Ford Explorer Complaints (1998)

2,085 consumer complaints on file.

#10209251November 18, 2007
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
BLEND DOOR MOTOR FAILED PERMITTING ONLY HOT AIR TO ENTER VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209405November 13, 2007
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINED TOWARDS THE REAR SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V281000 (SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER). THE DEALER REFUSES TO MAKE THE REPAIR UNTIL THE CONTACT PAYS $400 TO HAVE ANOTHER MECHANISM OF THE SEAT RECLINER REPAIRED. THE FORD MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT TECHNICAL ISSUES AND THAT THE DEALER WOULD MAKE THE FINAL DECISION. THE SEAT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE CRUISE CONTROL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 176,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208133November 7, 2007
STRUCTURE, TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
ON MONDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2007 AT AROUND 4:15 PM WHILE DRIVING HOME ON CHEVERLY AVENUE I RECEIVED A CALL ON MY TWO WAY RADIO FROM THE CHEVERLY POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE CALLER STATED THAT MY 1998 FORD TWO DOOR, FORD EXPLORER SPORT HAD DROPPED ITS SPARE TIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF CHEVERLY AVENUE. AT FIRST I DID NOT BELIEVE THE OFFICER, BEING THAT I AM THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, I THOUGHT THAT HE JUST NEEDED TO TALK TO ME SO I MADE A U-TURN AND DROVE BACK TO WHERE THE OFFICER WAS PARKED. TO MY SURPRISE THERE WAS THE OFFICER WITH A SPARE TIRE WHICH I LATER IDENTIFIED AS BEING MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPARE TIRE. I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND THE CABLE THAT HELD THE TIRE IN PLACED WAS DAMAGED, RUSTED, AND IT HAD DROPPED THE TIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. EARLIER THAT DAY I WAS DRIVING ON THE CAPITAL BELTWAY ROUTE 495 IN THE WASHINGTON DC AREA AND IF THAT TIRE WOULD HAVE DROPPED I THE MIDDLE OF THIS BUSY ROADWAY CAN YOU IMAGINE THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT? FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEEDS TO FIND A BETTER IDEA FOR THE SPARE TIRE AND FORD OUGHT TO TELL ALL VEHICLE OWNERS THAT HAVE A SIMILAR SYSTEM FOR THE SPARE TIRE TO CHANGE THEM, REPLACE THEM EVERY SO MANY DAYS AND/OR USE DIFFERENT MATERIALS THAT WOULD NOT RUST. THANK GOD I WAS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND GOING AT A LOW SPEED. OTHERWISE ONLY GOD WOULD KNOW WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207853November 4, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY WIFE'S 1998 FORD EXPLORER XLT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY KID'S SCHOOL, SHE DROVE FOR 1 MILE FROM OUR HOUSE TO THE SCHOOL TO PICK UP MY KID, LUCKILY IT DIDN'T BURN IN THE GARAGE. THE FIRE ACCORDING TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT LOOKS LIKE IT STARTED AROUND THE BRAKES MASTER CYLINDER UNDER THE HOOD DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER AND ACCORDING TO THE BURN MARKS ON THE HOOD LOOKS LIKE IT WAS THERE WHERE IT BURNED THE HOTTEST, THE WHOLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURNED AND LUCKILY THE FIRE DPTM IS REAL CLOSE SO IT DIDN'T BURN COMPLETELY. UPON INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET I CAME TO KNOW ABOUT A SAFETY RECALL FOR THESE VEHICLES INVOLVING THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH THAT IS LOCATED BY THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND THAT CAN RESULT ON FIRE, SO I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THIS INCIDENT IS A CONSEQUENCE OF THIS RECALL THAT I HAD NO IDEA OF. THE VEHICLE IS TOTALED AND NOW WE ARE STRUGGLING WITHOUT OUR PRIMARY FAMILY VEHICLE, I'M JUST THANKFUL THAT MY FAMILY AND MY HOUSE ARE SAFE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206528October 22, 2007
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
1998 FORD EXPLORER, DOOR LOCKS FAIL AND CAN'T GET OUT, CAN NOT BE OPEN WITH KEY OR REMOTE, CAN'T EVEN BE SLIM JIMMIED.. DEALER TELL ME THAT THE ENTER DOOR HAS TO BE TORN APART AND IT WILL COST $500.00... THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SAFELY HAZARD. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THIS VEHICLE IS IN A ACCIDENT OR STARTS FIR AND PASSENGERS CAN'T GET OUT...SHOULD BE RECALLED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205518October 12, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
REAR METAL BRAKE LINE, RUNNING ACROSS REAR AXLE, RUPTURED DUE TO EXTENSIVE CORROSION. THIS RESULTED IN COMPLETE LOSS OF REAR BRAKES. A NEW METAL BRAKE LINE HAD TO BE FABRICATED [PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FROM FORD]AND INSTALLED. DEALER COST $400+. NOTE: SEVERAL FORD DEALERS AND BRAKE SHOPS ADVISED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO THE FACT THAT THESE BRAKE LINES WERE NOT PROPERLY COATED TO GUARD AGAINST CORROSION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205521October 12, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FAILURE OF FRONT BRAKE ROTORS DUE TO EXCESSIVE WARPING AND CORROSION. THIS RESULTED IN POOR BRAKING AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES. POOR QUALITY OEM FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE FACTORY INSTALLED ON THIS VEHICLE. PROPER HIGH QUALITY AFTERMARKET FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE INSTALLED. THIS RESULTED IN EXCELLENT BRAKING! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205524October 12, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
FAILURE OF FRONT WHEEL BEARING HUB ASSEMBLY. WHEEL BROKE LOOSE LEAVING VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE. WHEEL BEARING HUB ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203710September 22, 2007
STRUCTURE
THE SPOT WELDS BROKE ON THE METAL BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202192September 7, 2007
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SPARE TIRE LOST FROM LIFT/HANGER. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASING NEW TIRES I LEARNED MY SPARE TIRE WAS MISSING. THE CABLE USED TO LIFT THE TIRE WAS BROKEN, IT DID NOT APPEAR TO BE CUT. I DON'T KNOW WHEN THE TIRE WAS LOST, BUT THIS COULD BE A VERY SERIOUS HAZARD TO OTHER MOTORISTS IF IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201759September 4, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPONTANEOUSLY BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM THAT IS SYSTEMATIC OF FORD VEHICLES. THE FIRE COMPLETELY BURNED DOWN MOST OF MY TWO-STORY HOUSE AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE SMOKE DAMAGE TO THE REMAINING AREAS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201027August 28, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH INTO THE GARAGE AT THE REPAIR SHOP, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE FAILED AND REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 00V422000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 37,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200798August 26, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
VEHICLE HESITATING AND STALLING. ALL SIX FUEL INJECTORS MELTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF FUEL INJECTORS, STRONG GAS SMELL, AND THE VEHICLES STILL CURRENTLY STALLS OR IDLES TO HIGH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199624August 15, 2007
STEERING:LINKAGES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST STEERING ABILITY AND DEFECTIVE PARTS PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE FAILURE CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAILED STEERING KNUCKLE. THE BODY SHOP REPAIRED THE STEERING KNUCKLE AND ALL RELATED PARTS. NO OTHER FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,916 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199545August 14, 2007
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE TURNS THE KEY IN THE UNLOCKED DOOR OF HIS VEHICLE, THE DOORS BECOME LOCKED. WHEN HE TURNS THE KEY IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, THE DOORS STILL REMAIN LOCKED. WHEN HE PRESSES THE POWER LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE, IT WILL LOCK THE DOORS BUT FAIL TO UNLOCK THEM, CAUSING PASSENGERS TO BE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS HAD TO EXIT THROUGH THE WINDOW. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AND HE FEELS THE FAILURE SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199307August 11, 2007
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE LOCKS ON MY DOORS KEEP LOCKING BY THEMSELVES AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WONT UNLOCK UNLESS YOU BEAT IT TO DEATH THE BACK LATCH DOES NOT OPEN AT ALL IT IS LOCKED AND WON'T UNLOCK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10193647June 18, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). SHE CALLED THE DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE REPAIR AND THE DEALER ASKED IF ANY FAILURES HAD OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE AND ABS WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS HAD ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER THEN STATED THAT THERE WOULD BE A SERVICE CHARGE OF $100. WHEN THE DEALER WAS TOLD TO ONLY SERVICE THE VEHICLE FOR THE RECALL, THEY STATED THAT THE $100 SERVICE FEE WOULD STILL APPLY. THE MILEAGE INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10193030June 12, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE WITH A TRAILER ATTACHED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT FULL SPEED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE RECALLS FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL, HOWEVER HE WAS NEVER CONTACTED ABOUT THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO SALE HIM ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE'S ENTIRE REAR END IS DAMAGED, THE TRAILER IS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, AND THE BOAT THAT WAS PARKED IN HIS YARD NOW HAS A HOLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191709May 25, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ~ HAVEN'T HAD MY VEHICLE IN ABOUT A MONTH DUE TO CONTINUINING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191565May 23, 2007
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
THE 1998 FORD EXPLORER ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELL OFF. I WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH IN A STRAIGHT LINE AND ACCELERATING TO 65 MPH WHEN I FELT A POP. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPED WORKING. DESPITE THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS, I WAS NEARLY REAR-ENDED BY A CAR THAT DIDN'T NOTICE I WAS SLOWING DOWN ON THE FREEWAY. LUCKILY, I PULLED OVER AND STOPPED SAFELY. LOOKING AT THE BREAK, I THINK THE SHEET METAL HOLDING THE RIVETS WAS TOO WEAK.*AK ON 5/23/07 I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS HOT LINE. THEY REFUSED TO HELP STATING ONLY THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON MY CAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND CAN VERY EASILY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT AND DEATHS. FORD SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS AND PAY FOR REPAIRS OF DEFECTIVE MATERIALS USED OR IMPROPER INSTALLATION. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HEARD OF AN ACCELERATOR PEDDLE FALLING OFF?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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