Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Ford Expedition owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Upon inspection of the underside of my vehicle while changing my oil, I observed that the rear strap of my fuel tank had rusted through on one side and was no longer securing my fuel tank in place. I have since purchased replacement fuel tank straps and upon researching guidance for replacing the straps, I found many articles online regarding a fuel tank strap recall for 1997-2001 f150's, however it appears that the expeditions, which are very similar to the f-150's, were not covered by this recall. I'm very lucky that I found the rusted strap before the tank dropped and potentially ruptured, causing injury to me, my wife and our infant son. If the gas tank strap recall cannot be extended to cover expeditions, I would at least like to know the reason why the expeditions are not covered. Thank you.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford Expedition. The contact stated the bumper and rear axle was covered with rust and separated from the vehicle. The fuel tank straps were also covered with rust as well. The dealer was notified, but was unable to assist with the defect. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 140,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the trailing arm that connected the rear end to the frame fractured in half when he shifted into drive. The vehicle was not under recall and any repairs would be at the contact's expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was approximately 170,000.
While in motion, the passenger door caught on fire. The Ford dealership accused consumer of starting the fire. The brooklyn fire dept informed consumer the vehicle was not safe and there was an electrical short. The Ford dealer told consumer they would replace the door at the consumers expense and not under the extended warranty.
Passenger door panel caught fire. Vehicle has power doors and locks. Smoke was coming out inner panel. Also, there was a glow from outside. Driver and 2 children got out. A firemen that arrived moved vehicle before partially catching fire. Dealer was notified. Please provide more information.
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. [redacted]
Local Ford representative contact by dealer and myself in writing as well as Ford motore co in writing.f.m.c. Contacted me by phone on 8/16/2001 and will not authorize further repairs until a pencil can be passed through rusted door panels (4).will not cover any issues once the 5 yr unlimited mileage warranty bumper to bumper corrosion coverage has expired.copies of documentation to Ford rep and f.m.c. Are available upon request.
Dt: the consumer owns a 1998 Ford Expedition. While the consumer was driving the white plastic piece on the front of bumper ripped off and was coming up on windshield, almost causing an accident. Contact heard some flapping coming from the vehicle. She got out and checked the vehicle and did not see anything. About 20 miles further of the bumper came off.
Running boards are very slick when wet. I do not believe it is possible to safely use them when wet. My wife, two of my sons, and I have all fallen getting out of the vehicle due to the slippery running board. My fall resulted in a badly broken arm and head trauma. Ford and the dealer have been uninterested in fixing this problem in my contacts with them.
Under back seat in rear of vehicle frame has a bad stress fracture. The crack goes the width of the body on the floorboard. Located where seats are mounted. Took to dealership & was informed nothing can be done. Manufacturer was in agreement. Crack at present is at least 3 to 4 inches long & getting worse.
Body complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1998 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the body & structure of the 1998 Ford Expedition, 3% of the model year's 836 complaints. The component named most often is body › door (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Expedition body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 1998 Ford Expedition, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Expedition body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 120,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 3 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.