING ON AND OFF BY ITSELF, TRAILER LIGHTS NOT WORKING, DASH LIGHTS FLASHING OFF AND ON. I FOUND OUT THERE ARE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THESE CARS HAVING LEAKING WINDSHIELDS ALLOWING WATER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE ELECTRICAL SHORTING ON THE GEM AND FUSE BOX. FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN ISSUE WITH A TSB 98-9-13 !!! I DID A QUICK SEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THESE CAN CAUSE ELECTRICAL FIRES OR CAUSE CARS TO START BY THEMSELVES, LOSING ELECTRICAL STABILITY WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS. (NO BRAKE LIGHTS, ETC..) *JB

Mileage: 110,000

THE BATTERY KEEPS RUNNING DOWN. CAN'T FIND ANYTHING LEFT ON INSIDE TRUCK. HAVE REPLACED BATTERY THREE TIMES. BATTERY HAS THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF CRANKING AMPS. STILL KEEPS RUNNING DOWN. HEARD THAT THERE MAYBE PROBLEMS WITH THE BATTERY CABLES OR SOME OTHER TYPE OF ELECTRICAL WIRING. *JB

MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION XLT CAUGHT FIRE WHEN PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT OF GEORGIO'S RESTAURANT AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND REMAINED LOCALIZED THERE. ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FLAMED UP, BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE HOOD, AND DAMAGED EVERYTHING FORWARD OF THE VEHICLES FIREWALL. FLAME WAS CONTAINED AND EXTINGUISHED USING INDUSTRIAL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AVAILABLE AT THE RESTAURANT GEORGIO'S WHERE MY WIFE, DAUGHTER, AND I WERE MEETING MY PARENTS FOR DINNER. THE VEHICLE HAS A GOOD SERVICE RECORD AND HAS BEEN SERVICE AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALER A FEW TIMES, SO THIS WAS A HUGE SURPRISE. I AM FAIRLY CONFIDENT THE VEHICLE WILL BE DECLARED "TOTALED" BY MY INSURANCE CARRIER GEICO. MY WIFE AND I DEPEND ON HAVING A SECOND VEHICLE BECAUSE I DRIVE OUR OTHER VEHICLE 60 MINUTES AWAY EVERY DAY FOR WORK. SINCE SHE SPENDS HER TIME RAISING OUR DAUGHTER, I AM THE SOLE SOURCE OF INCOME, BUT WE'RE UNSURE THAT INCOME CAN ACCOMMODATE A CAR PAYMENT (BOTH OF OUR VEHICLES ARE PAID FOR). *NM

Mileage: 140,000

I OWN A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION XLT. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR THE PAST 8 MONTHS. WHEN TRUCK IS CONNECTED TO COMPUTER FOR TROUBLE SHOOT EGR CODE IS DETECTED. I HAVE CHANGED EGR,SOLENOID,COMPUTER AND TO THIS DATE LIGHT IS STILL ON. I HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WITH FORD EXPEDITIONS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP. *NM

MY WIFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE A 98 FORD EXPEDITION ON U.S HIGHWAY 27 ABOUT 5 MILES EAST OF CLEWISTON AND THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE, SHE STOPPED IT , GOT OFF AND THEN THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER SEAT MECHANISM DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, RESULTING IN DRIVER'S INABILITY TO VIEW THE ROAD. THE SEAT MOVES UP AND DOWN, BUT WILL NOT GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 3/17/2006 - RIGHT FRONT AXLE LEAKED, WINDSHIELD WASHERS FAILED. THE GLASS IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP. THE DOOR LOCKS LOCKED THE CONSUMER OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE HORN WAS DIFFICULT TO LOCATE. THE REAR TAILGATE WINDOW EXPLODED. *NM

Mileage: 27,900

SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT FROM ENGINE. NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, FAILURE CAUSED LACK OF DRIVING POWER. IF INCIDENT HAD OCCURRED DURING RUSH HOUR, ACCIDENTS WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE ENGINE BLOCK HAD TO BE RE-TAPPED, PLUG AND COIL REPLACED. *NM

Mileage: 128,000

DT: THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION # PE05033 FOR THE 1099-2002 MODELS, BUT IT DOES NOT INCLUDED THE 1998 MODEL THAT WAS HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS AS DESCRIBED IN PE05033.. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC SHOP, AND THEY HAVE REPLACED A JAMMED MODULE ON AUGUST 30, 2004, AND ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 THEY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. HAD NO TROUBLE UNTIL IT RAINED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THEN, THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING FOR ABOUT THIRTY MINUTES AND IT STARTED. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE, TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, AND TAKING THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION THE DOOR CHIME WAS CLICKING ,/THE RADIO WAS GOING, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS RUNNING WITH NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION. *AK

DT: THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION # PE05033 FOR THE 1099-2002 MODELS, BUT IT DOES NOT INCLUDED THE 1998 MODEL THAT WAS HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS AS DESCRIBED IN PE05033.. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC SHOP, AND THEY HAVE REPLACED A JAMMED MODULE ON AUGUST 30, 2004, AND ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 THEY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. HAD NO TROUBLE UNTIL IT RAINED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THEN, THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING FOR ABOUT THIRTY MINUTES AND IT STARTED. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE, TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, AND TAKING THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION THE DOOR CHIME WAS CLICKING ,/THE RADIO WAS GOING, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS RUNNING WITH NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION. *AK

