1998 Ford Explorer complaints

THE VALVE BODY IN TRANSMISION FAILED, CAUSING NOISE. YH

REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED. YH

REAR WINDOW WIPER FAILED. YH

ENGINE FAILURE CAUSING VEHICLE STALLING. YH

OXYGEN INTAKE VALVE FAILED. YH

TWO SPARK PLUGS ARE DEAD. YH

BATTERY FAILED. YH

LUG NUTS WERE STRIPPED. YH

REAR WIPER FAILED. YH

ALTERNATOR FAILED. *YC

VEHICLE TILTS TO LEFT ON FLAT LEVEL SURFACE WHICH COULD RESULT IN ROLLOVER WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. *YC

TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING. YH

RUBBER SEALING FOR JUNCTION DRAFT SHAFT AND TRANSMISSION FAILED. YH

BRAKES GRINDING AND VIBRATING. YH

REAR WIPER FAILED. YH

HEAD LIGHT INSPECTION PLASTIC FLAP CRACKED. YH

VEHICLE SUSCEPTABLE TO LATERAL WINDSHEAR WHICH CAUSES TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL. MGM

TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING. YH

SUN ROOF MULFUNCTIONS. YH

ENGINE MAKES CRACKING SOUND WHEN STOPPING. YH

A/C FAILED. YH

RUBBING NOISE WHEN MAKING NORMAL TURNS/DEALER REPLACED TWO SEPARATE POWER STEERING PARTS/PROBLEM PERSISTS/DEALER NOW SAYING NOISE IS CHARACTARISTIC OF 1998 EXPLORERS. *AK

THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY STICKS. WHEN I PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR IT APPEARS STUCK. I MUST PRESS HARDER THAN NECESSARY TO RELEASE THE THROTTLE SO VEHICLE WILL RESPOND. THIS IS MY THIRD COMPLAINT AND SECOND THROTTLE. TED RUSSELL FORD IN KNOXVILLE AND DON SMITH FORD IN GREENEVILLE HAVE BEEN VERY COOPERATIVE AND RESPONDED TO MY COMPLAINTS. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS APPEARS TO BE A REOCCURRING PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE PART. IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS THIS CONDITION COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ASSURANCE THAT THE MOST RECENT REPAIR HAS CORRECTED THE STICKING THROTTLE, AND I WILL NOT EXPERIENCE IT AGAIN. *AK

EA99001; INTERMITTENTLY WHEN ABOUT TO MAKE A STOP, THE VEHICLE IDLES UP TO 6000 RPM, AND BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP. CONSUMER TURNS OFF THE VEHICLE SO THAT SHE WON'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT. BEEN TO THE DEALER, THEY CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. CRUISE CONTROL HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED. *AK

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME , THAT L HAVE TOLD THIS DEPARTMENT ABOUT THIS BRAKE PROBLEM WITH MY 98 FORD EXPLORER . MY FIRST COMPLAINT WAS SOME TIME IN JULY OF THIS YEAR . THE DEALER HAS CUT THE FRONT ROTORS ONCE AT 9000MILES ALL HIGHWAY DRIVING AND RPLACED THE ROTORS AT 18000 . THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING THE WAY IT SHOULD , L JUST EXPERIENCED THIS ON THE 20TH OF THIS MONTH ,IN PORTLAND ME . AFTER YOU HAVE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND ARE STITTING FOR AWHILE WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED AND THEN YOU RELEASE THE BRAKES AND THEN IF YOU HAVE TO STOP REAL QUICKLY THE ABS SYSTEM WILL NOT FUNCTION THE WAY IT SHOULD . WHAT YOU END UP WITH IS THAT YOU DO'NT HAVE ANY BRAKES AT ALL AND YOU CRASH .

