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 failure. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000.

- Warminster, PA, USA

I was getting a loud noise from the passenger side when I would accelerate. I took it to the shop and found that all of the nuts and studs holding the exhaust manifold to the engine had rusted away. The tech said it is a common problem he finds with Ford. I also talked with a guy and he had the same year truck and had the same problem. I have a friend who is also a auto mechanic and he sees it often as well.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

On my 1999 Ford Expedition I noticed the smell of hot oil. When I would stop and park the vehicle the smell became stronger and smoke would come up around the hood of the vehicle. I also noticed some oil drops on the ground. Upon taking the vehicle to the local Ford dealer I was informed the the head gasket was leaking oil on the rear of the right head. Cost to repair was $1,295.04. I then found on the internet that this was a know problem and was widespread. Apparently there was a manufacturing defect in the head which would cause an oil leak in the right rear or left front of the head. Again this was a know problem by Ford but no recall has been issued and if your vehicle was not under warranty the owner had to absorb the repair cost. To me this was a safety issue and should have been addressed by Ford. The oil was leaking onto the exhaust pipe and could have caused a fire.

- Duncannon, PA, USA

: the contact stated when taking the vehicle in for normal routine service, a leak in the head gasket was discovered. The vehicle is currently at the dealership awaiting repairs.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

I have a 1999 Ford Expedition with 95,000 miles. At 31,000 it had warranty work performed to repair an oil leak between the cylinder head and the block. The warranty work was performed prior to the first technical service bulletin (011202) dated 6/12/01. The vehicle now has the leak again in the same area. The technical bulletin has this as the issue: Some vehicles equipped with the romeo built 4.6L 2V engine or 5.4L supercharged engine may exhibit an oil leak or oil weepage from the cylinder head gasket at the right hand rear or the left hand front of the engine. Oil weepage is not considered detrimental to engine performance or durability. An oil leak may be caused by metal chip debris lodged between the head gasket and the block, chip debris between the cylinder head and the head gasket, or by damage to the cylinder head sealing surface that occurred during the manufacturing process. I believe that this is a manufacturer issue not a consumer issue.

- Southlake, TX, USA

While driving at 8,900 miles gasket blew. Took vehicle to dealer for repairs. Again at 22, 000 miles the gasket blew again. Also, vehicle was leaking oil. All gaskets had been replaced. Little white dot on headlight switch doesn't light up. Switch assembly replaced.

- Tolland, CT, USA

99 Ford Expedition spark plug blow out right cylinder # 2. this occurred 10,000 miles after having Ford dealership tune my vehicle up. My local mechanic claim it was a defective spark plug and that Ford should remedy problem. That hasn't happened as of yet. My vehicle had 97,000 at time of blow out. I personally have put 60,000 highway miles on vehicle last year alone. This vehicle has a service bulletin on coolant hose clamp as well as insufficient threads on heads.

- High Point, NC, USA