1998 Ford Explorer complaints

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IN TURNED ON AND WHEN COMING TO A STOP VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY SURGE FORWARD . THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE TWICE PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP VEHICLE, BUT BRAKES FAILED AND VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP. CONSUMER SAID, HE HAD TAKEN VEHICLE THREE TIMES TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS, AND STILL HAS SAME PROBLEM. *AK

PROBLEM IS HESITATION OR ENGINE QUITTING DURING ACCELERATION. WHILE THIS IS NOT A COMMON EVENT, IT HAPPENS ABOUT ONCE PER WEEK. THE DANGEROUS CONDITION OCCURS WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE HWY. DEALERS SERVICE DEPT. INDICATES NO PROBLEM IS INDICATED BY THEIR DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEMS THEREFORE FORD WILL ASSUME NO RESPOSIBILITY.

VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY HESITATES OR COMPLETELY STALLS OUT. NM

RECALL REPAIR ON THE CRUISE CONTROL CAN NOT BE PERFORMED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. (99V-062) MJS.

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL COMPONENT PRIOR TO NOTICE RESULTING IN UNWANTED ACCELERATION. (99V-061). MJS

VIBRATION IN DRIVETRAIN. MOST PRONOUNCED WHEN ACCELERATING ON UPHILL GRADE. OCCURS AT AROUND 35 MPH. NOT RELATED TO TIRES OR WHEELS, ALL HAVE BEEN REPLACED.

FORD DEALER STATES THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH ALL REAR WIPER MOTORS IN 1998 EXPLORERS, AND THAT THERE IS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN STATING SO. CAN THIS PART BE RECALLED?

WHEN TURNING AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING MECHANISM MAKES A SOFT BUT LOUD GRINDING NOISE. WITH CAR AT STOP, YOU CAN SEE THE POWER STERRING FLUID RESIVOUR CAVITATE. AFTER 9 TRIPS TO THE DEALER, THEY HAVE YET TO BE ABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE. THEY HAVE TRIED NEW HOSES, FLUSHING THE SYSTEM, RESETTING THE COMPUTER, AND PARTS FROM THE 6 CL. ENGINE TO RESOLVE ISSUE. NOISE APPEARS AFTER CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR AT LEAST 5 MINUTES, AND IS MORE PROMINENT THE WARMER THE ENGINE/OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE.

ACCELERATOR STICKS. WENT OUT OF CRUISE CONTROL, VEHICLE JUST KEPT GOING AND DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THROTTLE REPLACED. DEALER CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

PASSENGER FRONT SAFETY BELT LOCKING UP AND TIGHTENING. PASSENGER MUST REMOVE BELT AND WAIT FOR MECHANISM TO RETURN TO NORMAL. BELT LOCKS UP 85% OF TIME EVEN AFTER DISENGAGING AND REBUCKLING. DEALER NOTIFIED - STILL UNDER WARRANTY FOR REPAIR. REPAIR ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK

BACK SEAT BELT CONTINUES TO TWIST, CAUSING SEABELT TO GET STUCK INSIDE SEAT BELT MECHANISM. REPLACING THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM WILL ULTIMATELY RESULT IN SAME PROBLEM DUE TO DESIGN FAILURE. APPARENTLY, PLASTIC HOLDER TOO LARGE WHICH ALLOWS SEAT BELT TO TWIST. *AK

CONSUMER WAS IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER CAR AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ROCK WALL OF BUILDING AFTER UNSCHEDULED ACCELERATION AS WE WERE PARKING IT. BARELY ROLLING, FOOT ON BRAKE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, JUMPED 6" CURBING, ENGINE REVVING, WENT DOWN HILL, UNDER LOW I-BEAM OF ROOF AND CRASHED INTO ROCK WALL OF CITY HALL. IT BUCKLED WALL, SPLIT SHEET ROCK IN INTERIOR. ALTHOUGH WE SURVIVED THE INCIDENT, THE ROOF WAS RIPPED OPEN BY THE I-BEAM AND SUNROOF GLASS FILLED VEHICLE. WE NARROWLY ESCAPED WITH OUR LIVES. VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEABLE AFTER ACCIDENT. POLICE REPORT EXONERATED US OF ANY BLAME. FIRST INCIDENT WITH VEHICLE. *AK

VERY LOUD, INTERMITTENT, SQUEALING FROM FRONT END. DEALER FIRST STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE DUST SEALS/BOOTS, BUT ACCORDING TO OTHER SHOP, THERE AREN'T ANY. NEXT THEY SAID IT WAS THE FRONT BRAKES: THEY ONLY HAD 5K MILES OF USE LEFT, AND THE ROTORS WERE TOO WORN. I HAD NEW ROTORS AND PADS INSTALLED, BUT THE SQUEAL IS STILL THERE. IT OCCURS WITH BRAKES APPLIED OR NOT, WITH ENGINE ON OR OFF(JUST ROLLING DOWN A HILL), BUT ONLY WHEN VEHICLE IS MOVING. DOES NOT CHANGE WHEN TURNING. REFERENCE OTHER ODI IDS: 700845, 702219, 702959, 703052, 703270, 703848, 704071, 829016, 834307, 834481. *AK

SERIOUS POWER STEERING LEAKAGE. TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE, AND TOLD IT'S BEEN REPAIRED - STILL UNRESOLVED. ALSO CONTINUAL SQUEAKING IN RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. DEALER STATES CANNOT REPAIR. *AK

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. REPAIRED 4 TIMES READY TO TAKE BACK FOR 5TH. DEALER REPLACED PART. JUST HAD IN LAST WEEK, DID NOT FIX PROPERLY, DOING IT AGAIN. *AK

VEHICLE HAD A PINHOLE IN THE CORNER OF WINDSHIELD THROUGH WHICH DEBRIS ENTERED, AND CAUSED WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. THIS MAY HAVE RESULTED IN INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHILE DROPPING OFF MY VEHICLE FOR PROBLEMS WITH A REAR WIPER, THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE CRUISE CONTROL FOR MY TRUCK. I CALLED FORD, AND THEY SAID THE INFORMATION WAS SENT OUT IN A LETTER YESTERDAY. WHEN I CALLED THE FORD CONSUMER LINE I WAS TOLD THEY HAD NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO READ AS OF YET. I SHOULD WAIT UNTIL I RECEIVE THE LETTER. IT SEEMS LIKE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT. THE CRUISE CONTROL CAN FORCE THE CAR TO STAY AT THE SAME SPEED. FORD DOES NOT HAVE THE CABLE READY TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL AT LEAST MAY 1999. *AK

THROTTLE STICKS WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. *AK

4.0L SOHC ENGINE, ENGINE WILL SEVERELY LAG OR STALL UNDER HEAVY ACCELERATION FROM SLOW SPEEDS OR FROM DEAD STOP. *AK

ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS IN IDLE POSITION. THIS REQUIRES USE OF GREATER FORCE TO START MOVEMENT, CAUSING VECHILE TO LURCH FORWARD/REVERSE. *AK

THE EXPLORER WE HAVE SOMETIMES LOSES POWER AND THEN AFTER 10-15 SECONDS BOLTS FORWARD ABRUPTLY. OUR VEHICLE HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. WE HAVE BEEN INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF OUR DEALER 5 TIMES, AND BEGAN COMPLAINING OF THE PROBLEM A WEEK AFTER WE TOOK THE CAR HOME. OUR DEALER SEEMS OBLIVIOUS TO THE FACT THAT SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM, WHICH I CAN FIND ON THE INTERNET. THEY FEEL SINCE IT HASN'T DONE IT WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING IT, THEN IT DOESN'T HAVE A PROBLEM. WE HAVE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THIS CAR, OUR ONLY VEHICLE FOR SIX MONTHS IN THIS CONDITION. THE DEALER RARELY RETURNS OUR CALLS. THIS VEHICLE IS VERY UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN, ESPECIALLY WITH OUR CHILD IN THE CAR. YOU HAVE NO WARNING WHEN IT WILL STOP, AND MOST OFTEN YOU ARE TURNING AND STALLING WITH PEOPLE SWERVING AND BLOWING THEIR HORNS, AND YOU HAVE NO CONTROL FOR 10-15 SECONDS. THE DEALERS SHOULD TAKE BACK DANGEROUS VEHICLES SUCH AS THIS ONE! *AK

