4- WHEEL DRIVE INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD FLASH CONTINUALLY, INDICATING THA T 4- WHEEL DRIVE WAS INOPERATIVE. ON TWO OCCASIONS VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALER'S SHOP FOR REPAIRS, AND DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT GEM MODULE PART REPLACEMENT HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER, AND WAS WAITING TO RECEIVE THE PARTS. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER OR PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
1998 Ford Explorer complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1998 record →
RIMS ARE NOT ROUND THEY ARE OVAL SHAPED. ALSO, PREMATURE WEAR OF TIRES, CAUSING EXTREMELY BAD VIBRATION.CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
THE GAS INDICATOR MALFUNCTIONED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
RECALL REPAIR UNABLE TO BE COMPLETED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS (99V-062), VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THROTTLE STICKING/FAILURE AT THIS TIME.MJS
ENGINE CONTINUALLY EXPERIENCES STALLING, SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS/REPAIRS WITH NO CHANGE IN STALLING PROBLEMS. MJS
VEHICLE SHUTS ITSELF OFF WHILE TRAVELING. ONCE IT BEGINS TO SHUT ITSELF OFF, IT HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES IN A ROW. IT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME THEN TRAVELED AN ADDITIONAL 200 MILES BEFORE IT DID IT AGAIN. IT THEN DID IT ABOUT SIX TIMES. TOOK TO DEALER, UNABLE TO FIND. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO LOCAL DEALER, THEN TO SELLING DEALER. SHUT DOWN ON BUSY FREEWAY, WAS TOWED TO A FOURTH DEALER WHO SAYS IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A LOOSE FUEL WIRE. SAYS THE CARS MOVEMENT MAY HAVE MADE IT INTERMINTENT. PICKED UP VEHICLE FROM LAST DEALER AND HE ADVISED MAY HAVE FIXED PROBLEM, BUT NOT SURE. UNABLE TO USE VEHICLE AS THERE IS NO TRUST.
LEFT AND RIGHT REAR WINDOWS HINGES THREADS WORE OUT, SCREW AND WINDOW FELL OFF ON THE DRIVER HAND AND DAMAGED LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR. YH
AFTER DRIVING FOR 3HOURS AND PULLING OVER TO REST, VEHICLE SHUT OFF FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BACK UP EVEN AFTER WATING 2HRS. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
RECEIVED RECALL LETTER 99V164000, CONCERNING HOOD LATCH. CONTACTED DEALER NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK.ET.
AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, OR AFTER RELEASING THE FOOT BRAKE, AND THEN ACCELERATING BRISKLY, THE ENTIRE DRIVE TRAIN GOES INTO NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE SPEEDS UP, BUT NO VEHICLE MOVEMENT. YOU MUST STOP, OR COAST UNTIL THE DRIVE LINE VIOLENTLY "CLUNKS" BACK INTO GEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, TWICE NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENTS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IT HAS JUST BEEN REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER, SO THEY HAVE NOT HAD TIME TO RESPOND.
HOOD LATCH RECALL REPAIR DENIED DUE TO DEALERSHIP (99V164000). *YC
WHEN STOPPING VEHICLE AND PULLING OFF, THE GAS PEDAL HESITATES AND STICKS. *AK
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH DEFOGGER FOGGING UP WINDOW FOR A SHORT PEROID OF TIME BEFORE IT CLEARS UP. MFR. NOTIFIED DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED TO CONTACT NHTSA ON THIS MATTER. *AK
THREE TIMES I NEEDED TO STOP QUICKLY AND WHEN THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAUGED THE BRAKING SLOWED CONSIDERABLY . THE CAR FOUR CAR LENGTHS IN FRONT OF ME BRAKED MUCH MUCH FASTER THAN I COULD EVEN THOUGH I WAS READY TO BRAKE AT THAT MOMENT.
FUEL PUMP WIRING BECAME DISLODGED. *AK
CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALLS 99V164000 , HOOD LATCH; AND 99V06200, SPEED CONTROL CABLE. DEALER STATED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE, REFUSED TO CORRECT RECALL. *AK
BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING NO BRAKING ABILITY, WHICH MAY RESULTIN A CRASH. BEEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, DELAER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
VEHICLE STALLS, LOSES POWER WHEN ACCELERATING FROM FULL STOP, ESPECIALLY WHEN HOT. 5 TIMES AT DEALER W/ NO SOLUTION. DEALER COMPUTER INDICATES NOTHING WRONG. LOSS OF POWER COULD RESULT IN COLLISION IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. *AK
VEHICLE VIBRATES FROM 0 TO 60 MPH. IT CAN BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL , SEATS AND CENTER CONSOLE. IT IS VERY NOTICEABLE WHEN STARTING ON AN INCLINE. IN SOME CASES IT FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS BANGING. THE DEALER AND MFG. BOTH TELL ME THIS IN A NORMAL CONDITION AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DUE TO CORRENT THIS SITUATION. I AM AFRAID THAT AS THIS VIBRATION CONTINUES, SOMETHING (DRIVE SHAFT, BREAK HOSE, TRANS OR REAR SEALS) WILL EVENTUALLY START TO BREAK DOWN OR LEAK. IF A BREAK LINE OR HOSE VIBRATES AND BEGINS TO LEAK NO TELLING WHAT CAN HAPPEN !!!
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING HESITAION AND STALLING PROBLEMS WHEN ACCELERATING RAPIDLY FROM A STOP OR SLOW SPEED. *YC
WHEN I TRIED TO USE THE AC IN MARCH IT BLEW OUT ONLY HOT AIR. A NEW COMPRESSOR HAD TO BE PUT IN IT. IT STILL LEAKS UNDER THE DASH WHEN IT RAINS HARD OR GOING THROUGH CAR WASH. REAR WIPER MOTOR BURNT OUT. WIPER WOULD NOT WORK, HAD TO BE REPLACED. REAR SEAL, PINON SEALS, AND REAR DRIVE SHAFT WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR PANEL AND WINDOW RATTLED REALLY BAD. HAD REPAIRED. NOW FRONT DRIVER DOOR PANEL AND WINDOW RATTLES. HAD A "VIBRATING" NOISE REPAIRED. WHEN VEHICLE IDLED A PIECE OF METAL VIBRATED. SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE GONE TO TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS AND THEY WON'T COME ON. I HAVE TO TURN THE BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THEY WILL COME ON. AFTER MY AUTO HAS SET OVERNIGHT AND I START IT, IT IDLES VERY ROUGH FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE GAS PEDAL HAS BEEN STICKING FOR QUITE A FEW MONTHS. ONLY WHEN YOU INITIALLY PUSH ON THE GAS TO GO. YOU HAVE TO TAP ON IT TO GET IT TO UNSTICK; THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS, THE PA
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 99V062001 CONCERNING SPEED CONTROL CABLE . CONTACTED DEALER, AND NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
CONSUMER HAD SPEED CONTROL DISCONNECTED.NO PARTS AVAILABLE.CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK
ONGOING/RECURRING/INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT COMING ON. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED/ REPAIRED ON EIGHT OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY CONDITION WHEN AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON. CAN NHTSA PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK
STALLS WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE. NEAR COLLISION IN PARKING LOT. *AK
WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK AND DID NOT RETURN TO IDLE, VEHICLE RAN OFF THE FREEWAY AND LANDED ON TOP OF A TREE. VEHICLE IS BEING LOOKED AT NOW. *AK
THE CONSUMER STATE'S THE REAR SEAT BELT'S ARE BROKEN AND THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.
RECALL WORK NOT ABLE TO BE DONE DUE TO LACK OF PARTS (99V-062). MJS
REAR SEAT BELTS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THEY JAM IN THE RETRACTOR. THEY CANNOT BE RELEASED TO BE USED. SOMETIMES FAIL TO RETRACT TO ORIGINAL POSITION. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK & REPAIR. *AK
AFTER DRIVING AT 65 MPH FOR APP. 2 HOURS, THE ENGINE STALLED MAKING A LEFT TURN WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. *AK
THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIES WHILE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 20 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY A STOP WAS REQUIRED ,AND CONSUMER STRUCK VEHICLE IN FRONT DUE TO FAILURE OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOT RESPOND PROPERLY. DEALER HAS BEE CONTACTED. *AK
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS. THE CABLE FOR ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE. OWNER FEELS THE RECALL OF CRUISE CONTROL HAS CAUSED THE PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AFTER USING CRUISE CONTROL AND COMING TO A FULL STOP, ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS. DRIVER MUST TAP IT ONCE OR TWICE TO CORRECT.