MY 98 EXPEDITION WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE WHEN MY SON CAME HOME AND OPENED THE GARAGE A SAW SMOKE COMING OUT. I HAD BEEN HOME ABOUT 80 MINS. THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF MY EXP. I QUICKLY STARTED THE VEHICLE TO GET IT OUT OF THE GARAGE AREA, BUT IT WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE - THE BRAKE PRESSURE FUSE HAD BLOWN DUE TO THE WIRE FIRE, SO THE CAR WAS STUCK IN PARK. LUCKILY THE FIRE WENT OUT ON IT'S OWN. PROBLEM WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH SPARKED (SOMEHOW) AND STARTED A SMALL WIRE FIRE UNDER THE HOOD - NEAR THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVIOR. THIS COULD HAVE BURNED MY CAR AND MY HOUSE DOWN !! NORTH CENTRAL FORD (RICHARDSON TX) WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AT NO CHARGE, BECAUSE "ONLY THE 2000 MODELS HAD A RECALL" !! THEY DID ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE 1997 TO 2001 MODELS ARE CURRENTLY BEING "INVESTIGATED" BY FORD ENGINEERS AND THE NHTSA FOR THE SAME FIRE PROBLEM THAT I HAD. MY MECHANIC (NOT A FORD DEALER) DISCONNECTED THE WIRE HARNESS SO NOW THE FUSE WON'T BLOW AND I CAN DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I WILL HAVE MY MECHANIC FIX THE PROBLEM TOMORROW. *NM

Mileage: 118,000

1998 FORD EXPEDITION. ON JULY 1, 2005 CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH BURNED AND MELTED RENDERING VEHICLE INOPERABLE (TEMPORARILY). THREE CHILDREN NEEDED TO BE "EVACUATED" IN TEARS AS SMOKE BILLOWED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. ALTOUGH A KNOWN ISSUE TO FORD, BECAUSE THEIR CURRENT RECALL IS 2000 YEAR ONLY THEY OFFERED NO (YES NO) ASSISTANCE FOR REPAIR (ONLY ASKING THAT THE DEFECTIVE PART(S) BE REPLACED - NOT ANY OTHER SUBSEQUENT DAMAGES. THERE WERE NONE OTHER THAN THE SMOKE). THOUGHT YOU MAY LIKE TO HERE ABOUT IT. THANKS, DAVID

Mileage: 119,000

I JUST STARTED EXPERIENCING ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ARTICLE ON THE CNBC FINANCIAL WEB PAGE. DURING EXTREME PERIODS RAIN, DAMPNESS OR HIGH HUMIDITY, MY TRUCK WOULD NOT RUN CORRECTLY. IT STARTED OUT WITH THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING (OR THE CRUISE CONTROL), BUT DROVE FINE DOWN THE ROAD. THEN AS TIME & MONTHS WENT ON THE SYMPTOMS SEEMED TO GET WORSE. BESIDES THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING OR THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN IT RAINED, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED NOT SHIFTING AT ITS NORMAL ''SHIFTING POINTS'' & THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT ON THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD FLASH ON & OFF REPEATEDLY. WHEN IT WAS DRY OUT OR IF I USED THE FLOOR HEATER WHEN IT RAIN, IT WOULD RUN OK. THEN ONE DAY IN THE RAIN ALL THE ''IDIOT CLUSTER LIGHTS'' IN THE DASH WOULD ALL START FLASHING ON & OFF WITH A ''CLICKING OR SWITCHING'' SOUND FROM UNDER THE DASH. IT GOT TO A POINT DURING A HEAVY RAIN THAT ALL OF THE ABOVE WOULD HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME OVER A 40 MILE DRIVE, & THE REAR WINDOW WIPER WOULD STOP WORKING IN MID-WIPE & THE VEHICLE WOULD START LOOSING POWER. AT THIS POINT I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER & TOLD THEM THE SAME THINGS. FINALLY AFTER THE 2 VISITS & ANOTHER HOUR TO HOUR & A HALF TO DIAGNOSE & TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM THEY TOLD ME THAT MY WINDSHIELD WAS LEAKING SOMEWHERE & WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID FORD HAD A ''TSB'' TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUT. THEY FOUND BOTH THE ''GEM & CJB'' MODULES (PART #''S F852-14B205-KA & F752-14AD68-BA) UNDER THE DASH ALL ''WET & CORRODED'' & NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $589.94 JUST FOR THE PARTS PLUS $74.95 HR. LABOR & A $7.50 HAZARDOUS WASTE FOR A REPAIR ORDER CHARGE. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO A LOCAL GLASS SHOP TO FIND THE LEAK & REPLACE THE SEAL. THEY DISCOVER THAT THE ''SEAL'' FOR THE WINDSHIELD WAS LEAKING AT THE TOP NEAR THE RAIN CUTTERS ON THE ROOF & RUNNING DOWN THE ''A'' PILLARS & WAS ALSO STARTING TO RUST THAT AREA NEAR THE SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR THE GLASS.

