1998 Ford Explorer
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Vehicles › Ford › Explorer › 1998
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
These records cover every 1998 Ford Explorer. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
14 recalls name the 1998 Ford Explorer. Newest first.
Ford IS recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 F-250 sd through F-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 E-150 through E-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 F53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). the…
A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. on 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. repairs will be completed free of charge. the safety recall began on october 27, 2009. owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.
Dope, inc. IS recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. these headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain…
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. the safety recall began on july 28, 2009. owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.
Sabersport IS recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. these headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain…
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. the safety recall began on may 11, 2009. owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.
On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire.
Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. the recall began on august 7, 2006. owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332. (note: also see recalls 05v017 and 05v388)
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. the recall began on april 3, 2006. owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with high back seats, the upper bolt on the driver's side high back seat, that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame, could fracture. if the bolt fractures and does not jam in the seat back frame, the seat back may recline until it makes contact with an object behind the seat, such as the…
The driver could potentially lose contact with the steering wheel or foot pedals during such an event, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the driver seat upper bolt with a metal spacer and bolt. in addition, seats with tubular back frames will have the fully threaded lower recliner bolt replaced with a partially threaded bolt. owner notification began on august 29, 2003. owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
This IS not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. however, it IS deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. equipment description: ford IS replacing all firestone wilderness at 15, 16, and 17 inch tires mounted on ford trucks and suvs. ford reports tread separation can occur due to a combination of the sensitivity of the tire…
Should the tread separate at highway speeds, a vehicle crash could occur, possibly resulting in personal injury or death.
The replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on march 31, 2002. however, customers can contact ford at 1-877-917-3673 or go on-line to www.ford.com for possible assistance.
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 4.0L SOHC engines and still retain the original throttle body (part numbers 97jf-9e926ab or 97jf-9e926-ac). some of the original throttle bodies installed allowed a gap between the plate and bore to be built too narrow. this reduced clearance allowed the engine deposits normally present in the…
This could result in engine surge when the accelerator pedal breaks free.
Dealers will replace the original throttle bodies.
Tire description: firestone wilderness at, size p235/75r15, produced at the decatur, illinois tire plant and all firestone radial atx and radial atx II tires, size p235/75r15. operation of these tires at low inflation pressures, high speed, and in hot weather, can contribute to separation of the tire tread.
If the tread separates from the tire, the driver can lose control of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash causing injury or death.
The replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on august 29, 2001. however, customers should contact firestone customer service at 1-800-465-1904 for possible assistance.
Vehicle description: MINI vans, light pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. off lease canadian vehicles equipped with daytime running lights which meet canadian requirements and not the photometric requirements of fmvss 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." according to ford, the vehicles were imported into the u.s. Erroneously.
The light given off from the daytime running lights IS brighter than allowed by u.s. Standards.
Dealers will be advised to deactivate the running light function and to complete any outstanding safety recalls on these vehicles.
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. the secondary hood latch may corrode at the latch pivot and stick in the open position.
If this occurs and the primary hood latch IS either not engaged or IS released, a hood fly-up could occur.
Dealers will install a secondary hood latch with components that are coated prior to assembly for improved latch pivot corrosion protection.
Vehicle description: certain 1997-1999 rhd explorer equipped with 4.0L ohv/sohc engines and cruise control built from may 29, 1996 through march 4, 1999; 1998-1999 explorer/mountaineers equipped with 4.0L ohv/sohc or 5.0L engines or 1998-1999 rangers equipped with 2.5L, 3.0L ffv/efi or 4.0L engines and cruise control built from january 5, 1998 through…
If the cruise control IS used and this condition IS present, a stuck throttle could result, which could potentially result in a crash.
Dealers will replace the cruise control cables. at the present time, the replacement cables are not available. customers are being advised not to use the cruise control system until a replacement can be made.
Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with 4.0L single overhead cam engines. the engine fuel lines can be damaged if the vehicle IS jump started and the ground cable IS attached to the fuel line bracket that IS located near the battery. since the bracket IS not grounded, the stainless steel fuel line braid could act as a ground…
The fuel lines can leak, and in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could potentially result.
Dealers will install a warning label on the fuel line bracket advising owners not to use it for a jump start ground. also a revised bolt will be installed in the alternator bracket to provide a convenient jump start ground location.
Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles, eddie bauer and limited editions. the key-in-ignition/door open warning chime may not function when the door IS opened. this does not fully comply with fmvss no. 114, "theft protection."
The standard specified that a warning to the driver shall be actuated whenever the key has been left in the locking system and the driver's door IS opened.
Dealers will install a jumper wire to provide the necessary ground circuit in these vehicles.
Speed control gets hot to touch. All top facing has melted off from heat. I was on highway and my steering wheel became extremely hot. my seat was repaired after recall years ago. It continues to drop low to floor.
My seat belt on my passenger side does not work half the time. My door locks do not work right. I can't get my window on the driver side to go up and down. I hit a tree going 55 miles an hour in my airbag did not even deploy. I'm lucky I'm still alive. The fenders rubbing up against my tire. Speed control IS wrong. Whenever I'm going 55 miles an hour it says 57 actually I don't remember the correct date. But I'm sure it shows I know it was 2017. Somebody ran me off the road. My truck hit the tree and my airbag did not deploy. I'm lucky it didn't I guess because don't airbags have metal shards in them IS what I was told
Parked in parking space started car put in reverse, engine roared, accelerated in reverse applying brakes did nothing , both feet on brakes , turned wheel so that car was not to hit parked cars behind us, car continued racing in reverse with continued applying brakes, thru it into park car continued in reverse , turned key off & car continured in reverse until hitting parked car which stopped us total distance about 200 feet, which seemed a lot longer,i felt I did everything correctly maybe if thrown in neutral brakes would have worked, very frighting having no control to stop
Door locks and windows quit working after buying it. So many issue ..the steering wheel control words melted. Back door don't shut probably and never has since bought. This was bought as a new not used vehicle. Door locks was the worse.they sometimes stick and won't unlock since bought new.never fix by butler ford in milledgeville ga. Overdrive switch slips out of position. Does not show correct speed. I could go on and on
My explorer had been parked in my driveway for well over 15 hours when I heard my neighbor screaming. The SUV was fully ignited into flames.just out of no where. I was able to get the fire out with my water hoses before the gotta department showed up but the entire vehicle IS ruined and half my garage as well. The fire started down by the brakes and the entire vehicle was engolfed within seconds. Obviously it was electrical. Upon further investigation I believe it was the cruise control switch malfunction. My SUV had 134,000 miles on it and kept in immaculate condition. I will download the fire departments report once to get it. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6). *Tt
I was driving my truck and one day it started acting weird. my stereo started shutting off and coming in by itself. a couple days later I was driving and my stereo and information center went out and came back on. my truck will only go about 30mps cause it won't shift either. couple days ago it started back firing. what could be the problem.
I was going down clinton keith in murrieta when all of a sudden my transmission would not shift passed 3RD. It was working fine the day before. So I took it slow back home and the closer I got home the transmisson started slipping gears.
Gas pedal bracket welding broke while driving and gas pedal IS now just dangling - checked on internet and there are a large amount of complaints about same thing - should be a recall
Front passenger door lock and latch stuck and unable to open door from either inside or outside. Occurs both stationary and in motion.
TL* the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. While the vehicle was in operation, the accelerator pedal became detached. The contact activated the hazard lights and drove home with caution. The dealer (phil long ford at chapel hills, 1565 auto mall loop, colorado springs, co 80920, (719) 387-1099) was notified, but could not diagnose the cause of the failure. The dealer and manufacturer indicated that there was no recall to provide a remedy. The contact was uncertain that if the part were replaced, the failure would recur. The failure mileage was not available.
I have 1998 ford explorer and I noticed trying to unlock the door automatically that it would stick sometimes. Sometimes becale always and noticed the passenger door never would unlock. Then one day parked I tried to open passenger door and it wouldnt open. I had to open it from the inside. Now it wont open from the inside. The door IS totally non functional. Door latch issue I dont know but have read many complaints of the same. Also driver door lock will sometimes stick, the door open but when closing it it never wants to shut all the way the first time or the 2ND it takes a few times to get the door to completely close but the passenger door IS a loss no one can ride in it. Seen many other complaints of the same problem ford should have to fix this issue they know about
Rear end roars and speedometer quit working
When I stepped on the gas pedal and started to proceed through an intersection, I lost all power and had to roll or coast very slowly through the intersection and stop on the other side in a dangerous position in traffic when I could coast no further. The gas pedal bracket had completely broken off the firewall and was laying on the floor. the bracket had been attached by three spot welds. some other people stopped traffic and pushed me to a safe place to park. the ford dealer parts' department has no parts to fix it and suggested we buy some bolts somewhere and reattach it ourselves somehow. to completely lose power without warning was extremely dangerous! thank god I was in a controlled intersection and not turning left across oncoming traffic or it could have turned out much worse. reading online blogs and comments shows this problem of the gas pedal bracket falling off ford products and losing power IS not uncommon.
TL* the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. While driving 5 mph, the steering rod fell off and caused the steering to fail. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 160,000.
TL* the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. While driving 30 mph, the speedometer, windshield wipers, interior lights, and four wheel drive failed. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
TL* the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to start and smoked appeared on numerous occasions. In addition, the overhead lights in the vehicle did not work and the battery had a shortage. The contact stated that the service engine light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The vin was unknown. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Only got my service dog out, thank god I was in a glass front restraunt. Cd player caught the dash on fire and burned the truck completely up. Truck was parked and off for 20 min.