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 99V062001, SPEED CONTROL CABLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE TO REMEDY RECALL PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
CONSUMER FEELS THE RECALL ON THROTTLE BODY PLATE REPAIR/NOTICE IS INSUFFICIENT, FEELS THAT IMMEDIATE REPAIR SHOULD BE DONE DUE TO POSSIBLE FAILURE. (99M02) NLM
BRAKES RESPOND TO SITUATIONS TOO LATE WHEN APPLIED, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING ENGINE NOISE, CAM TENSIONERS WERE INSTALLED TO CORRECT PROBLEM, VEHICLE IS STILL NOISY. *YC
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 99V062000, SPEED CONTROL CABLE. CONTACTED DEALER AND NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE TO REMEDY PROBLEM. *ADJPOOR COORDINATION BETWEEN MANUFACTURER AND DEALER.NO MONETARY REMEDY FOR LACK OF USE OF CRUISE CONTROL FOR 3 MONTHS. *ADJ
WHILE DRIVING A LOUD NOISE OCCURS UNDER THE VEHICLE. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. *AK
SPEED CONTROL CABLES RECALLED BUT ARE UNABLE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. NLM (99V-062)
WHEN COMING TO STOP VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS/ REVERSES AND SURGES FORWARD. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES CONTINUED ENGINE STALLING. MJS
WHEN DRIVING AT 75 TO 80 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED. WHEN VEHICLE GOT DOWN TO 50 MPH, CONSUMER REMOVED THE CABLE FROM CRUISE CONTROL, PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NETURAL AND TURNED OFF IGNITION, AND COASTED VEHICLE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. THEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. *AK
CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO PARKING LOT AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, JUMPED A CURVE DOWN GRASSY DECLINE AND HIT CITY HALL'S WALL. *AK
ON FRIDAY, MAY 14TH, 1999 AT APPROXIMATELY 9:15 PM, I WAS DRIVING MY FORD EXPLORER ON THE NY THRUWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN TO SPEEDS UP TO 70 MPH WITHOUT ANY EXPLANATION. I APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE ONLY SLOWED DOWN TO 50-55 MPH. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED FOR A FEW MINUTES (SINCE I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO), I DECIDED TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND THAT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO GLIDE THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER ROAD ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, OURSELVES OR ANYONE ELSE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT FROM TO INVESTIGATE AND FIND OUT WHAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. TO MY AMAZEMENT, THE SERVICE DEPT. INDICATED THAT THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THAT I COULD TAKE IT HOME. I TOLD THEM I CAN'T ACCEPT HIS RESPONSE AS AN ANSWER FOR ALMOST LOSING MY LIFE, AND THAT I WANT THEM TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF WHY THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN AND UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUN-AROUND AND NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE IN GETTING THIS MATTER RESOLVED QUICKLY BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE IS PUT IN DANGER WITH THIS VEHICLE, OR OTHER ONES IN THIS CLASS THAT MAY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER AND PLEASE CALL ME IF YOU NEED ANY FUTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THIS MATTER. *AK
CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER REGARDING RECAL 99V062001, DEALER STATED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS YET TO BE MANUFACTURED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL COMPONENT PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE CAUSING UNWANTED ACCELERATION. (99V-062) MJS
LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION BOLT MISSING / FELL OFF, CAUSING SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE, DAMAGING THE SPINDLE / BRAKE HOSE / WHEEL SENSOR, THE WHEEL RIM AND TIRE.
ON TWO OCCASIONS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, ONE INCIDENT RESULTED IN VEHICLE CRASHING INTO ROCK BUILDING. *YC
Reading these
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 1998 Ford Explorer → · Every Explorer year → · How the figures are calculated →