Mileage: 173,883

DT: CONSUMER'S 1998 FORD EXPEDITION BURST INTO FLAMES. WHILE CONSUMER WAS IN VEHICLE, WITH THE VEHICLE OFF, SHE NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN THE CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE THE SMOKE TURNED TO BLACK. WHEN THE CONSUMER WALKED AWAY SHE LOOKED BACK TOWARDS THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES.*AK

Mileage: 133,000

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. HE STATES THAT WHILE HE WAS IN A STORE AND CAME OUTSIDE AND VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE WHILE IT WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE WAS OFF. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS DISPATCHED. SOMETHING EXPLODED TOWARDS THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HOOD AND SHOT UP IN THE AIR.*AK

CC QUIT WORKING, REPLACED AT DEALER, WOULD NOT GET OUT OF PARK

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH CONSUMER HEAR A POPPING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. PULLED OVER, PUT OUT THE FIRE, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *BF NM CORRECTED 6/16/05 - INCIDENT DATE WRONG AND 0 INJURIES NOT 2 SPOKE WITH OWNER - PASSENGER (UNCLE) IS DEVASTATED AND DRIVER (OWNER) STILL HEARS RINGING IN HIS EARS - THEY BOTH FEARED DYING BECAUSE OF VEHICLE EXPLODING WHILE DRIVING *SLP

Mileage: 100,000

ON APRIL 25TH, 2005 MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION EXPLODED AND WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED BY FIRE. I CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. FROM ALL INFORMATION I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FINE THE DESCRIPTION OF OTHER CAR FIRES MATCH HOW MY CAR BURNED. FORD HAS ADVISED ME THAT MY INSURANCE COMPANY WILL HAVE TO SUBROGATE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY WILL COVER THE BALANCE OWED ON MY CAR, HOWEVER I AM WITHOUT A VEHICLE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS ADVISING ME THAT A LAW SUIT AGAINST FORD WILL TAKE YEARS. I WANT TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST FORD, THIS IS UNFAIR TREATMENT. I HAVE LOST MY CAR, CONTENTS WITHIN AND NOW I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION.

Mileage: 119,000

VEHICLE PARKED APPROX 3 HOURS, FLAMES FRONT OF DASH AT WINDSHIELD, TRIED TO PUT OUT VEHICLE FIRE HIMSELF --- INJURED ---- NO PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE PRIOR TO VEHICLE FIRE

Mileage: 103,000

VEHICLE PARKED APPROX 10 HOURS, HORN BLOWING INTERMITTENTLY, SMELLED SMOKE, INTERIOR GARAGE DOOR TO HOUSE HOT, GOT FAMILY OUT - DID NOT WITNESS VEHICLE FIRE AS OUTSIDE GARAGE DOOR WAS SHUT ----- CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING 1 MONTH PRIOR TO VEHICLE FIRE

SPARK PLUGS BLOWN OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD OF FORD EXPEDITION 5.4 LITER ENGINE. *AK

Mileage: 98,000

SPARK PLUG BOWN OUT OF POORLY DESIGNED CYLINDER HEAD ON 5.4 LITER ENGINE. *AK

Mileage: 62,000

GEM MODULE/ECU FAILED - COROSION FOUND ON BA BOX FUSE ASSEMBLY - PROGRESSIVE AND RANDON SYMTOMS OVER PERIOD OF TIME PRIOR TO COMPLETE FAILURE - FORD LOOKED AT PROBLEMS PREVIOUSLY AND NEVER CORRECTED(REPLACED BATERY WORN OUT FROM REPEATED DRAINS). CAUSED ELECTRICAL BACKFLOWS INTO VARIOUS SYSTEMS WHEN POWER OFF SUCH AS AC, RADIO, ENGINE ETC... DRAINING BATTERY NUMEROUS TIMES AND CAUSING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.... CAUSED AIRBAGS TO BECOME DISABLED... COMPROMISED ABS BRAKING RANDOMLY... THESE SYSMPTOMS OCCURRED MANY MONTHS PRIOR TO TOTAL FAILURE AT WHICH TIME MANY REALLY WEIRD SYSMPTOMS MADE THE CAR VIRTUALLY UNDRIVEABLE AT SPEED... TRANSMISSION CHANGING GEARS ERRADICALLY... SPEEDOMETER WORKS OFF AND ON... ENGINE CYCLE THRU STARTUP CYCLE OVER AND OVER WHILE DRIVING. *AK

Mileage: 80,000

GEM MODULE/ECU FAILED - COROSION FOUND ON BA BOX FUSE ASSEMBLY - PROGRESSIVE AND RANDON SYMTOMS OVER PERIOD OF TIME PRIOR TO COMPLETE FAILURE - FORD LOOKED AT PROBLEMS PREVIOUSLY AND NEVER CORRECTED(REPLACED BATERY WORN OUT FROM REPEATED DRAINS). CAUSED ELECTRICAL BACKFLOWS INTO VARIOUS SYSTEMS WHEN POWER OFF SUCH AS AC, RADIO, ENGINE ETC... DRAINING BATTERY NUMEROUS TIMES AND CAUSING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.... CAUSED AIRBAGS TO BECOME DISABLED... COMPROMISED ABS BRAKING RANDOMLY... THESE SYSMPTOMS OCCURRED MANY MONTHS PRIOR TO TOTAL FAILURE AT WHICH TIME MANY REALLY WEIRD SYSMPTOMS MADE THE CAR VIRTUALLY UNDRIVEABLE AT SPEED... TRANSMISSION CHANGING GEARS ERRADICALLY... SPEEDOMETER WORKS OFF AND ON... ENGINE CYCLE THRU STARTUP CYCLE OVER AND OVER WHILE DRIVING. *AK

