1998 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

I OWN A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. IT ONLY HAS 23,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH IT. THE MOST RECENT PROBLEMS ARE I HEAR A LOUD NOISE IN THE MOTOR AREA WHEN I USE THE AIR CONDITIONER, I ALSO CANNOT GET THE DRIVER WINDOW DOWN UNLESS I MESS WITH IT ALONG TIME, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HOOD BRACKETS 2 TIMES, AND THEY NEED REPLACED AGAIN. THE BACK WINDSHIELD WIPER DONT CLEAN THE WINDOW WELL ENOUGH AND IT GETS STUCK, SO I HAVE TO GET OUT AND FIX IT. I ALSO KEEP GETTING THE 'DOOR AJAR' LIGHT ON AT TIMES WHEN THE DOORS ARE ALL CLOSED. I THINK THERE ARE SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH MY EXPLORER. I DONT HAVE THE WARRANTY ANYMORE SO THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR EVERYTHING BECAUSE THEY SAID ALL FORD COMPANIES ARE INDEPENDENT. IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO ME OR MY FAMILY WE'LL SEE HOW INDEPENDENT THEY ARE. I THINK ALL EXPLORERS NEED TO BE RE-CHECKED. THEY WERE MADE TOO HASTY OR SOMETHING.

ELECTRICAL FIRE IN STEERING COLUMN. WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AT NIGHT, DRIVE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND STEERING COLUMN WAS GLOWING AND SMELL OF BURNT PLASTIC. WIRING HARNESS, MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH BOTH MELTED. NO AFTER MARKET ADD ON OR MODIFICATIONS MADE TO VEHICLE. TS

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD THE HOOD LATCH SNAPPED AND IT COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. TS

I WAS CHECKING FUSES UNDER THE HOOD OF OUR 98 FORD EXPLORER WHEN THE HOOD CAME DOWN WITHOUT PROVOCATION, CRUSHING FINGERS ON MY LEFT HAND. THE PISTONS THAT HOLD THE HOOD UP, GAVE WAY CAUSING THIS ACCIDENT. TO DATE I HAVE DIFFICULTY USING MY LEFT HAND CORRECTLY. I SPOKE WITH MANY ATTORNEYS AND THEY SAID SINCE THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY SIMILAR CASES TO MINE, NONE WOULD PURSUE IT. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD MAKE A NOTE OF THE INCIDENT. FORD MANUFACTURED A DEFECT, HARMED ME AND EVERYONE JUST WANTS TO ROUND FILE THE CASE. WOULD YOUR GROUP LIKE TO SEE PICTURES OF MY CRUSHED FINGER? IT HAPPENED, AND FORD IS RESPONSIBLE. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO? GARRY MELOTT. *JB

WHILE CONSUMER WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE GAS PEDAL BROKE COMPLETELY OFF OF THE PEDAL BRACKET. THE DEALERSHIP DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

I WAS CHANGING FUSES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF OUR 98 EXPLORER AND THE HOOD SLAMMED SHUT ON MY HAND AND FINGERS. THE PISTONS THAT HELD THE HOOD UP FAILED.

WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75MPH WHEN THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE STEERED TOWARDS A HILL AND BOUNCED OFF IT. THE VEHICLE THEN ROLLED OVER AND LANDED ONTO THE LANE, ON ITS ROOF. FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT; SIZE P255 70R16. TS

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN HIT AT 45MPH IN THE FRONT CENTER OF THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED TO UNLOCK.*JB

DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD (HEARD A SNAP AND THEN THE SEAT FELL BACK). TALKED WITH THE DEALERSHIP - ENDED UP HAVING TO REPLACE THE UPPER RECLINE BRACKET BOLT. THE REPLACEMENT OF THIS BOLT WAS NOT COVERED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY OR SAFETY. *AK

RADIO DISPLAY WENT OUT INVESTIGATIONS ON WEB HAVE PROVEN THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM ON 98-00 EXPLORERS. A CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE RADIO OVERHEATS CAUSING IT TO MELT THE POWER SUPPLY BOARD IN THE RADIO. WHO KNOWS THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE AT THE WORST, AND CAUSE THE LOSS OF ALL RADIO DISPLAY AT THE MINIMUM. SINCE THIS IS SUCH A WIDESPREAD ISSUE I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE RADIO. DT

WHILE PULLING INSIDE OF A PARKING SPACE. WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE JUMP FORWARD AND ACCELERATED AND HIT A PALM TREE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS

CD'S GET VERY HOT. DISPLAY HAS FAILED. AM BAND IS ALL STATIC. *NM

THE AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL FAILS TO ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE OF THE CABIN. ONLY THE MAX A/C CONDITION WILL BLOW COLD AIR, WHILE ANY OTHER SETTING BLOWS VERY HOT AIR REGARDLESS OF THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSIS WAS TO REPLACE THE PLEMUN CHAMBER AND ACTUATOR + FREON, WHICH RESULTS IN A $1,200 REPAIR. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DEFECTIVE DESIGN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD. DT

CAR EXCELERATED TO WIDE OPEN AT STOP LIGHT, BOTH FEET WERE ON BRAKE, COULD NOT STOP. CAR WENT THROUGH INTERSECTION, LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. DT

WHEN HOOD WAS LIFTED DURING ROUTINE SMOG CERTIFICATION TEST, GASOLINE WAS OBSERVED SPRAYING ON ENGINE FROM FUEL LINE. THE HOLE WAS BEHIND THE TIE DOWN BRACKET ON FRONT OF THE ENGINE. THE OBVIOUSLY EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION WAS REPAIRED ON SITE. UPON EXAMINATION, THE METAL BRAID HOSE DID NOT APPEAR CHAFED BUT RATHER APPEARS TO HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY RUPTURED. THE HOSE WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPAIR COSTS SHOULD BE PAID BY THE MANUFACTURER. (HOSES ARE AVAILABLE FOR EXAMINATION) A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION WOULD HAVE DEVELOPED HAD THE GASOLINE IGNITED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DT

ISSUE: FORD EXPLORER HAS FUEL CUT OFF SWITCH DIRECTLY BELOW THE GLOVE BOX AGAINST THE PASSENGER SIDE PILLAR (DIRECTLY ABOVE THE CARPET ON PASSENGER SIZE) APPROXIMATELY 1 FOOT ABOVE FLOORBOARD. PASSENGER MAY BE ABLE TO KNOCK THE CONNECTOR OR SWITCH LOOSE, CAUSING FUEL SHUT DOWN AND LOSS OF POWER IN THE VEHICLE. CONNECTOR IS ON BOTTOM OF SWITCH; CABLE RUNS DIRECTLY BELOW CARPET AND CAN BE TUGGED LOOSE WITH ENOUGH FORCE (CONNECTOR IS STANDARD FORD LOCKING BLADE TYPE). INCIDENT OCCURRED ON INTERSTATE 10 W IN LOS ANGELES ON THE INTERSTATE 5 NORTH ON RAMP. HEAVY TRAFFIC CAUSED WIFE TO STRAIGHTEN LEGS AND KICKED THE CONNECTOR LOOSE AT 60 MPH. VEHICLE LOST TOTAL ENGINE POWER AND STALLED IN TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP ONCE BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. FORTUNATELY IT WAS IN A PARKING LOT. DEALER MENTIONED ISSUE WAS RESOLVED AFTER PLUGGING SWITCH BACK IN. RESOLVED ISSUE USING CABLE TIES, BUT A MORE SUITABLE RECALL SHOULD BE DONE TO ENSURE OTHER OWNERS DO NOT ENCOUNTER THE SAME SITUATION. RECOMMEND A PLATE OR FASTENER THAT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR PLUG TO COME LOOSE WHEN HIT WITH FOOT OR OTHER OBJECTS. ALSO RECOMMEND REPOSITIONING SWITCH TO REAR OF VEHICLE, OR UNDERNEATH REAR SEAT ON NEWER MODELS, IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY OCCURRED. DISCUSSED THIS WITH A FRIEND WHO RECOMMENDED I FILE A COMPLAINT, EVEN THOUGH IT OCCURRED ALMOST A YEAR AGO. *JB THANK YOU.*JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT THERES A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED THE NOISE STOPS, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS THE PROBLEM, 4X4 SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. MR *NLM *DT

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

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK IS NO LONGER ABLE TO BE UNLOCKED WITH THE KEY OR BY THE POWER LOCK SWITCH. IF IT IS LOCKED ACCIDENTALLY, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE ANY WAY OTHER THAN BY CRAWLING IN FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THIS COULD PRESENT A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT IF AN INDIVIDUAL NEEDS TO FLEE THE VEHICLE... ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE LIKE MYSELF WITH INFANTS THAT WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE AS WELL. THE PROBLEM BEGAN FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AGO WHEN IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO UNLOCK THE DOOR WITH THE KEY AT VARIOUS TIMES. SINCE THEN, THE SITUATION HAS WORSENED SIGNIFICANTLY. THE ONLY THING ABOUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR THAT IS IN WORKING CONDITION NOW IS THE "LOCK" ACTION OF THE POWER LOCK SWITCH. HAVING SAID THAT, THE POWER WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR NO LONGER WORKS, THOUGH I AM UNSURE IF IT IS IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THE LOCK. *NM

TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE HIGHWAY. DRIVER LOSS CONTROL OF THE CAR, VEERED TO THE RIGHT, MISSED A COUPLE OF CARS ON THE RIGHT LANES AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE HILL ON THE LEFT OF THE ROAD. CAR SPUN AND ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES. ALL PASSENGERS (5) WERE INJURED. TIRE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND DRIVER DID NOT DRIVE OVER ANYTHING (I.E. POTHOLES, DEBRIS, ETC). *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768040

TIRE BLEW UP ON A HIGHWAY. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, VEERED TO THE RIGHT, MISSED A COUPLE OF CARS ON THE RIGHT LANES AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE HILL ON THE LEFT OF THE ROAD. CAR SPUN AND ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES. ALL PASSENGERS (5) WERE INJURED. TIRE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND DRIVER DID NOT DRIVE OVER ANYTHING (I.E. POTHOLES, DEBRIS, ETC). MR

ALL 1998 V-6 EXPLORER ENGINES (NOT SURE IF OTHER MODELS ARE INVOLVED) HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CARBON BUILDUP. MY 1998 EXLOROER SPORT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THIS PROBLEM AT 43,694 MILES (ENGINE PERFORMANCE WAS AFFECTED). THE DEALER CHARGED ME $388 FOR THE DECARBONIZATION PROCESS. THIS WILL BE A RECURRING PROBLEM. I WROTE TO FORD WITH MY COMPLAINT AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. RECEIVED TELEPHONE CALL TELLING ME I HAD TO RESOLVE WITH THE DEALER. DEALER WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY. I WROTE BACK TO FORD TELLING THEM I HAD GONE TO THE DEALER AND FELT THIS WAS FORD'S PROBLEM TO RESOLVE. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, WHICH CUSTOMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR. FORD NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND PROVIDE THE SERVICE AT NO COST TO CUSTOMERS. *AK

CONSUMER STATES HE CANNOT GET INTO HIS TRUCK BECAUSE THE DRIVER SIDE LATCH IS BROKEN. HE HAS NOT RECEIVED A RECALL BUT THINK THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. TS

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHEN IT WAS FULLY DEPRESSED. *DT *JB

4 WHEEL DRIVE WILL NOT ENGAGE, AND INDICATOR LIGHT SAYS IT HAS ENGAGED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, FIRESTONE WILDERNESS HT, P225/70R15 BELT INSIDE IS BROKE, AND TREAD LOOKS LIKE IT WILL SEPARATE FROM THE TIRE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AKTHE VEHICLE IS A 1998 FORD TRUCK EXPLORER. *JG

DRIVER WAS DRIVING 55MPH WITH ONE PASSENGER IN THE 1998 FORD EXPLORER WHEN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD BLOWOUT; CONDITIONS CAUSES A ROLL OVER CRASH. DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES FROM THE CRASH. A AFTER MARKET EQUIPMENT, INSTALL AT 57,276 MILES TIRE MICHELIN, MODEL TXA115 SIZE 235/75R15, DOT UNAVAILABLE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

THE RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER. (TIRE BY MICHELIN) THERE WAS A CUT FOUND IN THE INSIDE OF THE SIDEWALL. *JB THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT, VEERED HARSHLY TO THE RIGHT, AND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD SHREDDED, WHICH WAS A FIRESTONE TIRE. (THE FRONT TIRES WERE MOVED TO THE REAR AND REPLACED THE FRONT TIRES WITH THE SPARE A NEW TIRE. IN OCTOBER 2000, ALL OF THE TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH MICHELIN TIRES) *SCC

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK IS INOPERABLE AND THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NLMJLG

I WAS SITTING IN MY CAR PRIOR TO STARTING THE ENGINE WHEN THE SEATBACK SUDDENLY COLLAPSED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THEY HAVE SEEN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE BEFORE. I AM CONNCERNED THAT MY SEAT COULD FAIL AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. THE PART THAT FAILED IS 1/4 INCH BOLT THAT WAS INSIDE THE SEAT BACK AND NOT SUBJECT TO ANY WATER OR RUST DAMAGE. I SEE WHERE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED REGARDING THE SAME AREA.*AK

FRONT WINDSHIELD FRAME IS CORRODED FROM INSIDE OUT, AND IT COULD CAUSE CONSUMER TO HAVE VISIBILITY PROBLEMS. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

VEHICLE LOST POWER TO WHEELS, GRINDING GEAR NOISE IN ALL GEARS - PARK SELECTION WOULD NOT HOLD. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AT 70 MPH HEADLIGHTS FAIL DUE TO DEFECTIVE SWITCH IN STEERING COLUMN.*AKM

1999 FORD EXPLORER EXPERIENCING HIGH IDLE.*MR VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HIGH IDLE FOR 1 YEAR. *TS *JB

RADIO LED DISPLAY DOES NOT WORK THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME.

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS DRIVER'S SEAT HAS COLLAPSED BACKWARDS WHILE PARKING IN REVERSE. DEALER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

AIR CONDITIONER MODE WILL COOL GREAT IN MAX A/C MODE BUT NOT IN ALL OTHER MODES. THE HOT AIR ONLY COMES OUT. I ALSO AS A RESULT OF THIS HAVE HAD THE THERMOSTAT READ HOT UNLESS I TURN ON THE VENT, WHICH ALSO TURNS OUT HOT AIR. I WENT TO THE DEALER WHO SAYS IT IS THE PLENUM, A DOOR IN THE AIR CONDITIONER. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT IS IN ALOT OF 98 EXPLORERS FROM WHAT I SEE ON THE INTERNET. THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED TO FIX. IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL, I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING OR TOLD ABOUT IT WHEN I WENT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON A DIRT ROAD RIGHT FRONT TIRE GOT SUCKED INTO CAR. VEHICLE SWERVED, AND HIT A TREE AND EXPLODED. VEHICLE OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO EXIT FROM VEHICLE.*AK

ANTI THEFT INDICATOR ILLUMINATES, VEHICLE WILL NOT START. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. DEALER STATED COMPUTER SHOWED NO ERROR CODE, CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK

SPARE TIRE FELL OFF VEHICLE. FORTUNATLY I WAS GOING SLOWLY ON A QUIET STREET. WHAT IF I HAD BEEN ON A CROWDED HIGHWAY?*AK

WHEN ACTIVATING TURN SIGNALS THERE IS A CRANKING SOUND, SIGNALS WILL ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY.*AK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH.*JB

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GAS PEDAL SUDDENLY FELL TO THE FLOOR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, DEALER STATED THAT BRACKET HOLDING GAS PEDAL BACK TO FIREWALL NEEDED REWELDING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND STALLED. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY DEALER WHO ADVISED CONSUMER THAT CRANKSHAFT HAD BROKEN, AND VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE.*AK

THE WELDING THAT HOLDS THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FIREWALL BROKE. THE GAS PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR ATTACHED TO THE CABLE AND DID NOT FUNCTION. *JG *TS

CANNOT OPEN DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. AUTOMATIC DOOR OPENER DOES NOT WORK, DOOR HANDLE DOES NOT OPEN DOOR, KEY DOES NOT OPEN DOOR. THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT THE CAR IS TO CRAWL OVER THE FRONT SEAT DIVIDER AND EXIT THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT DOOR. THE DRIVER IS LITERALLY TRAPPED IN THE CAR. I HAVE SCHEDULED SERVICE AT THE DEALER TOMORROW, JULY 9, 2002. I WILL BE INTERESTED IN SEEING HOW THE SERVICE PEOPLE GET IN OR GET OUT OF THE CAR THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEN I DROP THE CAR OFF. THIS IS A SERIOUS FAILURE OF EITHER AN ELECTRICAL OR MECHANICAL COMPONENT AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS HARM IF A PERSON WAS REQUIRED TO EXIT THE CAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN AN IMERGENCY.*AK

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN.*AK BOTH THE KEY AND KEYLESS ENTRY FAILED TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. IT WAS ALSO IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN IT MANUALLY FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE SINCE LINKAGES WERE BENT AND LATCH MECHANISM WAS INOPERATIVE. LATCH ASSEMBLY AND ARMS WERE REPLACED. *YH

WHILE DRIVING GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK AND VEHICLE SPED UP TO ABOUT 80MPH BEFORE SLOWING DOWN, IT WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM.*AK

DRIVER WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WITH THREE PASSENGERS IN A 1998 EXPLORER WHEN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT. AFTER MARKET EQUIPMENT. INSTALL AT 29,17 MILES, TIRE SIZE 235/75R/15. DOT # UNAVAILABLE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURERS WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR DOES NOT LOCK PROPERLY. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK