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1999 Ford ExpeditionProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 946 owner complaints about the 1999 Ford Expedition, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

23
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid3.3× the Expedition median · #2 of 28 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints946171 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage99kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 24, 2022. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1999 Ford Expedition has problems

946 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling24816
Tires18411
Visibility1232
Electrical system11729
Power train674
Vehicle speed control5937
Suspension525
Steering329
Service brakes, hydraulic304
19 other systems15840

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

1999 Ford Expedition recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Recall 99V-099 · Apr 29, 1999 · 53,784 vehicles

Risk. LOSS OF LUG NUT TORQUE CAN CAUSE VIBRATION OR SEPARATION OF A WHEEL AND TIRE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 98V-312 · Dec 7, 1998 · 305 vehicles

Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages

Recall 98V-296 · Nov 17, 1998 · 4,000 vehicles

Risk. INCREASED BRAKE STOPPING DISTANCE CAN OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

99kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 164 engine and engine cooling complaints. 51% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 42% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
6under 30k miles83under 100k miles81100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Engine and engine cooling

39 owners mentioned a cost

$3,000median

Middle half: $1,551 – $4,250

Visibility

10 owners mentioned a cost

$400median

Middle half: $400 – $575

Electrical system

9 owners mentioned a cost

$1,000median

Middle half: $400 – $1,650

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

1999 vs. every other Expedition year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Expedition median. How we score

'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1999 Ford Expedition safety ratings

1999 Ford Expedition 4-DR. 4x2 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

1999 Ford Expedition frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1999 Ford Expedition, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
  2. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA05005 · closed Aug 2, 2006
    Led to recall 05V-388
  3. WINDSHIELD LEAK CAUSES ELECTRIC FAILURESEA05015 · closed Dec 6, 2006
    No recall
  4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILUREPE05033 · closed Oct 13, 2005
    No recall
  5. FACTORY INSTALLED TOWING HITCH SEPARATIOPE99060 · closed Mar 8, 2000
    Led to recall 00V-073
In owners' words

What Expedition owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

1999 FORD EXPEDITION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BLOWN SPARK PLUGS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT THE CYLINDER#8. *JB UPDATED 09/21/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND EVENTUALLY STALLED. UPDATED 09/24/15*JB
Complaint 10732116 · Jul 8, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BOLTS FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND BOLTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE…
Complaint 10690606 · Feb 25, 2015 · 143,000 miles
I JUST PURCHASED THIS EXPEDITION AND THE NUMBER 2 SPARK PLUG EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE DESTROYING THE COIL PACK AND STRIPPING THE THREADS. I HAVE READ ALOT ABOUT THIS AND FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD DO SOMETHING ON THIS ISSUE. SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY ON A DESIGN FAILURE THAT FORD DOES NOT…
Complaint 10448328 · Feb 17, 2012 · 107,899 miles

Own a 1999 Expedition?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.