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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
86,149 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Ford Expedition engine problems

engine problem

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1998 Ford Expedition Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #58

Jul 132011

Expedition 8-cyl

  • 144,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Our 1998 Ford Expedition with the 5.4 V8 Triton engine had another spark plug blow out of the cylinder head. The last time this happened was about 3 years ago, it was the #3 cylinder plug then and last week it was the #6 cylinder plug, I searched the internet concerning this problem and found hundreds if not more of the same issues, and no one is making Ford do anything about this, just thought my voice in this matter might help. Please if there was ever an instance of a recall this is surely one. This is getting very expensive for the auto owner, the first time we had it fixed by Ford and it was $250 and this time it was over $1,000. Thank you for addressing this issue.

- Green River, WY, USA

problem #57

Oct 082010

Expedition

  • 120,000 miles
1998 Ford Expedition the spark plug blow out.

- Janesville, WI, USA

problem #56

Jul 132010

Expedition

  • 115,000 miles
A spark plug was ejected from the cylinder head. Interior of the SUV filled with gas fumes. There was nothing noticeable prior to this occurring. This is the first time this occurred. The mechanic obtained the repair kit to rethread the cylinder head at a cost of $360. The work is not guaranteed...if it happens again, the head will need to be replaced at a cost of thousands of dollars.

- Lumberton, NJ, USA

problem #55

Dec 242008

Expedition

  • 200,100 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The #4 spark plug ejected from the engine. This is the second time this has occurred within two years.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #54

Dec 152008

Expedition

  • 163,000 miles
Plug blew out of head. Had someone look at the truck and they said that it's common for that truck to do that so I checked with another garage to see what they had to say and they told me the same thing.so why is there not a recall on this?

- Omro, WI, USA

problem #53

Jun 172008

Expedition

  • 137,344 miles
Ford 5.4L engine spark plugs blowing out of engine.

- Strongsville, OH, USA

problem #52

May 122008

Expedition 8-cyl

  • 135,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Spark plug blowout in a Ford Expedition 5.4L V8.

- Cumming, GA, USA

problem #51

Mar 062008

Expedition 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles
My 1998 Ford Expedition blew out a spark plug on the highway while I had my baby daughter in the truck. I lost power and had to swerve into the slow lane almost causing multiple accidents. This is the 2nd time this has happened and still no recall.

- Danvers, MA, USA

problem #50

Jan 192008

Expedition 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 205,000 miles
As I was driving I heard a loud clattering noise. In a few seconds it became louder. I shut the engine off. My husband came and drove the Expedition approx 1/4 mile home. The # 4 spark plug blew out of the head. It slammed the coil pack into the fuel rail and cut the fuel line. As of this time, we have not repaired the vehicle yet.

- Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA

problem #49

Sep 122007

Expedition 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the engine caught fire while the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was destroyed. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 140,000.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #48

Jul 182007

Expedition 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 220,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Homer Glen, IL, USA

problem #47

May 212007

Expedition 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles
Under normal driving condition spark plug blew out @ 1250000. Previously a different spark plug had blown out @ 40000 and was repaired with a helicoil. Repairs were underway. This appeared to be a very common problem with these 5.4L engines!

- Royersford, PA, USA

problem #46

Aug 122006

Expedition 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Back in 2005 my 1998 Ford Expedition had a spark plug blow out of the cylinder head. Had it fixed the first time with a heli-coil. In 2006 it blew out again had to replace the cylinder heads.

- Southampton, NJ, USA

problem #45

Jan 262007

Expedition 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 128,000 miles
1998 Ford Expedition, Triton engine, forcible ejection of spark plug. Threading stripped from cylinder head will not allow reinsertion of spark plug. Cost to repair per Ford service $4000. Ford refuses to acknowledge this as a manufacturing defect and issue recall. No guarantee if repaired that same failure will not occur again. Probable cause: Poorly designed aluminum cylinder heads with insufficient threading to retain spark plugs.

- San Leandro, CA, USA

problem #44

Jan 052007

Expedition 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,880 miles
1998 Ford Expedition Triton motor-spark plug blowout #2 cylinder.

- Shakopee, MN, USA

problem #43

Nov 182006

Expedition 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles
: the contact stated while driving 35 mph, a spark plug popped out of place without warning. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was contacted, and determined the cylinder head needed to be replaced. Updated 12/28/2006 -

- Sonora, CA, USA

problem #42

Oct 062006

Expedition 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,213 miles
A spark blew out the engine leading to major engine damage. To further hurt the Ford reputation they said it would cost my life savings to repair it when I had it towed to a reputable mechanic my findings is that it would only cost half of my life savings not only was I told this but then I find evidence that there is a huge cover up.please lord don't let my government be caught up in this mess this corporation has a lot of influence but the american people have a right to live in a just society we the people are what this nation is made from and corporations come and go. Duplicate of ODI #10170656. No injuries per consumer call by C. rose on 1/16/07

- Bartlett, TN, USA

problem #41

Oct 062006

Expedition 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,449 miles
Engine shot a spark plug out dealer advised to replace whole engine for 5000 instead of 4000 to replace defective cylinder head dealer charged almost 300 to change out spark plugs couldn't finish job because threads in hole were stripped out requiring major engine work vehicle has only 96000 miles found mechanic that is doing work to hopefully fix for about 2000. Duplicate of ODI #10170816. No injuries per consumer call by C. rose on 1/16/07

- Bartlett, TN, USA

problem #40

Jan 122006

Expedition 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
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 Expedition are having this problem. Please help.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #39

Feb 132006

Expedition 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,700 miles
: the contact stated while driving 35 mph a spark plug blew out of the cylinder head due to the thread holding the spark plug into place and the engine stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. Upon inspection, the dealership put a heli coil in the cylinder head and replaced the spark plug, which remedied the problem. Updated 3/9/2006 - the first failure occurred at 48000 miles on the #2 cylinder. The plug was blown out of the cylinder head. The latest failure was on the #7 plug.

- Centennial, CO, USA

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