Page 7 of 40 · complaints 301–350 of 1,959

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 →

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Aug 12, 2004108,000 milesNY

THE CONSUMERTHAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAME OFF OF THE FIRE WALL, WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. THE BRACKET CAME OFF. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 30, 2004NC

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THAT VEHICLE WAS RIDING ROUGHLY. WHILE SITTING STILL VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A CRACKED CYLINDER . *AK ...... *AK

Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
Filed Jul 20, 2004103,000 milesTX

SINCE PURCHASING A USED 1998 FORD EXPLORER I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE MY WHEEL BEARINGS WENT OUT AND DAMAGED THE SPINDLE. THIS WAS A $500 EXPENSE AS THE SPINDLE WAS A DEALER PART. WHEN I PURCHASED IT THERE WERE 26000 MILES ON IT...THERE WERE ABOUT 36000 WHEN THE BEARINGS WENT OUT...JUST AS THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THEN, ABOUT A YEAR LATER, THE UPPER AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD GOT A HOLE BURNED IN IT. AGAIN, FORD COULDN'T OFFER ME ANY KIND OF HELP AND SAID IT WAS A $800-1000 REPAIR. ON A SIDE NOTE, THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BY FORD. IN FACT, RECALLS WERE MADE BY FORD TO REPLACE THE INTAKES FREE OF CHARGE TO FLEETS BUT NOT TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. JUST RECENTLY MY FREEZE PLUGS RUSTED THROUGH AND CAUSED MY CAR TO OVERHEAT. THIS HAS BEEN QUOTED BY FORD AS A $1300 REPAIR. I CALLED FORD TO SEE ABOUT SOME SORT OF GOODWILL WARRANTY AND OF COURSE ANYTHING WITH GOODWILL IN THE EQUATION IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING FORD WILL NOT DO. I CURRENTLY HAVE 2 YEARS LEFT ON THE LOAN FOR A PIECE OF CRAP CAR THAT ISN'T EVEN WORTH HALF OF WHAT I STILL OWE ON IT. I AM REALLY THINKING OF TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND PARKING RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE ENTRY WAY AND TAKING THE KEYS WITH ME AND TELLING THEM TO STICK IT UP THEIR REARS. FORD MAKES THE WHOLE CAR INDUSTRY LOOK REALLY BAD AND IN NO WAY WOULD I EVER BUY ANOTHER FORD. PLEASE HELP US CONSUMERS OUT AND MAKE THE GAME FAIR BETWEEN THE AUTO INDUSTRY AND CONSUMERS...WE ARE GETTING RIPPED O

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 15, 2004TX

WHILE DRIVING,VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER PLACED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE CONTINUE TO ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER SHIFT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND WAS ABLE TO COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC RECALL NUMBER(99V062001) WAS FOR THIS VEHICLE BASED ON THE PROBLEM WITH DRIVER VEHICLE. ALSO THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THE IS RECALL WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THIS VEHICLE. A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD BE DOWN TO MAKE THAT DETERMINATION. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Jul 10, 2004CA

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET SUDDENLY BROKE AS A RESULT OF FLIMSY CRAFTSMANSHIP. THE METAL BRACKET IS ATTACHED TO THE METAL BODY OF THE VEHICLE BY 3 THIN PEGS (THEY SNAPPED AT THE BASE OF THE BRACKET) AND GLUE! (IT'S OBVIOUS IT'S THE FAULTY MANUFACTURE'S WORK, AND NEVER MESSED WITH PREVIOUSLY.) THIS DEFECT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE YOU TO BE STRANDED (NO ACCELERATION) POSSIBLY ON THE HIGHWAY MAKING IT A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I EXPERIENCED LOSS OF CONTROL WITH THE ACCELERATION AND A SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHICH NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH. I'M ATTEMPTING TO CONSULT WITH GALPIN FORD OF VAN NUYS, CA CURRENTLY TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM, BUT AM EXPERIENCING LACK OF COMMUNICATION. 1998 FORD EXPLORER-EDDIE BAUER V-6 SOHC(?) VEHICLE WALL ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET. *AK ! ___/ ! ---! ! ---! * ! ---!___

