Three problems related to structure have been reported for the 1998 Ford Expedition. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Running boards are very slick when wet. I do not believe it is possible to safely use them when wet. My wife, two of my sons, and I have all fallen getting out of the vehicle due to the slippery running board. My fall resulted in a badly broken arm and head trauma. Ford and the dealer have been uninterested in fixing this problem in my contacts with them.
The windows of the consumer's 1998 Ford Expedition leaked damaging the interior of the vehicle.
Running boards on early 1998 Expeditions do not extend out far enough to be safe. Especially in icy/snowy conditions, the narrow area to place your feet can cause you to slip off. The newer 1998 Expeditions appear to have the running boards moved out approximately 2 inches.