1998 Ford Explorer complaints

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER'S DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALERSHIP TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

1998 FORD EXPLORER CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *JB

I OWN A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING AN AWFUL KNOCKING/RATTLE IN THE ENGINE ON START UP. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS NOW. UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM DUE TO IT ONLY DOES IT ON COLD START UPS, ONCE THE ENGINE HAS WARMED UP IT TENDS TO STOP. HOWEVER, AFTER A COLD START UP IT WILL RATTLE (SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE), THE RATTLE INCREASES AS I ACCELERATE, HOWEVER ONCE VEHICLE HAS RAN FOR ABOUT 10 MILES IT WILL GO AWAY. IF VEHICLE IS PARKED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME THEN STARTED UP AGAIN THEN THE NOISE WILL RETURN.*JB

MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER WAS PARKED IN OUR ATTACHED GARAGE. MY WIFE USED THE VEHICLE EARLIER IN THE DAY AND PARKED IT IN THE GARAGE AT ABOUT 2:30 PM. AT ABOUT 8:15 PM A SMOKE DETECTOR IN THE GARAGE ALERTED US THERE WAS SMOKE IN THE GARAGE. I OPENED THE DOOR BETWEEN THE LAUNDRY ROOM AND GARAGE TO SEE THE LEFT FRONT TIRE OF THE EXPLORER IN FLAMES. I IMMEDIATELY HAD MY WIFE CALL 911 AND I TRIED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A GARDEN HOSE. THIS DID NOT STOP THE FIRE. I THEN HAD TO REMOVE ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. WE BOTH SAFELY ESCAPED THE FIRE. IN THE TIME BETWEEN THE CALL TO 911 AND WHEN THE CORPUS CHRISTI FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, TWO VEHICLES WERE DESTROYED, EXTENSIVE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO THE HOUSE AND MUCH PERSONAL PROPERTY WAS LOST. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED ALL FOUR DOORS WERE SHUT AND WILL NOT OPEN. THE TWO FRONT DOORS WILL UNLOCK WITH THE KEY, BUT THEY COULD NOT BE PULLED OPEN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION, AND THE SERVICE REPAIRMAN DETERMINED THAT THE LINKAGES ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOORS WERE WORN OUT AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THEY OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY. NO REPAIR HAS BEEN MADE DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE COST.*AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY DID NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS. IT STILL WORKED ON THE IGNITION AND THE REAR DOOR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSIS. BUT ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP THE COMPUTER CHIP IN THE KEY FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY COULD MAKE A NEW KEY FOR THE DOORS, BUT IF IT WAS PUT IN THE IGNITION IT COULD DAMAGE THE IGNITION. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE ON A WARRANTY. SHE DISCOVERED THE REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES WERE BROKEN. ALSO, THE FRONT SEATS DID NOT RECLINE PROPERLY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK

DT: CONTACT STATED THAT RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE HE HAD REPLACE THE BRAKES, TIRES, FUEL FILTER, THE FUEL INJECTION WAS CLEANED , THE ANTI LOCK SENSORS WHERE REPLACED, THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED . THE AIR BAGS ARE ALSO DEPLOYED. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT VIBRATES ON THE LEFT SIDE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC THEY PUT THE VEHICLE ON A RACK TRYING TO LINE THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD NOT LINE UP. THEY FOUND THAT THE BALL JOINTS BAD, ALSO THE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE BROKEN. THE MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT THE FRAME IS BENT BEYOND REPAIR. *NM

PROCEEDING SLOWLY AT IDLE SPEED WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. AUTO SUDDENLY ACCELERATED SPONTANEOUSLY REQUIRING MUCH HARDER BRAKING TO STOP. HAPPENED TWO TIMES WITHIN 10 MINUTE SPAN. SIMILAR PROBLEM OCCURRED ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO AND WAS FIXED BY FORD DEALER. NO INJURIES OCCURRED. *JB

DT: 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS A BROKEN SWAY BAR LINK PIN. HE STATES THIS IS HAPPENING AGAIN AND AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES SINCE THEY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WILL PULL TO THE LEFT AND THEN PULL TO THE RIGHT REAL BADLY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE PLACE OF PURCHASE. THEY REPLACED THE SWAY BAR LINK PIN TWICE. THIS STARTED ON AUGUST 4, 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER ON AUGUST 8, 2005 . THEN THE PROBLEM STARTED LESS THAN 20 DAYS LATER. *AK