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Jul 8, 200494,975 milesCA

SPOT WELDS HOLDING ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO FIREWALL BROKE, LEAVING FOOT PEDAL ATTACHED ONLY BY ACCELERATOR CABLE. BREAKAGE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 1998 FORD EXPLORER ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. WHEN DRIVER MOVED TO BRAKE FOR STALLED TRAFFIC, ACCELERATOR PEDAL LODGED UNDER BRAKE PEDAL. DRIVER AVOIDED MULTI CAR COLLISION BY SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL AND KICKING ACCELERATOR PEDAL OUT OF WAY. FULLER FORD DEALERSHIP RE-WELDED ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO FIREWALL FOR $152. WORKER NOTED THAT WINDSTARS ARE FAR MORE PRONE TO THIS CONDITION, AND THAT THIS IS THE SECOND EXPLORER THAT HAS BEEN SEEN FOR THIS CONDITION. *AK

Equipment › Electrical › Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
Filed Jul 7, 200478,000 milesTX

RADIO DISPLAY GOES OUT. CANNOT SEE THE CLOCK OR RADIO SELECTION. THIS HAS BEEN VARY DANGERIOUS IN THE WINTER DURING EARLY MORNING DRIVING WHEN I CANNOT SEE MY WATCH AND TRAVEL THROUGH SCHOOL ZONES AND I DON'T KNOW IF THE ZONE IS ACTIVE OR NOT. THE RADIO WAS REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND HAS SINCE GONE OUT AGAIN. *AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jul 6, 200446,200 milesIL

I CAN'T OPEN MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OF MY FORD EXPLORER FROM EITHER THE OUTSIDE OF INSIDE. THE POWER LOCKS DON'T OPEN AND THE DOOR SHOULD STILL OPEN FROM THE INSIDE EVEN IF IT IS LOCKED AND IT DOESN'T. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. FORD SAID IT WILL COST ME $130.00 JUST TO LOOK AT THE DOOR. I AM GOING TO MY OWN MECHANIC TO SEE IF HE CAN FIX THIS PROBLEM. UNTIL THEN I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE. *NM

Suspension › Front
Filed Jul 6, 2004NJ

VEHICLE LOCKED UP AFTER ABOUT 1/2 HOUR OF DRIVING. CONSUMER CALLED FORD, AND HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR THIS PROBLEM. BUT IT WILL COST CONSUMER $100.00 JUST FOR FORD TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT YET, BUT WAS AFRAID THAT HE WILL.*AK

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Jun 29, 200462,000 milesCA

TAILGATE SHELL SHOWS CRACKS AROUND THE HINGES FROM METAL FATIGUE. *MR THIS APPEARED TO BE A DEFECT. *SC *JB *AK

Steering › Electric Power Assist SystemCrash3 injured
Filed Jun 28, 2004CO

ON 6/18/04 MY FAMILY WAS IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT WHILE ON VACATION IN NY. MY SON WAS DRIVING AND SWERVED TO AVOID A CAR COMING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE STEERING BECAME VERY LOOSE AND WE ROLLED OVER. BEFORE ROLLING OVER, HE TRIED TO REGAIN CONTROL AND TOTTTLED LEFT THEN TOTTLED RIGHT AND THEN FLIPPED AND LANDED ON THE HOOD. THE THREE WITH MINOR INJURIES INCLUDED CUTS ON HANDS FROM CLADD, SPRAIN NECK AND BRUISES.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Jun 23, 200433,846 milesTX

MASSIVE FUEL LEAK UNDER THE HOOD OF 1998 FORD EXPLORER XLT.*MR ANOTHER FUEL LEAK OCCURED WHEN A WOVEN PART OF THE FUEL LINE BROKE. *NM

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Jun 22, 200457,000 milesMA

VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN FULL THROTTLE WHEN BRAKES WAS RELEASED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH. NO REPORT OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jun 20, 200490,000 milesWI

