1998 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

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

I HAVE ALREADY PUT IN ONE COMPLAINT ON MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER, BUT NOW I GOT IT BACK A FEW DAYS AGO FROM THE DEALER THEY CHECKED IT AND FOUND OUT IT HAS RACK AND PINION PROBLEMS ALREADY. I HAVE ONLY 24000 MILES ON IT. THERE IS ANOTHER COMPLAINT IN HERE FOR THE SAME THING. I AM WORRIED THE STEERING IS GOING TO GO OUT, AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY $900.00. WHY IS FORD NOT DOING ANYTHING WITH THESE 1998 EXPLORERS. *JB

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

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: THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED, THE REMOTE KEY PAD OR KEYS DID NOT WORK. HAD USED THE REMOTE TO UNLOCK DOORS THE SAME AS ALWAYS. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, WHO SAID TO CONTACT THE DEALER. BUT DEALER SAID NEVER HEARD OF IT. CONSUMER DID NOT WANT TO PAY THE DEALER TO FIX IT. FOUND A FORUM ONLINE WHERE OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED JULY 29, 2005. *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

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: 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

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 THE SAME PLANT AS THOSE COVERED BY THE RECALL. I HAVE A HARD TIME ACCEPTING THAT A 2-DAY DIFFERENCE WOULD BE GROUNDS FOR FORD TO DESIGNATE THAT THE RECALL IN QUESTION WAS NOT APPLICABLE TO MY VEHICLE WHEN THE DANGER EXISTED.

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 CONTACT OWNED A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. HAD FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES ON VEHICLE. WENT FOR INSPECTION AND FAILED BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE RECALLED. HE CONTACTED FORD AS WELL AS FIRESTONE, AND THEY TOLD HIM THE RECALL WAS OVER AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE TIRE SIZE WAS P235/70R16. THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE SPLIT BETWEEN THE THREADS, AND SIDEWALLS. IT WAS LIKE THEY WERE SEPARATING ON ALL FIVE OF THE TIRES, INCLUDING THE SPARE TIRE. *AK *NM

ALWAYS IN THE SUMMER AND SOMETIMES DURING THE FALL/WINTER, THE AIR FLOW SENSOR MAKES A LOUD, HUMMING NOISE AND EVENTUALLY THE CAR SOMETIMES SHUTS OFF BECAUSE OF THIS.

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

DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. APPEARS TO BE STUCK IN THE LOCK POSITION. HAVE READ NUMEROUS WEBSITES THAT IT IS A DEFECTIVE SPRING FROM ACE LOCK CO.

FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINTS FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND BRAKE ROTORS

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

FIRE STARTED IN VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE OF OUR HOME

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR, OF MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER, COULD NOT BE OPENED (FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES). ATTEMPTED TO HAVE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY REPLACED, AS BROKEN SPRING WAS FOUND PROTRUDING FROM DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY AREA <DRIVERS SIDE>. DEALERSHIP INCORRECTLY REPLACED INSIDE DOOR HANDLE AND NOW DRIVERS SIDE DOOR CANNOT BE LOCKED (BUT CAN NOW BE OPENED OR CLOSED). DUE TO DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY PROBLEMS WITH CANADIAN FORD VEHICLES, I FEAR WE NOW HAVE A SERIOUS SECURITY & SAFETY ISSUE WITH OUR 1998 FORD EXPLORER. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REPAIR UNLESS WE BASICALLY AGREE TO REPLACE ALL INTERNAL PARTS OF DOOR <INCLUDING SEAT BELT?>. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST (PARTS & LABOR) IS IN EXCESS OF $500.

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

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.

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.

TIMING BELT AND INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH FORD SAYS IT WILL NOT COVER AND ALSO MY WARRENTY COMPANY, I HAD TO PAY 1900.00 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE A 98 FORD EXPLORER WITH 65,400 MILES

THE LEFT REAR TIRE EXPLODED. GOODYEAR, WRANGLER RT-5 P235/75.R16 TIRES ARE REGULARLY SERVICED. THERE WAS NO VIBRATION PRIOR TO EXPLOSION. NO BULGING IN THE TIRES. TIRES JUST CHECKED 3 WEEKS AGO. 40 MPH ON HIGHWAY, CLEAR WEATHER. NO PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES BEFORE. *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.

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

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

AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR SIX HOURS THE OWNER WAS AWAKENED BY SOME NEIGHBORS AND INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. WHICH WAS COMING OUT OF THE FENDER WELL AND CONSUMED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENEAND DETERMINED THAT CRUISE CONTROL WAS CAUSE OF THE FIRE. *AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT CAUGHT FIRE ON ITS OWN. RESULTS SHOWED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH.*AK

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 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

VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OF THE HOME AND A FEW MINUTES LATER IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

MY CAR HYPER-ACCELERATES AT RANDOM EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE IS ON IT HAS CAUSED 2 ACCIDENTS RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE ONE RECENT WHICH THE INJURY RESULTS ARE PENDING. I AM FEARFUL THAT THE CAR WILL NOT STOP AND SOMEONE WILL BE SERIOUSLY INJURED. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WROTE TO THE MANUFACTURER BUT TO NO AVAIL. I CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER CAR OR EVEN A TRADE IN. I JUST PUT NEW BRAKES ON THE CAR AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. THE DATE BELOW IS FOR THE MOST RECENT ACCIDENT. THE CAR HAS DONE THIS MANY TIMES BUT ONLY TWICE RESULTING IN A CRASH. *JB

VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR AN HOUR OR MORE WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *JB

I HAVE A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORTS THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS OFF AND PARKED IN MY GARAGE. I PARKED THE CAR AT AROUND 7:00 PM AND AROUND AFTER 10:00 PM HEARD A LOUD EXPLOTION IN THE GARAGE. MY FAMILY WAS ALREADY IN BED AND I WAS WATCHING TV. WHEN I OPEN THE ACCESS DOOR TO THE GARAGE THE FRONT PART OF THE EXPLORER WAS IN FLAMES. WE CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE, BUT THE CAR IS RUINED. MY SECOND CAR IS DAMAGED AND MY GARAGE IS ALSO DAMAGED. NO ONE WAS HURT BECAUSE WE GOT OUT OF THE HOUSE ON TIME.*AK

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH KEY, REMOTE, KEY PAD ENTRY OR WITH DOOR HANDLE INSIDE. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1998 EXPLORER SPORT.*AK

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ON 3/29/05 WHILE DRIVING MY 1998 FORD EXPEDITION XLT THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT CAME ON AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE RUNNING BOARD LIGHTS CAME ON. I PULLED OVER AND PARKED THE VEHICLE AND CHECKED ALL DOORS, ALL DOOR WERE CLOSED PROPERLY. THE LIGHTS REMAINED ON. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND SHUT THE DOOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS AND RUNNING BOARD LIGHTS REMAINED ON. I HAD TO REMOVE THE FUSE TO MAKE LIGHTS GO OUT, BUT WHEN I AM DRIVING I HAVE NO INTERIOR LIGHTS AND I CANNOT PUT DOWN WINDOWS

DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR LOCK DOES NOT UNLOCK WITH EITHER THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY, THE INTERIOR LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON OR THE KEY. IN ORDER TO UNLOCK THE DOOR YOU MUST PRESS EITHER THE REMOTE OR THE INTERIOR UNLOCK BUTTON 10 TO 15 TIMES. IN ADDITION TO BEING VERY INCONVENIENT, THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS PROBLEM IF THE DRIVER IS NOT ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY IN AN EMERGENCY.*AK

THE LEFT FRONT DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK. THE CONSUMER NOTICED ON MORE THAN ON OCCASION THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR APPOINTMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

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

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OF MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT WILL NOT UNLOCK. A SPRING BROKE, AND THE LOCK WILL NOT OPEN WITHOUT NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THIS PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED AND THE CAUSE IS WELL KNOWN (THE SPRING DESIGN IS POOR). *AK

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE CONSUMER WAS AWARE OF THE FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING LOCK COMPONENTS. *AK THE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED WITH THE KEY OR FROM THE INSIDE HANDLE. THE DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED WITHOUT EXCESSIVE EFFORT. *SC *JB

I TOOK MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP BECAUSE MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING (I CAN ONLY GUESS HOW LONG THEY WERE NOT OPERATING). AFTER DOING A DIAGNOSTIC THEY DETERMINED I HAD TO REPLACE MY (FORGIVE ME, AS I AM NOT MECHANICAL, BUT IT IS ALL ON MY RECEIPT) CRUISE CONTROL HARNESS AS THE COMPONENT HAD COMPLETELY MELTED. MY CRUISE CONTROL HAD STOPPED WORKING A COUPLE OF MONTHS EARLIER, BUT I HAD NOT BOTHERED TO FIX IT. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD GOTTEN SO HOT THAT IT BURNED A HOLE THROUGH MY MASTER CYLINDER SO THAT IT ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I AM NOTIFYING YOU BECAUSE I FEEL MY AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY WERE JEOPARDIZED IN THREE WAYS: INOPERABLE BRAKE LIGHTS, THE FIRE HAZARD OF THE CRUISE CONTROL, AND CONSEQUENTLY POOR BRAKES.*AK

1998 FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED.*MR THE VEHICLE FIRE CAUSED DAMAGE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE AS WELL AS THE CONSUMER'S HOME. *NM

I HAVE A 1998 FORD EXPLORER 4 DR 2WD AND THE DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN SOMETHING WENT WRONG WITH THE LOCK FROM THE INSIDE U CAN OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE BUT IT WONT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE SINCE THAT OCCURED MY ANTI-THEFT MY SECURITY SYSTEM AND MY HORN ALSO STOPPED WORKING I HAVE CHECKED THE FUSES AND THE RELAYS THEY TELL ME THAT ITS SOMETHING IN THE WIRING WHAT SHOULD I DO