DT: WHILE DRIVING IN JULY THE OWNER NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFT MECHANISM. THE GEAR POSITION INDICATOR WAS NOT CORRECT. THE VEHICLE HAD A NORMAL POSITION INDICATOR FOR ABOUT 7 YEARS. THEN ONE DAY IT WENT OUT OF WACK. THE REVERSE WAS WHERE NEUTRAL SHOULD BE, NEUTRAL WAS WHERE DRIVE SHOULD BE, AND DRIVE WAS WHERE SECOND GEAR SHOULD BE. THE OWNER HAS NOT TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP OR CONTACTED THEM YET. THE OWNER HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION'S PERFORMANCE, THE OWNER IS JUST CONCERNED BECAUSE HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT GEAR THE CAR WAS IN. THE OWNER ADDED THAT THE GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK YESTERDAY. THE OWNER WAS BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. THE OWNER WAS GOING SLOWLY AND AND WENT TO PUSH THE ACCELERATOR AND IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. THE GAS PEDAL WAS JAMMED. THE OWNER THINKS THE PEDAL WAS DOWN A LITTLE BIT AND THERE WAS NO REACTION. THE OWNER STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND SHOUTED FOR HUSBAND TO COME OVER AND LOOK. THEN SHE TRIED AGAIN. THIS TIME THE ACCELERATOR WORKED. THIS WAS THE FIRST AND LAST TIME THE VEHICLE HAS EVER THIS PROBLEM.*AK *NM

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 1998 FORD EXPLORER HAD A LIFTGATE PROBLEM. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HINGE BUSTED AT THE TOP. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE HINGES, BUT THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE HINGE WAS NOTICED ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO. THE LIFTGATE CANNOT ABLE TO CLOSE COMPLETELY DUE TO THE BROKEN HINGE. THE CONSUMER TALKED TO FORD, AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY FREE REMEDY. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT REPAIRED YET, BUT WAS GOING TO DO SO. *AK

I OWN A 1998 FORD EXPLORER XL 4 DOOR MODEL WITH 29744 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR 3 DIFFERENT SAFETY RECALLS, THROTTLE CABLE, HOOD LATCH AND DRIVERS SEAT IN THE EARLY PART OF MY OWNERSHIP. ON SEPTEMBER 21 2005 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME FROM WORK THE DRIVERS SEAT FELL BACKWARDS ABOUT 4-5 INCHES MAKING ME MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND NEARLY CAUSED AND ACCIDENT. UPON INSPECTION OF THE SEAT WHEN I GOT HOME IT WAS APPARENT THAT THE SEAT FRAME JUST IN FRONT OF THE HINGE MECHANISM HAD BROKEN AND BENT UPWARD ALLOWING THE ENTIRE MECHANISM AND THE BACK OF THE SEAT TO MOVE REARWARD. THE VEHICLE IS NOW UNUSABLE DUE TO THIS EXTREME SAFETY DEFECT. ON SEPTEMBER 22 2005 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTH BAY FORD AT 5100 W ROSECRANS AVE. HAWTHORNE CA. 90250 AND PRESENTED TO THE SERVICE ADVISER AARON ESTRADA AND ASKED IF THIS WAS A RESULT OF THE SAFETY RECALL OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS NOT PART OF THAT RECALL AND THAT FORD WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY SEAT DEFECT AND OTHER THAN SELLING ME A NEW SEAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT THAT FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING. SOUTH BAY FORD SAID THEY WANTED A MINIMUM OF $87 TO EVEN INITIATE A REPAIR TICKET TO LOOK AT THE DEFECTIVE SEAT. I NOW OWN A FORD VEHICLE THAT LOOKS TO BE IN P

DT:1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A WRECK THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WERE RECALLS 00M12 AND 01M01, BUT THE RECALLS EXPIRED, DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WERE NOT OFFICIAL RECALLS. FORD M SAID IT WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET.*AK