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON WITHOUT A REASON, BUT DEALER HAD TOLD CONSUMER THA TTHE AIR BAG SOMETIMES IS OPENING, AND CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO COME ON. *AK

THROTTLE PEDAL CONTINUALLY STICKS WHEN INITIALLY ENGAGED IN EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE. CAUSES LUNGE IN DIRECTION OF TRAVEL IF DRIVER UNAWARE OF DEFECT. SUBMITTED TO DEALER TWICE, STILL NOT REPAIRED. POOR SEATBELT DESIGN HAS DRIVER'S SEATBELT CONTINUALLY STUCK IN DRIVERS DOOR UPON EXIT FROM VEHICLE. REAR PASSENGER WINDOW SCRAPES AND MAKES NOISE DURING OPERATION. DEALER DID NOT FIX WHEN INITIALLY BROUGHT UP AFTER INITIAL PURCHASE. ABS LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY APPEARS DURING DRIVING. DEALER NOTED CODE OF 1924 BUT HAD NO RESPONSE FOR PROBLEM. NOT RESOLVED. DISSAPOINTED WITH QUALITY OF VEHICLE FOR $$ PAID.

AUTOMOBILE SHUT OFF IN TRAFFIC, NEAR CRASH BECAUSE OF VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF. *AK

THIS IS AN EXPLORER WITH THE SOHC 4L ENGINE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED AT LEAST A DOZEN EPISODES OF THE ENGINE STALLING, OR NEARLY STALLING, WHEN ACCELLERATING FROM A STOP, AND USUALLY WHEN TURNING LEFT. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MOST OFTEN WHEN THE WEATHER AND ENGINE ARE HOT, AND AFTER IDLING FOR A FEW MOMENTS, SUCH AS WHEN STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WAITING FOR A LIGHT OR A BREAK IN TRAFFIC. THE STALL, OR HESISTATION, HAPPENS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS MOVED PERHAPS ONE CAR LENGTH. THE DEALERSHIP HAS MADE THREE ATTEMPTS AT REPAIR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH EXPLORERS WITH THE SOHC MOTOR, AND IS VERY DANGEROUS, LEAVING THE OCCUPANTS IN THE DIRECT LINE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC IN A DISABLED VEHICLE. FORD HAS NOT ADMITTED A FAULT, OR FIXED THE VEHICLE.

AFTER TRAVELING EAST ON I-90 FOR APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, I EXITED THE FREEWAY AND CAME TO A STOP. UPON MAKING A LEFT TURN AND ACCELLERATING, THE ENGINE DIED MOMENTARILY AND THEN CAME BACK TO SPEED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED. ALTHOUGH I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE ON MY TRIP, IT WAS AN ANXIOUS MOMENT AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC.

READ REPORT OF OTHERS HAVING THIS STALL ENGINE FAILURE, VEHICLE ENGINE DOESN'T GO DEAD WILL WILL LITTERALLY ALMOST QUIT BUT THEN REGAINS WITHOUT WARNIING.

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL GETS STUCK,CAUSING THE BRAKES TO HESITATE. WHEN PUTTING THE GEAR IN PARK THE VEHICLE HESITATES. CONSUMER DOESN'T KNOW WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO MOVE, AND THE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE EMITS FROM THE FRONT HUBS. FORD HAS REPLACED THE SEALS TWICE AND SAYS THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY CAN DO. THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS THE RECEIVE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS A DAY ON THIS PROBLEM. EACH TIME I SEE A 98 EXPLORER COMING DOWN THE STREET, I LISTEN AND IT SEEMS ALL OF THEM HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.

ENGINE STALLS OR SPUTTERS FROM A STOP OR ACCELERATING FROM ~40MPH. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN AT A GREATER RATE WHEN TURNING A SHARP LEFT AND GOING OVER AN INCLINE SUCH AS A RAILROAD CROSSING. THIS HAS CAUSED 3 NEAR COLLISIONS AND WOULD HAVE CAUSED A FATAL INCIDENT HAD A TRAIN BEEN BEARING DOWN ON THE TRAIN CROSSING. I HAVE STALLED ON A RAISED TRAIN CROSSING 3 TIMES.

ACCELERATOR STICKS WHEN DEPARTING FROM STOP. WILL SUDDENLY RELEASE AND VEHICLE ACCELERATES EXCESSIVELY. ENGINE AT TIMES WILL HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MERGE.

PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT BEGAN TO TIGHTEN ON PASSENGER, THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LOOSEN AND HAD TO BE CUT OFF. VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THERE WERE NO PART AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE SEATBELT.

