Suspension Torsion Bar problems of the 1998 Ford Expedition - part 1

A loud knocking noise was heard coming from the rear of the vehicle. The right front collapsed onto the ground. Vehicle was unable to be moved. Driver had the vehicle towed to the dealer, and mechanic determined that the front springs torsion bar needed to be replaced.

Torsion bar on driver's side of 1998 Expedition broke apart causing the left side of the vehicle to lean and cause extreme difficulty controlling the car. The break looks like it happened on a seam and rust was inside-clearly pointing to a breach in the manufacture of this part.

Front torsion bar sheared off while parked, causing the right front to dip aprox 6 inches.

My 1998 Ford Expedition's right torsion bar just snapped in half on March 21, 2003. While sitting in my garage. I had just gotten home, right before it happened thank goodness. The car had to be towed. I was told this should not have happened. I was given the torsion bar as proof to offer Ford that it is indeed a defect. However, Ford really does not want to hear that. This is my problem and they will do nothing. ( I was told to hold on to my receipt, just in case there is a recall) I have found over 31 complaints about this problem and nothing is being done about it. What is it going to take to have this problem addressed? no one was hurt this time, but, what about the next. I can't stand the thought of putting my children and myself back in this car knowing the left one could break just as easy as the right one did and I could be on the highway this time.

The torsion bar broke.

Front driver's side torsion bar (called a spring by my mechanic) cracked in 2 pieces causing vehicle to lean to the left. About a month later the right side bar also cracked causing vehicle to lean to the right. Vehicle is barely drivable in this condition.

The front torsion bar broke.

Vehicle was parked when consumer heard alarm go off, she checked vehicle and found nothing wrong. 2 hours later, she noticed driver front had lowered, vehicle was towed to dealer. Torsion bar had broken.

Front sway bar link on left side of vehicle broke while consumer was driving. Contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything.

While parked left front torsion bar snapped. This item not covered under extended warranty.

The right torsion bar of my 1998 Ford Expedition cracked in March 2001. No injuries were reported. The garage that repaired my vehicle said that there was a distinct defect in the torsion bar and gave me the bar to offer proof to Ford that this was indeed and manufacturer defect. The Ford motor company was contacted and notified of this problem. The company dragged correspondance out with us over the next several months. No recall was enacted. On January 4, 2003 the left torsion bar went on my 1998 Ford Expedition as I was exiting the highway. The truck dropped about 12 inches on the left hand side and I slammed my head on the driver window. No serious injury resulted, but I could have lost control of the vehicle and caused serious injury to the others in the car as well as myself.

While driving over speed bump at 2 mph right front of vehicle dropped. Dealer replaced broken right front torsion bar.

Vehicle was in garage when I opened drivers door and stood on running board to gain entry. When I put pressure down there was a pop noise and the left front corner of the vehicle dropped down. It was towed to the dealer and diagnosed as a left torsion bar failure. I had the dealer give me the broken part and it is obvious even to my untrained eye that it had a manufacturing flaw. The end of the torsion bar had a hole init where moisture collcted causing it to corrode and eventually fail by snaping in two. I called Ford customer service and they didn't seem too concerned. Their only response was a customer comment card in the mail. I think this could have been a catasrophic accident as this vehicle is designed to carry eight people and pull recreational vehicles. It worries me and my wife that it could happen again and I think some research on where this part was made and if it is made with inferior meterial or workmanship. How many more Expeditions are out there with torsion bars that could snap at any time?.

Front left side torsion bar, (part # f75a-ama) snapped, while traveling at 40 mph, which had I been traveling at a greater speed, may have resulted in a roll over.

While driving vehicle seemed to wander, vehicle was taken into dealer and consumer was informed that the front torsion bar broke, this has since happened again the second time consumer noticed that vehicle was leaning to the left, vehicle was taken back to dealer and consumer was informed that front torsion bar had broke again.

Front torsion bar snapped under normal usage, dealer claims its not a warranty item.

While pulling up into driveway left front torsion bar sheared off. Dealer notifed, and made repairs at consumer's cost. Please feel free to provide any further details.

Torsion bar broke in half while car was sitting still. Loud explosion noise rthen the car shifted to the right. Car was disabled and need to be towed. Notified Ford and they would not pay for the repair due to out of warrenty condition.

While parked in the parking lot of my place of employment the right side torsion bar cracked completely in half. This dropped the right front of the vehicle about 6 inches rendering it undrivable. The vehicle was just purchased about 1 month ago used. It had not been driven off road or no holes or curbs were hit with the vehicle. The security guard called me to tell me that my vehicle alarm was going off. When I went out to check it looked like a flat tire until I got closer and saw the tire was ok. The vehicle was leaning down to the right front. The vehicle had been sitting for more than 9 hours when the torsion bar just broke for no apparent reason.

While traveling at 40 to 45 mph left front torsion bar broke away from the suspension, flying to the other side of the vehicle, and causing a blowout of the right tires. Dealer has been contacted.

While traveling on the street at 25-35 mph front torsion bar broke, causing vehicle to dip down on one side. Dealer notified, and repairs made at no cost to consumer, but, dealer refused to repair the other side. Provide further details.

Torsion bar cracked while backing / turning from driveway, vehicle disabled and towed to dealer for in-warranty repairs.

Torsion bar cracked. Vehicle in dealer shop for repairs due to warranty.

Defective torsion bar broke, causing a loss of vehicle control. The bar may enter the vehicle and injure the occupant. Please provide further information.

Driver's side torsion bar broke near rear mount.

The driver's side torsion bar cracked, causing the torsion bar to break and puncture the tire which resulted in loss of control. Dealer replaced torsion bar and wheel. Please provide further information and VIN#.

Torsion bar fracture causing the vehicle to limp forward and to the left. (approx. 6 inch drop).

Right front torsion bar broke with no prior suspension abnormalities.

Two front torsion bars failed by shearing, approximately 2" forward of the rear frame socket mounting. Bars failed at different times, one week apart. Left side failed first. Dealer first advised that vehicle could be driven with care, later advised that vehicle should not be driven. Broken rh side torsion bar observed during replacement of lh side torsion bar. Vehicle now out of service 11 days continuously, dealer still has no parts available to replace lh side torsion bar.

Torsion bar sheared off, causing the vehicle to lean to right,no warning. Dealer replaced part.

Front right torsion bar broke and fell off, causing vehicle to lean. Dealer reports he has 5 Ford vehicles with same problem, 3 pickups and 2 Expeditions. Ford has a factory backlog on this part. This impresses me that it is a common safety problem on these Ford vehicles.

Front torsion bar broke while vehicle was parked , causing suspension to collapse. Ford has not been contacted.

While driving at 40 mph the torsion bar snapped which caused the right side of the vehicle to drop to the ground.

While driving torsion bar broke, causing the vehicle to become hard to steer to the left or right. Dealer has fixed the vehicle.

Torsion bar broke on the driver's side, causing the vehicle to lean to the left side. Please give any further details.