DT: 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONSUMER PARKED CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY AND FIVE HOURS LATER THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE CAR EXPLODED, AND THAT WAS WHAT ALERTED THE CONSUMER TO THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNING LIGHTS ON BEFORE THE FIRE. THE CRUISE CONTROL STILL WORKED WHEN CONSUMER PARKED THE CAR. ALSO, THE BRAKES WORKED FINE WHEN SHE PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS ONLY USED FOR LOCAL ACTIVITIES. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED IN NOVEMBER 2004 AND NOTHING WAS FOUND TO BE WRONG . THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED , AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. IN ADDITION, A POLICE REPORT AN INSURANCE COMPANY REPORT WERE TAKEN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE IT CAUGHT THE CONSUMER DAUGHTER'S HOUSE ON FIRE. THERE WAS AT LEAST 50% DAMAGE TO THE HOUSE. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO OTHER CARS THAT WERE PARKED CLOSE TO VEHICLE ON FIRE, AND DAMAGE TO OTHER PEOPLE'S PROPERTY. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD COSTUMER SERVICE, AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. SINCE THEN SHE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD'S LEGAL DEPARTMENT STATING THEY WILL BE IN TOUCH WITH HER. *AK

TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM LOCKED IN COLD AC MODE. SYSTEM WILL ONLY BLOW COLD AIR DUE TO A BROKEN AIR BLEND DOOR. DRIVER CAN NOT DEFROST WINDSHIELD WITH COLD AIR CONDITIONED DEFROST. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE DRIVER. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED BECAUSE THE COST WILL BE $1200.*JB

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 1998 FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN THE FIRE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT, AND THE CONSUMER HAD ONLY BEEN IN THE VEHICLE FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS STILL WORKING. ALL OF THE INSTRUMENTS ON THE DASHBOARD WERE IN WORKING ORDER. THE CONSUMER HAD THE AIR CONDITIONER (A/C) ON AND NOTICED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE FIRE WAS COMING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT IT LOOKED LIKE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY ASKED WHAT SHE WANTED THEM TO DO ABOUT IT. THE CONSUMER DID HAVE A FIRE REPORT AND PICTURES . THE CONSUMER ONLY HAS LIABILITY INSURANCE ON THE TRUCK, WHICH WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE FIRE WAS CALLED IN TO THE POLICE, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS UNSURE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.*AK

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT 1998 FORD EXPLORER HAD A STEERING PROBLEM. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNING TO THE LEFT, SHE HEARD A CLUNG, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNING, BUT SHE WAS NOT MOVING. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THAT A STEERING SHAFT BROKE. THE SHAFT WAS REPLACED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING FINE NOW. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE CONSUMER WAS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO PAY THE BILL. *AK

AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR FOUR HOURS A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *JB

DT: 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE GAS PEDAL FELL OFF INCLUDING THE MOUNTED METAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO SEE WHY THIS OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER'S FATHER FIXED THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED TO FORD. THERE WERE NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE PEDAL. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 24, 2005. THIS PROBLEM DID NOT CAUSE A CRASH.*AK *MR

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I PURCHASED A USED 1998 FORD EXPLORER 13 MONTHS AGO. ON AUG 15,2005 I STARTED MY TRUCK UP AND I COULD NOT ROLL MY WINDOWS DOWN THEN I WENT ON TO TESTING THE WIND SHIELD WIPERS ( FRONT & BACK ) THEY DID NOT WORK (THIS IS A SAFETY HAZZARD ) I TRIED THE INTERIOR LIGHTS THEY DID NOT WORK AND AS WELL AS THE 4X4 SYSTEM. I HAD TO GET HOME SO WHEN AS I WAS DRIVING ( LUCKILY IT WAS NOT RAINING ) I RANDOMLY TESTED EVERYTHING AGAIN STILL NOTHING WORKED, SO I LEFT THE SWITCHES ON AND EVERY NOW AND THEN EVERYTHING WOULD COME ON FOR A SPLIT SECOND. WHEN I GOT HOME I WAS BAFFLED AND STARTED LOOKING THROUGH MY OWNERS MANUAL, NO INFO THAT COULD HELP ME FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE. SO I WENT ONLINE AND DID SOME RESEARCH ON FORD EXPLORERS AND ITS ELECTRONICS. MY SEARCH BROUGHT ME TO THE RECALL SIGHTS AND WHEN I LOOKED ON THAT SIGHT I NOTICED THAT I HAD FOUND THE SAME EXCACT PROBLEMS I AM HAVING AS THE 1999 & 2000 FORD EXPLORER RECALLS AS WELL AS 1999 & 2000 MERCURY MOUNTAINERS WHICH IS BY THE FORD COMPANY. THEY ARE UNDER THE TITLE - COMPONENT: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUSES, AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS AND THE NHTSA RECALL # 00V072000 AND THE REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM IS THAT THE DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RESISTOR IN THE GEM CIRCUIT. I CALLED FORD COMPANY AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE MY TRUCK IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST AND I FEEL THAT IT SHOULD BE AND THAT SOMEONE NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THAT IF THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING TO THE 1999 & 2000' S THEN IT I