Mileage: 80,000

I HAVE A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION, AND THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES STOPPED WORKING, THE BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING, AND I COULD NOT PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. I LOOKED AT THE FUSE BOX AND FOUND A FUSE BLOWN. WHEN I REPLACED THE FUSE, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN THE CAR STARTED SMOKING PROFUSELY. I PULLED THE FUSE OUT RIGHT AWAY, AND HAD SOMEONE WATCH AS I PUT IT BACK IN. THE SMOKING STARTED AGAIN, AND IT WAS COMING FROM SOME TYPE OF BRAKE SWITCH ON THE FRONT OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. I TOOK THE CAR TO AIRPORT FORD IN FLORENCE, KY, AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE 2000 FORDS WERE BEING RECALLED FOR. I ASKED THEM IF IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE RE-CALL, AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT THE RIGHT YEAR OR VIN. THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHY BECAUSE IT WAS THE EXACT SAME SWITCH CAUSING THE EXACT SAME FIRE THAT OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING. I HAD TO PAY $158.14 PLUS $15.00 "SHOP SUPPLIES" PLUS $10.39 IN TAXES, TOTALING $183.53 FOR A DESIGN AND SAFETY FLAW - THE SAME ONE THAT THEY SAY ONLY AFFECTS THE 2000 MODELS. FORD IS TRYING TO KEEP FROM TAKING CARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR OTHER MODELS EVEN THOUGH EVEN THEIR OWN DEALERSHIP TECHNICIANS SAY IS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM.*AK

Mileage: 148,515

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE RESIDENCE. TWO HOURS LATER, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED OUT TO EXTINGUISH OUT THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

I ARRIVED AT HOME AND PARKED VEHICLE IN GARAGE ~5:15PM. MY WIFE WALKED ON THE TREADMILL (WHICH IS IN THE GARAGE) FROM 7:15 ? 7:45PM AND DID NOT SMELL OR NOTICE ANYTHING UNUSUAL. AT 10:00 PM I LOOKED THROUGH GARAGE DOOR TO MAKE SURE LIGHTS WERE OUT AND GARAGE DOORS SHUT. I NOTICED A SMALL RED LIGHT BELOW THE TRUCK. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND IT WAS A FLAME. I CAME BACK IN THE HOUSE TOLD MY WIFE TO NOTIFY THE FIRE DEPT. I USED A HOSE AND FIRE EXTINGUISHERS TO EXHAUST FLAME AS THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED. THE HEAT WAS SO INTENSE IT MELTED THE GARAGE LIGHT LENS ABOVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO NEUTRAL DUE TO DAMAGE, SO I USED MY NEIGHBOR?S TRUCK TO PULL THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE. IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN THE DEFECTIVE CRUISE SWITCH ACCORDING TO A FIRE INVESTIGATOR. THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE IS OBVIOUS I CAN EMAIL PHOTOS (EXCEPT I DID NOT PHOTO DAMAGED WINDSHIELD). WE ALSO HAVE SMOKE DAMAGE TO OUR GARAGE. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD ORIGINALLY THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE 5 DAYS UNTIL THEY CONTACT ME, NOW THEY SAY IT COULD BE 10 DAYS. I ASKED THEM TO EXPEDITE, SINCE I AM CURRENTLY WITHOUT A VEHICLE. FORD HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING AT THIS POINT TO REVIEW OR RESOLVE THE ISSUE.*AK

Mileage: 121,560

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE RESIDENCE. LATER THAT EVENING, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED. THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED. *AK

Mileage: 110,000

OUR 1998 FORD EXPEDITION WAS DESTROYED BY A ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT DAMAGED OUR HOME.THE TRUCK WAS LAST DRIVEN AT 9:30PM AND AT 11:30PM IT STARTED ON FIRE.THE TRUCK WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANNC COMPANY.*AK

Mileage: 72,000

WHILE MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION WAS PARKED IN DRIVE WAY, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF WARNING. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY MY HUSBAND AND OUR NEIGHBORS, ONLY TO REIGN NIGHT AGAIN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OUT FOR GOOD.*AK

THE VEHICLES THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH (COMBINATION TURN SIGNAL, WINDSHIELD WASHER/WIPER) HAD A DESIGN OR ASSEMBLY FLAW. *BF THE ORIGINAL SWITCH WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO CORROSION IN THE WASHER . A FEW MONTHS LATER THE REPLACEMENT FAILED. *NM

VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE BEING PARKED. THE CAUSE OF THIS WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK

SPARK PLUG BLEW-OUT. *AK

Mileage: 110,000

ON MAY 24, 2003, I (MELODY) BACKED IN MY 1998 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPEDITION INTO MY GARAGE AROUND 8:15 PM FOR THE NIGHT. AROUND 8:30 PM, MY SON AND I LEFT WITH A NEIGHBOR TO A HOUSEWARMING PARTY 2 BLOCKS AWAY WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS ASLEEP IN THE HOUSE. WE RETURNED TO OUR HOME AROUND 10 PM AND DID EVEYTHING AS USUAL (SHOWER, BED). MY SON AND I FELL ASLEEP IN THE LIVING ROOM AREA WATCHING TELEVISION AROUND 11 PM. AROUND 1:15PM I HEARD THE GARAGE DOOR SOUND LIKE IT WAS OPENED AND I PROCEEDED OUT THE FRONT DOOR AS MY HUSBAND WAS RIGHT BEHIND ME; HE HAD HEARD THE SOUND ALSO IN THE BEDROOM. AS I CREPT DOWN A FEW STEPS, WE HAD SEEN SMOKE COMING FROM THE GARAGE AREA AND I YELLED "THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE, RUN!" WE BOTH RAN BACK INTO THE HOUSE, I GRABBED MY SON SLEEPING BY THE WINDOWS AND MY HUSBAND GRABBED THE KEYS TO HIS TRUCK AND HIS CELL PHONE. MY SON AND I RAN TO NEIGHBORS HOUSES TO CALL THE FIRE DEPT. AND MY HUSBAND OPENED THE FRONT SIDE ENTRANCE INTO THE GARAGE AND MOVED HIS TRUCK THAT WAS PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY OF THE HOUSE. WE STOOD ACROSS THE STREET WATCHING OUR HOUSE BURN WHILE THE FIRE DEPT. EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. AS MY HUSBAND AND I SAT OUTSIDE OUR BURNED HOME THAT EARLY MORNING, WE CONTACTED STATE FARM TO MAKE A CLAIM AND FIND OUT WHAT TO DO. ON JUNE 9, 2003, INSURANCE INVESTIGATORS AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM FORD MOTOR CO. CAM TO THE HOUSE TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WHICH ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. LATER, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE INFORMED THAT QUITE POSSIBLY THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH OR CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE.*AK

MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION BLEW A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE HEAD. I NOW LEARN THAT FORD'S ENGINEERS RECOGNIZED THIS DEFECT IN THE HEAD AND HAVE INCREASED THE THREAD COUNT IN THE HEAD FROM APPROXIMATELY 4 THREADS TO APPROXIMATELY 10 THREADS (PER POWER FORD, TORRANCE, CA). *AK

Mileage: 120,000

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THEN, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

1998 FORD EXPEDITION. SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT. 3 TIMES . FIRST TWO TIMES REPAIREDBY FORD UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

Mileage: 68,000

1998 EXPEDITION. FIRE CONCENTRATED IN LEFT REAR CORNER OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN VICINITY OF CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE 15 AMP FUSE FOR THAT CIRCUIT WAS BLOWN. XRAYS OF THE SWITCH HEAD SHOWED TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE BRASS CONTACTS INSIDE EVEN THOUGH THE OUTER SHELL WAS STILL RELATIVELY IN TACT.

Mileage: 100,000

WHILE PULLING INTO THE STREET FROM A PARKED POSITION A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK

Mileage: 66,000

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 100,000

ON MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE FORD COMPANY WILL NOT SAY THAT THE ENGINE HAS A DEFECT. THE SPARK PLUGS ARE STILL THE SAME ONES THAT CAME WITH THE TRUCK NEW. I HAD MY INFANT SON IN THE CAR WHEN THIS OCCURRED, AND THIS MISHAP PUT US IN NEEDLESS PERIL. CAR IS IN REPAIR STILL AND FORD IS NOT TREATING THIS LIKE AN ENGINE DEFECT. I SEE MANY ONLINE POSTS FROM OTHER FORD OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS SITUATION COULD HAVE CAUSED DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. GASOLINE WAS FUMES WERE STRONG AND THE ENGINE COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

Mileage: 84,000

FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THE 1998 YEAR EXPEDITION. I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE NEW AND HAVE TO DATE REPLACED A BLOWN SPARK PLUG AND APPROXIMATELY 5 BLOWN COIL PACKS. FORD TELLS ME THE INSTALLATION OF THE COIL PACKS WERE NOT MOISTURE PROTECTED THEREFORE WHEN THE COIL RECEIVES MOISTURE THEY BLOW. THERE IS 8 COIL PACKS IN A VEHICLE AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $377 PER COIL. HOW CAN WE GET THESE RECALLED? IF YOU DID A SEARCH OF ALL FORD DEALERSHIPS AND SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD COIL PACKS AND SPARKS PLUGS REPLACED YOU WOULD SEE THERE IS A DEFINITE PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP WITH THIS! *LA

Mileage: 75,000

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT, THEN VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE THIRD SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING ON A SERVICE ROAD AT 40 MPH SPARK PLUGS BLEW OUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO DECELERATE. THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES,THAT MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE TREAD NOT BEING TREADED DEEP ENOUGH INTO THE HEAD AT THE FACTORY.*AK

Mileage: 77,000

WHILE DRIVING LUGS NUTS BROKE, CAUSING THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH WHEN LUGS AND NUTS BROKE IN THE FRONT WHEEL. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND PUT THE SAME TIRE AND RIM. WHEN CONSUMER LEFT DEALERSHIP, LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK AND EXPERIENCED SHAKING IN FRONT END. TOOK VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP, AND FOUND OUT THAT THE FRONT END WAS SO BAD. DEALERSHIP REPLACED SHIMS TO ALIGN FRONT END. THE FAILURE OF LIGHTS WAS CAUSED BY THE REPAIR FROM THE PREVIOUS DEALERSHIP BECAUSE WHEN THEY TOOK THE DASH BOARD APART, THEY POKED A HOLE IN THE HEATER WHICH BURNED THE WIRE. *LA

Mileage: 76,000

MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION EDDIE BAUER WITH A 5.4L TRITON V-8 JUST BLEW A SPARK PLUG. *AK

Mileage: 72,804

NUMBER 2 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE HEAD, DAMAGING THE COIL AND STRANDING MY WIFE, 2 YEAR OLD SON AND MY 8 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER.*AK