HYDRAULIC HATCHBACK COLLAPSED AND SHATTERED THE REAR WINDOW. DEALER HAS SEEN. *AK

THE GASOLINE PEDAL ON MY 1998 EXPLORER SEPARATED FROM ITS MOUNTING BRACKET, MAKING IT UNSAFE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. SINCE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONTACT DEALER UNTIL 2 JANUARY 1999.

ENGINE OCCASIONALLY HESITATES OR STALLS UPON REACCELERATION AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT INTERSECTIONS. POSSIBLE DANGER OF BEING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN STALL OCCURS - POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT KEPT VEHICLE 2 DAYS AFTER ONE OCCURRENCE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT INDICATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS SAME PROBLEM IN OTHER EXPLORERS. THE HESITATION OR STALLING USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER CRUISING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 - 70 MPH THEN GETTING OFF AT AN EXIT AND STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION. WHEN REACCELERATING THE ENGINE SOMETIMES EITHER HESITATES BADLY THEN RESUMES NORMAL OPERATION OR STALLS COMPLETELY - USUALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION - REQUIRING RESTART.

CONSUMER SAYS THE NAVIGATIONAL TEMPERATURE SYSTEM ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR FLASH A BRIGHT LIGHT. WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE REACHES BELOW 38 DEGREES LIGHT IS SO INTENSE THAT WHEN FLASHING IT IS BLINDING WHILE DRIVING, IT OBSTRUCTS THE CONSUMER'S VIEW. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED AND REPLACED, NEW TRANSMISSION FAILED SEVERAL TIMES CAUSING LEAK PRIOR TO REPLACING.

WHILE DRIVING NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER. TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE, AND THE CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET, THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE, AND THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE OXYGEN SENSOR. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR SERVICE EIGHT TIMES, AND THE DEALER STILL CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS BACK IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR SERVICE. *AK

WHILE PULLING OUT THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. BEEN TO DEALER, BUT DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHEN ACCELERATOR IS APPLIED, IT WOULD STICK. MAINLY STICKING WHEN WEATHER IS COLD. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER AT LEAST 3 TIMES. WAS INFORMED IF STILL STICKING IT WAS MADE LIKE THAT. *AK

THE DRIVER'S SEAT MECHANISM CANNOT MOVE BACK MORE THAN 10 INCHES WHICH PUT THE CONSUMER IN DANGER OF THE AIRBAG IF IT WAS TO DEPLOY. MFR CANNOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHEN I TRY TO START THE TRUCK, THE THEFT LIGHT FLASHES AT ME AND WON'T ALLOW THE TRUCK TO START. THIS HAS ALREADY BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALER ONCE AND THEY RE-PROGRAMED THE THEFT SYSTEM. THEY ACCUSED ME OF STICKING ANOTHER KEY IN THE IGNITION. I AM THE ONLY ONE THAT DRIVES THIS TRUCK. THANK GOD, WE ONLY HAVE ONE FORD- THIS ONE! I KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FORD AND A GM KEY. I NEVER STUCK ANY OTHER KEYS IN THE IGNITION. IT HAPPENED AGAIN 6 DAYS AFTER THE DEALER RE-PROGRAMMED THE SYSTEM. NOW I HAVE TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED AGAIN! PLEASE HELP. I THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM. I NEVER KNOW IF THE TRUCK WILL START WHEN I DRIVE SOMEWHERE.

WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA ,CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

GAS PEDAL STICKS WHEN CAR IS FIRST STARTED. DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL DOES NOT ACTIVATE THE FORWARD MOTION. THEN THE PEDAL ENGAGES AND THE CAR BUCKS FORWARD, ACCELERATING TOO QUICKLY. THIS WOULD BE DANGEROUS IF THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WERE TOO CLOSE TO A STATIONERY OBJECT.

REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR KEEPS SHORTING OUT HAS BURN FOUR MOTORS COMPLETLY UP. NOW TOTAL SYSTEM OUT. NO DOOR LOCKS, WINDOWS, SEATS OR ANYTHING ELECTRIC. CAN SMELL BURNING WIRES. FORD WILL NOT DO REPLACEMENT OR BUYBACK. THEIR SOLUTION IS TO BRING IT IN ONCE A MONTH FOR A NEW MOTOR, SOONER OR LATER IT WILL QUIT BURNING THEM UP.

DURING COLLISION NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG.