Ford Explorer Complaints (1998)

2,085 consumer complaints on file.

#10053400January 5, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER HEARD A RATTLING NOISE. MECHANIC BELIEVED IT WAS THE CAM SHAFT. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD, AND FORD STATED THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052357January 4, 2004
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. DUE TO BLACK ICE THERE WAS A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THIS RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION WITH THE CONCRETE BARRIER AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DRIVERS SEAT BACK COLLAPSED, AND THE SEAT FOR AFT ADJUSTING MECHANISM FAILED. THE SEAT BACK RECLINING MECHANISM HAD BEEN FIXED FOR THE RECENT RECALL. *LA
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10052366January 4, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE READ 24 COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE FAILURE OF THE CAMSHAFT CHAIN ON THE 1998 FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE 4.0 SOHC ENGINES AND SEEN 23 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS CONCERNING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF THIS OCCURS WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE,NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT IT ALSO BLOWS THE ENGINE REQUIRING IT TO BE REPLACED AT A COST NEAR $5000. FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS PROBLEM AND HAS OFFERED REPLACEMENT WITH MILEAGE LIMITATIONS. IF THIS IS A DEFECT AND A SAFETY HAZARD CAUSING THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURS ,WHY IS THIS NOT IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO WARRANT AN INVESTIGATION? MY FORD IS 4000 MILES OVER THE LIMIT SET BY FORD TO REPLACE THE PARTS IN QUESTION. ALTHOUGH THIS DID NOT LESSEN THE DANGER WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURRED TO MY WIFE, 5 YEAR OLD AND 1 YEAR OLD DAUGHTERS WHILE IN THE VEHICLE CAUSING HER TO LOSE CONTROL DUE TO THE ENGINE FAILURE AS A RESULT OF THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS. I WAS TOLD IN A PHONE CONVERSATION THAT THE RECALL WAS VOLUNTARY BY FORD AND IT IS LEGAL FOR THEM TO SET THOSE LIMITATIONS. THIS IS UNCONCEIVABLE THAT THEY CAN PLACE INDIVIDUALS IN HARMS WAY KNOWINGLY AND IN AN EFFORT TO SAVE A BUCK, NOT A LIFE , SET LIMITS TO THE REMEDY OF THE SITUATION. WHY ARE THESE COMPLAINTS NOT BEING INVESTIGATED AND IF THEY HAVE WHAT WAS THE END RESULTS OF THIS INVESTIGATION? *LA DAVID KYDE 810 THIRD ST. #5 TRENTON, OHIO 45067 513-988-6516
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051380December 30, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I BOUGHT A USED 1998 FORD EXPLORER FOR MY WIFE AND AT 135,000 MILES THE CAM TENSIONER BROKE, PUTTING A HOLE IN THE VALVE COVER AND POSSIBLY RUINING THE ENGINE. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, FLAGGLER FORD. FORD'S REPLY AT FIRST WAS, "YES THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND WE WILL FIX THIS AT NO COST TO YOU". THEY TOWED MY EXPLORER IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND CALLED ME LATER TELLING ME THAT WHILE THE TIME FOR THIS REPAIR IS NOT UP, THE MILEAGE IS OVER WHAT THEY WILL COVER. FORD SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT FOR ANYWHERE FROM $600 TO $6,000! MY MECHANIC, WHO TOLD ME THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES, SAID HE WILL FIX IT FOR $300 PLUS PARTS. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD COSTOMER SERVICE, THIS GOT ME NOWHERE, AND A SUPERVISOR WAS SUPPOST TO CALL ME TODAY BUT AS OF YET...NOTHING.AFTER SEARCHING THE NET I FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS HAD THIS VERY PROBLEM. GO TO CARTRACKERS.COM AND YOU'LL FIND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY FORD FOR THIS PROBLEM. IF I WAS THE ONLY PERSON THIS HAPPENED TO, WELL I WOULD BE OK WITH THAT BUT FORD'S STANCE IS THAT WHILE ITS A DEFECTIVE PART MINE LASTED LONGER THAN EXPECTED AND THAT I GET NOTHING BUT A BILL. I HAVE NEVER SEEN DAMAGE TO A VEHICLE LIKE THIS BEFORE, AND I HAVE A DODGE AND A CHEVY WITH OVER 140,000 MILES ON THEM AND HAVE NEVER HAD A INTERNAL ENGINE PART FAIL AND RUIN THE ENGINE. PLEASE HELP ME AND THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN SOLD THESE VEHICLES HAVEING NO IDEA THAT AT ANY MOMENT THEY MAY HAVE TO BUY A NEW ENGINE WHILE THE PEOPLE WHO PROFITED FROM THESE SALES JUST SIT BACK AND DO NOTHING. HAD I KNOWN THE LIFE OF MY EXPLORER WAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT A FORD. THERE WAS NEVER A FORMAL RECALL PUT OUT FOR THIS PROBLEM, JUST A SERVICE BULLITEN, SO PEOPLE WHO HAD THESE DEFECTIVE TENTIONERS WERE NEVER CONTACTED. MY GUESS IS THAT FORD JUST HOPED THAT THE FAILURES WOULD OCCUR AFTER THE 100,000 MILES, AND WOULD JUST DEAL WITH THE ONES THAT DIDN'T.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051202December 28, 2003
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO REPAIR CAR PARTS THAT ARE IMPORTANT AND HAVE SERIOUS SAFTY ISSUES. DRIVERS CAR SEAT BACK COLLAPSE, ACCELERATOR PEDAL SUPPORT BRACKET ELL OFF THE FLOOR BOAD...NEEDS TO BE WELDED BACK ON.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10050977December 23, 2003
SEATS
ON DECEMBER 17,2003 THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT RELEASE ON MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER BROKE WHILE I WAS TRYING TO ADJUST THE SEAT BACK. THE STEEL THAT ATTACHES THE POSITIONING LEVER TO THE MECHANICAL PART OF THE SEAT SHIRRED OFF IN A CLEAN BREAK AND CAME OFF IN MY HAND. MY SEAT BECAME STUCK IN A FORWARD POSITION WHILE I WAS IN THE SEAT FORCING ME INTO A FORWARD POSITION. I HAD TO DRIVE IN THIS POSITION TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY USED A LARGE VICE GRIP TYPE WRENCH TO RELEASE THE SEAT BACK INTO A POSITION SO I COULD DRIVE THE CAR. AT THIS TIME THE SEAT IS JAMMED IN A STATIC POSITION WHILE THE REMAINING PART OF THE STEEL IS STILL IN THE RECLINING GEAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10050897December 21, 2003
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER LTD'S GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE'S FIREWALL. THIS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS, AND ENDANGERED OUR FAMILY. THIS $39,000 VEHICLE I PURCHASED BASED ON ITS SAFETY AND RATINGS HAS PROVEN OTHERWISE, AS THIS IS THE MOST RECENT IN THIS VEHICLE'S FALIURES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051641December 17, 2003
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH SEAT RECLINED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER STATED THE RECLINING BOLT CRACKED. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049569December 11, 2003
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DRIVERS-SIDE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN BY USING THE KEY, POWER-LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON OR PULLING THE INSIDE HANDLE. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFETY FEATURE IN CASE THE POWER LOCKS FAIL. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON ACCORDING TO FORD DEALERS, LOCKSMITHS, AND AFTER-MARKET PROFESSIONALS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049026December 2, 2003
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINING LEVER BROKE. HAD BEEN BENT FOR SOMETIME. WILL COST ALMOST $200 TO REPLACE. TOLD BY DEALER THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAD BEEN IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049823December 1, 2003
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
CONSUMER STATED DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BROKE. WHEN CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE, HE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE BOLT DID NOT BREAK THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO THIS VEHICLE. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT DRIVERS' SEAT FRAME CRACKED, AND HE TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC, AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM FOR THE DEALER. ALSO, CONSUMER INSISTED THAT WHAT THE RECALL STATED WAS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO HIS VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048868November 30, 2003
TIRES:SIDEWALL
WHILE DRIVING 98 FORD EXPLORER SPORT .AFTER ABOUT 2 HOURS OF HIGHWAY DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE REAR PASSANGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT.TIRE WAS A GOODYEAR WRANGLER RT/S 255/70R16.TIRE SEPERATED FROM SIDEWALL 3/4 OF THE WAY AROUND.HAD RAGGED EDGE LIKE IT WAS PULLED APART.TIRE DEFECTIVE ? LOOKED LIKE DRY ROT.98 EXPLORER HAS 49,000 MILES ON IT .NOT SURE IF TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EGUITMENT.BOUGHT CAR USED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10047615November 26, 2003
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
OVER THE LAST YEAR MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER 2 DOOR SPORT HAS BEEN LOOSING SOME INTERIOR ELECTRICAL FEATURES. THE FIRST WAS THE DISPLAY LIGHTS ON THE RADIO. THEY WOULD COME AND GO..... NOW THE DISPLAY IS TOTALLY GONE. HOWEVER THE RADIO, CD PLAYER AND TAPE DECK STILL WORK. I JUST CAN'T SEE WHAT TRACK, STATION, OR THE TIME. THEN THE NEXT ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WAS THE DRIVER SIDE POWER UNLOCK SWITCH. I CAN LOCK ALL THE DOORS BUT I CANNOT UNLOCK THE DOORS, NEXT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY DASH..... I CAN'T REMEMBER IF THIS WAS THE SAME TIME THE LIGHTS WENT OUT ON THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS (CRUISE CONTROL SETTINGS) OR IF THAT WENT OUT SEPARATELY. NOW........ I CANNOT UNLOCK THE DRIVER DOOR WITH A KEY. I CAN MOVE THE KEY AROUND AND UNLOCK THE OTHER DOORS BUT NOT THE DRIVER DOOR. I HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE AND YANK ON THE DRIVER HANDLE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE DOOR WILL OPEN. THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT. I PLAN ON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS..... BUT I HAVE HEARD SEVERAL OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS...... SHOULD FORD REPAIR THIS AT THEIR COST? IT SEEMS TO ME THIS IS A FORD ISSUE AND NOT SOMETHING I HAVE DONE TO THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY IF OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS DEFECTIVE IN THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10047510November 24, 2003
PARKING BRAKE
EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASE LEVER BRACKET FELL FROM CONNECTION TO PLASTIC DASH. FORD WILL SPLIT THE $2000 COST 50/50 TO REPAIR SINCE NO RECALL AT THIS TIME. FEEL POOR DESIGN ATTACHING MECHANISM TO PLASTIC DASH INSTEAD OF METAL BRACKET. WHEN USED CURRENTLY, MUST BE CAREFUL TO NOT LET RELEASE GET STUCK UNDER DASH MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO RETRIEVE AND RELEASE THE LEVER. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048549November 19, 2003
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM FAILED ON 1998 FORD EXPLORER.*MR THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 03V-281000, RELATED TO THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM BOLT, AFTER THE VEHICLE'S SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM FRACTURED. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF HIS VEHICLE'S FAILURE WAS COVERED BY THE SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER TO HAVE THE SEAT INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL ONLY COVER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BOLTS, THEREFORE THE FAILURE OF THE RECLINER HANDLE WOULD NOT BE COVERED. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048274November 19, 2003
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH GAS PEDAL DISCONNECTED FROM THE FLOOR. CONSUMER COASTED TO THE SHOULDER TO ASSESS THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO A FRIEND'S HOUSE. AAA WAS CALLED TO EVALUATE THE PROBLEM, AND FOUND THAT THE WELD CONNECTION FROM THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR BROKE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10047037November 17, 2003
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 1998 FORD EXPLORER "EDDIE BAUER" AND EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN PULL TO THE LEFT. UPON ARRIVING AT OUR MECHANIC, LA AUTOBODY - NEWTON MA, WE WERE INFORMED THAT WE WERE MISSING BOTH OF OUR SWAY BARS. HAS THERE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM FORD TRUCK OWNERS? IF SO WHEN WILL A RECALL BE DEMANDED BY THE NHTSA. ACCORDING TO OUR MECHANIC HE HAS SEEN THIS MANY TIMES AND IT CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS ON THE ROAD. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048196November 12, 2003
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
CONSUMER UNABLE TO TAKE VEHICLE TO HAVE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED BECAUSE CONSUMER HAS BEEN DEPLOYED TO IRAQ.*MR CONSUMER INQUIRED AS WHETHER OR NOT THE REPAIR WOULD BE FREE OF CHARGE WHEN HE RETURNS HOME FROM IRAQ. THE RECALL IS ON THE RECLINING BOLT THAT CONNECTS TO THE BACK OF THE SEAT. *PH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10045804November 9, 2003
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
HAVE FORD EXEPLORER 1998 TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN ACTING UP FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. JERKING WHEN YOU PUT IT IN REVERSE AND CLUNKING WHEN YOU PUT IT IN TO DRIVE. MY EXEPLORER JUST TURNED 60.000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION IS NO LONGER WORKING,I CAN NOT BELIEVE THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR,FROM HAVING A WRECK AND AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING TO ALL OF THE RECALLS,HAD THE BAD TIRES AND WINDSHEILD WIPERS NOT WORKING.THEY SHOULD REALLY HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE EXEPLORER FROM THAT YEAR.IBOUGHT MY EXEPLORER IN OCT,98 OF THAT YEAR NEW. WHEN MY EXEPLORER WAS HIT HEAD ON ,THE POLICE ASKED IF I TURNED OFF MY AIRBAGS.THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10046605November 7, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSES OF $850.00. TWENTY DAYS AFTERWARDS THE PROBLEM WAS STILL RECURRING. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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