Mileage: 97,711

WARNING LIGHT FOR SUSPENSION SYSTEM WITH AIR LEVELER ON 4X4, SUSPENSION WARNING LIGHT COMES ON SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. VEHICLE NEVER LEVELED WITH A LOAD ON THE HITCH. THE AIR COMPRESSOR RUNS A LOT AND BECAME VERY NOISY OVER THE YEARS. THE VEHICLE ROCKS BACK AND FORTH, IN, RIGHT SIDE GOES UP AND DOWN A FEW INCHES, WILL NOT LEVEL UNDER LOAD. NEVER FELT SAFE TO TOW ANYTHING WHICH WAS THE PURPOSE FOR BUYING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE REFUSES TO ACCEPT THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE. TOOK IN 3 - 4X A YEAR FOR SAME AND THEY REFUSED TO LOOK AT ANYTHING EXCEPT THE COMPUTER READOUT. PRESENTED LIST OF RELATED NHTSA REPORTS AND FORD SAID THEY DO NOT USE THEM UNDER WARRANTY. PURCHASED FORDS BEST EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH WILL EXPIRE IN 3 MONTHS AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. COMPRESSOR PUMP BROKE A WEEK AGO AND THEY REFUSE TO LOOK AT ANYTHING ELSE. INITIAL RECOMMENDATION WAS TO DISCONNECT WARNING LIGHT. SECOND RECOMMENDATION WAS TO SELL VEHICLE IF I DIDN'T LIKE IT. NO OBLIGATION FOR THE 45,000.00 PAID. CANNOT SELL VEHICLE BECAUSE THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON ALL THE TIME AND VEHICLE NEVER LEVEL. *CB

SUSPENSION WARNING LIGHT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEW IN 07-1998. *CB

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

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

TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 40-50 MPH WHEN ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS IN THE MOTOR EXPLODED OUT OF THE HEAD. I SPOKE TO FORD, AND THEY EXPRESSED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD EXPEDITION, THAT IT IS PROBABLY A CASTING FLAW WITH THE HEADS, AND THAT A REPLACEMENT IS TYPICAL AND WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $3,000.00 FOR REPAIR. ASIDE FROM BEING STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THERE WAS NO INDICATOR THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN. RESEARCH HAS LED ME TO FIND THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF OTHER FORD OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. WHERE IS THE RECALL? *LA

Mileage: 131,000

SPARK PLUG WAS 'BLOWN' OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD ON 1998 FORD EXPEDITION. FORD ENTHUSIAST WEBSITE SHOWED THIS OCCURRING TO SEVERAL PEOPLE. THE EXPENSE IS $4100 AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURER. THERE WAS NO WARNING, NOR ANY RECENT SERVICE PERFORMED OTHER THAN OIL CHANGE. *JB

Mileage: 125,000

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WITH IGNITION TURNED OFF AND WITH DRIVER STANDING OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE AND REACHING INTO IGNITION TO TAKE KEYS OUT VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS AND SLAMMED INTO THE PAVEMENT, HITTING A PARKED CAR BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. *AK

Mileage: 77,000

WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY,THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. THE CAUSE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONSUMER FELT IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS. *AK *SCC *JB

Mileage: 92,000

THE AIR BAG DID NOT COME OUT ALL WAY,WHEN I PRESS THE HORN ON THE STEER WHEEL IT WILL NOT RESPOND BECAUSE THE AIRBAGE BUILT UP PRESSURE .THE AIRBAGE STUCK.*AK

Mileage: 83,630

I HAVE A 1998 FORD EXPEDITION 5.4L ENGINE. AT UNDER 50000 MILES A SPARK PLUG BLEW RIGHT OUT OF THE CYLINDER. HEAD AND STRIPPED THE THREADS. REPAIRS INCLUDED A NEW CYLINDER HEAD. FORD RECOMMENDS SPARK PLUG CHANGE AT ABOUT 100000 MILES. THE ISSUE IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF THE ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEAD ONLY HAVING A FEW TURNS OF THREAD TO HOLD IN A SPARK PLUG UNDER COMPRESSION.*AK

Mileage: 49,486

WHEN TOUCHING THE SIGNAL SWITCH, THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF BY THEMSELVES. VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 7/10/2003. *AK WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS WERE USED, THE HEADLAMP SWITCHED ON AND OFF. WHEN BARELY TOUCHED, THE TURN SIGNAL HEADLAMP(S) TURNED OFF AND CAME BACK ON AFTER TOUCHING THEM AGAIN. *SCC *JB

MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION BLEW OUT A SPARKPLUG FROM THE HEAD WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. REPAIR COSTS EXCEEDED $4000. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I FOUND NOT ONLY WERE THERE OTHER EXPEDITIONS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, IT SEEMS THAT I PAID APROX. TWICE AS MUCH AS OTHER SIMIALAR REPAIR JOBS.*AK

Mileage: 85,476

ON JUNE 21, 2003, I TRAVELED TO A GROCERY STORE JUST OUTSIDE MY SUBDIVISION. I WAS IN THE STORE ABOUT TEN MINUTES WHEN THE STORE MANAGER STARTED TO PAGE THE OWNER OF A BLUE EXPEDITION. AT THE TIME I THOUGHT I HAD LEFT MY LIGHTS ON. UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE IN THE STORE'S PARKING LOT. WHEN I ARRIVED OUTSIDE, THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE EXPEDITION WAS IN FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS SO INTENSE IT BURNED THROUGH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. BY THE TIME I MADE IT OUTSIDE, FIREFIGHTERS WERE ALREADY BATTLING THE BLAZE. MY VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *JB

Mileage: 71,000

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY ANDWITHOUT PRIOR WARNING SPARK PLUG WIRE DISCONNECTED FROM THE ENGINE PART, CAUSING A LOUD POPPY NOISE. *AK

I HAVE REPLACED THE P04 COIL THREE TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR.*AK

Mileage: 60,000

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS WAS BLOWN OUT OF THE HEAD. I AM WAITING TO SEE HOW THE DEALERSHIP WILL HANDLE THIS PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 73,495

WHILE DRIVING, BLEW A #3 SPARK PLUG. *TT

Mileage: 97,202

THE VEHICLES SPARK PLUGS BLEW AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE INOPERATIVE. *NLM

Mileage: 68,000

THE TAIL LIGHT AND INTERIOR LIGHTS STAYED ON AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND SHUTTING THE DOOR. *JB

INTERRIOR LIGHT FAILS TO GO OFF, EVEN WITH VEHICLE RUNNING. ON ONE INSTANCE, IT BEGAN FLASHING. THIS WAS VERY DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS AS IT WAS AT NIGHT. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO TURN THE INTERIOR LIGHT OFF BY PULLING THE RELAY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 1999-2000 EXPEDITIONS, BUT APPARENTLY IT AFFECTS 1998 VEHICLES AS WELL.

