Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 stopped the vehicle at my garage and placed it in park so I could unload groceries. I left the car ignition on and exited the vehicle to put the groceries in the garage. I unloaded one bag and returned to the vehicle for the second bag and as I walked up to it, the vehicle started moving backwards slowly I panicked. I attempted to get into the auto to apply the brake, the vehicle then started moving quicker before I was securely in it. As the auto increased speed I lost my footing and fell out and was run over by the Expedition, and neighbors called the ambulance and I was taken to the hospital and treated by the trauma team in the emergency room and admitted for my injuries a right broken ankle, 9 broken ribs, and a broken wrist.
The consumer parked the vehicle for approximately 10 minutes, and upon her return, smoke was coming from under the hood. The consumer checked the vehicle, and the fire smoldered itself out. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the wire harness was burned. The problem was caused by the cruise control sensor/switch. Ford stated that there was nothing they could do. The air suspension control module malfunctioned also the indicator for the gear shift had broken and were replaced.
I have experienced this failure 3 times now, the first time happened a month ago 12-12,2008 then again 12- 22-,2008 & again today 1-16-09, all these incidents happened when the temperature was in the single digits to teens. My 1998 Ford Expedition would not slow down at stop signs & stop lights without shifting to neutral & turning off the engine. If I would just shift to neutral the engine would rev to 4000-5000 RPM & I would not have any control of the steering or brakes. When I tried to use the brakes by using constant very firm pressure the brakes wouldn't work , but would overheat & smell burned. I took it to a repair shop that determined there was ice & other junk built up on the throttle cable. This was removed after the 12-22-08 incident. …
While sitting at the red traffic light ,when the light turned green to go upon taking off at normal speed the drive shaft fell completely out and broke at the drive shaft universal ears of the shaft and the right lower rear controlling/trailing arm broke at coupler because it was very badly corroded with rust from weak material and drivers side rear looks the same way . Also my Expedition is not a rust bucket, it is driven very little in the winter. The drive shaft ears that hold the universal joint is made of cast steel,which is very unsafe, if Ford would send the pair of trailing/controlling arms we will have them put on at my cost. With the dry shaft made out the of that kind of material the vehicle can flip out of control and cause damage, harm or death. …
Years ago when purchased the Expedition I noticed the shift gear out of alignment. I try to contact the dealer as I heard that this was a recall; I was told that the recall is not for my vehicle. It has know been a few years since I bought the truck and I'm now experiencing what I've noticed many others with an Expedition which is truck is not engaging into parking position and rolls. This is a concern to me as my drive way is on a slight up hill. This is an endangering to the public, the issue happens unexpectedly. I would not like to see someone hurt because of a roll back or forward due to what is supposed to be a manufacture defect from the many cases I've read up on so far. Ford dealer needs to address this issue as well as the coil and spark plug which blows out of engine and air suspension problems. …
Dt: 1998 Ford Expedition. The contact found recall 97V171000, for the gear position indicator. Upon taking the vehicle to the dealership, they stated it was not part of this recall. The contact stated for a month the vehicle will not go into park, the vehicle has to be in reverse to be in park and in neutral to be in reverse. The vehicle has to be in drive to be in neutral and it has to be driven in drive 1 or 2. The vehicle was looked at in the dealership and he has received an estimate. The vehicle was not fixed at that time. The contact called Ford and they state the same as the dealership, according to the VIN the vehicle is not part of the recall. The contact did have the transmission checked, but the transmission shop stated there is nothing wrong with the transmission. This is a constant problem..
Tl contact owns a 1998 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the gear shift control would malfunction every time he used the vehicle and attempted to shift. The vehicle would not shift into park correctly. If the vehicle did shift into park, it would roll backward, especially on an incline. He took the vehicle to a dealer, but they would not inspect or diagnose the vehicle because it had over 120,000 miles. The contact stated that both the dealer and manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 97V171000 (power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (PRNDL)). The contact owned two other Ford expeditions that exhibited the same failure. The current mileage was approximately 170,000 and failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
1998 Expedition cruise control was disconnected. When it was reconnected there was a sudden vibration. The consumer was informed of a recall on the cruise control in September 2005 and had it disconnected while waiting to have it fixed. On December 28, 2005 the cruise control was reconnected but wasn't use until January 2006. When it was finally used there was a vibration. The vehicle was parked and the consumer observed fluid leaking onto the driveway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that there was no was that the vibration was connected to the recall work. The vehicle was taken to the consumer's regular mechanic who determined that the transfer case bushing was damaged along with the driveline and transfer case. All parts had to be replaced.
The gear marker for my 98 Expedition transmission began to mark incorrectly. The gear shift changer shows thats its in park, when its actually in reverse. It also shows that its in neutrual when its actually still in drive. The marker is off its center and has caused me and my wife several close calls. I called the local Ford dealer which said my vehicle was not coverd by the 97 recall, (97V171000) of sept 30, 1997. I also contacted Ford customer service who related the same info the local Ford dealer had stated. This is a dangerous situation and I believe Ford should fix it for us. My wife and I have hit several parked cars when trying to negotiate the vehilce into a parking space. There was no damage,but we were lucky.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Ford Expedition. When the key was turned in the ignition, the vehicle would not start. The gear indicator was not in park and the contact was unable to shift into park. He noticed a screw on the floor. The contact, a mechanic, took the dashboard apart and noticed that the screw fell from the steering column. The screw was replaced, but it continued to fall out. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 97V171000 (power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (PRNDL). The passenger side headlight would fail every three months and was replaced. The failure mileage was 115,000 and current mileage was 126,000.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. If the automatic transmission shift cable assembly was not fully attached to the steering column bracket, the shift cable assembly can come out of the bracket.
Remedy: Dealers will make the proper attachment of the transmission shift control cable to the steering column bracket and add a tie strap to that connection.
Transmission complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1998 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 70 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1998 Ford Expedition, 8% of the model year's 836 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (29 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Expedition transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 97V-171 (gear position indication (prndl), Oct 7, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Expedition transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 120,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.