1998 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), BUT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. SHE WAS AWAKENED BY A NEIGHBOR INFORMING HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE ENTIRE FRONT WIRING SYSTEM WAS MELTED. AN INVESTIGATOR FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SPECULATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED INCIDENT AND SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT HEARD A HUGE EXPLOSION COMING FROM HER DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE CALLED HER INSURANCE COMPANY AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000. UPDATED 03/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/17/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT HEARD A HUGE EXPLOSION COMING FROM HER DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE CALLED HER INSURANCE COMPANY AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

SPARE TIRE THAT IS SECURED TO UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD DUE TO SNAPPED CABLE. *TR

GAS PEDAL HOUSING FELL OFF THE WALL NHTSA ITEM #616531. *TR

TIRE - TREAD SEPARATION VEHICLE - FORD EXPLORER (1998) TIRES - FIRESTONE (PURCHASED SOMEWHERE IN THE 2003-2005 TIMEFRAME). THESE TIRES WERE SNOW TIRES AND ARE USED ONLY A FEW MONTHS OUT OF EACH YEAR, SO THERE IS LOW MILEAGE ON THEM. AT APPROXIMATELY 1 PM, MY DAUGHTER LEFT A SCHOOL FUNCTION IN BURBANK, WA, AND TURNED ONTO HIGHWAY 12. SHE ACCELERATED; ABOUT 100 YARDS LATER, JUST AS SHE REACHED THE SNAKE RIVER BRIDGE, THE LEFT REAR TIRE LOST ITS TREAD. SHE WAS GOING LESS THAN 50 MPH. THE CAR WAS UNCONTROLLABLE, SPUN AROUND, AND SMASHED INTO THE CONCRETE BARRIER OF THE BRIDGE. THE CAR WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED (TOTALED). NO OTHER CARS WERE INVOLVED. *TR

ONE DAY WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ENTER MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER, PARKED IN MY GARAGE, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. WHENEVER THE AUTOMATIC FEATURE LOCKS THE DOORS WHEN I AM DRIVING OR I LOCK THE DOOR USING MY KEY FOB, IT WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE EXTERIOR. I HAVE TO REACH IN FROM THE REAR DOOR (OR IF I AM IN THE DRIVERS SEAT) AND OPEN THE DOOR WITH A VERY STRONG PULL ON THE DOOR HANDLE. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR AS YET. I HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS SITUATION FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS AS OF TODAY. TEDWARDS *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE NOTIFIED. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ON FIRE WHEN THEY DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL. THERE WAS NO POWER RUNNING THROUGH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 158,000.

1998 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WON'T OPEN. IT WON'T OPEN IF YOU USE THE KEY, REMOTE, OR MANUALLY TRY TO PULL UP ON IT WHILE INSIDE. HOWEVER, THE OTHER DOORS AND TAILGATE UNLOCK OK. I AM FORCED TO ENTER THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CLIMB OVER A CONSOLE IN THE MIDDLE TO GET INTO DRIVER SEAT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THERE IS NO WAY TO GET IN OR OUT OF THE CAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I AM 76 YEARS OLD AND THIS IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET IN OVER THE CONSOLE ON PASSENGER SIDE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. *TR

1998 FORD EXPLORER SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT 8AM, 12/02/08. CAR WAS PREVIOUSLY DRIVEN 12 HOURS PRIOR TO INCIDENT. ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING. DOORS WERE LOCKED. NO SIGNS OF ENTRY PRIOR TO INCIDENT. FIRE ENGULFED ENGINE AND SPREAD TO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BEFORE ALAMEDA FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED VEHICLE. INSURANCE COMPANY HAS CLAIMED VEHICLE AS TOTALED AND IS INVESTIGATING. SUSPECTED CAUSE IS CRUISE CONTROL SHUTOFF SWITCH, SUBJECT TO FORD RECALL 05S28. *TR

I HAVE HAD TWO FLAT TIRES AS A RESULT OF DEFECTIVE VALVE STEMS. BF GOODRICH RADIALS WERE INSTALLED AT SEARS ON MY 1998 EXPLORER SPORT IN 12/06. THE FIRST VALVE COMPLETELY DEFLATED MY TIRE 4 OR SO MONTHS AGO WHILE SITTING OVERNIGHT IN MY GARAGE. I ASSUMED I HAD CAUSED THE SLICE IN THE VALVE BY DRIVING, BUT HADN'T HIT ANYTHING. ON 11/26/08 AT 7:00 P.M. I WAS DRIVING I-95 S AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND NOTICED UNUSUAL DRIVING SENSATIONS. AFTER SEVERAL MILES, I FIGURED OUT IT WAS A TIRE GOING DOWN, AND TOOK APPROPRIATE ACTION--SLOWING, BEING ACUTELY AWARE OF TRAFFIC, AND SEEKING A SAFE EXIT. WHEN I EXITED INTO A GROCERY PARKING LOT, I IMMEDIATELY GOT OUT AND DISCOVERED MY REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT, AND ONCE AGAIN, THE VALVE WAS SLICED. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR DEFECTIVE VALVES AFTER RECALLING HEARING ABOUT DEFECTIVE VALVE STEMS MANUFACTURED IN CHINA SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. I LEARNED DILL AIR CONTROLS PRODUCTS AND THE NHTSA HAD ISSUED WARNINGS REGARDING SAME AFTER A DEATH OF AN ORLANDO, FL MAN. I AM RETURNING TO SEARS TO HAVE ALL 4 OF MY TIRES INSPECTED FOR FAULTY VALVES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE IN HIS DRIVEWAY, HE NOTICED FIREFIGHTERS OUTSIDE OF HIS HOUSE. HE THEN NOTICED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE ENGINE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TOWED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). AFTER THE REPAIR, THE SPEED CONTROL NO LONGER WORKED. A PRIVATE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE WIRING INSIDE THE COLUMN, WHICH CONNECTED TO THE AIR BAG, WAS MELTED AND CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER WITH THE REPORT FROM THE MECHANIC. THE DEALER DENIED THE FREE REPAIR REQUEST AND STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT TO REMEDY THE ISSUE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $2,500 TO REPLACE THE WIRING, AIR BAGS, AND THE PART USED FOR THE SPEED CONTROL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 158,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 157,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. A FAMILY MEMBER SAFELY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CONTACT HAS A COPY OF THE REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THE COMPONENT ALREADY FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL. AS OF OCTOBER 14, 2008, SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED A REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

WE HAD TWO INCIDENTS OF TIRE BLOW OUTS IN 4 MONTHS THE LAST ONE OCCURRING ON OCT 12, 2008. THE CAUSE OF BOTH BLOW OUTS WAS THE TIRE STEM BUT WE DID NOT HEAR ABOUT THE RECALL UNTIL I HEARD IT ON THE NEWS TODAY. WE HAVE SINCE BOUGHT NEW TIRES AFRAID THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN BUT WHAT CAN WE DO NOW? I FEEL LIKE WE SHOULD BE COMPENSATED BUT HOW? THE FORD DEALER WE BOUGHT THE TIRES FROM IS OUT OF BUSINESS SO WE COULD NOT GO THERE WHEN WE REALIZED THAT IT WAS A TIRE STEM PROBLEM AND WITHOUT KNOWING THERE WAS A RECALL WE HAD NO OPTION BUT TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE WHICH WAS AMERICAN TIRE. WE WENT TO AMERICAN TIRE BOTH TIMES IT HAPPENED FOR THEM TO FIX THE TIRES AND THEY DID NOT MENTION A RECALL EITHER. THE TIRES WERE NOT OLD ENOUGH TO BE REPLACED BUT FOR OUR OWN SAFETY WE DID THAT. I GUESS I KNOW THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO BUT JUST WANTED TO GET SOME ADVISE OF WHAT TO DO, IF ANYTHING. THANKS, PATTY P.S. NO CRASH, NO DEATHS, THANK GOODNESS *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER DISCOVERER H/T TIRES, SIZE LT235/75R15. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT NOTICED DEBRIS COMING FROM THE TIRES AND THE VEHICLE, CAUSING HER TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE NOTICED THAT THE TREAD WAS SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE, WHICH CAUSED MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE. A SPARE TIRE WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE AND SHE DROVE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A RECALL FOR HER TIRES AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER; HOWEVER, HER DOT NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE TIRE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 132,000. UPDATED 11/12/08. *LJ UPDATED 11/14/08. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE LEAVING HIS HOME, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

I WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. BROUGHT TO MECHANIC. HE CHANGED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. A TUNE UP WAS ALSO DONE. NOW PERIODIC SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE AND OIL AT DIFFERENT TIMES. VERY POTENT. MECHANIC IS AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS, BUT CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AFTER DOING MANY PRESSURE TESTS AND FLUSHES. *TR

DRIVER SIDE SEAT RECLINER LEVER BROKE OFF..NOW IS SAFETY ISSUE, CAN'T ADJUST SEAT BACK.. MANY ANGRY PEOPLE ON THE FORD TRUCK "EXPLORERFORUM.COM" HAVE SAME PROBLEM...SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL...FORD SELLS A REDESIGNED STRONGER PART #XL2Z7862649AA.. *TR

MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET SEPARATED FROM THE FIREWALL, CAUSING LACK OF THROTTLE CONTROL. THIS BRACKET IS SPOT WELDED, AND FORD HAS A TSB REGARDING THIS ITEM FAILURE. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

98 FORD EXPLORER STEREO-CD-CASSETTE PLAYER, VOLUME CONTROL AND DISPLAY IS DEFECTIVE AGAIN. HAD IT FIXED OUT OF WARRANTY AT 40 MONTHS, NOW BROKE AGAIN...MANY UNHAPPY PEOPLE HAD SAME PROBLEM ON "EXPLORERFORUM.COM". SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. *TR

THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE I WAS DRIVING TO GO SEE A MOVIE. THE DOOR LOCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE STOPPED WORKING (EVEN WITH A KEY IT WILL NOT UNLOCK). NO PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON THIS DOOR EXCEPT FOR THE DOOR ITSELF OVER 7 YEARS AGO. *TR

I WAS TRAVELING IN MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER WITH MY SON AND FIANCE TO BULLHEAD, AZ. TRAVELING EAST ON HWY40. ABOUT 30 MILES WEST OF NEEDLES, CA I EXPERIENCED A BLOWN TIRE ON MY LEFT REAR WHEEL. THESE TIRES WERE A YEAR OLD AND LATER WE DISCOVERED A NAIL IN THE TIRE. WE SAFELY MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO PUT THE SPARE TIRE ON THE LEFT REAR. THIS SPARE TIRE IS A FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE (P235/75 R 15). WE TRAVELED AGAIN FOR ABOUT 20 MILES WHEN THE SPARE TREAD SEPARATED CAUSING MY SUV TO EXPERIENCE SEVERE MOVEMENT BACK AND FORTH AND ALMOST TIPPING OVER; SLAPPING THE TREAD INTO THE REAR FENDER AND HATCH OF THE CAR. MY FIANCE MANAGED TO GET THE CAR UNDER SOMEWHAT CONTROL AND GET US OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE WERE TRAVELING APPROX. 70 TO 72 MPH AND BECAUSE OF THE FIRST BLOWN TIRE WE ALL WERE SKIDISH AND KEEPING BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL, WHICH I FEEL WAS THE REASON WE DID NOT ROLL OVER. I CALLED AAA AND GOT TOWED TO NEEDLES, CA WHERE WE GOT A NEW TIRE ON THE SPARE WHICH COST $175.00. WE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL UP HWY95 TO BULLHEAD CITY, AZ, APPROX. 15 MILES, WHERE OUR HOUSE WAS. JULY 3 WE WENT TO SUPERIOR TIRES AND BOUGHT 4 NEW GOODYEAR TIRES. I AM LEFT WITH A DAMAGED REAR FENDER AND A DAMAGED HATCH DO TO THE FIRESTONE TIRE TREAD SEPARATION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V281000 (SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER), ALTHOUGH NO FAILURES WERE OCCURRING AT THE MOMENT. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE ISSUE AFTER CONSULTING WITH THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THE BOLT FAILED. AFTER BEING DENIED OF THE RECALL REPAIR, THE FAILURES BEGAN TO OCCUR A WEEK LATER. THE DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD RECLINE BACKWARDS ON ITS OWN. THE ISSUE OCCURRED OVER TEN TIMES, BUT THE DEALER STILL REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE SHE DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IN A TIMELY FASHION, THE BOLT SHEARED; THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,565.

FORD ISSUED A RECALL FOR A BOLT REPLACEMENT IN THE SEAT. SAFETY RECALL 03S04 REFERS. BEACH FORD DEALERSHIP HAS DECLINED TO CONDUCT THE REPAIR DUE TO TIME OF THE RECALL (5 YEARS). THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE BOLT HAD ALREADY SHEARED AND SINCE THE RECALL WAS SO OLD THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR. *TR

I HAD A 1998 2DR FORD EXPLORER THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE FOR NO REASON AT MY JOB ON JUNE 17, 2008. IT WAS A UNDER THE HOOD FIRE. I ARRIVED AT WORK AT 8:26 A.M. A COUPLE OF MINUTES AFTER 11:00 A.M. IS WHEN THE BUILDING MANAGER KNOCKED ON MY DOOR AND TOLD ME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS LOOKING FOR ME BECAUSE MY TRUCK HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAR ENDED UP BEING A TOTAL LOSS. EVERYTHING ON THE INSIDE WAS SEVERELY SMOKE DAMAGED. MY RADIO MELTED AND I LOSS CERTAIN PAPER WORK THAT I HAD IN MY GLOVE COMPARTMENT. MY HEATER CORD WAS LEFT ON THE GROUND ALONG WITH SOME OTHER WIRES AFTER THE TOW TRUCK TOWED MY TRUCK AWAY. THAT'S HOW BURNED UP MY TRUCK WAS. *TR

ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO I STARTED TO NOTICE THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT RECLINING AND I COULDN'T RESET IT TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THROUGH THE YEARS THE RECLINE GOT WORST AND I CONTACTED FORD AND ADVISED THEM THAT THIS MAY BE RELATED TO THEIR RECALL # 03V281000. FORD RESPONDED BY TELLING ME THAT I ALREADY GOT SERVICED FOR THIS RECALL AND THAT MY VEHICLE HAS NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS. I PURCHASED ANOTHER SEAT AND RECENTLY HAD IT INSTALLED. UPON INSPECTION OF THE ORIGINAL SEAT MY MECHANIC AND I NOTICED A STRESS CRACK ON THE RECLINING BRACKET OF THE SEAT. MY ARGUMENT IS THAT FORDS RECALL REMEDY DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS A DEFECTIVE RECLINING BRACKET THAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM NOT THE UPPER BOLT THEY REPLACED. I HAVE WORKED AS AN AIRCRAFT MECHANIC AND KNOW A STRESS CRACK WHEN I SEE IT. THIS IS DEFINITELY A FACTORY DEFECT AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY. I HAD ROUGHLY A INCH LEFT BEFORE THE BACK OF THE SEAT WOULD SNAP AND RECLINE TOTALLY. DEPENDING ON THE SPEED AND TERRAIN YOU ARE DRIVING ON THIS COULD BE TRAGIC. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD NUMEROUS TIMES AND IN THEIR LAST LETTER THEY INDICATED THAT THEY WILL NOT COMMUNICATE WITH ME ANYMORE. I KEPT THE ORIGINAL SEAT AND CAN SEND YOU PHOTOS IF YOU NEED THEM.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CAUSED THE FAILURE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 00V422000, 06V286000, 99V062001) HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 127,577. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

1998 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WON'T OPEN. IT WON'T OPEN IF YOU USE THE KEY, REMOTE, OR MANUALLY TRY TO PULL UP ON IT WHILE INSIDE. HOWEVER, THE OTHER DOORS AND TAILGATE UNLOCK OK. I AM FORCED TO ENTER THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CLIMB OVER A CONSOLE IN THE MIDDLE TO GET INTO DRIVER SEAT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THERE IS NO WAY TO GET IN OR OUT OF THE CAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I AM 76 YEARS OLD AND THIS IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET IN OVER THE CONSOLE ON PASSENGER SIDE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. *TR

FIRE IN ENGINE BAY ORIGINATING AT THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. *TR

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IS PERMANANTLY LOCKED....A SMALL SPRING FELL OUT OF DOOR. IT STARTED ABOUT 7 MONTHS WHEN THE HANDLE WAS GETTING A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO PULL. YOU COULD FEEL THE PRESSURE BETWEEN THE DOOR AND HANDLE...ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER THE PANEL AROUND THE HANDLE FELL OUT AND I FOUND A SMALL SPRING ON THE TRUCKS FLOOR....FOR A WHILE AFTER THAT I WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE BUT NOT THE INSIDE. VERY SCARY THOUGHT TO KNOW THAT IF YOU WERE IN ACCIDENT YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET OUT FROM THE INSIDE HOWEVER, 2 WEEKS AFTER THAT THE DOOR WONT OPEN AT ALL (FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE!). ITS SUCH A PAIN TO HAVE TO CRAWL THROUGH THE VEHICLE TO GET IN AND OUT AND IM PRETTY SURE THIS VERY UNSAFE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. I KNOW IT CANT BE SOMETHING I DID TO THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS PERFECTLY FINE WHEN I DROVE OFF THE LOT 2 YEARS AGO. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS SITUATION ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE TONS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, YET NO SOLUTIONS HAS BEEN MADE...ANY IDEAS ON THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED, SEEING HOW IM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS VEHICLE AND AM LITERALLY "STUCK" IN IT TILL ITS PAID OFF. *TR

DURING THE ANNUAL VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION, IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE TWO FRONT SUSPENSION STABILIZER LINK BOLTS WERE BROKEN. EACH BOLT HAD FAILED AS A RESULT OF RUST AND CORROSION AT THE UPPER END WHERE IT ATTACHED TO THE STABILIZER. THIS RESULTED IN A DEGRADATION OF HANDLING ABILITY, WHICH IN A SUV VEHICLE WITH HIGH CENTER OF GRAVITY, COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. PARTS WERE REPLACED AND I AM RETAINING WHAT IS LEFT OF THE FAILED PARTS FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD NOT OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE DOOR HANDLE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ANY MOVEMENT AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CANNOT OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE FUSE RELAY OF THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, WHICH PREVENTS THE CONTACT FROM CHANGING ANY OF THE FUSES. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, HE EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH MANUALLY UNLOCKING THE DOORS WITH THE VEHICLE KEY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,300.

LOSS OF ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION DUE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET SPOT WELD FAILURE. MINOR CHILD WAS DRIVING AUTO WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELL OVER TO ITS SIDE. NO POWER. LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO COAST THROUGH INTERSECTION WITHOUT BEING HIT. MY INSPECTION REVEALED ALL THREE SPOT WELDS HAD FAILED. FURTHER, THE MIDDLE WELD OF THE THREE WAS ONLY ABOUT 1MM IN DIAMETER WITH THE OUTERMOST TWO YIELDING A NUGGET SIZE OF APPROX. 5MM. THE BRACKET SPOT WELDS FAILED DUE TO THE FIREWALL SHEET METAL FATIGUE. THE FIREWALL SHEETMETAL COMPLETELY PULLED LOOSE LEAVING THREE HOLES WHERE THE SPOT WELDS WERE. THIS AREA OF WORKMANSHIP IS OF CONCERN TO ME AS IT ENDANGERED THE LIVES OF MY CHILDREN DUE TO THE VEHICLE LOOSING POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP WITH FORD BUT THE ONLY RESPONSE I RECEIVED WAS THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIRS SINCE THE AUTO WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. COST WAS NOT MY CONCERN, GIVING NOTICE OF WHAT IS CLEARLY A SAFETY MATTER WAS MY CONCERN. I WAS INFORMED THAT NO CURRENT BULLETINS OR RECALLS EXISTED FOR THE DESCRIBED PROBLEM. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE. THESE WELDS SHOULD NEVER FAIL. MY BACKGROUND? I AM A WELDING SPECIALIST FOR A MAJOR AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURER IN THE U.S. I DO HAVE SUPPORTING PHOTOS OF THE FAILED SPOT WELDS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DETACHED FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WHILE HIS SON WAS DRIVING 30 MPH. HIS SON WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET DETACHED FROM THE DASH PANE AREA. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $634 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE DEALER WOULD HAVE TO RE-WELD THE ENGINE PANEL. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

ALL LOCKING DOOR MECHANISM'S HAVE FAILED AND I HAVE SPENT MONEY TO REPAIR THEM. THE REAR HATCH LOCK IS NO LONGER OPERATING UNLESS THE KEY IS IN THE LOCK AND THEN, ONLY SPORADICALLY. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HANDLE, HAS BROKEN OFF TWICE AND BEEN REPLACED TWICE. I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE ENGINE WAS OFF, THEREBY EFFECTIVELY "TRAPPING" ME IN THE VEHICLE. IN AN EMERGENCY, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EXIT THE CAR AND REMOVE MYSELF FROM ANY POTENTIAL DANGER. IN ORDER TO EXIT THE CAR, I HAD TWO OPTIONS, EITHER CLIMB OUT OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE OR PUT THE KEY BACK IN THE IGNITION, TURN ON THE VEHICLE, LOWER THE POWER WINDOW AND OPEN THE CAR FROM THE OUTSIDE, I OPTED FOR THE SECOND SOLUTION UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO ORDER A SECOND NEW DOOR HANDLE AND REPLACE IT. *TR

ENGINE FAILURE. ENGINE CODE P0300. CYLINDERS 4, 5, 6 HAVE WEAK COMPRESSION. TIMING CHAIN IS DAMAGED. DEALER HAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED TIMING CHAIN TWICE AND AFTER SECOND SERVICE FORD EXTENDED ENGINE WARRANTY TO 100K MILES (NOW EXPIRED). DEALER NOW RECOMMENDS ENGINE REPLACEMENT AT COST OF $5,500. WHAT WAS ONCE A $30,000 BEAUTIFUL EDDIE BAUER RIG NOW HAS A KELLY BB RETAIL VALUE OF ~$8000, BUT WITHOUT ENGINE, CAR IS A TOTAL (AUCTION BLOCK) LOSS! WHILE NO ONE WAS HURT WHEN THIS ENGINE FAILED, IT IS BOTH A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD AND YET ANOTHER SHOCK TO A VEHICLE WITH A TROUBLESOME (AND EXPENSIVE) PAST, AND TO A LOYAL FORD CUSTOMER WHO EXPECTED A BETTER QUALITY PRODUCT. I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER HOW MANY MORE 1998 EXPLORERS ARE OUT ON THE ROADS ABOUT TO LOOSE THEIR ENGINES. IS 10 YEARS TOO LONG TO OWN A FORD? I AM STILL PONDERING WHAT TO DO WITH THIS VEHICLE WHICH NOW SITS AS A 2-TON "BOOKEND" IN MY GARAGE. *TR

TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR AND CLUNKS. TRANSMISSION DISENGAGING OUT OF DRIVE GEAR; WILL NOT STAY IN GEAR WHEN MOVING IN THE FORWARD (DRIVE) DIRECTION. ALMOST WAS IN WRECK DUE TO TRANSMISSION/DRIVE FAILURE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE IN TO TRANSMISSION SPECIALTY SERVICE STATION TO HAVE LOOKED AT. FAULTY SOLENOID AND STUCK MECHANISM DUE TO FAILURE. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR $1700.00. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT DOES NOT STAY IN PLACE. IF THE CONTACT LEANED BACK TOO HARD, THE SEAT WOULD RECLINE ONTO THE REAR SEAT. WHEN SHE CALLED THE DEALER CONCERNING NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V281000 (SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY: RECLINER) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY DO NOT HONOR NHTSA RECALLS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,400.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELL OFF. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PEDAL FELT LOOSE AND THEN COMPLETELY DETACHED WHILE PULLING INTO A REPAIR SHOP. THE FAILURE CAUSED UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WALL, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 116,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF

TL*THE CONTACT'S FATHER OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD STICK AND THEN RELEASE. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME DETACHED FROM THE FLOOR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO A MECHANIC'S GARAGE, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HARD BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT THEN PROCEEDED TO MOVE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WITH HER FOOT, BUT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD INTO THE MECHANIC'S WALL. THERE WERE NO DEATHS, INJURIES OR A POLICE REPORT. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 119,031.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DETACHED FROM THE PANEL. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED. A POLICE OFFICER PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 107,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PARKING HIS VEHICLE (2 MPH), THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE WALL OF THE PARKING STRUCTURE WHILE THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL HE SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME THE CAR (ENGINE) CAUGHT ON FIRE . THE FIRE CHIEF WAS NOT REALLY SURE WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. *TR

MY NAME IS [XXX] AND I JUST PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM HWY 100 & LOOMIS RD AUTO SALES (414-617-5673) IN FRANKLIN WISCONSIN ON DEC 13TH. ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE BRAKES FAILED AND I ALMOST DIDN'T MAKE IT HOME. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC IN EVANSVILLE WISCONSIN WHO FIXED THE REAR BRAKES AND I HAD TO PAY OVER 250 DOLLARS TO REPAIR IT. THE DEALER WOULDN'T HELP ME WITH THIS COST OR EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY FAILED TO FIND THAT PROBLEM ON THEIR SAFETY CHECK. AFTER I PICKED UP MY TRUCK THIS THURSDAY THE 20TH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE HAS NOW CEASED. MY MECHANIC ALSO INFORMED ME WHEN HE FIXED THE BRAKES THAT NOT ONLY THE BRAKES SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED BY THE DEALER BUT I WILL ALSO NEED A NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM AS SOMEONE HAS OBVIOUSLY FIXED IT ENOUGH TO GET IT OFF THE LOT. THAT WILL BE ANOTHER 300 DOLLARS. THE POWER JUST FAILED ON MY WAY HOME FROM MY AUNTS AND NOW THE TRUCK IS DEAD IN MY DRIVEWAY AT HOME. IT WONT START AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT RETURN ANY CALLS SO I CAN SOLVE THIS. I JUST WANT THEM TO COME GET THIS LEMON AND GIVE ME THE MONEY I PAID FOR IT BACK PLUS ALL THE EXPENSES I HAVE PUT INTO IT IN LESS THAN A WEEK. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND I NEED TO KNOW MY RIGHTS AND IF I CAN JUST GET MY MONEY BACK .... I CANT AFFORD TO NOT TO DRIVE TO WORK AND BE STUCK CONTINUOUSLY PAYING FOR A TRUCK THAT HAD SUCH INTENSE PROBLEMS MECHANICALLY AND SAFETY-WISE AND NOW ITS JUST DEAD. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I PUT ON THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL SIMPLY CHATTERED LIKE THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE MECHANISM WAS WORKING. HOWEVER, EVEN WHEN I LET OFF AND LIGHTLY HIT THE PEDAL AGAIN FOR 3 SEPARATE TIMES THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND ONLY CHATTERED. I RAN INTO A TREE TO AVOID A HITTING ANOTHER CAR AND SOME PEDESTRIANS WHICH WRECKED MY FRONT END, RIGHT FENDER, RIGHT DOOR, HOOD AND OTHER PARTS ON THE RIGHT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THE UNLOCK BUTTON; HOWEVER, ONLY THE DRIVER SIDE AND HATCH DOORS UNLOCKED. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND REMAINED IN THE LOCKED POSITION. FORD STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,099 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,050.

WHILE ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE HESITATES AS IF IT IS GOING TO STALL. I'VE TAKEN IT AND HAD IT CHECKED OUT. THE ONLY THING THAT HAS EVER BEEN FOUND IS FAULTY O2 SENSORS. *TR

FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AND MUST BE FED MANUALLY TO RETRACT. SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO SEAT BELT WEBBING CAUSING POSSIBLE FAILURE UPON IMPACT. *TR