Mileage: 88,000

INTERRIOR LIGHT FAILS TO GO OFF, EVEN WITH VEHICLE RUNNING. ON ONE INSTANCE, IT BEGAN FLASHING. THIS WAS VERY DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS AS IT WAS AT NIGHT. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO TURN THE INTERIOR LIGHT OFF BY PULLING THE RELAY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 1999-2000 EXPEDITIONS, BUT APPARENTLY IT AFFECTS 1998 VEHICLES AS WELL.

Mileage: 88,000

REPEATED PROBLEM THAT HAS ESCALATED TO A SUGGESTED ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THE #4 COIL HAS BEEN REPAIRED 10 TIMES. THE VEHICLE WARRANTY AND EXTENDED WARRANTY HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED. FORD HAS REPEATLY FAILED TO FIND THE REAL PROBLEM. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES AND SUPERVISOR HAVE SAID THAT THERE'S NOTHING FORD CAN DO ABOUT MY PROBLEM. "IT'S THE FORD POLICY."*AK

SPARK PLUGS VIBRATED AND BLEW OUT ON THE TOP OF THE MOTOR, VEHCILE STALL OUT.DEALER CONTACTED,SAD IT SHOULD NOT HAPPENED. *AK

FUSE BOX KEEPS FAILING/ TAIL LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONS. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER HAS REPLACED A SWITCH IN VEHICLE, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.*AK

FUSE BOX KEEPS FAILING/ TAIL LIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT, AND INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONS. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER HAS REPLACED A SWITCH IN VEHICLE, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.*AK

THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING DUE TO A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. THE LOSS OF POWER RESULTED IN BRAKE AND STEERING FAILURES. *YH

AT 25MPH SPARK PLUG BLEWOUT WITH NO WARNING. THEN, VEHICLE SHUTDOWN. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REPLACED SPARK PLUGS. *AK TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 17,000 MILES *TT

ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS BLEW OUT COMPLETELY AS ENGINE WAS RUNNING, REPAIR SHOP SAID IT WAS VERY UNUSUAL AND COULD BE SOME TYPE OF DEFECT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE BEFORE WITH SO FEW MILES. THE THREADS WERE COMPLETELY STRIPPED OUT WHERE SPARK PLUG SCREWS INTO HEAD.*AK

WHILE AT IDLE THE #3 SPARKPLUG BLEW OUT OF THE CYLINDER STRIPPING THE THREADS. THE REPAIR FACILITY ESTIMATES $2000 TO REPAIR. THIS IS EXACTLY LIKE ODI #743868. THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE HEADS. THIS ENGINE WAS REPLACED TWICE AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES BECAUSE OF LEAKS IN THE HEADGASKET. THE CURRENT ENGINE ONLY HAS 34000 MILES. WHEN THE SPAKPLUG BLEW OUT IT SPEWED GAS OVER THE ENGINE CREATING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.*AK

I CALLED FORD CONSUMER RELATIONS AND THEY PLAYED DUMB LIKE THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. I WAS STEAMED. AT LEAST ADMIT YOU HAVE A PROBLEM I TOLD THEM. AFTER FIRST TALKING TO SOME LACKIE, I GOT A "SUPERVISOR" WHO WAS VERY ARROGANT. HE TRIED TO BLAME IT ON A LACK OF "FORD CERTIFIED" MAINTENANCE. IF THEY WOULD HAVE JUST ADMITTED THE PROBLEM AND CHARGED ME COST FOR THE REPLACEMENT INSTEAD OF MAKING EVEN MORE MONEY ON THEIR OWN DESIGN FLAW, I WOULD HAVE BEEN HAPPY. THEY EVEN CHARGED ME $30 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM! I MENTIONED THE TSB, BUT AGAIN, HE PLAYED DUMB AND SAID HE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK INTO IT. *AK

STARTER FAILED. NLM

STARTER FAILED. NLM

VEHICLE WILL NOT START. ALSO, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN AND CLOSE DOORS OR WINDOWS.*AK

VEHICLE WILL NOT START. ALSO, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN AND CLOSE DOORS OR WINDOWS.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED THE #3 SPARK PLUG ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF VEHICLE DETONATED, STRIPPING THE SPARK PLUG THREADS AND INCAPACITATING THE VEHICLE. THE FORD DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE US $2000 TO FIX WHAT IS ESSENTIALLY A KNOWN DEFECT. FORD REDESIGNED THE SPARK PLUG HOUSING WITH A REDUCED NUMBER OF THREADS RESULTING IN THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTENTED ON A NUMBER OF MESSAGE BOARDS. *AK

I KNOW OF AT LEAST 10 EXPEDITION OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE COIL BANK ON #4. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN AT JONES FORD INDICATED IT WAS A VEHICLE DEFECT. *AK

