Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accessories, trailer hitches and other equipment).
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).
I noticed that my truck was leaning to the right side. I took it in to the dealership and they replace a connector in the lift system on April 30,2008. The lift system failed while driving. 05/06/08. Since I purchased my 98,Ford Expedition back in 2000,the lift system has been a problem. It has been repaired several times since I 've had this truck. The truck was flatbed to the dealership. The suspension system on the truck never coded until the 8th of May at the shop. When the lift/suspension failed no indicator light never came on. The rear started to drop as I was driving it home. Now I have to pay to get it convert to a coil system.
The radio fades from left to right and front to back slightly on its own. I have had this in for service 4 times and they can never find it, but when I leave my self and everyone who rides in it can hear the problem. This will keep me from buying again.
Heater coil was replaced five times. The dealer stated that radio was making the part defective. The coil went out again, and the vehicle was down. Manufacturer stated no more replacements.
While driving about 55 MPH and towing a 10 foot trailer, four bolts on the passenger's side of the trailer hitch fell out which made the trailer and the trailer hitch drop down to the highway. All four bolts on the other side of the trailer hitch were loose. The problem was reported to the dealership. The trailer hitch was repaired by the dealer at the expense of the owner.
The bolts holding the trailer hitch receiver to the frame came loose to the point they almost fell from their holes. If this would have happened when pulling a trailer there would have been a disaster with a loose trailer on the highway. The dealer nor the Ford customer assistance center cannot tell me what they bolts should be torqued to other than very tight.
A loud clanking noise started coming from the trailer hitch while driving. The trailer hitch came apart, but the driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over. Driver was able to drive the truck home, and will call the manufacturer the next day for appointment.
While the vehicle was traveling spare tire cable, located underneath vehicle, broke, and allowed the spare tire to fall onto the street. This could have caused a vehicle accident. Dealer/manufacturer were not contacted at this time.
While vehicle was traveling on the street at 25 MPH spare tire cable snapped, causing tire to fall off the rack under the vehicle and onto the street. Dealer/manufacturer were not contacted at this time.
Front torsion bar sheared off while parked, causing the right front to dip aprox 6 inches.
While driving at approximately 55 MPH on the freeway roof luggage rack and luggage came off vehicle . Dealer notified and refused to repair unless cost goes to consumer.
Related recalls
Trailer hitches
Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly to the frame attaching bolts could lose the clamp load.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trailer hitch mounting bolts and nut plates.
NHTSA investigations
Factory installed towing hitch separatio
This investigation was opened on September 27, 1999 based on five consumer reports alleging that some of the eight hitch mounting bolts either became loose or came completely out of its retaining plate.one of the complaints indicated that while towig a trailer the hitch actually separated from the frame on the passenger's side of the vehicle when the four mounting bolts on that side came completely out.
Equipment complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are equipment problems on the 1998 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the equipment & accessories of the 1998 Ford Expedition, 2% of the model year's 836 complaints. The component named most often is electrical › radio/tape deck/cd etc. (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Expedition equipment problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-073 (trailer hitches, Mar 7, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Expedition equipment problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles.
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.