Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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.
I was driving @ 70mph down interstate 10 in seguine texas when the sparkplug on my 1998 Ford Expedition blew out of the head, destroying the coil, plug and wire. The vehicle interior filled with gas fumes and the vehicle started to knock very loudly. I was able to stop the vehicle prior to the fuel vapors igniting, however this was extremely dangerous as my wife and children were in the vehicle with me. After researching I have found that this problem is common with the Ford 5.4 triton engines. The mechanic I took the vehicle to explained that the aluminum heads do not mesh with the steel spark plugs and eventually tear all the threads out of the head and shoot the plug out of the hole. The head of the vehicle had to be removed and machined at a cost of 1400$.
Was driving the 98 Expedition we just bought and the spark plug blew and broke the coil off. Which come to find out could have even caught fire. With me having 7 kids to put in car that is more then a little worry for me and I risk my kids life putting them in this vehicle and not aware that this motor does this and can cause such a bad risk. There for Ford should have to pay some how for the lives they could have taking. Because of there motors and they haven't even recalled this problem that so many people have with them. We buy cars to put our family in looking at its safety rating and no one thinks they would have to worry about there motor literally catching fire. Which mine could have with my kids in side. Im am very upset!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
While driving through a parking lot the drive shaft dropped out. It was later determined the rear lower trailing support arms on both the left and right side had rusted through causing them to break apart. This resulted in the rear axle shifting and the drive shaft snapping away from the rear axle. If this happened at a high speed this incident could have resulted in loss of life, severe injuries and property damage.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that there were strong fuel fumes coming into the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who ran a diagnostic test but could not locate the failure. The mechanic replaced the fuel cap and the fuel filter but the smell continued. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the fuel tank ruptured and the vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact was advised that both fuel straps was also rusted. The manufacturer was contacted and a complaint was filed. The manufacturer advised that there were no recalls for the failure and offered no further assistance. The failure mileage was 78,000.
The gas tank straps on my 1998 Ford Expedition rusted through. Luckily I noticed the gas tank was hanging down from the truck before taking it on an extended trip. Upon further inspection, the cross-frame support rail that holds the gas tank strap was also rusted through.
Dt: the valve inside the gas tank that keeps the gasoline from evaportaing in the air broke. Contacted the dealer, and they said this part very rarley breaks and there were going to charge consumer to have it fixed.
The fuel tank is placed in such a manner that when the vehicle is driven up hill (or is parked facing up hill) the fuel gauge will register up to a quarter tank more than on a flat surface, and when travelling down hill (or when parked facing down hill) the gas gauge will register up to a quarter tank less than on a flat surface. The result is that when travelling or being parked on a down hill surface the vehicle will either not start or run out of gas, despite the fact that the vehicle has a quarter tank of gasoline. I contacted a Ford dealer in glendale when I first experienced the problem, but they only responded that this is the vehicle's design. The dealer also provided me with a technical service bulletin acknowledging Ford's knowledge of the gas tank fluctuation problem. …
Consumer noticed that engine check light engine light came on three weeks after she purchased the vechicle. She took vehicle back to the dealership, and the mechanic told her tha it was her gas cap. They replaced it, and she was still having problems. Also, they replaced a hose running though the fuel tank. But consumer was still having problems. Mechanic told her that fuel tank had a manufacturer's defect, and they would replace the part when it arrived. Consumer is driving a rental car.
Fuel System complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1998 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1998 Ford Expedition, 3% of the model year's 836 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly › filler pipe and cap (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Expedition fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 145,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.