Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Ford Expedition owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My wife had parked our 1999 expidition for about an hour before noticing smoke and flames coming from under the hood on the passenger side. The car was soon completely engulfed in flames and destroyed. Since the engine had been off for a while, I suspect an electrical fire. This vehicle had almost 100K miles and was an eddy bauer version with the self leveling feature. I mention this because approxaimiatly 30 minutes after shutting of the car, a compressor turns on and levels the car, this is normal according to the manual. I suspect that this motor is the cause of the fire. Since this fire was outside no-one was hurt, but if this had been in a garage it would have burn't down the house. Since this is one of the older vehicles with this feature, there are more potential fires out there. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the rear differential dropped and caused him to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle swerved and then flipped over. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the rear suspension was completely corroded. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 225,000.
Air suspension system went completely out while riding and caused vehicle to tilt from side to side on two wheels , causing vehicle to go out of control hitting tree. There were no repairs done to vehicle. The suspension system failed automatically. Vehicle was a total loss.
The front end ball joint broke which disconnected the front end and tires. Ford attempted to repair the vehicle but it was later deemed irreparable due to structural damage. Recall information was recently posted on the internet related to this failure.
I almost flipped my wife's 1999 Ford Expedition on christmas evening (yesterday) when both stabilizer bar links sheared off. My family, including four children, were in the car. We were proceeding on a rural road at the posted speed limit when the handling went out and the vehicle started drifting all over the road. Anything over 40 MPH became unsafe around turns. It cost me $84 to replace the parts today (self-installed). It could have killed my family. I want Ford to reimburse me for the parts and I want them to investigate whether a recall would be prudent. I owned two 1995 explorers and both were recalled for this defect (which is the only reason I knew to look for it). I am a licensed attorney. Notice of a defect gives rise to negligence. …
The air suspension system. This is the second 1999 Expedition that I have owned and the same thing has happened to both and I am unable to get any help from anybody as to why this has happened again. On both vehicles the air suspension stopped working in the rear section causing the vehicle not to lift up and making the vehicle bounce all across the road if you try to drive it. It does not raise back up at all and thus making the vehicle not able to be driven. I want to know am I the only one that is having this issue and also why with two of the same model vehicles that I have owned? Is this a defect? Everyone that I have talked to says that this is a very costly fix, maybe ranging from $600 plus. And I almost feel as though I am being robbed by having to fix the same problem that I had with the first 1999 Expedition that I owned.... Please help.
Rear suspension failure while accelerating from a stop. The rear differential upper support arms broke, the front of the rear differential rotated upward to about a 45 degree angle and moved backward, the front of the drive shaft pulled out approximately 6" but did not disengage, the track bar behind the differential was impacted and bent, the drivers side rear suspension air bag was damaged. Upper and lower support arms replaced, track bar replaced, rear air ride suspension bag replaced, brackets and hardware found broken repaired, front end alignment. Suspension parts noted as rusted. Fuel tank straps noted as rusted, drive shaft OK for now.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Expedition. She stated that while driving 45 MPH the drive shaft fell from under the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for inspection. The technician concluded that there was corrosion in the suspension system, including the control arms. No repairs have been made. The manufacturer was notified, but no assistance was provided. She has pictures of the failed component. The vehicle identification was unavailable. The failure and current mileages were 101,000. Updated 10/21/09. Updated 10/20/09
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the air ride suspension on the rear of the vehicle failed causing the vehicle to vibrate when the vehicle was being driven at various speeds. In addition, the vehicle was unstable when the contact would attempt a turn. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who advised the contact that he did not locate any leaks or fractured components on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 99,950.
My lower rear control arms that attach to the rear axle frame rusted and failed on both sides, causing me to lose control of vehicle. No injuries. It was a catastrophic failure. My neighbors 97 Expedition had the same problem 2 months earlier. His friends 98 Expedition also had this problem, resulting in damage to his vehicle. Junk yards and Ford dealership said this is a very common problem, but no recall as of yet.
Suspension complaints in other Expedition years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1999 Ford Expedition?
NHTSA has 52 complaints about the suspension of the 1999 Ford Expedition, 5% of the model year's 946 complaints. The component named most often is rear (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Expedition suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 1999 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 1999 Ford Expedition suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to suspension 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.