1998 Ford Explorer complaints

ONE DAY WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ENTER MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER, PARKED IN MY GARAGE, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. WHENEVER THE AUTOMATIC FEATURE LOCKS THE DOORS WHEN I AM DRIVING OR I LOCK THE DOOR USING MY KEY FOB, IT WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE EXTERIOR. I HAVE TO REACH IN FROM THE REAR DOOR (OR IF I AM IN THE DRIVERS SEAT) AND OPEN THE DOOR WITH A VERY STRONG PULL ON THE DOOR HANDLE. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR AS YET. I HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS SITUATION FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS AS OF TODAY. TEDWARDS *TR

1998 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WON'T OPEN. IT WON'T OPEN IF YOU USE THE KEY, REMOTE, OR MANUALLY TRY TO PULL UP ON IT WHILE INSIDE. HOWEVER, THE OTHER DOORS AND TAILGATE UNLOCK OK. I AM FORCED TO ENTER THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CLIMB OVER A CONSOLE IN THE MIDDLE TO GET INTO DRIVER SEAT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THERE IS NO WAY TO GET IN OR OUT OF THE CAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I AM 76 YEARS OLD AND THIS IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET IN OVER THE CONSOLE ON PASSENGER SIDE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). AFTER THE REPAIR, THE SPEED CONTROL NO LONGER WORKED. A PRIVATE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE WIRING INSIDE THE COLUMN, WHICH CONNECTED TO THE AIR BAG, WAS MELTED AND CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER WITH THE REPORT FROM THE MECHANIC. THE DEALER DENIED THE FREE REPAIR REQUEST AND STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT TO REMEDY THE ISSUE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $2,500 TO REPLACE THE WIRING, AIR BAGS, AND THE PART USED FOR THE SPEED CONTROL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 158,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 157,000.

1998 FORD EXPLORER SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT 8AM, 12/02/08. CAR WAS PREVIOUSLY DRIVEN 12 HOURS PRIOR TO INCIDENT. ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING. DOORS WERE LOCKED. NO SIGNS OF ENTRY PRIOR TO INCIDENT. FIRE ENGULFED ENGINE AND SPREAD TO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BEFORE ALAMEDA FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED VEHICLE. INSURANCE COMPANY HAS CLAIMED VEHICLE AS TOTALED AND IS INVESTIGATING. SUSPECTED CAUSE IS CRUISE CONTROL SHUTOFF SWITCH, SUBJECT TO FORD RECALL 05S28. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE IN HIS DRIVEWAY, HE NOTICED FIREFIGHTERS OUTSIDE OF HIS HOUSE. HE THEN NOTICED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE ENGINE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TOWED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

WE HAD TWO INCIDENTS OF TIRE BLOW OUTS IN 4 MONTHS THE LAST ONE OCCURRING ON OCT 12, 2008. THE CAUSE OF BOTH BLOW OUTS WAS THE TIRE STEM BUT WE DID NOT HEAR ABOUT THE RECALL UNTIL I HEARD IT ON THE NEWS TODAY. WE HAVE SINCE BOUGHT NEW TIRES AFRAID THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN BUT WHAT CAN WE DO NOW? I FEEL LIKE WE SHOULD BE COMPENSATED BUT HOW? THE FORD DEALER WE BOUGHT THE TIRES FROM IS OUT OF BUSINESS SO WE COULD NOT GO THERE WHEN WE REALIZED THAT IT WAS A TIRE STEM PROBLEM AND WITHOUT KNOWING THERE WAS A RECALL WE HAD NO OPTION BUT TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE WHICH WAS AMERICAN TIRE. WE WENT TO AMERICAN TIRE BOTH TIMES IT HAPPENED FOR THEM TO FIX THE TIRES AND THEY DID NOT MENTION A RECALL EITHER. THE TIRES WERE NOT OLD ENOUGH TO BE REPLACED BUT FOR OUR OWN SAFETY WE DID THAT. I GUESS I KNOW THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO BUT JUST WANTED TO GET SOME ADVISE OF WHAT TO DO, IF ANYTHING. THANKS, PATTY P.S. NO CRASH, NO DEATHS, THANK GOODNESS *TR

