1999 Ford Expedition Problems, Recalls & Reliability
1,137 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1999 Ford Expedition, alongside 9 recall campaigns and 5 defect investigations. It scores 84/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 105,000 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 1999 Ford Expedition sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2007–2016, 2021–2022.
Avoid
Where 1999 sits among all Expedition years
What owners report
“While driving approx 70mph w/cruise control engaged, the engine's head gasket "blew" causing the vehicle to stall. Ts”— owner report to NHTSA, 1999 Expedition
“Tires cracking around tread/tire seperation( dot number: vncu tire size: p255/70r16 )”— owner report to NHTSA, 1999 Expedition
“Consumer states that both the driver and passenger side mirrors are delaminating. As a result, consumer can not see objects with the mirrors. Ph”— owner report to NHTSA, 1999 Expedition
“Had to have electrical components and fuse box replaced due to windshield leaking water into 1999 ford expedition. Also replaced winshield.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1999 Expedition
“Failure of the transmission at 43,000 miles of 1999 ford expedition 4 x 4 eddie bauer caused the vehicle to stop in the middle of the road.”— owner report to NHTSA, 1999 Expedition
“Engine sputtered while at a stop, consumer applied more gas to keep vehicle running. Accelerator pedal got stuck and vehicle took off. Consumer was unable to slow down vehicle, it hit a goup of trees.(speed unknown) consumer suffered injuries to her back. Vehicle was totalled. Ts”— owner report to NHTSA, 1999 Expedition
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 461 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 99,950 miles. Half of those reports fall between 66,547 and 130,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (9)
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…
Fix: 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.
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.…
Fix: 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…
Fix: 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.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUT PLATES.
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,…
Fix: 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE FUEL LINE ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY THE SUPPLIER DURING MANUFACTURING, ALLOWING LEAKAGE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FUEL LINE ASSEMBLIES.
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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES TO SEE IF THE RETAINER CLIP WAS INSTALLED, AND REPAIR, IF NECESSARY.
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 05V388000.
Led to recall campaign 00V073000.
Technical service bulletins
293 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on transmission & drivetrain and engine — are on file for the 1999 Ford Expedition. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 1999 Expedition TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 1999 Ford Expedition reliable?
The 1999 Ford Expedition drew 1,137 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 84/100, scored against the model's worst year (2000).
What are the most common 1999 Ford Expedition problems?
The top reported problems for the 1999 Ford Expedition are engine (279 complaints), wheels & tires (223), and visibility & wipers (129).
At what mileage do 1999 Ford Expedition problems show up?
Owners most often report 1999 Ford Expedition problems around 99,950 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 66,547 and 130,000 miles.
Does the 1999 Ford Expedition have recalls?
9 recall campaigns apply to the 1999 Ford Expedition. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.