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.
While driving this Expedition I began noticing strange intermittant electrical behavior like the windshield wipers not working, radio turning off, windshield wash light blinking, and 4X4 light blinking. Several times in the middle of the night I'd notice that the headlights would come on on their own. Also the air ride would turn on and off while the car was off, and the heater fan would also come on. This would kill the battery. Several times while driving the 4X4 would turn on in the low gear making it difficult to maneuver. On several occasions the starter would turn on while the car was already running. I replaced the GEM module and had the windshield resealed several times, but after just a few months the problems would recur. The final nail in the coffin was when the starter kicked on while running and it took a minute to get the car safely stopped. I could smell smoke from the burned up starter motor. The Expedition has sat for 1.5 years as I am unable to sell it and am unwilling to put any additional money to fix this lemon.
Summary: Water leaked around the left side of windshield causing electrical failures, including but not limited to the starter, radio, windshield wipers, headlamps, etc. The water entering the vehicle wet the power distribution box (pdb) and the generic electronic module (GEM). These components control various electrical systems in the vehicle. The vehicle continued to attempt to start itself without any key in ignition until it resulted in the starter burning up as well as damaging associated wiring and battery. Vehicle's windshield had to be replaced as was the starter, associated wiring and battery after vehicle was towed to repair facility.
Driving normally during heavy rain wipers and radio went dead at highway speed and worked intermittently after that. After the rain stopped and car dried out wipers and radio worked normally again. Carpet on left side under fuse panel and GEM module, both of which have already been replaced was wet. This is a safety concern as it is extremely difficult to see when the wipers stop working unexpectedly. The cause seems to be the windshield wasn't sealed properly at the factory, as my father bought the vehicle new and said the windshield has always leaked. I purchased the vehicle from him.
It started with the radio and windshield wipers not working periodically this went on for several weeks and then on Saturday night 5/31/14 at approx. 11:30 am "[xxx]" showed up and my car was trying to start its self. It made a clicking sound for about 30 mins with the lights going off and on. The sound was like a dead battery sound. Then it would try to start itself. This went on for about and hour and then it finally stopped. I assumed that the next morning my battery would be dead but when I went out Sunday morning it started right up and I was able to run my errands. This morning Monday 6/2 I went out to go to work and it would not start but the lights came on and it continued to make a clicking sound even though I assumed the battery was dead. I am scared to do anything, like jump the battery, for fear it will explode or catch fire. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Sunbury, OH, USA