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IS PERMANANTLY LOCKED....A SMALL SPRING FELL OUT OF DOOR. IT STARTED ABOUT 7 MONTHS WHEN THE HANDLE WAS GETTING A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO PULL. YOU COULD FEEL THE PRESSURE BETWEEN THE DOOR AND HANDLE...ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER THE PANEL AROUND THE HANDLE FELL OUT AND I FOUND A SMALL SPRING ON THE TRUCKS FLOOR....FOR A WHILE AFTER THAT I WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE BUT NOT THE INSIDE. VERY SCARY THOUGHT TO KNOW THAT IF YOU WERE IN ACCIDENT YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET OUT FROM THE INSIDE HOWEVER, 2 WEEKS AFTER THAT THE DOOR WONT OPEN AT ALL (FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE!). ITS SUCH A PAIN TO HAVE TO CRAWL THROUGH THE VEHICLE TO GET IN AND OUT AND IM PRETTY SURE THIS VERY UNSAFE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. I KNOW IT CANT BE SOMETHING I DID TO THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS PERFECTLY FINE WHEN I DROVE OFF THE LOT 2 YEARS AGO. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS SITUATION ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE TONS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, YET NO SOLUTIONS HAS BEEN MADE...ANY IDEAS ON THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED, SEEING HOW IM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS VEHICLE AND AM LITERALLY "STUCK" IN IT TILL ITS PAID OFF. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. A FAMILY MEMBER SAFELY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CONTACT HAS A COPY OF THE REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THE COMPONENT ALREADY FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL. AS OF OCTOBER 14, 2008, SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED A REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

1998 FORD EXPLORER HAD BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO THE BRAKE FLUID EATING THROUGH THE METAL. *NJ WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED, THE CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE BRAKE LINE WAS MADE OF METAL AND HAD A HOLE IN IT. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER DISCOVERER H/T TIRES, SIZE LT235/75R15. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT NOTICED DEBRIS COMING FROM THE TIRES AND THE VEHICLE, CAUSING HER TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE NOTICED THAT THE TREAD WAS SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE, WHICH CAUSED MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE. A SPARE TIRE WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE AND SHE DROVE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A RECALL FOR HER TIRES AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER; HOWEVER, HER DOT NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE TIRE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 132,000. UPDATED 11/12/08. *LJ UPDATED 11/14/08. *JB

I WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. BROUGHT TO MECHANIC. HE CHANGED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. A TUNE UP WAS ALSO DONE. NOW PERIODIC SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE AND OIL AT DIFFERENT TIMES. VERY POTENT. MECHANIC IS AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS, BUT CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AFTER DOING MANY PRESSURE TESTS AND FLUSHES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE LEAVING HIS HOME, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

DRIVER SIDE SEAT RECLINER LEVER BROKE OFF..NOW IS SAFETY ISSUE, CAN'T ADJUST SEAT BACK.. MANY ANGRY PEOPLE ON THE FORD TRUCK "EXPLORERFORUM.COM" HAVE SAME PROBLEM...SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL...FORD SELLS A REDESIGNED STRONGER PART #XL2Z7862649AA.. *TR

98 FORD EXPLORER STEREO-CD-CASSETTE PLAYER, VOLUME CONTROL AND DISPLAY IS DEFECTIVE AGAIN. HAD IT FIXED OUT OF WARRANTY AT 40 MONTHS, NOW BROKE AGAIN...MANY UNHAPPY PEOPLE HAD SAME PROBLEM ON "EXPLORERFORUM.COM". SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. *TR

MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET SEPARATED FROM THE FIREWALL, CAUSING LACK OF THROTTLE CONTROL. THIS BRACKET IS SPOT WELDED, AND FORD HAS A TSB REGARDING THIS ITEM FAILURE. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

I HAD A 1998 2DR FORD EXPLORER THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE FOR NO REASON AT MY JOB ON JUNE 17, 2008. IT WAS A UNDER THE HOOD FIRE. I ARRIVED AT WORK AT 8:26 A.M. A COUPLE OF MINUTES AFTER 11:00 A.M. IS WHEN THE BUILDING MANAGER KNOCKED ON MY DOOR AND TOLD ME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS LOOKING FOR ME BECAUSE MY TRUCK HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAR ENDED UP BEING A TOTAL LOSS. EVERYTHING ON THE INSIDE WAS SEVERELY SMOKE DAMAGED. MY RADIO MELTED AND I LOSS CERTAIN PAPER WORK THAT I HAD IN MY GLOVE COMPARTMENT. MY HEATER CORD WAS LEFT ON THE GROUND ALONG WITH SOME OTHER WIRES AFTER THE TOW TRUCK TOWED MY TRUCK AWAY. THAT'S HOW BURNED UP MY TRUCK WAS. *TR

I WAS TRAVELING IN MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER WITH MY SON AND FIANCE TO BULLHEAD, AZ. TRAVELING EAST ON HWY40. ABOUT 30 MILES WEST OF NEEDLES, CA I EXPERIENCED A BLOWN TIRE ON MY LEFT REAR WHEEL. THESE TIRES WERE A YEAR OLD AND LATER WE DISCOVERED A NAIL IN THE TIRE. WE SAFELY MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO PUT THE SPARE TIRE ON THE LEFT REAR. THIS SPARE TIRE IS A FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE (P235/75 R 15). WE TRAVELED AGAIN FOR ABOUT 20 MILES WHEN THE SPARE TREAD SEPARATED CAUSING MY SUV TO EXPERIENCE SEVERE MOVEMENT BACK AND FORTH AND ALMOST TIPPING OVER; SLAPPING THE TREAD INTO THE REAR FENDER AND HATCH OF THE CAR. MY FIANCE MANAGED TO GET THE CAR UNDER SOMEWHAT CONTROL AND GET US OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE WERE TRAVELING APPROX. 70 TO 72 MPH AND BECAUSE OF THE FIRST BLOWN TIRE WE ALL WERE SKIDISH AND KEEPING BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL, WHICH I FEEL WAS THE REASON WE DID NOT ROLL OVER. I CALLED AAA AND GOT TOWED TO NEEDLES, CA WHERE WE GOT A NEW TIRE ON THE SPARE WHICH COST $175.00. WE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL UP HWY95 TO BULLHEAD CITY, AZ, APPROX. 15 MILES, WHERE OUR HOUSE WAS. JULY 3 WE WENT TO SUPERIOR TIRES AND BOUGHT 4 NEW GOODYEAR TIRES. I AM LEFT WITH A DAMAGED REAR FENDER AND A DAMAGED HATCH DO TO THE FIRESTONE TIRE TREAD SEPARATION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S JOB, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD WAS MELTED. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. WHEN HE CALLED THE DEALER, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO SAFETY RECALL PERTAINING TO HIS VIN; THEREFORE, HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V422000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) WAS REFERENCED. THE CORRECT INCIDENT DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 149,382.

FAULTY TRANSMISSION IN 1998 FORD EXPLORER. VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT FROM FORD DEALERSHIP, APPROXIMATELY 4 YRS. OLD WHEN PURCHASED. TRANS. NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY AFTER FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP OR APPROX. 65,000 MILES. WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE AT ALL SHORTLY AFTERWARD. HARD AND LATE SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD, AND TRANSMISSION WILL FREQUENTLY TOTALLY DISENGAGE WHILE DRIVING AT 55 TO 60 MPH, ENGINE WILL REV., BUT CAR WILL START SLOWING DOWN. ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BLOW UP WHILE WAITING FOR TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT. HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT BY PRIVATE MECHANIC AND PROBLEM IS STILL THE SAME. *TR

FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AND MUST BE FED MANUALLY TO RETRACT. SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO SEAT BELT WEBBING CAUSING POSSIBLE FAILURE UPON IMPACT. *TR

FIRE IN ENGINE BAY ORIGINATING AT THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD NOT OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE DOOR HANDLE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ANY MOVEMENT AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

DURING THE ANNUAL VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION, IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE TWO FRONT SUSPENSION STABILIZER LINK BOLTS WERE BROKEN. EACH BOLT HAD FAILED AS A RESULT OF RUST AND CORROSION AT THE UPPER END WHERE IT ATTACHED TO THE STABILIZER. THIS RESULTED IN A DEGRADATION OF HANDLING ABILITY, WHICH IN A SUV VEHICLE WITH HIGH CENTER OF GRAVITY, COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. PARTS WERE REPLACED AND I AM RETAINING WHAT IS LEFT OF THE FAILED PARTS FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION. *TR

ALL LOCKING DOOR MECHANISM'S HAVE FAILED AND I HAVE SPENT MONEY TO REPAIR THEM. THE REAR HATCH LOCK IS NO LONGER OPERATING UNLESS THE KEY IS IN THE LOCK AND THEN, ONLY SPORADICALLY. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HANDLE, HAS BROKEN OFF TWICE AND BEEN REPLACED TWICE. I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE ENGINE WAS OFF, THEREBY EFFECTIVELY "TRAPPING" ME IN THE VEHICLE. IN AN EMERGENCY, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EXIT THE CAR AND REMOVE MYSELF FROM ANY POTENTIAL DANGER. IN ORDER TO EXIT THE CAR, I HAD TWO OPTIONS, EITHER CLIMB OUT OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE OR PUT THE KEY BACK IN THE IGNITION, TURN ON THE VEHICLE, LOWER THE POWER WINDOW AND OPEN THE CAR FROM THE OUTSIDE, I OPTED FOR THE SECOND SOLUTION UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO ORDER A SECOND NEW DOOR HANDLE AND REPLACE IT. *TR

