Ford XL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
5,200 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1968 to 1998 model years. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 6 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 33.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 16.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 2 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Suspension:Rear:Springs:Air Suspension System:Lines And Fittings | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 1 |
Suspension: 2; Electrical System:Horn: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 1; Steering: 1; Suspension:Rear:Springs:Air Suspension System:Lines And Fittings: 1; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 2; 2007: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10131953 · 2005-08-08 (August 8, 2005)
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 1998 WINDSTAR IN EARLY JUNE 2005.. SHE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, STARTED UP AND DROVE 1/4 MILE OR SO AND THEN STARTED TO BRAKE AGAIN TO AVOID HITTING STOPPED CARS IN FRONT OF HER. THE ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED FOR A MOMENT, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. SHE EXPERIENCED TOTAL SYSTEM FAILURE. SHE COULD NOT AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. THAT CAR HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT. THE CAR WAS TOTALED! THIS IS THE SECOND TIME TOTAL FAILURE OCCURRED. THE BRAKES HAD BEEN REPAIRED IN JANUARY 2005. IN APRIL 2…
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10131953 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10135247 · 2005-09-03 (September 3, 2005)
ON 5/25/2003 I PURCHASED A 1998 FORD XLT [XXX] AT THE TIME I COULD NOT AFFORD A EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT IT HAD A WARRANTY LEFT OF EITHER 1 MONTH OR 1000 MILES LEFT ON IT. THIS SUV TURNED OUT TO BE A NIGHTMARE BY JULY 2ND 2003 I HAD TO PUT NEW BRAKES ON IT WHICH IN TURN SET ME BACK $600.00 ALSO MY SUSPENSION LIGHT KEPT GOING ON I ALSO WAS STARTING TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION ON 8-15-03 I TOOK MY SUV TO AAMCO AND PAID $2712.85 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION I CALLED STEVENS CREEK NISSAN TO SEE IF THEY COULD HELP ME AT LEAST P…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10135247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10616451 · 2014-07-26 (July 26, 2014)
THE TRUCK SQUEAKS SO LOUD AT 0 MPH, JUST SHAKE TRUCK SIDE TO SIDE AND IT SOUNDS TERRIBLE. ITS THE FRONT AND REAR END BUSHINGS DUE WITH SOME STEERING PROBLEMS. THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFEAT AND NOT WEAR AND TEAR ON THIS VEHICLE. NOT SURE ABOUT THE SUSPENSION BUT IT PLAYS A ROLE IN THIS WHOLE PROBLEM.. AS I RESEARCHED RECALLS ON THIS TRUCK ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS IT WAS INFACT A RECALL. I HOPE YOU HONOR YOUR RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH ITS A 1998 MODEL. EVERY FORD FROM THAT YEAR I COME ACROSS HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I KNOW I'M…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,387 miles reported. Look up ODI 10616451 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 0 |
1998: 0