1999 Ford Expedition: problems, recalls and reliability
9 recalls and 946 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (24% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 946 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“After I put it in park and turned the engine off the truck started to roll back and it didn't stop until it hit the curb across the street.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2022
“My car has been over heating and having problems since I first bought it. I could not understand why I have to continue to keep fixing it after I just bought it. Someone told me to check if it had a recall and sure enough it does! I checked on the dmv website today.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2019
“The shift linkage from the steering column to the transmission will not work due to several kinks in the cable. I cant get the keys out of the ignition due to this nor can I even drive my vehicles because it wont ho into gear. I was on my way home stopping at a store when this occurred. Had to leave my truck in the parking lot with the keys atuuck in ot.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Bought a 99 ford expedition 5.4 4x4 about 4 months ago. Today 1/30/18 was driving and started to hear clicking noise under dash the windshield fluid light and 4x4 light started to flash as the same time as it flashed I hard the clicking noise the radio then turned off and the passenger side window stopped working also fan blower will work with the truck is shut off. Last week I had shut my ford expo off I went to restart it about a half hour later and would not start back up. The truck finily started about a hour later.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford expedition. After parking the vehicle near the contact's garage, a fire erupted under the hood. The contact was alerted to the failure due to the alarm sounding. The fire department extinguished the flames. The vehicle was not diagnosed and remained parked at the contact's residence. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 06e056000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 98v312000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN and failure mileage were not available.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2016
“Tl* the contact owned a 1999 ford expedition. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire while parked in the driveway. The police believed that the fire originated on the driver side under the hood. A police and a fire report were filed. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with two fire extinguishers and a hose before the fire department arrived. A passenger who was seated in an unknown location sustained a fractured right knee, which required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 199,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2016
“I have had 2 different spark plugs ejected from the engine on 2 separate occasions. The first time I took it in and had a heli coil installed. I have not repaired the second instance yet. There was a 2 year time span between the events. The first time it happened I was at low speed going through town. The second time I was on the freeway.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2016
“Tl* the contact owned a 1999 ford expedition. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 05v388000 (vehicle speed control). The vehicle was repaired. After the repair, while the vehicle was parked, it caught fire underneath the hood. The fire department extinguished the fire and a police report was filed. There were no injuries. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2016
“A spark plug blow out of the engine. I purchased a dorman kit to repair and replace the spark plug. I am concerned about driving the vehicle far from home for concern that another spark plug may blow out of the engine. Ford motor company should have made the issue with the engine cylinder heads not having thick enough material to hold spark plugs in the threads a recall.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2016
“Spare tire fell off. The tiny (1/8") steel cable that held spare in place under the truck body failed allowing huge spare tire to drop to road. Fortunately, this happen as I was pulling into driveway after a 2000 mile trip. Had this occurred on i95 in 75mph / bumper-to-bumper traffic, it would have been a disaster for the following vehicles. A web search shows that this is not uncommon and should the subject of a safety recall.”Owner report · Wheels · Jan 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 52 of these complaints and injuries in 62 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 9 campaigns
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy: BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS WHO DID NOT HAVE THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED TO HAVE THEIR SYSTEM REMEDIED BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS ARE URGED TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE FREE DISCONNECT SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FIRE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 06V286)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A MISSING OR PARTIALLY INSTALLED RETAINER CLIP THAT HOLDS THE MASTER CYLINDER PUSH ROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES TO SEE IF THE RETAINER CLIP WAS INSTALLED, AND REPAIR, IF NECESSARY.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.
Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. THE TRAILER HITCH ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME ATTACHING BOLTS COULD LOSE THE CLAMP LOAD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUT PLATES.
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE FUEL LINE ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY THE SUPPLIER DURING MANUFACTURING, ALLOWING LEAKAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FUEL LINE ASSEMBLIES.
CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 331-1129L-ASN AND 331-1129R-ASN, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: MAXZONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR ANY NONCOMPLIANT HEADLIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAXZONE AT 909-822-3288.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE (4X4), 17" CHROME STEEL WHEELS. THE CLAMP LOAD CAN BE LOST ON THE WHEEL LUGS DUE TO INSUFFICIENT WHEEL CONTACT AREA WITH THE HUB. IN SOME CASES, THE CONTACT AREA CAN DEFORM, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF LUG NUT TORQUE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RE-TORQUE THE WHEEL LUGS TO PROPER SPECIFICATIONS AND ALSO INSTALL A LABEL THAT SPECIFIES THAT THE WHEEL LUGS BE TORQUED TO 110 LB-FT ANY TIME THE WHEEL IS REMOVED.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1999 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Expedition by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Ford Expedition reliable?
NHTSA has 946 owner complaints and 9 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Ford Expedition. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Ford Expedition problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 99,084 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Ford Expedition have open recalls?
9 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.