Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 1,007 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Ford Expedition, and it carries 9 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 223 | 22% |
| Tires | 193 | 19% |
| Visibility | 101 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 85 | 8% |
| Power train | 49 | 5% |
| Suspension | 46 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 45 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 24 | 2% |
| Steering | 24 | 2% |
| Engine | 20 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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 ENOUG
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 INT
NHTSA complaint: Steering
SPARK PLUGS BLOWING OUT OF THE ENGINE REPEATEDLY WHILE DRIVING
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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 H
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 WA
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
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 EXTIN
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 F
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 1999 Ford Expedition. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
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.
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, REFLECTIV
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Risk: A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.
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 CONTRO
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 ASSOCIA
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH
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.
| Reliability raw | 59 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 67 | good |
| Maintenance | 60 | average |
| Depreciation | 39 | below average |
| Performance | 69 | good |
| Efficiency | 27 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,007 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 223 of them (22%). There are 9 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 59/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 67/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 56/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.