1998 FORD EXPLORER ACCELERATOR PEDAL BROKE LOOSE FROM THE FLOORBOARD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO BECOME UNABLE TO HANDLE THE VEHICLE IN A SAFE MANNER. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC

WE HAVE A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. ON JANUARY 25TH, 2005 O EXPLORER WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY & HAD BEEN THERE APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS. CONSUMER'S WIFE HAD PUT CHIDREN IN THE CAR & NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. WHEN SHE OPENED THE HOOD THERE WAS A FIRE NEAR THE BRAKE FLUID ASSEMBLY. FORTUNATELY SHE WAS ABLE TO GET CHILDREN OUT AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. HAD THE EXPLORER TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. WHEN I ASKED THE DEALER WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS NOT RUNNING THEY SEEMED TO HAVE NO IDEA & SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. THE NEXT NIGHT WHILE WATCHING THE NEWS SAW THE RECALL FORD HAD FOR LATER MODEL VEHICLES DUE TO THE ENGINE CATCHING ON FIRE. ICONSUMER CALLED FORD, AND THEY TOLD HIM THISCAR DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL SINCE IT WAS A 1998 EXLPLORER EVEN THOUGH THE PICTURES ON THE NEWS SHOWING WERE THE FIRE OCCURED LOOKED IDENTICAL TO THE ENGINE ON THIS VEHICLE. FORD DID NOT SEEM OVERLY CONCERNED & THE DEALER JUST TOLD ME TO KEEP RECIEPT IN CASE THEY CHANGED THEIR MIND ABOUT THE RECALL. I TOOK PICTURES OF MY ENGINE IF NEEDED. PRIOR TO THE FIRE MY CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. REPAIR COST WAS OVER $700.00 PLUS RENTAL CAR FEE & TOWING EXPENSE. THE CRUISE CONTROL SWICTH, BRAKE FLUID ASSEMBLY, & HOOD INSULATION WERE REPLACED. DO NOT HAVE THE OLD PARTS.*AK

AT ABOUT 6:00 PM ON SATURDAY 13 AUG 2005 I WENT INTO MY GARAGE TO GET SOMETHING AND NOTICED IT WAS FULL OF SMOKE. I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN I RAISED THE HOOD, FLAMES ROLLED FROM BENEATH IT. I IMMEDIATELY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND THEN DISCONNECTED THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL. MY WIFE HAD ALREADY CALLED 911 BY THIS TIME. THE FIRE FIGHTERS DETERMINED THE SOURCE OF THE ELECTRICAL FIRE TO BE A CONNECTOR ON THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE CAUGHT THE FIRE IN TIME. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHEN WE WERE SLEEPING WE MIGHT NOT BE ALIVE NOW. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A NOTICE OF RECALL FOR THIS. I AM SENDING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY, IF THIS IS NOT A RECALL PART I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. I THINK THAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND PROBABLY NOT PARK THEIR FORD IN THE GARAGE. *JB

DT: THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CHECKED IT AND CONCLUDED FIRE CAME FROM DRIVER'S FRONT SIDE AROUND THE BATTERY. THIS HAPPENED ON JUNE 30, 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ABOUT 6 OR 7 HOURS BEFORE IT CAUGHT IN FIRE. CONTACTED FORD, THEY SENT A LETTER SAYING SORRY, BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY RECALLS ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. *AK

