Model year record
1998 Ford Ford recalls & problems
The 1998 Ford Ford has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 17 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (3 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1998 Ford Ford.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed controlCruise control | 3 | — |
| Tires | 3 | — |
| Unknown | 2 | — |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine; Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe | 2 | — |
| Electrical systemWiring › Front underhood | 2 | — |
| Suspension | 1 | — |
| Exterior lightingHeadlights › High/low beam dimmer switch | 1 | — |
| StructureBody | 1 | — |
| EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner | 1 | — |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission | 1 | — |
| Seat beltsRear/other | 1 | — |
| Air bags | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Vehicle speed control › Cruise controlFire
1998 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT FIRE AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH (ACCORDING TO INSURANCE FIRE INVESTIGATOR) - FORD CLAIMED THEY SENT 3 RECALL NOTICES, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ANY UNTIL 3 DAYS AFTER THE FIRE - I SUFFERED PERSONAL PROPERTY AND OTHER DAMAGES AND FORD HAS REFUSED LIABILITY. *TR
- Vehicle speed control › Cruise controlFire
MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT ON FIRE AT 4:00 AM BY ITSELF. IT WAS LAST DRIVEN 14 HOURS PRIOR TO CATCHING ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS SO HOT IT MELTED THE HOOD OF THE CAR. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FIRE INSPECTOR SAID IT STARTED WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS LOCATED.*AK
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhoodFire
I WAS DRIVING FROM THE STORE ON 10/27/05 ,WHEN I STOP TO A RED LIGHT AND I SAW SMOKE COME FROM THE SIDE AND FRONT OF THE CAR. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I PROCEEDED TO GO HOME ,WHEN I GOT HOME I RAN UP THE STAIRS TO WHERE I LIVE AND EXPLAIN TO MY BOYFRIEND SMOKE IS COMING FROM THE CAR HE WENT DOWN STAIRS TO CHECK AND THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER MY HOOD MY BOYFRIEND PUT THE FIRE OUT AND THEN WE TALKED ABOUT THE FIRE AND WE ALSO DROVE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHICH WE GOT NO ANSWERS. NOW ON 10/28/05 WE HAD A WRECKER TO TOW THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP SO THEY WOULD SEE THE DAMAGE THEY LOOKED ON THE COMPUTER AND WE WERE INFORMED THERE'S NO RECALL ON THE FORD WINDSTAR GL, BUT THEY WOULD FIX IT BUT NOT…
- Unknown or otherFire
MY WIFE WAS TEACHING AT THE LOCAL JR. COLLEGE HERE IN PENSACOLA FLORIDA. SHE PARKED THE TRUCK AT APPROX. 6:45PM ,HER CLASSROOM FACES THE PARKING LOT. FROM THE SECOND FLOOR SOME OF HER STUDENTS COULD SEE SOMETHING ON FIRE IN THE PARKING LOT, IT'S APPROX. 8:40PM BY NOW. THE CAR WAS SEEN BY THE GROUNDSKEEPERS AND SERCURITY TO HAVE WHAT APPEARED TO BE SMOKE AND SPARKS OF FIRE COMMING FROM THE HOOD. THEY ATTEMPTED TO USE FIRE EXTINGUSHERS BUT THE FLAMES AND FIRE BY THIS TIME WAS TO HOT.SOON AFTERWARDS THE FIRE DEPT. ARRIVED. MOST OF THE FIRE WAS UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE THAT ENGULFED THE FRONT DRIVERSIDE INCLUDING THE ROOF DRIVER DOOR AND THE TIRE COMPLETLY MELTED AWAY ON THE DRIVERS…
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipeFire
DRIVING 1998 FORD EXPEDITION V8 5.4 LITER... DOWN THE HIGHWAY UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND THE # 4 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE HEAD, CAUSING A VERY LOAD BANG FOLLOWED BUY LOAD EXHAUST, ESCAPING FROM THE PLUG HOLE AND HIGH VOLUME OF FUEL VAPOR AND SOME FUEL, THIS WILL BE THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I HAVE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME A SMALL FIRE STARTED WHICH MY HUSBAND PUT OUT IMMEDIATELY, I AM CURRENTLY A SINGLE MOM WITH TWO CHILDREN AND CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP FIXING THIS PROBLEM OVER AND OVER AT ABOUT 600.00 AN OCCURRENCE... NOR CAN I AFFORD THE SAFETY ISSUE WITH MYSELF AND CHILDREN. THIS TIME THE MECHANIC IS SAYING THE WHOLE HEAD MUST BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAS TORN…
- Seat belts › Rear/otherCrash1 injury
I WAS DRIVING MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 5 PASSENGERS, AND MYSELF AS THE DRIVER. WE REAR ENDED A CAR ON THE LEFT FRONT BUMPER. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THAT IS A QUESTION FOR MYSELF. MY 4YR OLD IN BACKSEAT DIRECTLY BEHIND ME SITS IN A HIGH BACK BOOSTER, NOT USING THE 5 PT HARNESS. HE IS IN A REGULAR SHOULDER/LAP BELT. UPON IMPACT MY CHILD FLEW FORWARD SLAMMING INTO MY SEAT AND HAVING HIS GLASSES ALSO FLY FORWARD OFF OF HIS FACE. QUESTION ON SEAT BELT. PLEASE HELP!!!!!*AK
- Electrical system
ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS GALORE--I'LL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD, PERIOD--LET ALONE A WINDSTAR. TAILGATE LOCK NEVER OPENED WITH KEY. DRIVER SIDE DOOR STOPPED OPENING WITH KEY 6 MONTHS LATER. PASSENGER SIDE DOOR STOPPED OPENING WITH KEY 3 WEEKS AFTER THAT. DOWN TO SLIDER ONLY THAT OPERATES WITH KEY AND IT TURNS VERY HARD. INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON....AND STAYED ON. REMOVED FUSE AND WINDOWS SHARING FUSE ALSO WOULDN'T GO UP--WAS WORTH IT TIL I HAD TIME TO GO AROUND AND REMOVE EVERY SINGLE INTERIOR BULB IN THE VEHICLE. REPLACED FUSE JUST TO HAVE WINDOWS OPERATE. DOOR AJAR SENSOR GOES OFF WHEN ALL DOORS ARE CLOSED SECURELY AND ACCOMPANYING WARNING BELL CONTINUES TO GO OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD.…
- Engine and engine cooling › EngineFire
'98 FORD EXPEDITION - CAR FIRE - CAR DESTROYED. DROVE 1.8 MILES FROM MY HOME AND WENT INTO A STORE. 5 MINUTES LATER I COME OUT TO THE CAR ON FIRE. IT LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE HAD BUILT A CAMPFIRE ON THE ENGINE HOOD RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DRIVERS SIDE. INSURANCE DID INVESTIGATION BUT COULD NOT PROVE ANYTHING - NOT ENOUGH LEFT TO FIGURE IT OUT. *JB
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.