So since my daughter bought the ford a brake line that's connected to the caliper gets stretched and bent and it breaks about every 6 to 7 months. I feel as if it's a design flaw.i can't afford to put a new brake line on every time it breaks. I called a dealership and the mechanic there said once every 5 years he repairs the lines, I don't believe that. The turning of the tires stretches the line and it wears it down and then the line leaks and cracks.
TL* the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle felt as though it would tip over and swayed when driving approximately 70-75 mph. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the suspension malfunctioned. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000.
TL* the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked, the front passenger side door did not open from the inside or outside. The contact stated that the passenger had to climb over and go out of the front driver's side door. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 220,000. updated 7/1/15*cn
The cruise sensor on top of the brake master cylinder stay hot all the time and it keeps blowing my number 13 fuse that goes to the brake lights and when I put a new fuse in. The cruise sensor starts sparking an smoking really bad im a phrase that it's going to catch fire soon. *tr
As I was merging onto the highway onto the on ramp like any other morning going to work I began to yield as there was traffic coming in my direction. As I began to yield my car flipped over as if someone purposely tilted the vehicle over. The air bags did not deploy the car rolled over onto my left arm and leg breaking my ankle and causing many other injuries and distress. *tr
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 55 mph, the vehicle erupted into flames coming from the engine compartment into the interior of the vehicle. The contact was able to merged over and exit the vehicle as the flames were extensive and the vehicle was destroyed. The fire department was able to extinguish the flames. The vehicle was towed to a yard. The contact was not included in nhtsa campaign ID number: 98v060000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
Unknown speed and unknown miles on vehicle and center console had to be replaced with electric issue of 4 wheel drive still not working
TL* the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. The contact stated that the high beams warning light illuminated continuously even after the engine was shut off. The failure recurred whenever the engine was started. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The technician diagnosed that the headlight module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was unavailable.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton V-8 and V-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi IS not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi IS aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi?s analysis showed, it IS possible for a spark plug to detach from the engine cylinder threads in the subject vehicles.however, odi?s analysis of 474 complaints describing such incidents found only a very few alleged any safety-related consequences.none of these showed any evidence of a serious safety consequence.given the large population and relatively long exposure time of the subject vehicles, the complaint analysis indicates that the risk to motor vehicle safety from the alleged defect IS very low.in view of the foregoing, it IS unlikely that nhtsa would issue an order for the notification and remedy of the alleged defect at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition.therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize nhtsa?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency?s safety mission, the petition IS denied.
Ea05-005 IS closed with ford?s actions in recalls 05v-017, 05v-388, and 06v-286, recalling approximately 6.7 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).the brake systems in these recalled vehicles generate a vacuum that can potentially cause the scds to fail and, in certain switch installation orientations, catch fire.ford IS also including the entire population of 1998 explorers.ford has informed odi that testing to determine the cause of failures in the 1998 explorers will continue after this investigation IS closed.odi believes that the vehicles exhibiting the factors causing scds failure described in this report correlate well with the observed failure rates on these vehicles by model and model year.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that a safety-related defect does not exist in the non-recalled vehicles manufactured with scds that are not included in ford?s recalls.odi will continue to monitor the non-recalled population for incidence of engine compartment fires.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see attached closing report for details.
By letter dated august 4, 2003, ford notified the agency that it IS conducting a voluntary safety recall (nhtsa recall no. 03V281) involving certain model year (my) 1998-2001 ford explorer / mercury mountaineer 4-door, my 1998-2000 ford explorer 2-door and my 2001-2002 ford explorer sport and sport trac vehicles equipped with high back seats.complaints allege that the driver's seat back reclined without warning.a bolt between the upper seat recliner attachment and the seat back frame may fracture.ford will replace the bolt that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame on the driver side seat.based on ford's safety recall action, this investigation IS closed.
There is no summary currently available
There is no summary currently available
There is no summary currently available
On january 23, 1997, ford motor company issued special service message (ssm) 10240, announcing that a revised throttle body would be available during the first quarter of 1997 for 1997 model year ford explorers equipped with the 4.0L single overhead cam (SOHC) engine.the ssm stated the revised throttle body would address increased throttle efforts that had been experienced on these vehicles.on july 31, 1998, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened service query sq98-014 to determine whether a safety recall was warranted for the problem addressed by ssm 10240.at that time odi had 14 reports alleging throttles sticking open, including three crashes, on 1997 explorers with the 4.0L SOHC engine.ea99-001 investigated alleged throttle body sticking, and loss of throttle control, in the subject vehicles.on december 22, 2000, ford motor company filed a defect information report concerning throttle body sticking in 1997-1998 model year explorer and mountaineer vehicles with 4.0 SOHC engines that still retain the original throttle body; safety recall 00v-422.the engineering analysis closing report IS attached.
There is no summary currently available
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.