1999 Ford Expedition XLT from North America

Summary:

I enjoy driving it

Faults:

The rear wiper motor has been replaced twice and still hangs up quite often.

The seat belt adjustment for shoulder location broke.

The brakes have felt spongy from day one.

The steering is not tight as the vehicle floats all over the road.

The third seat is a pain taking in and out.

General Comments:

I feel very safe driving this vehicle and overall it seems like a great truck, it also has ample space.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th February, 2002

11th Jul 2003, 00:43

I am about to purchase a Red 1998 Eddie Bauer Ford Epedition from Jack Madden Ford in Norwood, MA. I test drove this truck and I didn't have any problems with this truck so far. But, hopefully I won't have any problems with it in the future.

1999 Ford Expedition XLT 5.4L from North America

Summary:

A lemon from day one

Faults:

Second day off the lot, the soft plug o-ring went out. Got the truck back 2 weeks later.

Then took it in for lug nut tightening (recall), after I had asked to have this done when it was in the first time.

I can't recall every incident, but I'll list the rest that I can remember.

* Wipers come on by themselves

* Squeak in dashboard (still there after several returns for repair)

* Head gasket leaking oil

* Antifreeze leak (dealership admitted to the leak, but could not find it)

* Rear center seat-belt would not retract

* Wind noise around doors - apparently not fixable

* Recall on the towing hitch

* Power steering pump had to be replaced

* Driver's side lumbar support went out

* Voluntary tire replacement (Firestone Wilderness AT)

* Now there's a slapping sound coming from under the hood, I'm guessing piston slap?

* There is also a growling noise in the drive train upon heavy acceleration?

By the way, anytime parts were necessary, it's either wait for parts without your vehicle to drive, or bring it back at a later date if it's driveable.

General Comments:

My wife and I really like the size and handling of this vehicle. However, I'm am extremely disappointed in the quality and depreciation. I've had this vehicle just over two years and it's depreciated 13,000-14,000 dollars.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 12th June, 2001

5th Jul 2002, 16:45

My Wife and I have a 99 Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x4 with the 5.4 litre engine and all the available options. At 11,000 miles the check engine light came, and the dealer had to replace the transmission, this took almost three weeks. The dealer reset the torsion bars wrong and the suspension was high on one side and low on another. We had an oil leak and had to have new head gaskets at 18,000 miles. We also have had the common windshield wiper control problem and a few clunks and rattles, and a miss caused by a bad coil pack. Thankfully now at 70,000 miles the vehicle has been totally reliable out of warranty. My wife loves the vehicle and had been very patient with Ford and the dealer. You should watch for rust on the lower door seams. Ours has rusted and you have to get down on your knees to see it. I am alarmed at the amount of problems with vehicles of this type domestic or foreign, they all have their share.

1999 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 5.4L from North America

Summary:

Standard Ford piece of crap

Faults:

The windshield wipers would randomly go on or off when I was just driving down the road... sometimes when I stepped on the brakes, but I never knew when they would start going. Had this repaired at the same time as the tow hitch recall.

The tow hitch recall.

The front seatbelt height adjuster broke off as I was attempting to adjust it.

The car is going in to the dealer tomorrow to see if the head gasket is blown. The service guy told me that this has become a real nuisance on the 5.4l and Ford is aware of the problem, they will cover the costs... but my car is less than two years old and with regular maintenance, I should not be experiencing these problems... especially for a car that costs as much as these do.

The car is also pinging and has become very loud, per my salesman, I do not have to have a tune-up until 100,000 miles... if so, why would I be experiencing the pinging well before any scheduled or expected maintenance?

The car drives like a Mac truck. It used to drive smoothly and ran much quieter than it does now. The problem is not the tires... the suspension leaves a great deal to be desired and cornering is really bad!

Value dropped 12,000 in less than two years... that is totally unacceptable!

General Comments:

For the price you pay for the car... this was a real disappointment. I will never again buy a Ford, recommend that anyone else does or for that matter even consider another American car. I am going to buy a new Toyota Sequoia as soon as I can. The trade-in value dropped significantly and these cars do not seem to be worth the money you spend. I am a very dissatisfied consumer.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 31st January, 2001

25th Apr 2001, 10:36

Pinging isn't usually caused by anything a tune-up could fix. It is usually the result of a bad lifter inside the engine.

23rd Jun 2001, 22:04

Pinging is not a lifter, pinging is pre-detonation in the combustion chamber. Generally caused by running fuel with too low of octane, or the timing being a little too far advanced.

As far as handling, check your front and rear sway bar tie bolts. My wife and I both have Expeditions, one of the tie bolts on the front sway bar broke, and it made an unbelievable difference in the handling. Every little dip in the road was a handful.