1998 Ford Expedition Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 70about this part
- Share
- 8%of 836 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 119,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 70 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Ford Expedition, 8% of the 836 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 119,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Coil and spark plug blow out of engine when truck was started (1998). The Expedition has been known to have this issues as well as other issues. Why is Ford not taking responsibility; so far accident avoided. I had to replace one coil pack each year so far but this was the worse. I needed the cinder retreaded to fit the spark plug in.”
NHTSA complaint #10453753, filed 2012-04, 175,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10651886, filed 2014-11, 158,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10453756, filed 2012-04, 174,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10255371, filed 2009-01, 150,000 miles“Having trouble with my shift cable assembly on my 1998 Ford Expedition. The nhsta campaign id number: 97v17100. I took my vehicle to orange Ford for repairs. I was told that there was no such recall on my vehicle because of the VIN number. I call the Ford hotline also and was told the same. Seems to me if there was a recall seem like all Ford light duty trucks and multipurpose passenger vehicles would have been involved.”
NHTSA complaint #10090965, filed 2004-09, 104,985 milesRelated recalls
- 97V171000Oct 7, 1997Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. If the automatic transmission shift cable assembly was not fully attached…Covers: Ford Expedition 1997–1998, F-150 1997–1998, F-250 1997–1998 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 10017892Apr 1, 2005Rear axle noise repair.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 13% |
| 2024 | 5 | 6% |
| 2023 | 11 | 17% |
| 2022 | 16 | 14% |
| 2021 | 113 | 47% |
| 2020 | 269 | 63% |
| 2019 | 224 | 43% |
| 2018 | 149 | 39% |
| 2017 | 51 | 14% |
| 2016 | 36 | 17% |
| 2015 | 29 | 18% |
| 2014 | 34 | 47% |
| 2013 | 43 | 47% |
| 2012 | 64 | 54% |
| 2011 | 21 | 30% |
| 2010 | 10 | 17% |
| 2009 | 4 | 14% |
| 2008 | 14 | 10% |
| 2007 | 27 | 13% |
| 2006 | 22 | 7% |
| 2005 | 44 | 14% |
| 2004 | 27 | 9% |
| 2003 | 50 | 8% |
| 2002 | 18 | 5% |
| 2001 | 40 | 7% |
| 2000 | 42 | 5% |
| 1999 | 67 | 7% |
| 1998 | 70 | 8% |
| 1997 | 76 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1998 Ford Expedition
144 complaintsEngine cooling
127 complaintsElectrical system
115 complaintsVehicle speed control
78 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
61 complaintsBrakes
57 complaintsSteering
52 complaintsTires
38 complaintsWheels
37 complaintsFuel system
28 complaintsSeat belts
25 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Ford Expedition
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology