1998 Ford Explorer complaints

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY DISCHARGING . ALSO THE ENGINE WAS STALLING . I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP 4 TIMES , AND FINALLY THEY CHANGED THE THERMOSTAT . THE BATTERY HAS STARTED DISCHARGING AGAIN

THE BLEND ACTUATOR DOOR IS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION WHICH MEANS THAT I CAN'T SET THE TEMPERATURE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT TO A COMFORTABLE LEVEL. AFTER SEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET IT'S APPARENT TO ME AND OTHERS THAT THIS HAS GOT TO BE A DEFECT BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS.

WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH ACCELERATOR PEDAL BROKE OFF ,CAUSING CONSUMER TO BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

RADIO LED DISPLAY DOES NOT WORK THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME.

THERE WAS A HAIRLINE CRACK THROUGH ONE SPOKE OF THE DRIVER'S WHEEL. IT WAS ONLY SUPPORTED BY 4 SPOKES INSTEAD OF 5. CONSUMER WAS VERY CONCERNED THAT OTHER SPOKES WOULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY. RELATED RECALL 00E027000 CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *PH *JB *NLM

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ELECTRONIC MODULE ATTACHED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL ASSEMBLY IS DEFECTIVE. THIS CAUSES THE CRUISE CONTROL TO ENGAGE AT VERY LOW SPEEDS WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. PH

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 65 MPH THE GAS PEDAL WELD BROKE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM

AT ABOUT 73,000 MILES THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT ON MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER.

ELECTRICAL FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN. WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AT NIGHT, DRIVE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND STEERING COLUMN WAS GLOWING AND SMELL OF BURNT PLASTIC. WIRING HARNESS, MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH BOTH MELTED. NO AFTER MARKET ADD ON OR MODIFICATIONS MADE TO VEHICLE. TS

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD THE HOOD LATCH SNAPPED AND IT COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. TS

PRIOR TO THE RECALL FOR THE THROTTLE 00 V 422 000, THE PART WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER, AND THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED, THE DEALERSHIP BRIARWOOD FORD; SALINE MI;734-429-5478; IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE RECALL. TS THE RECALL WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED, THEREBY MAKING IT NULL AND VOID. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS UNTIL ENOUGH FORCE IS APPLIED FOR THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD. *JG

WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75MPH WHEN THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE STEERED TOWARDS A HILL AND BOUNCED OFF IT. THE VEHICLE THEN ROLLED OVER AND LANDED ONTO THE LANE, ON ITS ROOF. FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT; SIZE P255 70R16. TS

DRIVER WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WITH THREE PASSENGERS IN A 1998 EXPLORER WHEN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT. AFTER MARKET EQUIPMENT. INSTALL AT 29,17 MILES, TIRE SIZE 235/75R/15. DOT # UNAVAILABLE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURERS WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

DRIVER WAS DRIVING 55MPH WITH ONE PASSENGER IN THE 1998 FORD EXPLORER WHEN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD BLOWOUT; CONDITIONS CAUSES A ROLL OVER CRASH. DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES FROM THE CRASH. A AFTER MARKET EQUIPMENT, INSTALL AT 57,276 MILES TIRE MICHELIN, MODEL TXA115 SIZE 235/75R15, DOT UNAVAILABLE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN HIT AT 45MPH IN THE FRONT CENTER OF THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

WHILE CONSUMER WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE GAS PEDAL BROKE COMPLETELY OFF OF THE PEDAL BRACKET. THE DEALERSHIP DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

RADIO DISPLAY WENT OUT INVESTIGATIONS ON WEB HAVE PROVEN THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM ON 98-00 EXPLORERS. A CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE RADIO OVERHEATS CAUSING IT TO MELT THE POWER SUPPLY BOARD IN THE RADIO. WHO KNOWS THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE AT THE WORST, AND CAUSE THE LOSS OF ALL RADIO DISPLAY AT THE MINIMUM. SINCE THIS IS SUCH A WIDESPREAD ISSUE I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE RADIO. DT

THE AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL FAILS TO ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE OF THE CABIN. ONLY THE MAX A/C CONDITION WILL BLOW COLD AIR, WHILE ANY OTHER SETTING BLOWS VERY HOT AIR REGARDLESS OF THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSIS WAS TO REPLACE THE PLEMUN CHAMBER AND ACTUATOR + FREON, WHICH RESULTS IN A $1,200 REPAIR. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECTIVE DESIGN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD. DT

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 00V422000; THROTTLE BODY; THIS PART WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BY A FORD DEALERSHIP JUNE 1999. THE RECALL CAME OUT IN 2000 WHICH THE OWNER WAS DECLINED THE RECALL REPAIR BECAUSE HE HAD THE WORK DONE IN JUNE. THE TRUCK IS NOW AGAIN HAVING THE FAILURE WHICH THE MANUFACTURE AND DEALERSHIP ARE GIVING ANY ASSISTANCE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TS

WHILE PULLING INSIDE OF A PARKING SPACE. WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE JUMP FORWARD AND ACCELERATED AND HIT A PALM TREE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS

CAR EXCELERATED TO WIDE OPEN AT STOP LIGHT, BOTH FEET WERE ON BRAKE, COULD NOT STOP. CAR WENT THROUGH INTERSECTION, LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. DT

THE WELDING THAT HOLDS THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FIREWALL BROKE. THE GAS PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR ATTACHED TO THE CABLE AND DID NOT FUNCTION. *JG *TS

WHEN HOOD WAS LIFTED DURING ROUTINE SMOG CERTIFICATION TEST, GASOLINE WAS OBSERVED SPRAYING ON ENGINE FROM FUEL LINE. THE HOLE WAS BEHIND THE TIE DOWN BRACKET ON FRONT OF THE ENGINE. THE OBVIOUSLY EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION WAS REPAIRED ON SITE. UPON EXAMINATION, THE METAL BRAID HOSE DID NOT APPEAR CHAFED BUT RATHER APPEARS TO HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY RUPTURED. THE HOSE WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPAIR COSTS SHOULD BE PAID BY THE MANUFACTURER. (HOSES ARE AVAILABLE FOR EXAMINATION) A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION WOULD HAVE DEVELOPED HAD THE GASOLINE IGNITED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DT

CONSUMER STATES HE CANNOT GET INTO HIS TRUCK BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE LATCH IS BROKEN. HE HAS NOT RECEIVED A RECALL BUT THINK THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. TS

WHEN REDUCING SPEED FROM 60 MPH TO A STOP THE VEHICLE STALLS. *TS *NLM

CONSUMER STATES THAT THERES A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED THE NOISE STOPS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS THE PROBLEM, 4X4 SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. MR *NLM *DT

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DOESN'T LOCK. DOOR PANEL WAS REMOVED AND POWER MOTOR FOR LOCK WAS REPLACED. *JG....*AK

TIRE BLEW UP ON A HIGHWAY. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, VEERED TO THE RIGHT, MISSED A COUPLE OF CARS ON THE RIGHT LANES AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE HILL ON THE LEFT OF THE ROAD. CAR SPUN AND ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES. ALL PASSENGERS (5) WERE INJURED. TIRE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND DRIVER DID NOT DRIVE OVER ANYTHING (I.E. POTHOLES, DEBRIS, ETC). MR

TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE HIGHWAY. DRIVER LOSS CONTROL OF THE CAR, VEERED TO THE RIGHT, MISSED A COUPLE OF CARS ON THE RIGHT LANES AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE HILL ON THE LEFT OF THE ROAD. CAR SPUN AND ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES. ALL PASSENGERS (5) WERE INJURED. TIRE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND DRIVER DID NOT DRIVE OVER ANYTHING (I.E. POTHOLES, DEBRIS, ETC). *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768040

I WAS SITTING IN MY CAR PRIOR TO STARTING THE ENGINE WHEN THE SEATBACK SUDDENLY COLLAPSED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THEY HAVE SEEN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE BEFORE. I AM CONNCERNED THAT MY SEAT COULD FAIL AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. THE PART THAT FAILED IS 1/4 INCH BOLT THAT WAS INSIDE THE SEAT BACK AND NOT SUBJECT TO ANY WATER OR RUST DAMAGE. I SEE WHERE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED REGARDING THE SAME AREA.*AK

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK IS INOPERABLE AND THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NLMJLG

