Ford Explorer Complaints (1998)

2,085 consumer complaints on file.

#10224847April 17, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD NOT OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE DOOR HANDLE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ANY MOVEMENT AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10222723March 30, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
DURING THE ANNUAL VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION, IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE TWO FRONT SUSPENSION STABILIZER LINK BOLTS WERE BROKEN. EACH BOLT HAD FAILED AS A RESULT OF RUST AND CORROSION AT THE UPPER END WHERE IT ATTACHED TO THE STABILIZER. THIS RESULTED IN A DEGRADATION OF HANDLING ABILITY, WHICH IN A SUV VEHICLE WITH HIGH CENTER OF GRAVITY, COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. PARTS WERE REPLACED AND I AM RETAINING WHAT IS LEFT OF THE FAILED PARTS FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10221600March 18, 2008
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
ALL LOCKING DOOR MECHANISM'S HAVE FAILED AND I HAVE SPENT MONEY TO REPAIR THEM. THE REAR HATCH LOCK IS NO LONGER OPERATING UNLESS THE KEY IS IN THE LOCK AND THEN, ONLY SPORADICALLY. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HANDLE, HAS BROKEN OFF TWICE AND BEEN REPLACED TWICE. I WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE ENGINE WAS OFF, THEREBY EFFECTIVELY "TRAPPING" ME IN THE VEHICLE. IN AN EMERGENCY, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EXIT THE CAR AND REMOVE MYSELF FROM ANY POTENTIAL DANGER. IN ORDER TO EXIT THE CAR, I HAD TWO OPTIONS, EITHER CLIMB OUT OVER THE CENTER CONSOLE OR PUT THE KEY BACK IN THE IGNITION, TURN ON THE VEHICLE, LOWER THE POWER WINDOW AND OPEN THE CAR FROM THE OUTSIDE, I OPTED FOR THE SECOND SOLUTION UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO ORDER A SECOND NEW DOOR HANDLE AND REPLACE IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220462March 8, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE FAILURE. ENGINE CODE P0300. CYLINDERS 4, 5, 6 HAVE WEAK COMPRESSION. TIMING CHAIN IS DAMAGED. DEALER HAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED TIMING CHAIN TWICE AND AFTER SECOND SERVICE FORD EXTENDED ENGINE WARRANTY TO 100K MILES (NOW EXPIRED). DEALER NOW RECOMMENDS ENGINE REPLACEMENT AT COST OF $5,500. WHAT WAS ONCE A $30,000 BEAUTIFUL EDDIE BAUER RIG NOW HAS A KELLY BB RETAIL VALUE OF ~$8000, BUT WITHOUT ENGINE, CAR IS A TOTAL (AUCTION BLOCK) LOSS! WHILE NO ONE WAS HURT WHEN THIS ENGINE FAILED, IT IS BOTH A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD AND YET ANOTHER SHOCK TO A VEHICLE WITH A TROUBLESOME (AND EXPENSIVE) PAST, AND TO A LOYAL FORD CUSTOMER WHO EXPECTED A BETTER QUALITY PRODUCT. I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER HOW MANY MORE 1998 EXPLORERS ARE OUT ON THE ROADS ABOUT TO LOOSE THEIR ENGINES. IS 10 YEARS TOO LONG TO OWN A FORD? I AM STILL PONDERING WHAT TO DO WITH THIS VEHICLE WHICH NOW SITS AS A 2-TON "BOOKEND" IN MY GARAGE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220402March 7, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A FORD RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH IN AUGUST OF 2006. SHE CALLED THE DEALER IN AUGUST OF 2007 AND THEY STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL NOVEMBER. SHE CALLED THE DEALER EVERY OTHER MONTH AND THEY STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL AUGUST OF 2008. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH DISCONNECTED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT CAUGHT FIRE AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE TRANSMISSION TYPE, RECALL NUMBER, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10220042March 4, 2008
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT DOES NOT STAY IN PLACE. IF THE CONTACT LEANED BACK TOO HARD, THE SEAT WOULD RECLINE ONTO THE REAR SEAT. WHEN SHE CALLED THE DEALER CONCERNING NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 03V281000 (SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY: RECLINER) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY DO NOT HONOR NHTSA RECALLS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219677February 29, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME THE CAR (ENGINE) CAUGHT ON FIRE . THE FIRE CHIEF WAS NOT REALLY SURE WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219181February 26, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TL*THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DETACHED FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WHILE HIS SON WAS DRIVING 30 MPH. HIS SON WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET DETACHED FROM THE DASH PANE AREA. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $634 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE DEALER WOULD HAVE TO RE-WELD THE ENGINE PANEL. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219052February 25, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
LOSS OF ACCELERATION WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION DUE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET SPOT WELD FAILURE. MINOR CHILD WAS DRIVING AUTO WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELL OVER TO ITS SIDE. NO POWER. LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO COAST THROUGH INTERSECTION WITHOUT BEING HIT. MY INSPECTION REVEALED ALL THREE SPOT WELDS HAD FAILED. FURTHER, THE MIDDLE WELD OF THE THREE WAS ONLY ABOUT 1MM IN DIAMETER WITH THE OUTERMOST TWO YIELDING A NUGGET SIZE OF APPROX. 5MM. THE BRACKET SPOT WELDS FAILED DUE TO THE FIREWALL SHEET METAL FATIGUE. THE FIREWALL SHEETMETAL COMPLETELY PULLED LOOSE LEAVING THREE HOLES WHERE THE SPOT WELDS WERE. THIS AREA OF WORKMANSHIP IS OF CONCERN TO ME AS IT ENDANGERED THE LIVES OF MY CHILDREN DUE TO THE VEHICLE LOOSING POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP WITH FORD BUT THE ONLY RESPONSE I RECEIVED WAS THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY REPAIRS SINCE THE AUTO WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. COST WAS NOT MY CONCERN, GIVING NOTICE OF WHAT IS CLEARLY A SAFETY MATTER WAS MY CONCERN. I WAS INFORMED THAT NO CURRENT BULLETINS OR RECALLS EXISTED FOR THE DESCRIBED PROBLEM. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE. THESE WELDS SHOULD NEVER FAIL. MY BACKGROUND? I AM A WELDING SPECIALIST FOR A MAJOR AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURER IN THE U.S. I DO HAVE SUPPORTING PHOTOS OF THE FAILED SPOT WELDS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10217832February 12, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR AND CLUNKS. TRANSMISSION DISENGAGING OUT OF DRIVE GEAR; WILL NOT STAY IN GEAR WHEN MOVING IN THE FORWARD (DRIVE) DIRECTION. ALMOST WAS IN WRECK DUE TO TRANSMISSION/DRIVE FAILURE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE IN TO TRANSMISSION SPECIALTY SERVICE STATION TO HAVE LOOKED AT. FAULTY SOLENOID AND STUCK MECHANISM DUE TO FAILURE. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR $1700.00. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216838February 4, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELL OFF. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PEDAL FELT LOOSE AND THEN COMPLETELY DETACHED WHILE PULLING INTO A REPAIR SHOP. THE FAILURE CAUSED UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WALL, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 116,000. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216702February 1, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TL*THE CONTACT'S FATHER OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD STICK AND THEN RELEASE. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME DETACHED FROM THE FLOOR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO A MECHANIC'S GARAGE, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HARD BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT THEN PROCEEDED TO MOVE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WITH HER FOOT, BUT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD INTO THE MECHANIC'S WALL. THERE WERE NO DEATHS, INJURIES OR A POLICE REPORT. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 119,031.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10215317January 18, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DETACHED FROM THE PANEL. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED. A POLICE OFFICER PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 107,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10214089January 7, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PARKING HIS VEHICLE (2 MPH), THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE WALL OF THE PARKING STRUCTURE WHILE THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL HE SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10212587December 22, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
MY NAME IS [XXX] AND I JUST PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM HWY 100 & LOOMIS RD AUTO SALES (414-617-5673) IN FRANKLIN WISCONSIN ON DEC 13TH. ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE BRAKES FAILED AND I ALMOST DIDN'T MAKE IT HOME. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC IN EVANSVILLE WISCONSIN WHO FIXED THE REAR BRAKES AND I HAD TO PAY OVER 250 DOLLARS TO REPAIR IT. THE DEALER WOULDN'T HELP ME WITH THIS COST OR EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY FAILED TO FIND THAT PROBLEM ON THEIR SAFETY CHECK. AFTER I PICKED UP MY TRUCK THIS THURSDAY THE 20TH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL POWER TO THE VEHICLE HAS NOW CEASED. MY MECHANIC ALSO INFORMED ME WHEN HE FIXED THE BRAKES THAT NOT ONLY THE BRAKES SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED BY THE DEALER BUT I WILL ALSO NEED A NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM AS SOMEONE HAS OBVIOUSLY FIXED IT ENOUGH TO GET IT OFF THE LOT. THAT WILL BE ANOTHER 300 DOLLARS. THE POWER JUST FAILED ON MY WAY HOME FROM MY AUNTS AND NOW THE TRUCK IS DEAD IN MY DRIVEWAY AT HOME. IT WONT START AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT RETURN ANY CALLS SO I CAN SOLVE THIS. I JUST WANT THEM TO COME GET THIS LEMON AND GIVE ME THE MONEY I PAID FOR IT BACK PLUS ALL THE EXPENSES I HAVE PUT INTO IT IN LESS THAN A WEEK. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND I NEED TO KNOW MY RIGHTS AND IF I CAN JUST GET MY MONEY BACK .... I CANT AFFORD TO NOT TO DRIVE TO WORK AND BE STUCK CONTINUOUSLY PAYING FOR A TRUCK THAT HAD SUCH INTENSE PROBLEMS MECHANICALLY AND SAFETY-WISE AND NOW ITS JUST DEAD. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211400December 10, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I PUT ON THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL SIMPLY CHATTERED LIKE THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE MECHANISM WAS WORKING. HOWEVER, EVEN WHEN I LET OFF AND LIGHTLY HIT THE PEDAL AGAIN FOR 3 SEPARATE TIMES THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND ONLY CHATTERED. I RAN INTO A TREE TO AVOID A HITTING ANOTHER CAR AND SOME PEDESTRIANS WHICH WRECKED MY FRONT END, RIGHT FENDER, RIGHT DOOR, HOOD AND OTHER PARTS ON THE RIGHT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211282December 9, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
WHILE ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE HESITATES AS IF IT IS GOING TO STALL. I'VE TAKEN IT AND HAD IT CHECKED OUT. THE ONLY THING THAT HAS EVER BEEN FOUND IS FAULTY O2 SENSORS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211011December 6, 2007
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, EQUIPMENT
THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING, LOCKING AND UNLOCKING ITSELF. THIS CONTINUED UNTIL IT JUST LOCKED AND WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL. BOTH THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE HANDLE HAVE JUST STOPPED WORKING AND I CAN'T GET OUT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AT ALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10211069December 6, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THE UNLOCK BUTTON; HOWEVER, ONLY THE DRIVER SIDE AND HATCH DOORS UNLOCKED. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK AND REMAINED IN THE LOCKED POSITION. FORD STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,099 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,050.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10210193November 28, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST OF 2007 FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. HE CALLED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL OCTOBER. THE CONTACT CALLED AGAIN AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WOULD REMAIN UNAVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH OF 2008. HE FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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