Ford Explorer Complaints (1998)

2,085 consumer complaints on file.

#10165619August 16, 2006
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE KEYLESS ENTRY WAS INTERMITTENTLY INOPERABLE, THEN COMPLETELY FAILED. AFTERWARDS, THE LOCKS ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED, AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR NO LONGER UNLOCKS AND CANNOT BE OPENED. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE ENTIRE LOCK ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 09/15/06. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10165520August 15, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS IS NOT AN EMERGENCY PROBLEM OR SAFETY ISSUE BUT IT SHOULD STILL BE INVESTIGATED. I OWN A 1998 FORD EXPLORER AND THE LIGHTS ON THE RADIO PANEL NO LONGER WORK. SO I CALLED TO HAVE THEM FIXED WELL THEY CANT BE FIXED YOU HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW RADIO AT $500.00. WELL I WAS NOT GOING TO DO THAT JUST SO THE CLOCK AND RADIO STATION SETTING WOULD WORK. AS I WAS INVESTIGATING WEATHER THIS COULD BE FIXED OR NOT I MET 4 OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM EACH OF THEM ALSO HAVING TO PURCHASE A $500.00 RADIO SO THE LIGHTS WOULD WORK. THEN I STARTED CALLING FORD DEALERSHIPS AND FOUND THAT EVERYONE I HAVE CALLED HAS TAKEN DOZENS OF PHONE CALLS ON THE LIGHT PROBLEM WITH THE RADIOS. NOW I WOULD SAY AT $500.00 A RADIO TO HAVE THIS FIXED FORD WOULD BE MAKING QUITE A PROVITE OVER SOMETHING THAT SOUNDS LIKE A MINOR PROBLEM. TO ME IT ISN'T A MINOR PROBLEM IF EVERY VEHICHLE THAT HAS THESE RADIOS HAS A LIGHT PROBLEM. TO ME AND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE I HAVE SPOKE TO FEEL THIS SHOULD BE FORDS EXPENSE TO FIX THIS NOT THE CONSUMER. IF IT WAS JUST MY RADIO THAT WOULD BE DIFFERENT BUT FOR DOZENS AND DOZENS OF RADIOS TO BE THIS WAY IS A BIG PROBLEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10165224August 11, 2006
STEERING
POWER STEERING GEAR BOX IS LEAKING. BOTH THE GEARBOX AND TIE RODS NEED REPLACED. ONLY 75,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164645August 6, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
FORD EXPLORER 1998 DATE 8-3-06 I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR THREE YEARS. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY MAJOR OR MINOR PROBLEMS. I HAVE REGULAR REQUIRED MAINTENANCE DONE (EXAMPLE) FLUID CHANGES AND BRAKES. EARLY FEBRUARY. I NOTICED AROUND NOVEMBER 2005, MY CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. I DIDN'T TAKE IT TO BE CHECKED; I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS A BIG ISSUE. I NOTICED WHEN STARTING MY CAR, THE BATTERY SOUNDED WEAK. I TOOK THE CAR TO NTB TO HAVE THE BATTERY CHECKED. THE BATTERY WAS BAD AND WAS REPLACED WITH THE EXIDE 72 MONTH BATTERY. I HAD NEVER THE BATTERY REPLACED. NTB INSTALLED THE NEW BATTERY ON FEBRUARY 5, 2006. I DRIVE THIS CAR TO AND FROM WORK REGULARLY, ABOUT 12 MILES. ON FEBRUARY 28, 2006, LEAVING WORK HEADING HOME, I STOPPED AT THE GROCERY STORE ABOUT 1 MILE FROM MY HOUSE. I LEFT THE STORE AND WENT HOME. AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES LATER STANDING ON MY PORCH, I NOTICED HEAVY WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD BEHIND THE BATTERY AREA. I RAN TO MY CAR AND OPENED THE DOOR AND RELEASED THE HOOD. WHEN I RAISED THE HOOD, I SAW THE HEAVY SMOKE COMING FROM WHAT APPEARED TO BE NEAR THE WIRING IN FRONT OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. I RAN IN THE HOUSE TO CALL 911 AND GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. WHEN I WENT BACK TO THE CAR UNDER HOOD AREA WAS FULLY INVOLVED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. AFTER HEARING AND READING THE REPORTS ABOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, I REALLY THINK THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164607August 5, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1998 FORD EXPLORER PARKED IN GARAGE HAD SPONTANEOUS FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT DEPARTMENT PUT OUT FIRE. THIS WAS A CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FIRE. IT MAY HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO YOU BY POLICE, INSURANCE, OR FIRE DEPT. IF SO, JUST LET ME KNOW YOU HAVE THE INFORMATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164447August 4, 2006
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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 OR BY PULLING VERY HARD ON THE INSIDE HANDLE WHILE WORKING THE KEY IN THE LOCK. THIS COULD PRESENT A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT IF AN INDIVIDUAL NEEDS TO FLEE THE VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164572August 4, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1998 FORD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH DUAL MEDIA (AM/FM/CASSETTE/CD) RADIO; THERE IS A FAILURE OF THE GRAPHICS DISPLAY (I.E. TIME, STATION IDENTITY). THE DISPLAY SPORADICALLY LIGHTS UP BRIEFLY FOR A FEW SECONDS EVERY FEW MONTHS. ALSO DASHBOARD LIGHTS DO NOT WORK AT GAS GAUGE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164423August 3, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
FORD EXPLORER 1998 DATE 8-3-06 I'VE HAD THIS CAR FOR THREE YEARS. I'VE NEVER HAD ANY MAJOR OR MINOR PROBLEMS. I HAVE REGULAR REQUIRED MAINTENANCE DONE (EXAMPLE) FLUID CHANGES AND BRAKES. EARLY FEBRUARY. I NOTICED AROUND NOVEMBER 2005, MY CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. I DIDN'T TAKE IT TO BE CHECKED; I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS A BIG ISSUE. I NOTICED WHEN STARTING MY CAR, THE BATTERY SOUNDED WEAK. I TOOK THE CAR TO NTB TO HAVE THE BATTERY CHECKED. THE BATTERY WAS BAD AND WAS REPLACED WITH THE EXIDE 72 MONTH BATTERY. I HAD NEVER THE BATTERY REPLACED. NTB INSTALLED THE NEW BATTERY ON FEBRUARY 5, 2006. I DRIVE THIS CAR TO AND FROM WORK REGULARLY, ABOUT 12 MILES. ON FEBRUARY 28, 2006, LEAVING WORK HEADING HOME, I STOPPED AT THE GROCERY STORE ABOUT 1 MILE FROM MY HOUSE. I LEFT THE STORE AND WENT HOME. AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES LATER STANDING ON MY PORCH, I NOTICED HEAVY WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD BEHIND THE BATTERY AREA. I RAN TO MY CAR AND OPEN THE DOOR AND RELEASED THE HOOD. WHEN I RAISED THE HOOD, I SAW THE HEAVY SMOKE COMING FROM WHAT APPEARED TO BE NEAR ARE IN FRONT OF THE WIRING IN FRONT OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. I RAN IN THE HOUSE TO CALL 911 AND GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. WHEN I WENT BACK TO THE CAR UNDER HOOD AREA WAS FULLY INVOLVED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. AFTER HEARING AND READING THE REPORTS ABOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, I REALLY THINK THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163922July 30, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VERY HEAVY RATTLING IN THE ENGINE OF MY 1998 EXPLORER 4.0 SOHC. TOOK TO LOCAL FORD DEALER, THEY CLAIMED CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MOTOR, TWICE. SOME TIME LATER TENSIONERS BROKE WHILE DRIVING AND MOTOR CEASED. NO COOPERATION OFFERED ON FORD'S PART. HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE OUT OF POCKET FOR FORD'S DESIGN FLAW, WHICH HAS BEEN GETTING SWEPT UNDER THE RUG FOR YEARS NOW. ONE MONTH AFTER THE REPLACEMENT FORD OFFERED TO FIX OTHERS, IF FOUND BEFORE 75K MILES, ETC. TOO LATE FOR ME. HOW MANY FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED? WHAT IF THIS FAILURE HAD OF OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, INSTEAD OF IDLE SPEED. CHECK THE FIGURES ON THIS PROBLEM, IT'S SCARY, AND FORD IS PITIFUL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163543July 26, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1998 FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED IN GARAGE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10162754July 18, 2006
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10160850June 27, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT FIRE IN MY GARAGE AFTER BEING PARKED FOR 3 HOURS CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE HOUSE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158977June 5, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
98 FORD EXPLORER SPORT ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE 10 MINUTES AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT RESIDENCE- ENGINE COMPLETELY BURNED LEAVING VEHICLE TOTALED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10157038May 9, 2006
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