4 WHEEL DRIVE WILL NOT ENGAGE, AND INDICATOR LIGHT SAYS IT HAS ENGAGED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, FIRESTONE WILDERNESS HT, P225/70R15 BELT INSIDE IS BROKE, AND TREAD LOOKS LIKE IT WILL SEPARATE FROM THE TIRE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AKTHE VEHICLE IS A 1998 FORD TRUCK EXPLORER. *JG

WHILE DRIVING ON A DIRT ROAD RIGHT FRONT TIRE GOT SUCKED INTO CAR. VEHICLE SWERVED, AND HIT A TREE AND EXPLODED. VEHICLE OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO EXIT FROM VEHICLE.*AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OF HOME AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ALL OF THE LIGHTS APPEARED ON DASHBOARD, AND VEHICLE WOULD RESTART. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

FRONT WINDSHIELD FRAME IS CORRODED FROM INSIDE OUT, AND IT COULD CAUSE CONSUMER TO HAVE VISIBILITY PROBLEMS. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AT 70 MPH HEADLIGHTS FAIL DUE TO DEFECTIVE SWITCH IN STEERING COLUMN.*AKM

VEHICLE LOST POWER TO WHEELS, GRINDING GEAR NOISE IN ALL GEARS - PARK SELECTION WOULD NOT HOLD. *AK

ANTI THEFT INDICATOR ILLUMINATES, VEHICLE WILL NOT START. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. DEALER STATED COMPUTER SHOWED NO ERROR CODE, CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GAS PEDAL SUDDENLY FELL TO THE FLOOR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, DEALER STATED THAT BRACKET HOLDING GAS PEDAL BACK TO FIREWALL NEEDED REWELDING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

AIR CONDITIONER MODE WILL COOL GREAT IN MAX A/C MODE BUT NOT IN ALL OTHER MODES. THE HOT AIR ONLY COMES OUT. I ALSO AS A RESULT OF THIS HAVE HAD THE THERMOSTAT READ HOT UNLESS I TURN ON THE VENT, WHICH ALSO TURNS OUT HOT AIR. I WENT TO THE DEALER WHO SAYS IT IS THE PLENUM, A DOOR IN THE AIR CONDITIONER. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT IS IN ALOT OF 98 EXPLORERS FROM WHAT I SEE ON THE INTERNET. THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED TO FIX. IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL, I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING OR TOLD ABOUT IT WHEN I WENT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER.*AK

WHEN ACTIVATING TURN SIGNALS THERE IS A CRANKING SOUND, SIGNALS WILL ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY.*AK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH.*JB

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO DEFROST VEHICLE BECAUSE OF AIR TEMPERTURE COMING OUT OF DEFROGGER. CONTACTED DEALER. THEY SAD THIS WAS A RESULT OF BLEND DOOR CASE BEING BROKEN.*AK

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS DRIVER'S SEAT HAS COLLAPSED BACKWARDS WHILE PARKING IN REVERSE. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

TWO YEARS AGO VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING A LITTLE OVER 25 MPH. ESTIMATED DAMAGE WAS BETWEEN $3500-$4000. OWNER WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT ABLE TO DETECT THE CAUSE, PRESENTLY AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF, AND OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED. *AK. THERE WERE 2 INJURIES.*MJ

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. CONSUMER IS FORCED TO CLIMB IN AND OUT THROUGH PASSENGER'S SIDE. MANUALLY, LOCK CAN NOT BE PULLED UP TO GET OUT. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

SPARE TIRE FELL OFF VEHICLE. FORTUNATLY I WAS GOING SLOWLY ON A QUIET STREET. WHAT IF I HAD BEEN ON A CROWDED HIGHWAY?*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND STALLED. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY DEALER WHO ADVISED CONSUMER THAT CRANKSHAFT HAD BROKEN, AND VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE.*AK

THERE IS A MILD TO MODERATE VIBRATION THAT CAN BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL, FLOOR BOARD, AND CENTER CONSOLE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (MOST OBVIOUS AT APPROXIMATELY 65 - 70 MPH). IT SEEMS WORSE WHEN APPLYING SLIGHT THROTTLE, AND SEEMS TO SUBSIDE WHEN YOU LET COMPLETELY OFF THE THROTTLE.*AK