NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Ford Explorer. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH VEHICLE STARTED SPINNING AND STARTED TO ROLL. CONSUMER HAD BEEN DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT PART OF HIGHWAY, DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. *AK
WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR UNRELATED REAPIRS, THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS EVEN THOUGH THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED BY APPROXIMATELY 1500 MILES. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT "BOTH ROTORS WERE SHOT" AND THAT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN AT 37,000 MILES. I HAD A 1995 EXPLORER WHICH DID THE SAME THING AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME MILEAGE. AT THAT TIME, ANOTHER DEALER AND FORD WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE REPAIRS AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THEM. THIS IS THE SECOND EXPLORER I'VE HAD WITHN THE SAME PROBLEM. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH EXPLORER BRAKE ROTORS. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ON WINDSTAR VANS AS WELL. DO YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM? I CAN'T FIND ANYTHING IN THE RECALLL LISTING ABOUT IT.*AK
DEPARTED TOPSHAM, ME TRAVELING SOUTH ON I-95. ABOUT 1/2 HOUR OUTSIDE OF MANHATTEN,NY THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT CASING THE FORD EXPLORE TO SWERVE TO THE RIGHT AND HITTING THE GUARDRAIL.*AK (DOT NUMBER: W2HLIPY317 TIRESIZE: 235/75/R15)
WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD ENGINE WILL LOSE POWER. EACH TIME WHEN STEPPING ON GAS PEDAL VEHICLE WILL NOT GO.VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. BUT CONSUMER HAD NEVER TAKEN CARE OF DEFECT.*AK
LEFT REAR FIRESTONE WILDERNESS/AT P23575R15 TIRE ON THIS EXPLORER HAD A BELT SEPARATION AT 60 MPH. FORD, AND FIRESTONE HAVE BEEN CONTACTED.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT PRIOR TO THE TIRE FAILURE THERE WAS A VIBRATION, HE ALSO STATES THAT LOWERING THE TIRE PRESSURE FROM 35LBS TO 30LBS MAY HAVE CAUSED EXCESSIVE HEAT AND THE BELT SEPARATION, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT, DOT #W2HL1PLY178. *SLC
ALL THREE RIVETS CAME APART ON GAS PEDAL WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VHDL TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK (TIRESIZE: P235/75515)
LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE SHOT. PROBLEM WAS FOUND DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THIS WAS WHAT CAUSED VEHICLE TO RATTLE WHEN HITTING BUMPS OR CRACKS IN ROAD.*AK CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT BALL JOINTS HAVE NO GREASE JOINTS AND THAT IS WHY THEY FAILED .*JB
AN ELECTRICAL FIRE WHICH ORIGINATED IN DASHBOARD AREA WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. PRIOR TO FIRE, IF TURN SIGNAL WAS LEFT ON FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, ROUGHLY OVER A MINUTE, SMOKE WOULD COME FROM DASHBOARD. NO INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN MADE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF FIRE. *AK
THERE WAS SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE AS IF SHOCKS WERE GOING BAD IN VEHICLE. IN MARCH, DEALERSHIP INFORMED HER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. ON MAY 11, 2001- AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FOLLOWING COMPONENTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED: BOTH UPPER BALL JOINTS, RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD , AND ALIGNMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
WHEN CONSUMER TURNS ON HEAT IT IS OUT OF CONTROL HEAT GETS HOTTER AND HOTTER. WHEN SHE TURNS AIR CONDITIONING ON COLD AIR IS COLD FOR A MOMENT, AND THEN HEAT COMES ON WHILE AIR CONDITIONING IS RUNNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
THE LIGHTS WENT OUT ON THE RADIO DISPLAY FOR MY EXPLORER. THE UNIT STILL PLAYED HOWEVER YOU COULDN'T SEE WHAT TRACK, THE VOLUME, OR WHAT RADIO STATION IT WAS CURRENTLY ON. I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A SIMPLE FUSE FIX BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE WHOLE RADIO HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR A COST OF $600. LUCKY ME I HAVE THE PREMIUM STEREO SO IT COSTS MORE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH PEOPLE WHO ALL HAVE THE 98 EXPLORER SPORT AND THIS ISSUE WAS THE SAME FOR EVERY SINGLE PERSON. *AK
BLOWOUT IN TIRE SIDEWALL ON DIRT ROAD, LOW SPEED. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2UUIPO517 TIRESIZE: P225/70R15)
THE FIRST FIRESTONE TIRE FAILED ON THE LEFT REAR AND WAS REPLACED BY FIRESTONE WITH MUCH ARGUMENT. IT HAD A CRACK RUNNING ALL AROUND THE TIRE BY THE BELT. NOW THE RIGHT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR TIRE ARE STARTING TO SHOW THE SAME CRACKS ALL AROUND THE EDGE OF THE TIRE BELTS. MY LOCAL TIRE DEALER INDICATED THAT THIS IS THE EARLY BEGINNING OF TREAD SEPARATION. THESE TIRES WERE BUILT IN WILSON NORTH CAROLINA AND FIRSTONE ISN'T RECALLING THESE TIRES. WHEN IS NHTSA GOING TO FORCE FIRESTONE TO RECALL THE REST OF THE DEFECTIVE TIRES MADE IN WILSON NC?*AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
DRIVER'S SEAT BACK BROKE WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. *AK
WINDSHIELD WAS LEAKING FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS, THEN CONSUMER WAS DRIVING SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND WINDSHIELD SEPARATED FROM FRAME.*AK
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 5TO 10MPH. WHILE ENTERING INTO A PARKING LOT HE APPLIED BRAKES, AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACELLERATE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE.*AK
MY TIRES HAVE LEAKED AIR SINCE THE SUV WAS PURCHASED. I KNOW THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THREAD SEPERATION. I THOUGHT I HAD A LEAK AND NEEDED A PLUG SEVERAL TIMES BUT NO PLUG WAS NECESSARY. I HAVE BEEN TO SEVERAL SERVICE STATIONS AND ALL HAVE TOLD ME THE THREAD OF ALL 4 TIRES IS 40% WORN OUT. THERE ARE ONLY 23000 MILES ON THIS SUV. THEY HAVE ALSO TOLD ME IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE MY VEHICAL. I HAVE BEEN TO FIRESTONE IN REVERE MA AND THEY WANT 145 DOLLARS FOR TIRES. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE DEFECTIVE, BUT THAT NHTSA MADE A DEAL WITH FIRSTONE TO ALLOW THEM TO ONLY RECALL 15 INCH TIRES. THESE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED. THIS IS A TRAVESTY TO THE SAFETY OF AMERICANS AND A DISGRACE TO YOUR ORGANIZATION. THESE TIRES SHOULD ALL BE RECALLED AND REPLACED WITH NON FIRESTONE TIRES. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DIE FROM THIS, WHY WOULD YOU ONLY MAKE THEM RECALL 15 INCH TIRES. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO TO GET FIRESTONE TO REPLACE MY TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND FOR NO CHARGE.*AK (TIRESIZE: 16 INCH)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 16 INCH )
CONSUMER HAD A FLAT AND WHILE JACKING UP VEHICLE , METALJACK CRUMBLED INTO PIECES. DEALER WAS TO CONTACT CONSUMER PER MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY HAVE NOT CALLED.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE FELL OFF JACK. *SLC
HAVE VIBRATION, IRREGULAR WEAR, NOISE. HAVE HAD THREE DIFFERENT COMPANIES LOOK AT CAR & THEY ALL DETERMINED IT WAS THE TIRES. I ONLY HAVE 19,000 MILES ON VEHICLE AND SHOULD NOT NEED TO REPLACE TIRES. WENT TO FAMILY TIRE, FIRESTONE, & WORLD FORD. ALL HAVE THROWN UP THERE HANDS AND DONT WANT TO HELP OUT THE CONSUMER. CALL THE 800 # FOR FIRESTONE ALL THEY SAY IF THEY ARE NOT RECALLED. ARTICLE DTD 4-12-01 STATES THEY ARE RECALLING MORE FIRESTONE TIRES WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS I'AM HAVING. THE MODEL THAT IS NOW BEING RECALLED ARE P265/70R16. I FEEL THAT IT IS UNSAFE FOR ME AND MY TWO SMALL KIDS TO BE BEHIND THE WHEEL BECAUSE OF THIS. WHAT WILL IT TAKE ANOTHER DEATH AND FAMILT LOSS FOR SOMEONE TO WAKE UP AND PAY MORE ATTENTION. IF NEED BE WILL REPLACE TIRES AND CONTACT AN ATTORNEY. I DON'T SEEM TO BE GETTING ANYWHERE THIS IS MY LAST RESORT.*AK (TIRESIZE: P255/70R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING IN DARK AND HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT, BRIGHT AND DIM. CONSUMER HAD TO HOLD TURN SIGNAL TOWARDS HIM TO KEEP LIGHTS ON. *AK
ALL OF SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES FAILED TO LOCK AND HOLD RESTRAINTS IN PLACE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
DOORS ON DRIVER AND BACK PASSENGER SIDES WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OF VEHICLE WHICH COULD POSE A RISK IF QUICK EXIT IS NEEDED. *AK CONSUMER STATES UPON ARRIVING HOME SHE TRIED TO EXIT VEHICLE BY PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN DOOR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT FAILED TO OPEN, CONSUMER STATES SHE HAD TO CRAWL OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE, CONSUMER STATES SHE ALSO HAS TO GO THROUGH PASSENGER SIDE TO GET INTO VEHICLE , ALSO THE BACK DOOR ON THE SAME SIDE IS BROKEN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
INDENTATIONS (ROUNDED GROOVES) THAT RADIATE FROM THE HUBCAP TO THE TREAD WERE NOTICED TODAY BY AN ENGINEER ON A JOBSITE. WE INSPECTED ALL THE TIRES, THE LEFT REAR TIRE HAS THREE SUCH INDENTATIONS, THE RIGHT REAR TIRES HAD TWO, AND WE ONLY FOUND ONE ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. NO SUCH INDENTATIONS WERE FOUND ON THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. THE ENGINEER SAID THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST INDICATION THAT MY TIRES WERE BREAKING DOWN!!! *AK (DOT NUMBER: W SERIES TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)
THE LOWER PAXTON POLICE DEPARTMENT SUGGESTED I REPORT THIS PROBLEM - THE OFFICER THOUGHT WE HAD A CASE OF TIRE SEPARATION. THE FIRESTONE DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. WHEN THE TIRE BLEW OUT, (MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING), IT PULLED HIM OVER TO THE FAR EDGE OF THE OTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. OUR FORD DEALER (MAGUIRES OF HERSHEY) TOLD US IT WAS NOT A FORD PROBLEM, AND SENT US TO A FIRESTONE DEALER. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2HL (457) TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)
WHILE STARTING EXPLORER AN EXPLOSION OCCURRED BLOWING OFF (INTO MANY PIECES) THE INTAKE COVER. THE EXPLOSION LIFTED THE CAR UP INTO THE AIR AND THE NOISE COULD BE HEARD FROM INSIDE OUR HOUSE.*AK
WAS BRAKING TO SLOW DOWN TO COME TO A STOP, AND A SEMI TRAILER HAD SLAMMED ON BRAKES SUDDENLY. DRIVER OF EXPLORER SLAMMED ON BRAKES, PEDAL WAS HARD, AND WOULD NOT MOVE. HAD NO BRAKES, AND REARENDED SEMI TRAILER. BRAKES RETURNED TO NORMAL AFTER VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO SIDE OF ROAD. *AK
WHILE DRIVING UNDER WINTER CONDITIONS, TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 TO 70 MPH, VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE CONTROL. RIGHT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WENT INTO A DITCH, AND VEHICLE ROLLED 1 1/2 TIMES. DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK UP AND PREVENTING INJURY TO DRIVER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT. NLM
ENGINE FAILED. *AK
ALTHOUGH THESE TIRES WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, THE TREAD ON ALL FOUR TIRES WAS BEGINNING TO SEPARATE AND I HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2HLIPY TIRESIZE: 235-75-15)
I AM UNCLEAR AS TO WHETHER MY FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD A FLAT LAST WEEK AND THE TIRE WAS ALMOST OFF THE RIM JUST FROM THE FLAT! DO I NEED TO REPLACE JUST THE SPARE OR ALL 5 TIRES? APPARENTLY, MY TIRES WERE MANUFACTURED IN A TN PLANT BUT NONETHELESS, FIRESTONE AND FORD COMBINED DO NOT INSTILL ANY CONFIDENCE. THANKS FOR GETTING BACK WITH ME. YOU MAY EMAIL ME IF IT IS MORE EXPEDITIOUS. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2HL TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, PROBLEM MAY HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF RECALL (00V-422) AND (00M12). CJ
THIS TIRE BLEW OUT DURING NORMAL USE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY MILEAGE....THERE WAS NO PUNCTURE FOUND AND NO SHARP OBJECT THAT PIERCED THE TIRE. A LARGE ROUND HOLE WAS FOUND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TIRE. THE DRIVER DID NOT HIT ANYTHING..IT HAPPENED DURING TRAVEL ON A CLEARED AND CLEAN AND DRY SOUTHERN HIGHWAY. *AK (TIRESIZE: P255/70R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )
VEHICLE HAS AIR LEAKS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO HAVE AN ERRATIC IDLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH
WHILE TRAVELING AT 15 MPH VEHICLE DIED. TOOK TO A DEALER AND THEY SAID CAMSHAFT WENT INTO MOTOR. TWO MONTHS BEFORE THAT VAN PULLEY SPLIT OPEN, AND VEHICLE CUT OFF. *AK
VEHICLE IS BLOWING FUEL INSIDE OF GAS TANK, IT HAS BEEN ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. DEALERS WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK
VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING EARLIER THIS YEAR. THOUGHT IT WAS JUST SEASONAL. TOOK IT FOR SERVICE IN APRIL. FUEL INDUCTION SYSTEM CLEANING PERFORMED. PROBLEM PERSISTS AND NOW VEHICLE CUTS OFF COMPLETELY AFTER STALLING. ALSO STALLS DURING QUICK ACCELERATIONS. AM AFRAID THAT INJURY OR FATALITY WILL OCCUR BEFORE DEALERSHIP LOCATES DIFFICULTY. HAVE HEARD OF OTHER FORD VEHICLES STALLING. IS THIS RELATED? ANY HELP IS GREATLY APPRECIETED AND NEEDED!*AK
WHEN TURNING ON WINDSHIELD WIPERS THEY WILL NOT WORK. HOWEVER AT TIMES WILL WILL WORK INTERMITTENTLY, WHICH WILL NOT GIVE ANY HELP TO CONSUMER.*AK
VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ALL OF THE LIGHTS APPEARED ON DASHBOARD, AND VEHICLE WOULD RESTART. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS IN MY FORD. SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 01205 ,0232 AND 15406 SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VACUUM OR AIR LEAKS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND / OR ENGINE SYSTEM CAUSING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171 AND OR P0174. *TT SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0L SOHC ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0300 (RANDOM MISFIRE) OR P0301. *TT CONCERNS WITH REAR WIPERS THAT DO NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAN THE BACK GLASS. *TT
CONSUMER WAS HAVING FRONT END ALIGNMENT CHECKED DUE TO VEHICLE VIBRATION, SERVICE TECHNICIAN NOTICED 2 FRONT FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES WERE BEGINNING TREAD SEPARATION AND SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN ON, CONSUMER REPLACED TIRES AND IS REQUESTING A REIMBURSEMENT, TIRE SIZE P235/75R15, DOT W2HL1PY337. *SLC
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: UNKOWN TIRESIZE: 22575)
TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED, IT LOST INTERNAL INTEGRITY & EXPERIENCED INTERNAL CLUTCH DAMAGE. METAL EXITING THE TORQUE CONVERTER CAUSED OCCULUSSIONARY BLOCKAGES AT REAR SECTION LUBE ORIFICES ELEVATING INTERNAL AMBIENT TEMPERATURES WHILE ELEVATING STRESS TO GEARTRAIN COMPONENTS. CLUTCHES & BANDS BECAME METAL IMPREGNATED. BEARINGS BUSHINGS & WASHERS BECAME PITTED DUE TO METALIZED FLUID PASSING THROUGH INNER SURFACES. SPRAGS BECAME FLAT SPOTTED AT CAM SURFACE - DAMAGED THE RACE & CREATED MORE METAL. SOLENOIDS WERE METAL CONTAMINATED. INTERNAL SEALS WERE HARD, INDICATING METAL CONTAMINATION. VEHICLE WOULD ONLY RUN IN REVERSE AFTER THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND REQUIRES $2400 IN REPAIRS. CAR ONLY HAS 46000 MILES ON IT. *AK
THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMEMT OF RECALLED FIRESTONE TIRES BECAUSE THEY WERE PURCHASED PRIOR TO AUGUST 9, 2000 ON A NON-PRORATED BASIS. NLM
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY HEARD A NOISE. PULLED VEHICLE OVER, AND NOTICED TIRE TREAD SEPARATION. P23575R15. *AK FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT DOT W2HL, ON MAY 16, 2001 CONSUMER HAD TIRE REPLACED WITH ANOTHER BRAND. *JB
THE TIRE HAD A CRACK ALL AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE BELT. MY REGULAR TIRE STORE INDICATED THAT THIS WAS THE BEGINNING OF A TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRE WAS BUILT IN WILSON NORTH CAROLINA. THE AUTHORIZED FIRESTONE TIRE STORE REPLACED IT WITH NO CHARGE. *AK (TIRESIZE: P23575R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P23575R15 )
HOOD SLAMMED SHUT UNEXPECTEDLY DURING SERVICING. HOOD SUPPORTS ARE NOW VERY WEAK AND CANNOT SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE HOOD. *AK
PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 35MPH ON A MAIN STREET AND SUDDENLY HEARD A NOISE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SIDE SHOULDER, AND NOTICED THAT LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE.. TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS#AT, P235 R15. THERE WERE NO INJURIES INVOLVED AT THIS TIME. *AK
AM/FM/CASST/CD RADIO DISPLAY QUIT WORKING. TOLD TOUGH LUCK BY DEALER, BUY A NEW ONE FOR $400. *AK