ROUTINE TRAVEL, COMING TO INTERSECTION WHEN THROTTLE STUCK AND VEHICLE PROCEEDED THROUGH INTERSECTION. BRAKES APPLIED, BUT DUE TO THE HIGH ACCELERATION THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF IGNITION TO STOP VEHICLE. ONCE VEHICLE STOPPED AND WAITED FOR A FEW SECONDS, EVERYTHING RESUMED AS USUAL. AFTER RESEARCHING ISSUE, THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES AS IN RECALL NUMBERS: 00S58 & 99S09. *NM

DT: DRIVER'S SIDE BACK SEAT BELT LATCH BROKE. ON JUNE 1, 2005. CALLER SAID THE OTHER TWO SEAT BELT LATCHES BROKE ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND CALLER HAD THEM FIXED. ALSO, SHE LOW BEAM IWASNOT WORKING . SHE HAD IT CHECKED AT A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK

DT: 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE BRAKES LIGHTS FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSES CHANGED. THEY USED THE FUSES THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE. AS SOON AS THE SECOND FUSE WAS PUT IN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. ANOTHER PERSON PUT THE FIRE OUT BY BEATING IT WITH A TOWEL. THEN, CONSUMER CONTACTED A DEALERSHIP BY PHONE, THEY TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE MASTER CYLINDER BUT, HE WAS UNSURE OF THE MODEL YEARS INCLUDED. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD, THEY TOLD CONSUMER WOULD GET BACK TO HER. THERE WERE NO FIRE OR POLICE REPORTS AVAILABLE. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 7-262005 BEFORE THE HOOD LATCH HAD ACTED UP. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED. . IT MELTED THE WIRES FOR THE ABS AND THE SPOT FOR PUTTING IN THE BRAKE FLUID. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE THE CAR WAS SITTING THERE. THIS DID HAPPENED ON JULY 27, 2005. THE FIREMEN COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT STARTED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR APPROXIMATELY FOUR HOURS BEFORE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVING ANY DIFFERENT BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. *AK

VEHICLE IS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH A 4.0L SOHC ENGINE PURCHASED IN MARCH OF 1998. BATTERY HAD DIED AND ATTEMPTED TO JUMP START THE BATTERY (WOULDN'T JUMP, WAS REPLACED). GROUND CABLE WAS PLACED AT A LOCATION THAT APPEARED TO BE A SAFE LOCATION. UNKNOWN TO ME AT THE TIME, IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE FUEL LINE BRACKET. LATER THAT DAY AND THE NEXT DAY A STRONG GAS SMELL WAS EMINATING FROM VEHICLE. TOOK TO ADAMSON FORD DEALERSHIP IN BIRMINGHAM, AL AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS DAMAGED RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN FIRE. AFTER GETTING OVER SHOCK OF A $889 REPAIR ESTIMATE, I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION AND CAME ACROSS A LINK TO YOUR WEBSITE CONCERNING A RECALL ISSUED BY YOUR GROUP (ID# 98V060000). THE SUMMARY OF THE RECALL DESCRIBED MY SITUATION PERFECTLY. YOU ISSUED THE RECALL THE EXACTH MONTH AND YEAR OF MY PURCHASE, MARCH OF 1998. FOUND ANOTHER INTERNET ARTICLE STATING THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY ISSUED A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL IN MAY, 1998 FOR THE SAME SUBJECT MATTER AS YOUR RECALL. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTIFICATION FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY REGARDING THIS MATTER. I'VE PRESSED THE ISSUE WITH THE DEALERSHIP AS TO WHY I DID NOT RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL AND THEY ARE CLAIMING IT IS DUE TO THE "BUILD DATE" OF MY VEHICLE. THEY CLAIM FORD'S RECALL OF MAY, 1998 COVERED EXPLORERS WITH A BUILD DATE UP TO 02/01/98 AND THAT THE BUILD DATE FOR MY VEHICLE WAS 02/03/98, A DIFFERENCE OF 2 DAYS. WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE DID COME FROM

MY WIFE HAD THE FORD EXPLORER PARKED OUTSIDE THE CURVES GYM WHERE SHE AND HER MOTHER WORK OUT. WHEN THEY WERE FINISHED THEY WERE TALKING OUTSIDE WHEN HER MOTHER NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OTHE THE SUV. THE EXPLORER THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED.

FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINTS FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND BRAKE ROTORS

5-5-05 3:30 A.M. LICKING COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED DUE TO FIRE 0F MY 1998 FORD EXPLOYER. IT HAD SET FOR TWO DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE. ITS NOT CLEAR WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. CO-COUNSEL, LIEFF CABRASER REPRESENTING OWNERS OF FORD VECHICLES CLAIMS FORD SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES. ALSO KNOWN AS "BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH," POWERED BY THE BATTERY AND IS MOUNTED ABOVE FLAMABLE FLAMMABLE RESERVOIRES OF BRAKE FLUID. IF CERTAIN CONDITIONS OCCUR, A FIRE CAN BREAK OUT, EVEN WHEN THE ENGINE HAD BEEN TURNED OFF AND, IN SOME CASES, IDLE FOR DAYS.

DT: ON JUNE 17, 2005 CALLER'S VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. CALLER SAID A PASSERBY NOTICED THE FIRE AND WARNED HER. CALLER'S FIANCE PUT THE FIRE OUT AND SUFFERED SMOKE INHALATION. HE DID NOT GO TO THE HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. NO REPORT WAS FILED WITH FIRE DEPARTMENT. *AK

FIRE STARTED IN VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE OF OUR HOME

DT: 1998 FORD EXPLORER, ACCELERATOR PEDAL GETS STUCK WHILE CONSUMER DRIVING, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLETO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, AND TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE VEHICLES SAFETY, THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ABOUT 20 TIMES THIS YEAR. *AK

DT: CONSUMER HAD A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. IT CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE ONLY DAMAGE WAS TO THE CRUISE CONTROL SENSOR, AND TO THE BRAKE RESERVOIR. A BYSTANDER SAW THE FIRE AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. CONSUMER HAD CONTACTED FORD, AND WAS TOLD BECAUSE IT WAS USED AND OUT OF WARRANTY THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE CAR WAS PARKED AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30AM ,AND THE FIRE STARTED AT APPROXIMATELY 11:45AM. CONSUMER STATESDTHAT THEY HAVE ONLY USED THE CRUISE CONTROL APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES SINCE OWNING VEHICLE. *AK

DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS BURNED UP. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

I HAVE A 1998 FORD EXPLORER, 5 LITER, AUTOMATIC, WITH CRUISE CONTROL. THE SAFETY DISENGAGE SWITCH IS ON THE MASTER CYLINDER. WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH TURNED OFF THERE IS STILL 12 VOLTS GOING TO THAT SWITCH. THE SWITCH HAS A RED BODY. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER ADVISES THT THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM AND THERE IS NOT RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME TYPE SWITCH SETUP AS THAT IN THE FORD VEHICLES THAT HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE ADVISE IF I HAVE CAUSE FOR CONCERN. PRESENTLY I AM DISCONNECTING THE SWITCH WHEN I PARK THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE.

ON MAY 15, 2004, I WAS FISHING IN A LOCAL BASS TOURNAMENT. I PARKED MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER BESIDE ONE OF MY FISHING FRIENDS CHEVY TRUCK AND BOAT TRAILER. AFTER LAUNCHING MY PARTNER FOR THE DAYS BOAT, I PARKED HIS TRUCK AND TRAILER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF MY EXPLORER. APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS LATER, MY PARTNER AND I WERE APPROCHED BY ANOTHER FRIEND AND TOLD US WE WERE NEEDED BACK AT THE PARKING LOT THAT MY EXPLORER HAD BURNED TO THE GROUND, BURNED THE CHEVY WITH THE TRAILER TO THE GROUND AND SCORCHED PAINT AND MELTED PARTS OF MY PARTNERS TRUCK. THE CHEVY TRUCK AND MY EXPLORER WERE TOTAL LOSSES AND I LOST A LOT OF PERSONAL ITEMS THAT INSURANCE DID NOT PAY FOR. STATE FARM CLAIM # 18-1010-243

HARD TO GET VEHICLE OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE FOR SEVERAL DAYS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. ABOUT 2 HOURS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED, AND ENGINE TURNED OFF, A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD, AND DESTROYED THE VEHICLE.

