Ford Explorer Complaints (1998)

2,085 consumer complaints on file.

#10267794May 5, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264858April 9, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING. IMMEDIATELY, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO INSPECT THE FAILURE. THE DRIVER TEMPORARILY REPAIRED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND CONTINUED TO CAUTIOUSLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE WAS A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264481April 8, 2009
SEATS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V281000 (SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER), ALTHOUGH NO FAILURES WERE OCCURRING AT THE MOMENT. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE ISSUE AFTER CONSULTING WITH THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THE BOLT FAILED. AFTER BEING DENIED OF THE RECALL REPAIR, THE FAILURES BEGAN TO OCCUR A WEEK LATER. THE DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD RECLINE BACKWARDS ON ITS OWN. THE ISSUE OCCURRED OVER TEN TIMES, BUT THE DEALER STILL REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE SHE DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IN A TIMELY FASHION, THE BOLT SHEARED; THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,565.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264501April 8, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DISENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DRIVER TEMPORARILY REPAIRED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY REPAIRED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10261503March 11, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS AWAKENED IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS BECAUSE HIS VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, NEXT TO THE WHEEL WELL. A COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER, THE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL FAILURE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED TO CALL HIS INSURANCE COMPANY TO HAVE THEM FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST FORD. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT BECAUSE THE CONTACT ONLY HAD LIABILITY INSURANCE, THEY COULD NOT FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE FORD MANUFACTURER. THE INSURANCE COMPANY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE ENGINEER STATAED THAT THE COST TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE $250 PER HOUR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10259333February 19, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), BUT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. SHE WAS AWAKENED BY A NEIGHBOR INFORMING HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE ENTIRE FRONT WIRING SYSTEM WAS MELTED. AN INVESTIGATOR FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SPECULATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED INCIDENT AND SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256951January 30, 2009
TIRES, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TIRE - TREAD SEPARATION VEHICLE - FORD EXPLORER (1998) TIRES - FIRESTONE (PURCHASED SOMEWHERE IN THE 2003-2005 TIMEFRAME). THESE TIRES WERE SNOW TIRES AND ARE USED ONLY A FEW MONTHS OUT OF EACH YEAR, SO THERE IS LOW MILEAGE ON THEM. AT APPROXIMATELY 1 PM, MY DAUGHTER LEFT A SCHOOL FUNCTION IN BURBANK, WA, AND TURNED ONTO HIGHWAY 12. SHE ACCELERATED; ABOUT 100 YARDS LATER, JUST AS SHE REACHED THE SNAKE RIVER BRIDGE, THE LEFT REAR TIRE LOST ITS TREAD. SHE WAS GOING LESS THAN 50 MPH. THE CAR WAS UNCONTROLLABLE, SPUN AROUND, AND SMASHED INTO THE CONCRETE BARRIER OF THE BRIDGE. THE CAR WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED (TOTALED). NO OTHER CARS WERE INVOLVED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10256522January 27, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, EQUIPMENT
IN 2007, MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER DOOR LOCK STOPPED WORKING. IT REALLY DIDN'T BOTHER ME ALL THAT MUCH UNTIL ONE DAY BY ACCIDENT THE DOOR LOCKED AND WOULD NOT COME OPEN. I HAD TO PUSH WITH ALL MY FORCE AND PULL UP ON THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE AT THE SAME TIME. FINALLY IT CAME OPEN BUT THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE. NOW IT WAS TO THE POINT OF DISGUST. DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT SO WE WAITED UNTIL WE DID. IN 2008, I TOOK MY EXPLORER TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I WAS QUOTED $197 FOR EVERYTHING, INSTALLATION, PARTS, AND LABOR. BUT WHEN I CAME TO PAY THE BILL I WAS INFORMED IT WAS GOING TO BE ABOUT $100 IF NOT MORE WHEN COMPLETED. SO MY AUNTS BOYFRIEND, WHO DOES AUTO BODY WORK, FIXED IT. IT WAS WORKING FINE, WE STILL HAD TO JIGGLE TO LOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE TO GET THE LOCKS TO UNLOCK. AND THEN ABOUT A WEEK AGO, I WAS GETTING OUT AND THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE AGAIN. THIS TIME THE HANDLE IS STUCK. I NOW HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE OR CRAWL ACROSS THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHICH WE HAVE HAD TO DO THAT IN THE PAST AND IT IS EMBARRASSING. SO NOW I'VE E-MAILED FORD ABOUT MY COMPLAINT AND THAT IS WHERE I WAS INFORMED YOU DONE THE RECALLS. I REALLY LEARNED THAT THERE IS ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME COMPLAINT, WWW.CARCOMPLAINT.COM. I REALLY HOPE YOU CAN HELP RESOLVE THIS MATTER. WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT? I GUESS JUST BE OUT $200 MORE WHEN I HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP....HOPE YOU CAN HELP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256337January 26, 2009
STRUCTURE
GAS PEDAL HOUSING FELL OFF THE WALL NHTSA ITEM #616531. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255621January 20, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT HEARD A HUGE EXPLOSION COMING FROM HER DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE CALLED HER INSURANCE COMPANY AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255623January 20, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT HEARD A HUGE EXPLOSION COMING FROM HER DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE CALLED HER INSURANCE COMPANY AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000. UPDATED 03/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/17/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255724January 20, 2009
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
SPARE TIRE THAT IS SECURED TO UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD DUE TO SNAPPED CABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255186January 15, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
1998 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WON'T OPEN. IT WON'T OPEN IF YOU USE THE KEY, REMOTE, OR MANUALLY TRY TO PULL UP ON IT WHILE INSIDE. HOWEVER, THE OTHER DOORS AND TAILGATE UNLOCK OK. I AM FORCED TO ENTER THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CLIMB OVER A CONSOLE IN THE MIDDLE TO GET INTO DRIVER SEAT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THERE IS NO WAY TO GET IN OR OUT OF THE CAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I AM 76 YEARS OLD AND THIS IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET IN OVER THE CONSOLE ON PASSENGER SIDE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255202January 15, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE NOTIFIED. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ON FIRE WHEN THEY DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL. THERE WAS NO POWER RUNNING THROUGH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 158,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254953January 14, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
ONE DAY WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ENTER MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER, PARKED IN MY GARAGE, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. WHENEVER THE AUTOMATIC FEATURE LOCKS THE DOORS WHEN I AM DRIVING OR I LOCK THE DOOR USING MY KEY FOB, IT WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE EXTERIOR. I HAVE TO REACH IN FROM THE REAR DOOR (OR IF I AM IN THE DRIVERS SEAT) AND OPEN THE DOOR WITH A VERY STRONG PULL ON THE DOOR HANDLE. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR AS YET. I HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS SITUATION FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS AS OF TODAY. TEDWARDS *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253063December 29, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
1998 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK WON'T OPEN. IT WON'T OPEN IF YOU USE THE KEY, REMOTE, OR MANUALLY TRY TO PULL UP ON IT WHILE INSIDE. HOWEVER, THE OTHER DOORS AND TAILGATE UNLOCK OK. I AM FORCED TO ENTER THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CLIMB OVER A CONSOLE IN THE MIDDLE TO GET INTO DRIVER SEAT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THERE IS NO WAY TO GET IN OR OUT OF THE CAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE. I AM 76 YEARS OLD AND THIS IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET IN OVER THE CONSOLE ON PASSENGER SIDE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251567December 12, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). AFTER THE REPAIR, THE SPEED CONTROL NO LONGER WORKED. A PRIVATE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE WIRING INSIDE THE COLUMN, WHICH CONNECTED TO THE AIR BAG, WAS MELTED AND CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER WITH THE REPORT FROM THE MECHANIC. THE DEALER DENIED THE FREE REPAIR REQUEST AND STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT TO REMEDY THE ISSUE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $2,500 TO REPLACE THE WIRING, AIR BAGS, AND THE PART USED FOR THE SPEED CONTROL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 158,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 157,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250974December 7, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1998 FORD EXPLORER SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT 8AM, 12/02/08. CAR WAS PREVIOUSLY DRIVEN 12 HOURS PRIOR TO INCIDENT. ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING. DOORS WERE LOCKED. NO SIGNS OF ENTRY PRIOR TO INCIDENT. FIRE ENGULFED ENGINE AND SPREAD TO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BEFORE ALAMEDA FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED VEHICLE. INSURANCE COMPANY HAS CLAIMED VEHICLE AS TOTALED AND IS INVESTIGATING. SUSPECTED CAUSE IS CRUISE CONTROL SHUTOFF SWITCH, SUBJECT TO FORD RECALL 05S28. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250079November 28, 2008
TIRES, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
I HAVE HAD TWO FLAT TIRES AS A RESULT OF DEFECTIVE VALVE STEMS. BF GOODRICH RADIALS WERE INSTALLED AT SEARS ON MY 1998 EXPLORER SPORT IN 12/06. THE FIRST VALVE COMPLETELY DEFLATED MY TIRE 4 OR SO MONTHS AGO WHILE SITTING OVERNIGHT IN MY GARAGE. I ASSUMED I HAD CAUSED THE SLICE IN THE VALVE BY DRIVING, BUT HADN'T HIT ANYTHING. ON 11/26/08 AT 7:00 P.M. I WAS DRIVING I-95 S AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND NOTICED UNUSUAL DRIVING SENSATIONS. AFTER SEVERAL MILES, I FIGURED OUT IT WAS A TIRE GOING DOWN, AND TOOK APPROPRIATE ACTION--SLOWING, BEING ACUTELY AWARE OF TRAFFIC, AND SEEKING A SAFE EXIT. WHEN I EXITED INTO A GROCERY PARKING LOT, I IMMEDIATELY GOT OUT AND DISCOVERED MY REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT, AND ONCE AGAIN, THE VALVE WAS SLICED. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR DEFECTIVE VALVES AFTER RECALLING HEARING ABOUT DEFECTIVE VALVE STEMS MANUFACTURED IN CHINA SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. I LEARNED DILL AIR CONTROLS PRODUCTS AND THE NHTSA HAD ISSUED WARNINGS REGARDING SAME AFTER A DEATH OF AN ORLANDO, FL MAN. I AM RETURNING TO SEARS TO HAVE ALL 4 OF MY TIRES INSPECTED FOR FAULTY VALVES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249492November 21, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE IN HIS DRIVEWAY, HE NOTICED FIREFIGHTERS OUTSIDE OF HIS HOUSE. HE THEN NOTICED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE ENGINE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TOWED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Ford Explorer