ENGINE FAILURE. ENGINE CODE P0300. CYLINDERS 4, 5, 6 HAVE WEAK COMPRESSION. TIMING CHAIN IS DAMAGED. DEALER HAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED TIMING CHAIN TWICE AND AFTER SECOND SERVICE FORD EXTENDED ENGINE WARRANTY TO 100K MILES (NOW EXPIRED). DEALER NOW RECOMMENDS ENGINE REPLACEMENT AT COST OF $5,500. WHAT WAS ONCE A $30,000 BEAUTIFUL EDDIE BAUER RIG NOW HAS A KELLY BB RETAIL VALUE OF ~$8000, BUT WITHOUT ENGINE, CAR IS A TOTAL (AUCTION BLOCK) LOSS! WHILE NO ONE WAS HURT WHEN THIS ENGINE FAILED, IT IS BOTH A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD AND YET ANOTHER SHOCK TO A VEHICLE WITH A TROUBLESOME (AND EXPENSIVE) PAST, AND TO A LOYAL FORD CUSTOMER WHO EXPECTED A BETTER QUALITY PRODUCT. I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER HOW MANY MORE 1998 EXPLORERS ARE OUT ON THE ROADS ABOUT TO LOOSE THEIR ENGINES. IS 10 YEARS TOO LONG TO OWN A FORD? I AM STILL PONDERING WHAT TO DO WITH THIS VEHICLE WHICH NOW SITS AS A 2-TON "BOOKEND" IN MY GARAGE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A FORD RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH IN AUGUST OF 2006. SHE CALLED THE DEALER IN AUGUST OF 2007 AND THEY STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL NOVEMBER. SHE CALLED THE DEALER EVERY OTHER MONTH AND THEY STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL AUGUST OF 2008. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH DISCONNECTED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT CAUGHT FIRE AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE TRANSMISSION TYPE, RECALL NUMBER, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT DOES NOT STAY IN PLACE. IF THE CONTACT LEANED BACK TOO HARD, THE SEAT WOULD RECLINE ONTO THE REAR SEAT. WHEN SHE CALLED THE DEALER CONCERNING NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V281000 (SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY: RECLINER) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY DO NOT HONOR NHTSA RECALLS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,400.

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME THE CAR (ENGINE) CAUGHT ON FIRE . THE FIRE CHIEF WAS NOT REALLY SURE WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DETACHED FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WHILE HIS SON WAS DRIVING 30 MPH. HIS SON WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET DETACHED FROM THE DASH PANE AREA. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $634 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE DEALER WOULD HAVE TO RE-WELD THE ENGINE PANEL. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

LOSS OF ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION DUE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET SPOT WELD FAILURE. MINOR CHILD WAS DRIVING AUTO WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELL OVER TO ITS SIDE. NO POWER. LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO COAST THROUGH INTERSECTION WITHOUT BEING HIT. MY INSPECTION REVEALED ALL THREE SPOT WELDS HAD FAILED. FURTHER, THE MIDDLE WELD OF THE THREE WAS ONLY ABOUT 1MM IN DIAMETER WITH THE OUTERMOST TWO YIELDING A NUGGET SIZE OF APPROX. 5MM. THE BRACKET SPOT WELDS FAILED DUE TO THE FIREWALL SHEET METAL FATIGUE. THE FIREWALL SHEETMETAL COMPLETELY PULLED LOOSE LEAVING THREE HOLES WHERE THE SPOT WELDS WERE. THIS AREA OF WORKMANSHIP IS OF CONCERN TO ME AS IT ENDANGERED THE LIVES OF MY CHILDREN DUE TO THE VEHICLE LOOSING POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP WITH FORD BUT THE ONLY RESPONSE I RECEIVED WAS THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIRS SINCE THE AUTO WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. COST WAS NOT MY CONCERN, GIVING NOTICE OF WHAT IS CLEARLY A SAFETY MATTER WAS MY CONCERN. I WAS INFORMED THAT NO CURRENT BULLETINS OR RECALLS EXISTED FOR THE DESCRIBED PROBLEM. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE. THESE WELDS SHOULD NEVER FAIL. MY BACKGROUND? I AM A WELDING SPECIALIST FOR A MAJOR AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURER IN THE U.S. I DO HAVE SUPPORTING PHOTOS OF THE FAILED SPOT WELDS. *TR

TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR AND CLUNKS. TRANSMISSION DISENGAGING OUT OF DRIVE GEAR; WILL NOT STAY IN GEAR WHEN MOVING IN THE FORWARD (DRIVE) DIRECTION. ALMOST WAS IN WRECK DUE TO TRANSMISSION/DRIVE FAILURE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE IN TO TRANSMISSION SPECIALTY SERVICE STATION TO HAVE LOOKED AT. FAULTY SOLENOID AND STUCK MECHANISM DUE TO FAILURE. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR $1700.00. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELL OFF. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PEDAL FELT LOOSE AND THEN COMPLETELY DETACHED WHILE PULLING INTO A REPAIR SHOP. THE FAILURE CAUSED UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WALL, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 116,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF

TL*THE CONTACT'S FATHER OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD STICK AND THEN RELEASE. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME DETACHED FROM THE FLOOR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO A MECHANIC'S GARAGE, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HARD BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT THEN PROCEEDED TO MOVE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WITH HER FOOT, BUT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD INTO THE MECHANIC'S WALL. THERE WERE NO DEATHS, INJURIES OR A POLICE REPORT. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 119,031.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DETACHED FROM THE PANEL. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED. A POLICE OFFICER PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 107,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PARKING HIS VEHICLE (2 MPH), THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE WALL OF THE PARKING STRUCTURE WHILE THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL HE SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

I PUT ON THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL SIMPLY CHATTERED LIKE THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE MECHANISM WAS WORKING. HOWEVER, EVEN WHEN I LET OFF AND LIGHTLY HIT THE PEDAL AGAIN FOR 3 SEPARATE TIMES THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND ONLY CHATTERED. I RAN INTO A TREE TO AVOID A HITTING ANOTHER CAR AND SOME PEDESTRIANS WHICH WRECKED MY FRONT END, RIGHT FENDER, RIGHT DOOR, HOOD AND OTHER PARTS ON THE RIGHT. *TR

WHILE ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE HESITATES AS IF IT IS GOING TO STALL. I'VE TAKEN IT AND HAD IT CHECKED OUT. THE ONLY THING THAT HAS EVER BEEN FOUND IS FAULTY O2 SENSORS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THE UNLOCK BUTTON; HOWEVER, ONLY THE DRIVER SIDE AND HATCH DOORS UNLOCKED. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND REMAINED IN THE LOCKED POSITION. FORD STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,099 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,050.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. HE CALLED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL OCTOBER. THE CONTACT CALLED AGAIN AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WOULD REMAIN UNAVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH OF 2008. HE FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

BLEND DOOR MOTOR FAILED PERMITTING ONLY HOT AIR TO ENTER VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINED TOWARDS THE REAR SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V281000 (SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER). THE DEALER REFUSES TO MAKE THE REPAIR UNTIL THE CONTACT PAYS $400 TO HAVE ANOTHER MECHANISM OF THE SEAT RECLINER REPAIRED. THE FORD MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT TECHNICAL ISSUES AND THAT THE DEALER WOULD MAKE THE FINAL DECISION. THE SEAT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE CRUISE CONTROL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 176,000.

ON MONDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2007 AT AROUND 4:15 PM WHILE DRIVING HOME ON CHEVERLY AVENUE I RECEIVED A CALL ON MY TWO WAY RADIO FROM THE CHEVERLY POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE CALLER STATED THAT MY 1998 FORD TWO DOOR, FORD EXPLORER SPORT HAD DROPPED ITS SPARE TIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF CHEVERLY AVENUE. AT FIRST I DID NOT BELIEVE THE OFFICER, BEING THAT I AM THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, I THOUGHT THAT HE JUST NEEDED TO TALK TO ME SO I MADE A U-TURN AND DROVE BACK TO WHERE THE OFFICER WAS PARKED. TO MY SURPRISE THERE WAS THE OFFICER WITH A SPARE TIRE WHICH I LATER IDENTIFIED AS BEING MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPARE TIRE. I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND THE CABLE THAT HELD THE TIRE IN PLACED WAS DAMAGED, RUSTED, AND IT HAD DROPPED THE TIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. EARLIER THAT DAY I WAS DRIVING ON THE CAPITAL BELTWAY ROUTE 495 IN THE WASHINGTON DC AREA AND IF THAT TIRE WOULD HAVE DROPPED I THE MIDDLE OF THIS BUSY ROADWAY CAN YOU IMAGINE THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT? FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEEDS TO FIND A BETTER IDEA FOR THE SPARE TIRE AND FORD OUGHT TO TELL ALL VEHICLE OWNERS THAT HAVE A SIMILAR SYSTEM FOR THE SPARE TIRE TO CHANGE THEM, REPLACE THEM EVERY SO MANY DAYS AND/OR USE DIFFERENT MATERIALS THAT WOULD NOT RUST. THANK GOD I WAS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND GOING AT A LOW SPEED. OTHERWISE ONLY GOD WOULD KNOW WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. *TR