PROBLEM IS AN ALMOST CONSTANT GRINDING NOISE THAT DEALER SAYS CANNOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS NO PERMENANT FIX. REFER TO FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 12328.12329. DEALER REFUSED TO DOCUMENT THAT PROBLEM WAS NOT A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT THERE WOULD NOT BE A FAILURE OF THE DRIVE TRAIN SYSTEM, OR THAT THE WHEELS WOULD NOT FALL OFF. DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT MGR. FURTHER STATED THAT THERE WERE HUNDREDS AND PERHAPS THOUSANDS OF CARS WITH THE SAME DEFECT. MY OBSERVATION OF THIS PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS A HIGH PITCHED GRINDING OR SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THIS SOUND IS A METAL ON METAL RUBBING NOISE, WHICH COULD CAUSE FRICTIION, HEAT AND PERHAPS PARTS FAILURE THAT COULD CAUSE POTENTIAL FAILURE OF THE DRIVE TRAIN SYSTEM.

ENGINE STALLS. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE ENGINE RPMS WILL DROP TO "0". THE ENGINE WILL RESTART ON ITS OWN. THE STALLING IS FOR ONLY A MOMENT. I HAVE REPORTED THS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER PUT A "FLIG

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT STALLING WHILE ACCELERATING FRON 0-45 MPH. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY DEALER ,AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IF IT GETS ANY WORSE TO BRING IT BACK. SEEKING HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

STICKING ACCELERATOR PEDAL. REPAIRED FOUR TIMES AND THE PROBLEM RETURNED AFTER EACH REPAIR WITHIN 60 DAYS. NO EXPLAINATION IS FORTH COMING FROM THE DEALER OR FORD.

STEREO RECIEVER FAILED.

GAS TANK FLOAT FAILED.

WHEN HEAVY WIND OCCURS IT IS DIFFICULT TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE RACK AND PINION STEERING MALFUNCTIONING. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHEN OPENING UP THE DOOR AND THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, AND THE DASHBOARD MELTED. CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW WHY THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED. *AK

THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A 35 MPH ACCIDENT

SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGE 12328 - SOME 1998/1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEER 4X4 VEHICHLES MAY EXHIBIT A HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL/WHISTLE TYPE NOISE FROM THE FRONT END AT SPEEDS FROM 10MPH TO 40MPH. THIS NOISE MAY BE COMING FROM THE FRONT HALFSHAFT EXCLUDER SEALS(3K070) AS THEY ROTATE AGAINST THE INNER HUBS. IF A VEHICLE COMES IN FOR THIS CONCERN, PERFORM THE FOLLOWING SERVICE PROCEDURE FOR BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE; 1. PERFORM THE FRONT HALF SHAFT REMOVAL PROCEDURE PER SECTION 205-04-6 THROUGH 205-04-8 OF THE 1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEER WORKSHOP MANUAL. 2. CLEAN THE EXTENDED LIP OF THE FRONT WHEEL EXCLUDER SEALS(3K070), THE INNER SURFACE OF THE KNUCKLE(3K185/3K186) IN WHICH THE WHEELS RIDE AGAINST THE AXLE SHAFT OIL SEALS(3254). 3. SPREAD APPROXIMATELY 1/8" THICK BEAD OF HIGH TEMP WHEEL BEARING GREESE(PART #E8TZ-19590-A) ONTO THE SEAL LIPS&SURFACES THEY CONTACT. 4. PERFORM THE FRONT HALFSHAFT INSTALLATION PROCEDURE PER SECTION 205-04-8 OF THE 1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEER WORKSHOP MANUAL. VERIFY THAT THE NOISE IS NO LONGER PRESENT. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED WHEN AVAILABLE. ENGINEERING IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE. NOTE: DO NOT REPLACE THE SEALS UNLESS THEY ARE DAMAGED.

