Ford Explorer Complaints (1998)

2,085 consumer complaints on file.

#10031154August 9, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ALL 1998 V-6 EXPLORER ENGINES (NOT SURE IF OTHER MODELS ARE INVOLVED) HAVE A PROBLEM WITH CARBON BUILDUP. MY 1998 EXLOROER SPORT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THIS PROBLEM AT 43,694 MILES (ENGINE PERFORMANCE WAS AFFECTED). THE DEALER CHARGED ME $388 FOR THE DECARBONIZATION PROCESS. THIS WILL BE A RECURRING PROBLEM. I WROTE TO FORD WITH MY COMPLAINT AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. RECEIVED TELEPHONE CALL TELLING ME I HAD TO RESOLVE WITH THE DEALER. DEALER WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY. I WROTE BACK TO FORD TELLING THEM I HAD GONE TO THE DEALER AND FELT THIS WAS FORD'S PROBLEM TO RESOLVE. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, WHICH CUSTOMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR. FORD NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND PROVIDE THE SERVICE AT NO COST TO CUSTOMERS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10032465August 8, 2003
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10031118August 8, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
2ND TIME THIS HAPPENED...TENSIONER PULLEY FAILED (BROKE OFF) WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF, CAR OVERHEATED/ENGINE FAILURE/ETC. FIRST TIME WAS AY 40,000 MILES. THIS TIME, AT 102,000 MILES. TOWED TO A TEXACO STATION IN ABERDEEN, MD. SERVICE MANAGER SAYS TENSIONER PULLEY FAILURE COMMON IN EXPLORERS. HAD TO REPLACE PULLEY/BELT. ONCE I RETURNED HOME TO NJ, I STARTED TO NOTICE MINOR DRIPPING OF RADIATOR FLUID. 2 WEEKS LATER, IT ALL GUSHED OUT, CAUSING ME TO ALSO REPLACE MY RADIATOR. TO KNOW THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED TWICE, CAUSED SECONDARY DAMAGE BOTH TIMES, AND THAT YOU GET LEFT STRANDED ON A HIGHWAY EACH TIME IS VERY CONCERNING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10031126August 8, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
VEHICLE ENGINE IDLE WILL JUMP UP TO 2300 RPMS WHILE IN PARK OR NETURAL WITHOUT TOUCHING GAS PEDAL, A/C AND ACC'S OFF. THE ONLY WAY THIS IS NOTICED IS WHEN YOU SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE WHILE ENGINE IS RUNNING, OR HEAR THE TRANSMISSION MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND TYRING TO DOWNSHIFT AT SUCH A HIGH RPM. VEHILCE WILL ALSO INCREASE SPEED ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT PRESSING GAS PEDAL. IT'S ALMOST A DAILY OCCURANCE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10028731July 21, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
HAVE BEEN HEARING LOUD TAPPING NOISES FROM ENGINE-BROUGHT IT TO STADIUM FORD AND WAS TOLD IT WAS FRONT TIMING CHAIN AND GASKETS WHICH THEY REPLACED FOR $300 (NO DISCOUNT) NOISE HAS CONTINUED SO NEVER BROUGHT CAR HOME FROM DEALERSHIP SAME DAY. LEFT CAR AT FORD SERVICE CENTER (STADIUM AUTO MALL RUTHERFORD, NJ) AND NOW BEING TOLD IT IS THE LOWER/REAR TENSIONER AND WAS ADVISED FORD HAS A PROGRAM FOR THIS DEFECT YET WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS FOR ME. THEY WANT ME TO PAY $2100 MINIMUM TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT WITH CAMSHAFT TENSIONERS. HOWEVER THIS DEFECT/PROBLEM HAS PREVIOUSLY SHOWN TO CAUSE ENGINE DMAGE OTHER THAN W/THE TENSIONERS. ALSO READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE WHERE WAS COVERED. MADE COMPLAINT W/FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND WAS ADVISED THAT CAR W/EITHER 7 YEARS OR UNDER 100,000 MILES IS COVERED. YET THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT COVER IT AND MY TRUCK IS UNDER 7 YRS AND UNDER 100,000 MILES...AT THIS POINT HAS BEEN 3 WEEKS AND STILL HAVE NOT COME TO RESOLUTION AND MY TRUCK IS STILL IN THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER. STILL WAITING FOR MANAGER/OWNER TO CONTACT ME BACK...*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10027026July 11, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
NHTSA RECALL 98-V-060-000:VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L SINGLE OVERHEAD CAM ENGINES. 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 POTENTIALLY OVERHEATING THE PTFE INNER LINER OF THE FUEL LINE, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE FUEL LINE. CONSUMER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLEDE DUE TO THE VIN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10025707July 9, 2003
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
1998 FORD EXPLORER LEFT REAR PASSENGER SAFETY BELT RELEASE DEVICE THAT YOU PUT THE SEAT BELT INTO BROKE. I HAD MY 1 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN HER CHILDSEAT CORRECTLY BELTED BEHIND ME IN THE LEFT REAR SEAT. I CAME TO A NORMAL STOP, THE HEARD BELT CLICK AND TURN AROUND NOTICED IT HAD COME OUT OF THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. I PULLED OVER AND PUT THE CHILDSEAT AND MY DAUGHTER INTO THE RIGHT REAR SEAT. IF I HAD COME TO A HARDER STOP, OR EVEN A CRASH, MY ONE AND ONLY DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. AS OF TODAY, CAPITAL CITY FORD HAS NOT RECEIVED MY NEW BUCKLE ASSEMBY. THEY CALLED ME IN ONCE SAYINF THE PART WAS IN. AFTER 1 1/2 HOURS IN THE WAITING ROOM, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY ORDERED THE WRONG PART AND THAT THEY NEEDED TO ORDER THE NEW ONE. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT IT WOULD TAKE SOME TIME BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAYS. I CALLED ON MONDAY, JULY 07, 2003 AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WAS NOT IN THAT I WILL BE CALLED WHEN IN IT COMES IN. THIS MEANS THAT NO ONE CAN SAFELY SIT AND RIDE IN MY 1998 FORD EXLPORER IN THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER SEAT. AS YOU CAN TELL I AM PERTURBBED WITH THIS SITUATION AND WOULD LIKE IT RESOLVED ASAP. AND TO MAKE THINGS WORSE, MY TIME AND MONEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE COMPENSATED. QUESTION? ARE 1998 FORD EXPLORER LEFT REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY PARTS DESIGNED TO FAIL AFTER 78000 MILES????*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10026846July 9, 2003
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH ON A BUSY ROAD SUDDENLY ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR . DEALER FOUND THAT PEDAL MOUNTAIN ATTACHMENT WAS BROKEN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10025633July 8, 2003
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE POWER DOOR LOCKS ARE MALFUNCTIONING ON MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE EXPOLANATION IS THAT "WATER, DIRT AND STUFF GET IN THERE". THIS IS THE SECIOND SUCH INCIDENT. I'M NOW BEING BILLED $186 PLUS TAX TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT SHOULDN'T NEED RERPLACING ON A VEHICLE WITH 70000 MILES!. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10026545July 3, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR, SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
DEFECTIVE ALTERNATOR, REAR AXLE SEALS, AND OXYGEN SENSOR. *SCC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10026576July 3, 2003
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WILL ENGAGE ON ITS OWN, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10023949June 28, 2003
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT RECLINER ON MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT BROKE IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10023815June 26, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE MAKES A VERY LOUD HUMMING NOISE WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON AND THE CAR IS RUNNING, ESPECIALLY WHEN IDLING OR IN TRAFFIC.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10023818June 26, 2003
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED AND BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. THEREFORE THE SEAT BACK ADJUSTMENT HANDLE NO LONGER WORKS. ALSO, THE FRAME ATTACHED TO THE FLOOR IS CRACKED NOW. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10023682June 24, 2003
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
I WAS CHECKING FUSES UNDER THE HOOD OF OUR 98 FORD EXPLORER WHEN THE HOOD CAME DOWN WITHOUT PROVOCATION, CRUSHING FINGERS ON MY LEFT HAND. THE PISTONS THAT HOLD THE HOOD UP, GAVE WAY CAUSING THIS ACCIDENT. TO DATE I HAVE DIFFICULTY USING MY LEFT HAND CORRECTLY. I SPOKE WITH MANY ATTORNEYS AND THEY SAID SINCE THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY SIMILAR CASES TO MINE, NONE WOULD PURSUE IT. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD MAKE A NOTE OF THE INCIDENT. FORD MANUFACTURED A DEFECT, HARMED ME AND EVERYONE JUST WANTS TO ROUND FILE THE CASE. WOULD YOUR GROUP LIKE TO SEE PICTURES OF MY CRUSHED FINGER? IT HAPPENED, AND FORD IS RESPONSIBLE. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO? GARRY MELOTT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10024711June 23, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
CONSUMER NOTICED OIL LEAKING, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, DEALER STATED THAT SEALS WERE DEFECTIVE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10023594June 23, 2003
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
NOT A SAFETY ITEM. HOWEVER THERE IS A RADIO DISPLAY PROBLEM WITH THE FORD EXPLORER'S. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE RADIO DISPLAY WAS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE EXPLORER'S. THE COST TO REPAIR IS $275. IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, I WONDER WHY IT IS NOT A RECALL ITEM. I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE FORD HAS SCREWED OUT OF $275 FOR A PROBLEM CAUSED BY THEIR FAULTY RADIOS AND NOT BY FAULT OF CONSUMERS. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10023999June 13, 2003
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10023031June 13, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE STOPPED DEAD IN TRAFFIC ON WEEMS CREEK BRIDGE IN ANNAPOLIS MARYLAND DURING A RAINSTORM BECAUSE THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10021354June 10, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND PARK LIGHTS TURNED ON ALTHOUGH THE LIGHT SWITCH WAS IN THE "OFF" POSITION. ALSO MOVING THE MULTIFUNCTION LEVER TO MAKE A LEFT TURN SIGNAL ,THE INSTUMENT PANEL SHOWED THAT THE LEFT SIGNAL LIGHT WAS STUCK "ON" AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS DIDN'T WORK AT THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE TRUCK. HOWEVER, THE RIGHT SIGNAL HAS NEVER MALFUNCTIONED. THIS IS VERY TROUBLING. THIS EVENT OCURRED TWICE WITHIN A WEEK. DEALER HAS REPLACED TWO RELAYS(I PAID FOR), ONLY TIME WILL TELL IF THIS IS THE FIX.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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