MY WIFE'S 1998 FORD EXPLORER XLT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY KID'S SCHOOL, SHE DROVE FOR 1 MILE FROM OUR HOUSE TO THE SCHOOL TO PICK UP MY KID, LUCKILY IT DIDN'T BURN IN THE GARAGE. THE FIRE ACCORDING TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT LOOKS LIKE IT STARTED AROUND THE BRAKES MASTER CYLINDER UNDER THE HOOD DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER AND ACCORDING TO THE BURN MARKS ON THE HOOD LOOKS LIKE IT WAS THERE WHERE IT BURNED THE HOTTEST, THE WHOLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURNED AND LUCKILY THE FIRE DPTM IS REAL CLOSE SO IT DIDN'T BURN COMPLETELY. UPON INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET I CAME TO KNOW ABOUT A SAFETY RECALL FOR THESE VEHICLES INVOLVING THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH THAT IS LOCATED BY THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND THAT CAN RESULT ON FIRE, SO I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS INCIDENT IS A CONSEQUENCE OF THIS RECALL THAT I HAD NO IDEA OF. THE VEHICLE IS TOTALED AND NOW WE ARE STRUGGLING WITHOUT OUR PRIMARY FAMILY VEHICLE, I'M JUST THANKFUL THAT MY FAMILY AND MY HOUSE ARE SAFE. *JB

1998 FORD EXPLORER, DOOR LOCKS FAIL AND CAN'T GET OUT, CAN NOT BE OPEN WITH KEY OR REMOTE, CAN'T EVEN BE SLIM JIMMIED.. DEALER TELL ME THAT THE ENTER DOOR HAS TO BE TORN APART AND IT WILL COST $500.00... THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SAFELY HAZARD. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THIS VEHICLE IS IN A ACCIDENT OR STARTS FIR AND PASSENGERS CAN'T GET OUT...SHOULD BE RECALLED. *JB

REAR METAL BRAKE LINE, RUNNING ACROSS REAR AXLE, RUPTURED DUE TO EXTENSIVE CORROSION. THIS RESULTED IN COMPLETE LOSS OF REAR BRAKES. A NEW METAL BRAKE LINE HAD TO BE FABRICATED [PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FROM FORD]AND INSTALLED. DEALER COST $400+. NOTE: SEVERAL FORD DEALERS AND BRAKE SHOPS ADVISED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO THE FACT THAT THESE BRAKE LINES WERE NOT PROPERLY COATED TO GUARD AGAINST CORROSION. *JB

FAILURE OF FRONT BRAKE ROTORS DUE TO EXCESSIVE WARPING AND CORROSION. THIS RESULTED IN POOR BRAKING AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES. POOR QUALITY OEM FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE FACTORY INSTALLED ON THIS VEHICLE. PROPER HIGH QUALITY AFTERMARKET FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE INSTALLED. THIS RESULTED IN EXCELLENT BRAKING! *JB

FAILURE OF FRONT WHEEL BEARING HUB ASSEMBLY. WHEEL BROKE LOOSE LEAVING VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE. WHEEL BEARING HUB ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

THE SPOT WELDS BROKE ON THE METAL BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. *TR

SPARE TIRE LOST FROM LIFT/HANGER. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASING NEW TIRES I LEARNED MY SPARE TIRE WAS MISSING. THE CABLE USED TO LIFT THE TIRE WAS BROKEN, IT DID NOT APPEAR TO BE CUT. I DON'T KNOW WHEN THE TIRE WAS LOST, BUT THIS COULD BE A VERY SERIOUS HAZARD TO OTHER MOTORISTS IF IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING. *JB

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPONTANEOUSLY BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM THAT IS SYSTEMATIC OF FORD VEHICLES. THE FIRE COMPLETELY BURNED DOWN MOST OF MY TWO-STORY HOUSE AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE SMOKE DAMAGE TO THE REMAINING AREAS. *TR