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. THE DOOR WILL NOT RELIABLY UNLOCK. POWER LOCK ACTUATOR WORKS FINE. BROKEN SPRING INSIDE OF LATCH MECHNISM.*AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections
Filed Jun 14, 200432,000 milesNJ

THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A GRINDING NOISE WHEN MAKING A LEFT OF RIGHT TURN. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE POWER STEERING HOSE WITH AN UPDATED ONE, AS STATED IN THE TECHNICAL SERVIC EBULLETIN 9821-01 WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.*AK

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Jun 12, 200480,000 milesTX

THE AIR CONDITIONER IN MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER GRADUALLY DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. AT THIS TIME, IT IS NOT COOLING AT ALL. TODAY (JUNE 12, 2004), I READ ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH THE A/C ACCUMULATOR. I PEALED BACK PART OF THE "THERMAL BLANKET" WRAPPED AROUND THE ACCUMULATOR, AND FOUND IT TO BE RUSTED. THE AC HAS NOT BEEN COOLING IN ABOUT 2-3 MONTHS, BUT IT IS MOST INCONVENIENT AND DANGEROUS NOW WITH THE SUMMER HEAT IN FULL FORCE. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Jun 11, 2004165,309 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELL OFF. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jun 10, 2004TN

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL. THE DRIVER WA ABLE TO CHANGE THE TIRE. FIRESTONE LT P18575R14 #DOT VNJ7791. THE DRIVER CONTACTED THE FIRESTONE TO MAKE A APPOINTMENT FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRES. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 4, 200480,000 milesDE

THE SPARE TIRE WHICH WAS LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, SNAPPED AND FELL TO THE GROUND WHILE DRIVING. *JB (THE WENCH SYSTEM) *SC THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR WAS REPLACED. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 1, 200486,482 milesTX

I HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY FORD EXPLORER ENGINE SINCE THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT THE TRUCK. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP A FEW TIMES FOR RECALLAS ON THE ENGINE, THE LAST TIME ONLY THIS PAST DECEMBER. LAST SATURDAY, MAY 22ND THE TRUCK STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I HAD IT TOWED TO FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD MY CRANKSHAFT BROKE. TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS TOLD ME THE SAME THING AND AGREED THAT THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPEND BUT ALSO TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. BASICALLY TO BAD ON YOU. I HAVE SEEN MANY MESSAGES ON THE INTERNET ON THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM HAPPENING TO OTHERS. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY IF I WERE ON A HIGHWAY WHEN IT STOPPED. FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO COVER COSTS WHEN SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT BREAK DOES. FORD COULD CARE LESS. COST TO ME OVER $4,500.00 FOR A NEW ENGINE ON A MAINTAINED 6 YEAR OLD CAR. PER AN ATTORNEY THIS IS KNOWN AS A LATENT DEFECT AND IT TOOK THIS TIME TO HAPPEN, WHEN THAT KIND OF PART SHOULD LAST A LONG TIME.*AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed May 20, 200465,000 milesVA

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 00V422000 NOTICE CONCERNING VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. WHILE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED AT ANY SPEED AND THE BRAKES ARE DEPRESS VEHICLE WILL SURGE FORWARD. THE ONLY WAY THIS PROBLEM WON'T OCCUR IS IF THE CONSUMER PUTS THE GEAR IN NEUTRAL. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN THE LAST EIGHTEEN MONTHS. *AK

Visibility › Rear Window Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed May 13, 200444,134 milesDE

ONE MONTH AFTER GETTING MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER IN OCTOBER 1998 THE REAR WIPER MOTOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE WIPER ON ALL EXPLORERS. IN JULY 2001 THE REAR WIPER MOTER AGAIN FAILED AND WAS AGAIN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. AGAIN THE DEALER SAID THAT THIS WAS A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH THE EXPLORERS. ON MAY 13, 2004 THE REAR WIPER MOTOR HAS AGAIN FAILED. NOW THE DEALER WANTS $320 TO REPLACE THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY. THIS TIME THERE WAS NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH THE EXPLORER. WITHOUT THE REAR WINDOW WIPER BEING OPPERABLE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW DURING RAIN STORMS OR WHEN THE ROAD IS WET AND DIRT SPLASHES UP ONTO THE WINDOW. THIS CREATES A HAZARD THAT FORD SHOULD ADDRESS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 29, 200469,432 milesCA

ENGINE HEAD GASKET CRACKED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING HOME THE ENGINE STARTED TO MISFIRE AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT UP A LITTLE. *JB

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Apr 29, 200423,500 milesWA

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL, THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND CONTINUED TO PICK UP SPEED. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS NOT HURT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *NM THE HILL WAS APPROXIMATELY 2 1/2 BLOCKS AND THE CONSUMER WOULD NORMALLY DRIVE DOWN THE HILL WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED. *SC *JB

Seat Belts › Rear/Other
Filed Apr 29, 200476,522 milesAZ

CONSUMER NOTICED TWO REAR SEAT BELTS DIDN'T HOLD THE PASSENGERS IN THE SEATS. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK DEALER SAID THAT THE CONTINUED PRESSURE FROM THE CHILD SEAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE. *LA

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Apr 20, 2004TX

DEFECTIVE TIRES, HOOD LATCH, SEAT LATCH, CRUISE CONTROL, REAR WINDOW WIPER, ETC... *PH THE CONSUMER STATED THE HOOD LATCH , SEAT RECLINER, CRUISE CONTROL AND TIRES WERE ALL RECALLED. THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER AND PASSENGER POWER WINDOW WERE INOPERATIVE. *JB

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Apr 19, 200484,600 milesMI

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK NOR OPEN FROM INSIDE. POSSIBLE SAFTY HAZARD IF MUST EXIT VEHICLE IN EMERGENCY.*AK

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Windshield › Electrical Heating Element
Filed Apr 13, 2004IN

BLEND DOOR BROKEN ON 98 FORD EXPLORER. THIS CAUSED THE HEATING AND COOLING IN THE ENGINE TO BE STUCK IN THE "COLD" POSITION THROUGHOUT WINTER. WHILE DRIVING IN WINTER, I HAD TO LOOK OUT THE FREEZING COLD WINDOW TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE DEFROSTER IN MY WINDSHEILD WOULD NOT HEAT THE WINDOW.

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Apr 7, 2004NY

DRIVERS SEAT BOLT BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO RECLINE BACKWARDS. THIS OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE BOLT, BUT NOT THE SEAT. *AK

Electrical SystemCrash3 injured
Filed Apr 1, 200471,000 milesGA

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING SHUT OFF WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISH-TAIL AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TWICE. *NM ALL SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED. THE ACCIDENT WAS A RESULT OF MULTIPLE SYSTEM FAILURES. *SC

Tires
Filed Mar 25, 2004116,000 milesTX

STOCK JACK WITH FORD EXPLORER WILL NOT ALLOW THE TIRE TO BE CHANGED. ALSO FOUND DEALER DID NOT REPLACE RECALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT RECALLED TIRE AS PER INVOICE. TIRE EXPLODED AND RUINED. NEAR MISS 16 WHEELER. *JB

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Mar 23, 2004NJ

PRIOR TO RECEIVING LATCH RECALL, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE DEFECT AND WAS TOLD ONLY THE BOLT WOULD BE REPLACED, NOT THE LATCH. *PH *JB

Tires
Filed Mar 19, 200492,760 milesNC

WHILE DRIVING THE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT OF MY BRIDGESTONE TIRE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 19, 2004MS

WHILE IDLING OR DRIVING VEHICLE VIBRATED CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 11, 2004WI

THE HARMONIC BALANCER CAME LOOSE AND THE CAMSHAFT HAD BROKEN RIGHT AT THE ENGINE BLOCK. *PH CONSUMER WAS GIVEN AN OPTION BY THE DEALER TO EITHER OVERHAUL THE ENGINE, WITH NO WARRANTY, OR REPLACE THE ENGINE, WITH A 3 YEAR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. A SERVICE TECHNICIAN FOUND OUT THAT UPON INSPECTING THE HARMONIC BALANCER CAMSHAFT AREA THAT THE LONG BOLT HOLDING THE PULLEY TO THE CAMSHAFT WAS NEVER TIGHTENED WAS ABLE TO REMOVED WITH THE TECHNICIAN'S FINGERS. IN ADDITION, THE BOLT SHOULD HAVE SOME MARKINGS ON IT CONSISTENT WITH AN IMPACT WRENCH. IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE BOLT WOULD HAVE BEEN REMOVED IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN. WHEN ENGINE WAS REPLACED AND PERFORMED ADDITIONAL TEST ON VEHICLE, DEALER FOUND A SMALL FUEL LINE LEAK. FUEL LINE WAS REPAIRED AND MADE ANOTHER TEST ON VEHICLE. CONSUMER CURRENTLY SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT OF ALL EXPENSES INCURRED DUE TO MECHANICAL ERROR THAT RENDERED VEHICLE INOPERABLE. *LA

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Upper Ball Joint
Filed Mar 4, 2004PA

I OWN A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. IN JANUARY I TOOK IT TO BE SERVICED BECAUSE THE STEERING SEEMED OFF AND I DO ALOT OF HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE THE SUSPENSION--THE UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION. I WAS TOLD I WAS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THIS WAS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR AND I WOULD HOPE THIS COULD BE INVESTIGATED TO PREVENT ANY ACCIDENTS THAT COULD OCCUR IF THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT NO ONE REALIZES IS OUT THERE.

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Mar 3, 200415,000 milesMI

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER INDICATED THAT BATTERY WAS LEAKING ACID. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Feb 23, 200443,000 milesMA

CONSUMER WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT SEAT BELT PROBLEM ON DRIVER'S SIDE. WHEN BELT WAS LATCHED INTO THE BUCKLE, IT DIDN'T HOLD. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 16, 200493,000 milesNY

CRANKSHAFT CRACKED AT 93000 MILES. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Feb 12, 200474,300 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DETACHED FROM THE FLOOR. IT LOOKS LIKE THE SPOT WELDS BROKE. I MANAGED TO COAST THE CARD TO A SAVE STOP BUT THIS COULD HAVE HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION.

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Jan 30, 200459,000 milesVA

VEHICLE LOST POWER (TO ACCELERATE) YESTERDAY AFTER GRINDING NOISE FROM TRANSMISSION. COASTED INTO A PARKING LOT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE IT FROM THERE. CONTINUED TO GRIND MOVING SHIFT LEVER FROM ANY GEAR INTO PARK. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES ON IT. CURRENT TRANSMISSION IS A REPLACEMENT. PREVIOUS (ORIGINAL) TRANSMISSION DROPPED INTO NEUTRAL AND ENGINE REVVED (W/ LOSS OF POWER) AT INOPPORTUNE MOMENTS- WHILE ACCELERATING OR TRYING TO ACCELERATE, WHILE COASTING OR WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. BEGAN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ABOUT A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE, BUT TRANSMISSION WAS NOT REPLACED UNTIL JAN. 2002. I WAS GIVEN A 12-MONTH WARRANTY ON IT THEN, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED WITH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO COVER EVERYTHING (BUMPER TO BUMPER) TO 50,000 MILES.

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Jan 23, 2004OR

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR RUNNING, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO EXIT/ENTER THROUGH THE REAR DOORS. THE DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *JB

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jan 23, 2004IL

AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. *PH *TT *JB

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 15, 2004PA

VEHICLE HIT A TELEPHONE HEAD ON WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *MR THE SEAT BELT DID NOT PREVENT THE CONSUMER'S CONTACT WITH THE SUN VISOR. *SC

