Ford Explorer Complaints (1998)

2,085 consumer complaints on file.

#10108119January 28, 2005
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
DRIVE TRAIN FAILURE, DIFFERENTIAL, WITHIN 12 MONTHS AFTER HAVING 60,000 MILE DIFFERENTIAL FLUID REPLACED WITH SYNTHETIC ,TO FORD SPECS. DIFFERENTIAL GEARS AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY DISENTIGRATED. RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL. COULD HAVE CAUSED GEARS TO LOCK-UP WHILE DRIVING.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10108063January 27, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
FIRE UNDER THE HOOD OF A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED AND THE IGNITION TURNED OFF FOR OVER 4 HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE FIRE BEGAN AS THE RESULT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT UNDER THE HOOD.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10105179January 26, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
THE CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE AT HER HOUSE FOR AT LEAST 7 HOURS. THEN, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED, AND THEY INDICATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS POSSIBLY ELECTRICAL. ALSO, CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO WAS NO HELP AT ALL. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106143January 11, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, EQUIPMENT
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAS FAILED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS ON MY VEHICLE. THIS PART WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING ON BOTH OCCASIONS. THIS LEAKAGE AND PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS TO THE VEHICLE AND THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS PART OF THE FUEL SYSTEM AND SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106845January 5, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
NHTSA RECALL 00V422000; FORD ISSUED A THROTTLE RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN, ALTHOUGH, ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK AND ENGINE SURGED FORWARD WHEN ACCELERATOR WAS FREED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10104879January 1, 2005
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
INNER DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM FAILED DUE TO A SMALL SPRING BREAKING. THE RESULT IS THAT THE DOOR EFFECTED (DRIVERS DOOR IN THIS CASE) WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THUS, TRAPPING A PERSON IN THE EVENT THAT AN EXIT MUST BE MADE QUICKLY. A REPLACEMENT PART HAS BEEN PURCHASED AND I AM IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE DAMAGED PIECE. THE DAMAGED PIECE WILL BE AVAILABLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10105233December 22, 2004
AIR BAGS
THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HER HOME. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10104066December 18, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEPARATED FROM THE FLOOR ON MY EXPLORER. THE CAR WOULD ONLY IDLE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. I RE-BOLTED THE BRACKET TO THE FLOOR AFTER VISITING THE DEALER. IT APPEARS TWO SPOT WELDS BROKE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10102755December 12, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK AND LATCH NO LONGER WORK AND PREVENT DOOR FROM OPENING. THIS CREATES A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION FOR DRIVER WHO NOW CANNOT EXIT VEHICLE RELIABLY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE. DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS EFFECTIVELY PERMANENTLY LOCKED AND DRIVER MUST ENTER/EXIT VIA PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. DOOR LOCK NO LONGER RESOUNDS TO REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY, OUTSIDE KEY, NOR INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. ONLY AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO PULL ON TAPERED DOOR KNOB WHILE REPEATEDLY PRESSING INTERNAL ELECTRIC DOOR UNLOCK BUTTON WILL DRIVER'S DOOR SOMETIMES BECOME UNLOCKED AND THEN THE DOOR CAN BE OPENED. NONE OF THE OTHER DOORS TO THE VEHICLE (4 DOOR PLUS REAR HATCH) HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED PREVIOUSLY TO THROUGH NHTSA BY NUMEROUS OTHER FORD EXPLORER OWNERS, YET APPARENTLY NO RECALL HAS YET BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE VISTA FORD DEALER ON NOVEMBER 28, 2004 FOR A SAFETY CHECK AND WARRANTY REPAIR OF BOLT IN DRIVER'S SEAT. DEALER INITIALLY ESTIMATED $230 FOR REPAIR, BUT AFTER INSPECTION THEY DEMANDED $500+ (INCLUDING PARTS AND LABOR). REPAIR NOT PERFORMED. VEHICLE REMAINS IN HAZARDOUS CONDITION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10103524December 10, 2004
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
NHTSA RECALL 03V281000; FORD ISSUED A HIGH BACK SEAT RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE SEAT RECLINED BACK, ALMOST TOUCHING THE SECOND ROW CUSHION. DRIVER HAD TO MANUALLY PUSH THE SEAT FORWARD. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10103274December 7, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
VEHICLE TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP WHEN THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL DID NOT OPERATE. THE RESULT SHOWED THAT A NEW COMPUTER MODULE WAS NEEDED. THEN, VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME WHEN CONSUMER HEARD A CRACKLING NOISE COMING FROM INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN. VEHICLE RETURNED BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL WIRES IN THE STEERING COLUMN. REPAIR WAS PERFORMED BY THE REPAIR SHOP.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10098953November 30, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE BAKES FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE CORRODED. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *AK THE NON CORRODING STEEL BRAKE LINE RUSTED AND RUPTURED. *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10101757November 29, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10100629November 27, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
CANNOT OPEN DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. AUTOMATIC DOOR OPENER DOES NOT WORK, DOOR HANDLE DOES NOT OPEN DOOR, KEY DOES NOT OPEN DOOR. THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT THE CAR IS TO CRAWL OVER THE FRONT SEAT DIVIDER AND EXIT THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT DOOR. THE DRIVER IS LITERALLY TRAPPED IN THE CAR. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10100507November 24, 2004
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
CD'S GET VERY HOT. DISPLAY HAS FAILED. AM BAND IS ALL STATIC. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10099826November 17, 2004
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DEFECTIVE BOLT THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO DRIVER SEAT FRAME KEPT THE SEAT FROM RECLINING. *BF CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 03V281000 THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER WHICH STATED THAT DRIVERS MAY EXPERIENCE LOOSENESS OR NOISE IN THE SEAT AND IN EXTREME CASES IT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE ONE TO LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS RESULTING IN A CRASH. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY $110. TO HAVE A COMPONENT WITHIN THE SEAT REPAIRED SO THEY COULD EASILY REPAIR THE RECALLED PART. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE SHOULD NOT BE MADE TO PAY FOR SERVICE THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR. . *TC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10098574November 9, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER INSIDE OF THE ENGINE FAILED, CAUSING THE TIMING CHAIN TO COME LOOSE. AS A RESULT HEADS AND PISTONS INSIDE OF THE ENGINE CAME LOOSE, DESTROYING OTHER PARTS INSIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE ULTIMATE RESULT OF THIS WAS THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER AT HIGHWAY SPEED PRIOR TO GETTING OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. MANUFACTURER HAS A WARANTY EXTENSION IN PLACE PRIOR TO 72,000 MILES, BUT NO RECALL, AND CONSIDERS A VEHICLE THAT LOOSES POWER AND CANNOT BE COMPLETED STEERED AS A RESULT OF AN EXPLOSION IN THE ENGINE NOT TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE!?!?!? THE MANUFACTURER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES, BUT WILL ONLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT IF THE VEHICLE HAS SYMPTOMS. I HAD THE FIRST MINOR SYMPTOM ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON, AND A MAJOR PROBLEM THE NEXT DAY, MONDAY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10094812November 9, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL, TIRES
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION. WHEN APPROACHING A STOP VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTERMITTENTLY, AND WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER'S VEHICLE SMASHED INTO TWO OTHER VEHICLES. CONSUMER WAS AWARE THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS ONGOING, AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT RECALLED VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS EVALUATED BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.*AK THE CONSUMER HAD A TIRE FAILURE. *TC
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10099697November 5, 2004
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
RE:FORD EXPLORER WHEEL LOCKUP AND UNCONTROLLED SKID AT HIGHWAY SPEED. *BF THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED. THE TECHNICIAN FOUND SIGNIFICANT METAL FRAGMENTS IN THE TRANSFER CASE INDICATING SEVERE GEAR STRESS WHEN THE VEHICLE SELF SHIFTED INTO 4X4 LOW ENGAGEMENT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10091483November 1, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN THE CONSUMER PLACE THE GEAR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK, AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THROTTLE STICKS AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONAL FORCE IS REQUIRED TO DEPRESS THE THROTTLE, WHICH RESULTS IN TH VEHICLE LURCHING. THE STICKING THROTTLE MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THERE VEHICLE IN TIGHT SPOTS SUCH AS PARKING AREAS. FORD DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT SAID THE VEHICLE WAS PAST THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN BETWEEN 30000-35000 MILES AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. *TC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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