NORMAL OPERATION; A THE DRIVERS DOOR LATCH FAILED IN THE LOCKED POSITION. AS A RESULT, THE DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED OR OPENED BY NORMAL MEANS. THE DOOR WAS FINALLY OPENED AFTER THE DOOR PANEL WAS REMOVED ALLOWING THE LATCH TO BE UNLOCKED BY REACHING A HAND INSIDE THE DOOR. THE FAILURE IS A BROKEN SPRING. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN AN INTERNAL LEVER INTERFERING WITH THE LOCK PORTION OF THE LATCH DURING THE UNLOCK ATTEMPTS. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE FAILURE AS OF THIS DATE. I HAVE THE FAILED ITEM (A SPRING). *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156975May 8, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ON APRIL 4, 2006, MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS TOTALED. I ARRIVED AT WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 3:15 PM. I WENT IN AND WENT TO WORK. AT ABOUT 3:55, I WAS PAGED OVER THE INTERCOM TO GET TO THE NORTH ENTRANCE IMMEDIATELY. WHEN I GOT THERE THE SECURITY GUARDS TOLD ME THAT MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. AS I LOOKED OUT THE DOORS, THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD GOT THERE AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PUTTING THE FIRE OUT. WHEN THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT, ALL THAT WAS LEFT WAS A BIG MESS. MY TRUCK WAS GONE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUNNING FINE. MY CRUISE CONTROL HAD WENT OUT ABOUT 1 MONTH PRIOR TO THE FIRE. I WAS UNAWARE OF ANY RECALLS EXCEPT FOR A SCREW IN THE DRIVERS SEAT (WHICH WAS THE ONLY RECALL LETTER THAT I HAD RECEIVED.) FOR DAYS THAT THEY CAN'T SPEAK TO ME ABOUT THE VEHICLE OR INCIDENT BECAUSE I HAVE AN INSURANCE CLAIM AND MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER SAYS THAT THEY WON'T SPEAK TO HIM EITHER. WHAT ARE WE AS CONSUMERS SUPPOSED TO DO WHEN THE PRODUCTS WE PURCHASE, AND FOR THE AMOUNT THEY ASK FOR THEIR PRODUCT , ARE LOST DUE TO THE MANUFACTURERS DEFECTS? HOW ARE WE AS CONSUMERS PROTECTED? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156817May 4, 2006
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED IN COLD WEATHER, THE HINGES DO NOT HOLD THE HOOD IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THIS CAUSED THE HOOD TO FALL ON THE CONTACT'S HEAD AND NECK, CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. THE HOOD HINGES WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THIS HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10156548May 1, 2006
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
I PURCHASED MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED FROM MY MOTHER IN JANUARY OF 2006 WITH 68000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. IN FEBURARY I FIRST NOTICED VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO DEFROST THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND DEFOG THE VEHICLES WINDOWS. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS THE CLIMATE CONTROL WOULD SOMETIMES NOT BLOW WARM AIR. THIS WOULD ALSO RESULT IN A VERY COLD INTERIOR. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET I FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE 1996-1998 FORD EXPLORER AND A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CLIMATE CONTROL'S AIR BLENDING DOOR BREAKING, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO REGULATE HEAT AND COLD. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED UNTIL I COULD DETERMINE IF THIS WAS IN FACT THE ISSUE I WAS HAVING. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO PARK THE VEHICLE UNTIL I WAS SURE I HAD NO NEED TO OPERATE THE CLIMATE CONTROL. I WAS INSTRUCTED HOW TO CHECK FOR A BROKEN BLEND DOOR AND INDEED FOUND MINE TO BE BROKEN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER IN CARSON CITY NEVADA AND WAS TOLD THAT DESPITE THE FREQUENCY OF THIS PROBLEM IT WAS NOT A RECALL ISSUE AND WITHOUT A WARRANTY THE COST FOR REPAIR WAS $1100. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THE BROKEN PARTS WERE BEING REPLACED WITH PARTS CONSTRUCTED OF IMPROVED MATERIAL (NYLON) BECAUSE OF THEIR TENDENCY TO BREAK USING THE PREVIOUS MATERIAL (ABS PLASTIC). I FEEL FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THIS HAZARDOUS PROBLEM BUT BECAUSE OF THE COST, WON'T ISSUE A RECALL OR EVEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. INSTEAD THE LEAVE THE CONSUMER TO COUGH UP THE LABOR AND PARTS COST TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A REPUTABLE AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156199April 27, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
INTERMITTENT STALLING WHEN COMING TO A STOP. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10156180April 26, 2006
STEERING:RACK AND PINION, EQUIPMENT
I HAVE A 1998 FORD EXPLORER THAT I HAVE BEEN GETTING A LOUD GRUNTING NOISE EVERYTIME I TURN LEFT. REPLACED RACK N PINION AND POWER STEERING PUMP, AND STILL NO CHANGE. NOISE IS STILL THERE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10155818April 21, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. IT WAS NOT RUNNING AND IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN OVER 3 HOURS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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