STALLING/HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP OR LOW SPEED. OCCURS AT INTERSECTIONS AND MAKING TURNS. VEHICLE LOSES POWER MOMENTARILY THEN KICKS BACK IN.

BOTH THESE MIRRORS VIBRATE SO BADLY, THAT THEY CANNOT SAFELY BE USED. THEY ALSO MAKE ME DIZZY. FORD KNOWS OF THIS DEFECT AND SEEMS TO BE DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT.

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION, ENGINE STALLS. ONLY OCCURS AFTER VEHICLE HAS STOPPED AFTER BEING AT HIGHWAY SPEED FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME. NEVER OCCURS DURING CITY DRIVING, BUT DOES OCCUR FREQUENTLY AFTER I STOP THE VEHICLE AFTER LEAVING THE HIGHWAY, THEN TRY TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. TWO DEALERSHIPS HAVE LOOKED AT, BUT NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF A DIFFERENT PROBLEM.

THROTTLE STICKS IN IDLE POSITION FREQUENTLY. MOST OFTEN HAPPEN WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOT, BUT CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME. THROTTLE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED TWICE AND REPARIED TWICE BY 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS, BUT THE REPLACEMENTS PERFORM AS POORLY AS THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT.

A SQUEELING TYPE GRIND IN LEFT FRONT END OCCURS DAILY WHEN VEHICLE DRIVEN, INDEPENDANT OF SPEED VARIATION, SOUND CAN BE HEARD THROUGH CLOSED WINDOWS; DEALERSHIP WILL NOT PERFORM REPAIR AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS, ENGINEERING AT FORD UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE SO FAR,NOISE IS PIERCING TO DRIVER AND SURROUNDING AREA DRIVEN.

GAS PEDAL STICKS AFTER REMOVING YOUR FOOT. YOU MUST EXERT EXTRA PRESSURE ON PEDAL TO BREAK IT LOOSE BEFORE ACCELERATING. DOES NOT SEEM TO STICK WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAD ALREADY REPLACED DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY 3 TIMES SO FAR - I AM CURRENTLY ON MY FOURTH THROTTLE BODY PART INSIDE THE FIRST 15 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. CURRENTLY, IT NEEDS REPLACING AGAIN. THE DEALER INDICATED THEY REPLACED IT WITH THE NEW REDESIGNED PART ON THE LAST REPAIR, BUT IT DID NOT SEEM TO HELP. AFTER THE PART IS REPLACED, THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY FOR A FEW MONTHS, AND THEN RETURNS.

VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND DRIVER LOST CONTROL DUE TO POOR TIRE(FIRESTONE WILDERNESS) TRACTION RESLTING IN AN ACCIDENT AND DUE TO POOR STABILITY OF THE DESIGN IT RESULTED IN VEHICLE ROLL OVER.

WHEN TURNING STEERING TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT, IT MAKES A GRINDING NOISE AND BINDS UP. DEALER CONTACTED AND IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. EXTENDED WARRANTY EFFECTIVE. *AK