ON 16 MAY 2001 WHILE TRAVELING SOUTH ON COLORADO INTERSTATE 25 IN DENVER, OUR FORD EXPEDITION STARTED TO CHUG AND SPUTTER. THINKING IT WAS BAD GAS FROM FILLING THE TANK UP AROUND 9:00AM EARLIER THAT SAME DAY, WE TRIED TO CHANGE LANES TO GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE EXPEDITION THEN STALLED AS WE COASTED TO A HALT ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AT THE UNDER PASS OF I-25 AND US 285. WE THEN TURNED ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THINKING IT WAS OVERHEATED, WE OPENED THE HOOD TO COOL THE ENGINE DOWN. AS SOON AS THE HOOD POOPED UP FLAMES WERE VISIBLE AND WE PROCEEDED TO EXIT THE EXPEDITION. THE DENVER FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AROUND 8:55PM AND PUMPER TRUCK NO. 22 ARRIVED TO SCENE. WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THE EXPEDITION WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. AFTER THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED, THE CAPTAIN SHOWED ME WHERE THE FIRE STARTED. ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, A FUEL LINE WAS DETERMINED TO BE FAULTY NEXT TO THE FENDER DUE TO DETERIORATION FROM THE FUEL AND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THIS IS REFLECTIVE IN HIS REPORT #01-23023. HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT I WAS LUCKY THAT THE TANK WAS FULL OF FUEL OTHERWISE THE EXPEDITION WOULD HAVE EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED BY FORD UNDER THEIR EXTENDED SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE PLAN. WE UTILIZED THE PLAN UNTIL IT EXPIRED AT 36,000 MILES. AFTER WE NO LONGER WERE UNDER A MAINTENANCE PLAN, WE HAD OUR EXPEDITION SERVICE BY GOODYEAR AND OIL CHANGED AT APPROXIMATELY EVERY 3000 TO 4000 MILES. THE LAST TIME MAINTENANCE WAS COMPLETED UNDER THE HOOD WAS IN MARCH 2001. NO OTHER MAINTENANCE WAS DONE UNDER THE HOOD.

DOORS, WINDOWS, LOCKS ALL WORK PERIDICALLY, THE COMMAND MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. CJ

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

NO SUMMARY

NO SUMMARY

THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE DUE TO STRIPPED THREADS, DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AS A RESULT OF FAILURE. *MJS

THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE DUE TO STRIPPED THREADS, DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AS A RESULT OF FAILURE. *MJS

A SPARK PLUG THAT HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY TORQUED AT THE FORD FACTORY LOOSTENED AND DESTROYED THE CYLINDER HEAD. IT TOOK THE FORD DEALER 2 WEEKS TO REMOVE THE ENGINE FROM THE VEHICLE, GET THE PARTS, AND MAKE THE REPAIR.

WHILE ON VACATION AT SONS HOME IN TROY MICHIGAN VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT ABOUT 9PM AND WHEN MY WIFE WENT TO GET THE CAR IN THE MORNING SHE FOUND IT MISSING. SHE WAS TOLD BY A NEIGHBOR THAT THE VEHICLE HAD STARTED ON FIRE AROUND 2AM IN THE MORNING WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE AN ENGINE FIRE. THE TROT MICHIGAN POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE DISPATCHED AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE POUND. MY WIFE CONTACTED THE POLICE AND FOUND THAT THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE HAD BURNED TO THE POINT THAT THE VEHICLE IS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN PARKED IN OUR GARAGE IN TEXAS OUR HOUSE WOULD HAVE ALSO BEEN A TOTAL LOSS WITH THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO NATIONWIDE INSURANCE AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE HOT LINE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY EXPECTS TO TRY AND DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE LATER TODAY 5-24-2000. AS OF NOW IT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH ALLL APPROPRIATE MAINTENANCE CURRENT AND EXHIBITED NO PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE SPONTANIOUS FIRE. THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN THE POSSESSION OF THE TROY MICHIGAN IMPOUND LOT. MY WIFE IS STRANDED IN MICHIGAN AND CAN BE REACHED AT 248 952 0802. *AK

AS WE PULLED OUT OF A TOLL BOOTH ON THE G.S.PKWY WE HEARD A LOUD BANG IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF ACCELERATION POWER. APPARENTLY A SPARK PLUG WAS BLOWN FROM THE ENGINE. IT REMAINED ATTACHED TO THE WIRE BUT NEITHER THAT PLUG OR A NEW ONE COULD BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE CYLINDER WAS STRIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KAYTES FORD. WE'RE HOPING FORD WILL INCUR THE EXPENSE OF REPAIRING IT SINCE THIS SHOULD NEVER HAD HAPPENED ESPECIALLY ON A VEHICLE WITH 41,000 MILES. WARRANTY WAS UP AT 36,000. *AK

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPARTMENT DUE TO FAULTY WIRING. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE . THE MANUFACTURE HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

COMPUTER MALFUNCTION CAUSING VEHICLE STALLING AFTER FIXING COMPUTER INCIDENTS OF STALLING STILL CONTINUING.

GENERATOR SYSTEM FAILED.

COMPUTER CARD FAILED. MJS

SPARK PLUG EXPLODED. MJS

VEHICLE ELECTRONICS SYSTEM FAILED TO THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE TRANSMISSION UNIT. YH

HORN IS DIFFICULT TO HONK AND CAN ONLY BE ACTIVATED IN TWO SPOTS DUE TO DESIGN.