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jan 15, 200477,657 milesMA

BACK IN MAY 2002 MY DRIVERS DOOR LOCK STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION IT HAS POWER LOCKS AND I COULD NOT GET IT UNLOCKED UNLESS I PULLED THE LOCK BUTTON UP WHILE I PRESSED THE POWER LOCK AND UNLOCK SWITCH OPEN AN CLOSE A MULTIPLE AMOUNT OF TIMES.I BROUGHT IT TO A FORD DEALER AND HAD IT FIXED,IT COST ME $219.35 NIT WAS THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED,IT HAS BEEN 1 YEAR ALMOST TO THE DAY AND IT FAILED AGAIN. I THINK IS A BIG SAFTEY PROBLEM BECAUSE IF THERE IS A FIRE OR THERE IS AN ACCIDENT AND THE AUTOMOBILE ENDS UP IN A LAKE OR RIVER THE DOOR LOCK CAN GET STUCK LOCKED AND A PERSON COULD GET STUCK IN THE AUTOMOBILE.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 13, 2004VA

CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BACK UP. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE BECAUSE THE REVERSE GEAR FAILED. *AK *SC *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed Jan 13, 2004LA

1998 FORD EXPLORER FIRE.*MR THE CONSUMER ( A FIRE FIGHTER) RESPONDED TO A VEHICLE FIRE. THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE STATED THE BRAKE LIGHT BLEW. HE CHANGED THE 15 AMP BULB AND NOTICED A PLUG ON THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS HOT AND HAD SOME SOOT ON IT AND IT WASN'T MELTED OR DEFORMED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED HEAVY FIRE DAMAGED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITH THE HEAVIEST FIRE DAMAGE NEAR THE MASTER CYLINDER. *PH

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Jan 12, 2004MA

HEATER BLEND DOOR BROKEN, FORD IS AWARE OF IT IN 1995 TO ABOUT 1999-2000 FORD EXPLORERS, WITH BLEND DOOR BROKEN THERE IS NOT A PROPER FLOW OF HEAT TO THE WINDSHIELD, AND THE COST FROM FORD IS $1000.00 DOLLARS TO REPLACE, AND THEY STATE THERE IS NO RECALL OR WARRANTY. *LA

Seats › Front Assembly › ReclinerCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 4, 2004125,000 milesCA

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. DUE TO BLACK ICE THERE WAS A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THIS RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION WITH THE CONCRETE BARRIER AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DRIVERS SEAT BACK COLLAPSED, AND THE SEAT FOR AFT ADJUSTING MECHANISM FAILED. THE SEAT BACK RECLINING MECHANISM HAD BEEN FIXED FOR THE RECENT RECALL. *LA

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 4, 200476,000 milesOH

I HAVE READ 24 COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE FAILURE OF THE CAMSHAFT CHAIN ON THE 1998 FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE 4.0 SOHC ENGINES AND SEEN 23 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS CONCERNING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF THIS OCCURS WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE,NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT IT ALSO BLOWS THE ENGINE REQUIRING IT TO BE REPLACED AT A COST NEAR $5000. FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PROBLEM AND HAS OFFERED REPLACEMENT WITH MILEAGE LIMITATIONS. IF THIS IS A DEFECT AND A SAFETY HAZARD CAUSING THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURS ,WHY IS THIS NOT IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO WARRANT AN INVESTIGATION? MY FORD IS 4000 MILES OVER THE LIMIT SET BY FORD TO REPLACE THE PARTS IN QUESTION. ALTHOUGH THIS DID NOT LESSEN THE DANGER WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURRED TO MY WIFE, 5 YEAR OLD AND 1 YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS WHILE IN THE VEHICLE CAUSING HER TO LOSE CONTROL DUE TO THE ENGINE FAILURE AS A RESULT OF THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS. I WAS TOLD IN A PHONE CONVERSATION THAT THE RECALL WAS VOLUNTARY BY FORD AND IT IS LEGAL FOR THEM TO SET THOSE LIMITATIONS. THIS IS UNCONCEIVABLE THAT THEY CAN PLACE INDIVIDUALS IN HARMS WAY KNOWINGLY AND IN AN EFFORT TO SAVE A BUCK, NOT A LIFE , SET LIMITS TO THE REMEDY OF THE SITUATION. WHY ARE THESE COMPLAINTS NOT BEING INVESTIGATED AND IF THEY HAVE WHAT WAS THE END RESULTS OF THIS INVESTIGATION? *LA DAVID KYDE 810 THIRD ST. #5 TRENTON, OHIO 45067 513-988-6516

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 →