DT: GAS PEDAL FELL OFF WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK

THE BLEND DOOR , PLENUM, THAT CONTROLS THE TEMPATURE OF THE AIR COMING INTO THE CABIN IS BROKEN IN THE SAME PLACE THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED. THIS WILL NOT ALLOW HEATED AIR TO COME FROM THE DEFROSTER VENTS RESULTING IN A SAFETY ISSUE.FAILURE DATE GIVEN IS APPROXIMATE.

IT STARTED WITH A MINOR RATTLE IN THE ENGINE TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. THE RATTLE GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER AND LOUDER UNTIL IT WAS DECIDED NOT TO MOVE THE VEHICLE ANY LONGER. TOOK VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, TURNS OUT, THE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY BROKE THROWING PIECES ALL OVER THE PLACE CAUSING THE CHAIN TO MALFUNCTION THAT LEAD TO DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. ENGINE BLOCK HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF AROUND $3000. FORD HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THIS SAME PROBLEM, HOWEVER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN NOV 2000 AND I NEVER RECEIVED ANY SERVICE BULLETIN FROM FORD INFORMING ME OF THIS PROBLEM. I TRIED TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY WON'T REPAIR IT UNDER THE FORD SAFETY BULLETIN BECAUSE IT WAS ONLY FOR 7 YRS OR 100,000. THE VEHICLES 7 YEARS EXPIRED IN APRIL 2005. I TRIED EMAILING OR CONTACTING FORD DIRECTLY AND GOT NO RESPONSE.

DRIVER DOOR WON'T UNLOCK. KEY WON'T UNLOCK IT CAN'T PULL UP ON PLUNCHER. AND INSIDE DOOR HANDLE WON'T OPEN DOOR.DOOR IS JUST STUCK LOCKED. HAVE TO CRAWL OUT WINDOW OR GO OUT PASSENGER DOOR.WHAT WOULD I DO IF I HAD TO GET OUT FAST. I READ ON WEB SITES, ITS A SPRING THAT EVERY ONE IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH.AND ITS THE SAME DOOR. I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE DOOR PROBLEMS FROM OFFROADEXCHANGE.COM

THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE MODULE FOR THE ABS AND SPEED SENOR WENT OUT. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO NOTICED THE PINS FOR THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS WERE NEVER CONNECTED AT THE FACTORY, RENDERING THE AIR BAGS INOPERATIVE. *JB *SB *NM

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 2 HOURS, A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK SIX TO NINE MONTHS PRIOR TO FIRE THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. THE INSURANCE FIRE INVESTIGATOR DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE CRUISE CONTROL. *BF

CONSUMER STATES: FRONT BRAKES ON OUTSIDE OF WHEELS IT HAS A COATING OF DARK POWDER. THE MECHANIC THINKS IT'S BRAKE DUSTS NO SIGN OF IT ON REAR WHEELS. *NM

DT: 1998 FORD EXPLORER, ONE AFTERNOON WHILE AT WORK HER VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND HAD SITTING FOR HOURS. THERE WERE LOTS AND LOTS OF SMOKE. THE FIRE DEPT. PUT OUT THE FIRE AND THE ENGINE AND SPREAD TO THE DASH AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED OUT. THE RECALL LETTERS HAD NOT GONE OUT YET, AND THE DAY AFTER THE FIRE, THE RECALL WAS EXTENDED TO HER VEHICLE YEAR. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT IS WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE STARTED FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL MECHANISM. HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THE FORD MANUFACTURER AND FORD KEEPS PUTTING HER OFF. BECAUSE THEY KEEP SAYING THAT THEY WILL CALL HER BACK IN TWO DAYS, SO FAR IT'S BEEN 3 WEEKS AND NO CALL FROM FORD. THE WERE NO SIGN OF ANY PROBLEMS BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. *NM

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AROUND 8:00AM, ABOUT 4 HOURS LATER, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THERE ARE 35 MM PICTURES. THE VEHICLE HAD CRUISE CONTROL, BUT IT WAS RARELY USED, AND THE CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW IF IT WAS WORKING. THE INSURANCE WAS LIABILITY ONLY. *AK *SC *JB