Ford Explorer Complaints (1998)

2,085 consumer complaints on file.

#10246435October 22, 2008
TIRES, TIRES:VALVE
WE HAD TWO INCIDENTS OF TIRE BLOW OUTS IN 4 MONTHS THE LAST ONE OCCURRING ON OCT 12, 2008. THE CAUSE OF BOTH BLOW OUTS WAS THE TIRE STEM BUT WE DID NOT HEAR ABOUT THE RECALL UNTIL I HEARD IT ON THE NEWS TODAY. WE HAVE SINCE BOUGHT NEW TIRES AFRAID THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN BUT WHAT CAN WE DO NOW? I FEEL LIKE WE SHOULD BE COMPENSATED BUT HOW? THE FORD DEALER WE BOUGHT THE TIRES FROM IS OUT OF BUSINESS SO WE COULD NOT GO THERE WHEN WE REALIZED THAT IT WAS A TIRE STEM PROBLEM AND WITHOUT KNOWING THERE WAS A RECALL WE HAD NO OPTION BUT TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE WHICH WAS AMERICAN TIRE. WE WENT TO AMERICAN TIRE BOTH TIMES IT HAPPENED FOR THEM TO FIX THE TIRES AND THEY DID NOT MENTION A RECALL EITHER. THE TIRES WERE NOT OLD ENOUGH TO BE REPLACED BUT FOR OUR OWN SAFETY WE DID THAT. I GUESS I KNOW THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO BUT JUST WANTED TO GET SOME ADVISE OF WHAT TO DO, IF ANYTHING. THANKS, PATTY P.S. NO CRASH, NO DEATHS, THANK GOODNESS *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246069October 20, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IS PERMANANTLY LOCKED....A SMALL SPRING FELL OUT OF DOOR. IT STARTED ABOUT 7 MONTHS WHEN THE HANDLE WAS GETTING A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO PULL. YOU COULD FEEL THE PRESSURE BETWEEN THE DOOR AND HANDLE...ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER THE PANEL AROUND THE HANDLE FELL OUT AND I FOUND A SMALL SPRING ON THE TRUCKS FLOOR....FOR A WHILE AFTER THAT I WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE BUT NOT THE INSIDE. VERY SCARY THOUGHT TO KNOW THAT IF YOU WERE IN ACCIDENT YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GET OUT FROM THE INSIDE HOWEVER, 2 WEEKS AFTER THAT THE DOOR WONT OPEN AT ALL (FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE!). ITS SUCH A PAIN TO HAVE TO CRAWL THROUGH THE VEHICLE TO GET IN AND OUT AND IM PRETTY SURE THIS VERY UNSAFE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. I KNOW IT CANT BE SOMETHING I DID TO THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS PERFECTLY FINE WHEN I DROVE OFF THE LOT 2 YEARS AGO. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS SITUATION ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE TONS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, YET NO SOLUTIONS HAS BEEN MADE...ANY IDEAS ON THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED, SEEING HOW IM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THIS VEHICLE AND AM LITERALLY "STUCK" IN IT TILL ITS PAID OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245398October 14, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. A FAMILY MEMBER SAFELY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CONTACT HAS A COPY OF THE REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THE COMPONENT ALREADY FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL. AS OF OCTOBER 14, 2008, SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED A REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245890October 10, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1998 FORD EXPLORER HAD BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO THE BRAKE FLUID EATING THROUGH THE METAL. *NJ WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED, THE CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE BRAKE LINE WAS MADE OF METAL AND HAD A HOLE IN IT. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245043October 10, 2008
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER DISCOVERER H/T TIRES, SIZE LT235/75R15. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT NOTICED DEBRIS COMING FROM THE TIRES AND THE VEHICLE, CAUSING HER TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE NOTICED THAT THE TREAD WAS SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE, WHICH CAUSED MAJOR FRONT END DAMAGE. A SPARE TIRE WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE AND SHE DROVE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED A RECALL FOR HER TIRES AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER; HOWEVER, HER DOT NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE TIRE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 132,000. UPDATED 11/12/08. *LJ UPDATED 11/14/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242287September 15, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. BROUGHT TO MECHANIC. HE CHANGED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. A TUNE UP WAS ALSO DONE. NOW PERIODIC SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE AND OIL AT DIFFERENT TIMES. VERY POTENT. MECHANIC IS AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS, BUT CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AFTER DOING MANY PRESSURE TESTS AND FLUSHES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241837September 11, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE LEAVING HIS HOME, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10239108August 20, 2008
SEATS
DRIVER SIDE SEAT RECLINER LEVER BROKE OFF..NOW IS SAFETY ISSUE, CAN'T ADJUST SEAT BACK.. MANY ANGRY PEOPLE ON THE FORD TRUCK "EXPLORERFORUM.COM" HAVE SAME PROBLEM...SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL...FORD SELLS A REDESIGNED STRONGER PART #XL2Z7862649AA.. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10239110August 20, 2008
EQUIPMENT
98 FORD EXPLORER STEREO-CD-CASSETTE PLAYER, VOLUME CONTROL AND DISPLAY IS DEFECTIVE AGAIN. HAD IT FIXED OUT OF WARRANTY AT 40 MONTHS, NOW BROKE AGAIN...MANY UNHAPPY PEOPLE HAD SAME PROBLEM ON "EXPLORERFORUM.COM". SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237486August 8, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET SEPARATED FROM THE FIREWALL, CAUSING LACK OF THROTTLE CONTROL. THIS BRACKET IS SPOT WELDED, AND FORD HAS A TSB REGARDING THIS ITEM FAILURE. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236236July 29, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAD A 1998 2DR FORD EXPLORER THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE FOR NO REASON AT MY JOB ON JUNE 17, 2008. IT WAS A UNDER THE HOOD FIRE. I ARRIVED AT WORK AT 8:26 A.M. A COUPLE OF MINUTES AFTER 11:00 A.M. IS WHEN THE BUILDING MANAGER KNOCKED ON MY DOOR AND TOLD ME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS LOOKING FOR ME BECAUSE MY TRUCK HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAR ENDED UP BEING A TOTAL LOSS. EVERYTHING ON THE INSIDE WAS SEVERELY SMOKE DAMAGED. MY RADIO MELTED AND I LOSS CERTAIN PAPER WORK THAT I HAD IN MY GLOVE COMPARTMENT. MY HEATER CORD WAS LEFT ON THE GROUND ALONG WITH SOME OTHER WIRES AFTER THE TOW TRUCK TOWED MY TRUCK AWAY. THAT'S HOW BURNED UP MY TRUCK WAS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235809July 25, 2008
TIRES, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
I WAS TRAVELING IN MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER WITH MY SON AND FIANCE TO BULLHEAD, AZ. TRAVELING EAST ON HWY40. ABOUT 30 MILES WEST OF NEEDLES, CA I EXPERIENCED A BLOWN TIRE ON MY LEFT REAR WHEEL. THESE TIRES WERE A YEAR OLD AND LATER WE DISCOVERED A NAIL IN THE TIRE. WE SAFELY MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO PUT THE SPARE TIRE ON THE LEFT REAR. THIS SPARE TIRE IS A FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE (P235/75 R 15). WE TRAVELED AGAIN FOR ABOUT 20 MILES WHEN THE SPARE TREAD SEPARATED CAUSING MY SUV TO EXPERIENCE SEVERE MOVEMENT BACK AND FORTH AND ALMOST TIPPING OVER; SLAPPING THE TREAD INTO THE REAR FENDER AND HATCH OF THE CAR. MY FIANCE MANAGED TO GET THE CAR UNDER SOMEWHAT CONTROL AND GET US OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE WERE TRAVELING APPROX. 70 TO 72 MPH AND BECAUSE OF THE FIRST BLOWN TIRE WE ALL WERE SKIDISH AND KEEPING BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL, WHICH I FEEL WAS THE REASON WE DID NOT ROLL OVER. I CALLED AAA AND GOT TOWED TO NEEDLES, CA WHERE WE GOT A NEW TIRE ON THE SPARE WHICH COST $175.00. WE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL UP HWY95 TO BULLHEAD CITY, AZ, APPROX. 15 MILES, WHERE OUR HOUSE WAS. JULY 3 WE WENT TO SUPERIOR TIRES AND BOUGHT 4 NEW GOODYEAR TIRES. I AM LEFT WITH A DAMAGED REAR FENDER AND A DAMAGED HATCH DO TO THE FIRESTONE TIRE TREAD SEPARATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233280July 6, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE I WAS DRIVING TO GO SEE A MOVIE. THE DOOR LOCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE STOPPED WORKING (EVEN WITH A KEY IT WILL NOT UNLOCK). NO PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON THIS DOOR EXCEPT FOR THE DOOR ITSELF OVER 7 YEARS AGO. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232404June 26, 2008
SEATS
FORD ISSUED A RECALL FOR A BOLT REPLACEMENT IN THE SEAT. SAFETY RECALL 03S04 REFERS. BEACH FORD DEALERSHIP HAS DECLINED TO CONDUCT THE REPAIR DUE TO TIME OF THE RECALL (5 YEARS). THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE BOLT HAD ALREADY SHEARED AND SINCE THE RECALL WAS SO OLD THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228943May 27, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CAUSED THE FAILURE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 00V422000, 06V286000, 99V062001) HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 127,577. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228277May 20, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CANNOT OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE FUSE RELAY OF THE VEHICLE IS LOCATED IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR, WHICH PREVENTS THE CONTACT FROM CHANGING ANY OF THE FUSES. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, HE EXPERIENCED ISSUES WITH MANUALLY UNLOCKING THE DOORS WITH THE VEHICLE KEY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,300.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227160May 9, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S JOB, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD WAS MELTED. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. WHEN HE CALLED THE DEALER, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO SAFETY RECALL PERTAINING TO HIS VIN; THEREFORE, HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V422000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) WAS REFERENCED. THE CORRECT INCIDENT DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 149,382.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10225915April 28, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FAULTY TRANSMISSION IN 1998 FORD EXPLORER. VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT FROM FORD DEALERSHIP, APPROXIMATELY 4 YRS. OLD WHEN PURCHASED. TRANS. NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY AFTER FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP OR APPROX. 65,000 MILES. WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE AT ALL SHORTLY AFTERWARD. HARD AND LATE SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD, AND TRANSMISSION WILL FREQUENTLY TOTALLY DISENGAGE WHILE DRIVING AT 55 TO 60 MPH, ENGINE WILL REV., BUT CAR WILL START SLOWING DOWN. ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BLOW UP WHILE WAITING FOR TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT. HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT BY PRIVATE MECHANIC AND PROBLEM IS STILL THE SAME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10225831April 27, 2008
SEAT BELTS
FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AND MUST BE FED MANUALLY TO RETRACT. SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO SEAT BELT WEBBING CAUSING POSSIBLE FAILURE UPON IMPACT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10225790April 26, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FIRE IN ENGINE BAY ORIGINATING AT THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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