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF EVENT THAT OCCURRED 27 SEPARATE TIMES FROM 5/31/98 TO 7/13/98; FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR PREPARING TO STOP. FOOT ON BRAKE, ENGINE BEGINS TO ACCELERATE (GENERALLY TO 2500 RPM WHILE CAR IS IN DRIVE). BRAKES STRAIN WHILE TRYING TO STOP CAR. ENGINE REMAINS AT 2500 RPM UNTIL FOOT REMOVED FROM BRAKE, THAN ENGINE RETURNS TO IDLE. IF CAR IS PLACED IN NEUTRAL (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) DURING EVENT, ENGINE WILL ACCELERATE AND MAINTAIN 5000-5500 RPM AS LONG AS FOOT REMAINS ONLY ON BRAKE. IF FOOT IS REMOVED FROM BRAKE OR PARKING BRAKE IS APPLIED, WHILE IN GEAR(DRIVE,REVERSE OR NEUTRAL) ENGINE WILL DECELLERATE AND RETURN TO IDLE. DURING FOUR SEPARATE VISITS TO DEALER, THE DEALER PUT 870 MILES ON CAR. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIX OR STATED COULD NOT DUPLICATE. THE FOUTH VISIT OF THE CAR TO THE DEALER LASTED 46 DAYS. DEALER HAD CAR FOR A TOTAL OF 65 DAYS FROM 5/30/98 TILL 9/1/98, WHEN OWNER RECEIVED A NEW CAR FROM ANOTHER LOCAL FORD DEALER. NW FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. AGREED TO REPLACE CAR AT NO COST TO OWNER. OWNER RECEIVED NEW CAR 9/1/98 FROM ANOTHER LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO TOOK DEFECTIVE VEHICLE DESCRIBED ABOVE. CAR DEALER INSTALLED "FLIGHT RECORDER" ON CAR DURING ONE VISIT AND OWNER WAS ABLE TO RECORD SEVERAL EVENTS ON RECORDER. DEALER REPORTED TO OWNER THAT THE RECORDER VERIFIED ACCELERATION, BUT NOT CAUSED BY COMPUTER. DEALER CHANGED SPEED CONTROL SERVO ON THIS VISIT (7/6-7/98). EVENT REPEATED ON 7/10/98 AND 5 MORE TIMES ON 7/13/98. CAR RETURNED TO DEALER FOR FINAL TIME O

WHENEVER COMING TO A STOP OR PULLING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN OR A LIGHT, VEHICLE WILL STALL AND CUT OFF. CONSUMER VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 8 TIMES AND THEY CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS RUNNING INTERMITTENTLY. *AK *ML

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY.

LEASED. THROTTLE STUCK WHEN FIRST STARTED VEHICLE UP, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT, INVOLVING SIDE IMPACT AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE TOWED. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHEN PUSHING THE BUTTON FOR THE FLUID TO COME OUT FROM WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR AND CLEAN THE WINDOWS, IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT TWO TO THREE MINUTES BEFORE THE FLUID COMES OUT TO CLEAN THE WINDOWS. *AK *ML

WE HEAR A LOUD HISSING/WHISTLING NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT FORD IS WORKING ON FIXING THE PROBLEM AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS TRUE. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. STEVE AND GAYLENE SCHMITZ

POWER LOCKS MALFUNCTIONING; ONCE UNLOCKED AND CONSUMER GETS OUT GO TO REAR OF PASSENGER SIDE TO TAKE INFANT OUT OF CSS, THE DOORS HAVE LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY. IT TOOK SIX TRIES BEFORE SHE COULD GET TO THE DOOR. *AK

ENGINE STALLED DURING LEFT TURN AT INTERSECTION. ALL THREE TIMES THAT THIS HAS OCCURED HAS BEEN UP STARTING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, AND UNDER MODERATE TO HEAVY ACCELERATION. TWO OF THE INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURED DURING LEFT TURNS, WHILE THE OTHER OCCURED GOING STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH FORD'S RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE.

HESITATION/STALL - VEHICLE HAS INTERMITTENT HESITATION WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS AFTER A STOP AND SOMETIMES STALLS. I HAVE NEARLY AVOIDED TWO ACCIDENTS. TEH DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT SAYS THE MANUFACTURER HAS OTHER MATCHING COMPLAINTS. I AM ACTIVATING THE GA WARRANTY RIGHTS ACT NOW. IF FORD KNOWS THIS PROBLEM EXISTS AND I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE, I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED.