1998 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

GENERAL TIRE TREAD SEPARATION FORD EXPLORER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED UNOCCUPIED OUTSIDE OF THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE WHEN IT BURST INTO MASSIVE FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. A FIRE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL PERTAINING TO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM MODIFICATION UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V422000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT HAD NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ UPDATED 05/23/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BROKE OFF FROM THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000. UPDATED 03/15/11*LJ UPDATED 05/13/11

1998 FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT FIRE PARKED UNDER MY CARPORT. 1/6/11 @ 14:00HRS. *TR

I OWN A 2000 FORD RANGER AND A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. I BELIEVE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE BREAK PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER ON BOTH VEHICLES. ON AT LEAST FOUR OCCASIONS I HAVE EXPERIENCED MY TENDENCY TO HAVE MY FOOT ON BOTH PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME WHEN IN A SITUATION WHERE I HAVE TO STOP QUICKLY. I T SEEMS THAT I "PANIC" TO SOME DEGREE WHEN IN A SITUATION WHERE I MUST STOP QUICKLY TO AVOID A COLLISION. THIS MAY BE A VERY ISOLATED PERSONAL 'QUIRK" AS IT WERE, BUT I HAVE CAUSED TWO REAR END COLLISIONS SO FAR AND I NOW KNOW THAT I AM PRESSING BOTH PADS WHEN TRYING TO BREAK. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I REMEMBER VIVIDLY HOW MY MOTOR WAS ACCELERATING WHILE I THOUGHT MY FOOT WAS ONLY ON THE BRAKE AND I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COMING TO A STOP WHEN MOST LIKELY I HAD PLENTY OF SPACE AVAILABLE TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP AND AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WIND WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT WAS DISENGAGED FOR THE REAR WINDOW AND THE HINGES WERE FRACTURING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEPARATED FROM THE FIREWALL; THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. SHE BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE OPENING A CASE ON HER BEHALF TO FURTHER INSPECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

1998 FORD EXPLORER VIN#[XXX] REGISTERED TO THE STATE OF NEVADA; ORIGINAL OWNER: [XXX]...REGISTERED BECAUSE OF DISABILITY REASONS TO WIFE [XXX]...WE WERE INVOLVED IN A CAR CRASH ACCIDENT...RESULTING TO A TOTAL LOSS AT BAKER, CALIFORNIA BECAUSE OF THE VEHICLE CRUISE CONTROL RECALL WHICH COULD CAUSE THE TIRE TO BE TREADED...PUSHING THE CAR TO BE OUT OF CONTROL..WHILE THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKING...AND THE AIR BAG SAFETY FAILED TO DEVELOP (OPEN). I THINK FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBLE OF THE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE WORKMANSHIP AND THE CAR DESIGN. I GOT IN TOUCH WITH THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT: PRODUCT RECALL & LIABILITY. THE ACCIDENT REPORT# [XXX] NCIC#[XXX]. THE INJURED DRIVER [XXX]; PASSENGER AND THE PERMANENT DISABLED PASSENGER WERE TAKEN TO BARSTOW COMMUNITY HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM. I NEED YOUR HELP IN REMOVING ALL 1998 FORD EXPLORER FROM THE ROAD; THIS CAR COULD CAUSE MAJOR & FATAL INJURIES TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SLEEPING THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BOMB. THE CONTACT LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPT. TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. NO ONE WAS INJURED NOR WAS ANY PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING ANY RECALLS AND THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE HAS NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS. THE FIRE DEPT. DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS STARTED BY A ELECTRICAL COMPONENT ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO THE FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. JO

AUGUST 18TH 2010 1:30 PM PEARLAND TX . A FORD EXPLORER 4 DOORS GET HIT IT IN THE BACK BY OTHER VEHICLE WILL IS IN STOP POSITION; ABOUT 40/50 MILES P/H. THE FRONT PANEL GET BROKE, THE STEREO FLU TO THE FRONT HITTING THE DRIVER. AND THE AIR BAG "DO NOT OPEN" DRIVER COULD BE INJURED ON THE FACE AND AT THE ARMS. ALSO THE DRIVER SEAT IS BROKE IN THE BACK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED BUT A NEIGHBOR EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN HE RESEARCHED RECALL 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) WHICH WAS RELATED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 113,000.

ON JULY 17, 2010 THE ACCELERATOR TO MY 1998 EXPLORER (EDDIE BAUER) STUCK WHEN I WAS TRYING TO BACK A LITTLE WAYS DOWN MY DRIVE WAY. THE TRUCK ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND JUMPED THE STREET HITTING MY NEIGHBOR PORCH DAMAGING THE PORCH AND NEIGHBOR'S YARD. THE POLICE CAME AND COMPLETED AN ACCIDENT REPORT. THE FORD EXPLORER WAS TOWED TO THE BODY SHOP AND REPAIRED TOWED TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE FORD EXPLORER. I TRADED THE VEHICLE IN. I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER 1998 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS AND THEY ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

I HAVE HAD MY DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM REPAIRED BEFORE, BUT THE RECLINER DRIVER'S SEAT HAS BROKEN AGAIN. NOW THE RECLINER DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINES TOTALLY, UNTIL IT TOUCHES THE BACK SEAT CUSHION. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE PART TO REPAIR THE SEAT IS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. I WAS TOLD I COULD GO TO A SALVAGE YARD TO LOOK FOR THE PART. ON RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET I CAME UPON THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

SUBJECT: DEFECTIVE SEAT FRAME CAUSED BY FAULTY SEAT RECLINER BOLT COMMENTS: I HAVE A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT THAT WAS RECALLED BY FORD FOR A FAULTY DRIVERS SEAT RECLINER BOLT. ON JUNE 2ND 2010 I TOOK MY EXPLORER TO FUTURE FORD OF CONCORD CA TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR WORK PERFORMED, WHICH IT WAS, BUT WITH A "NOTE TO THE CUSTOMER" FROM THE FORD MECHANIC THAT THE SEAT FRAME WAS DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE FAULTY DRIVERS SEAT RECLINER BOLT FOR WHICH MY EXPLORER WAS RECALLED FOR. UPON BEING INFORMED I ASKED MY FORD SERVICE ADVISOR "D.T." HOW FORD PLANNED TO REPAIR THE DAMAGED SEAT FRAME, AND HE REFERRED ME TO THE FUTURE FORD SERVICE MANAGER J.H., WHO IN TURN SAID THAT HIS "COMPUTER SAID" THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, AND THAT I WAS WELCOME TO VOICE MY CONCERNS TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY?!?! CAN SOMEONE AT THE DOT PLEASE EVALUATE MY CASE AND IF WARRANTED, APPROACH FORD MOTOR CO. WITH AN ORDER TO REPLACE THE FAULTY PART(S) AT NO COST TO ME SINCE THE DAMAGE TO THE SEAT FRAME WAS CAUSED BY THE FAULTY DRIVERS SEAT RECLINER BOLT? DRIVING ON A DAMAGED DRIVERS SEAT SEAT FRAME DOESN'T SOUND TOO SAFE TO ME! NO DOUBT THIS IS WHY THE MECHANIC AT FUTURE FORD NOTED THIS ON HIS WORK ORDER, AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR THEN NOTIFIED ME. *TR

RUNNING BOARDS ARE SO BADLY CORRODED YOU COULD SEE RIGHT THROUGH TO THE ROAD. RUST SPREADING BADLY THROUGH UNDERCARRIAGE. HAD TO HAVE RUNNING BOARDS REMOVED BEFORE THEY FELL OFF. *TR

98 FORD EXPLORER, ABS LOCKUP DRY WEATHER, SLOW SPEED.... NOW HAS ACCELERATED DURING ONE OF THESE EPISODES ....RELATIVELY CERTAIN THE EDGE OF MY FOOT DID NOT CATCH THE GAS PEDAL... *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED RUST ON THE FRAME OF THE FRONT DOORS. WHEN SHUTTING EITHER FRONT DOOR, RUST WOULD FRACTURE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH SHE ENGAGED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED WITH LIMITED BRAKING ABILITY. HE STATED THAT NONE OF THE WARNINGS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ONE YEAR LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL 09V399000, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL AND STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE LAST YEAR IN 2009. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIRED IT AS NECESSARY PER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER NEXT WEEK. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 164,000. UPDATED 12/14/2011 *CN UPDATED 03/02/11

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BACK OF PARKING SPACE AT HOME, VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT TOWNHOME ACROSS THE STREET. ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RECENTLY REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP (01/12/2010). *TR

I HAVE A 1998 FORD EXPLORER, 4.0L V6 WITH ALMOST 110K MILES ON THE VEHICLE. ON 2/24/10 I ACCELERATED FROM A COMPLETE STOP AND THE ENTIRE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY, DETACHED FROM THE FIRE WALL AT WHAT LOOKS LIKE THE SPOT WIELDS. THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN A ACCIDENT DUE TO IMMEDIATE VEHICLE DECELERATION. THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY IS NOW ONLY "ATTACHED" TO THE CAR VIA THE THROTTLE CABLE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME BY BASICALLY PULLING THE THROTTLE CABLE. THIS WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS I HAD USE ONE HAND ON THE WHEEL WHILE BENDING DOWN TO PULL THE CABLE. I WAS JUST ABLE TO SEE OVER THE DASH. I WAS TOLD BY SANTA MARGARITA FORD IN ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA, THAT IT'S NOT OF THEIR CONCERN SINCE THEY DON'T "FIX" PARTS BUT REPLACE THEM. THEY WOULD CHARGE ME TO "REPLACE" THE PART. SO NO FIX HAS BEEN DONE TO MY VEHICLE YET. I WILL MOSTLY LIKELY DRILL AND BOLT THE ASSEMBLY TO THE FIREWALL, SINCE FORD HAS NO INTEREST IN "FIXING" MY CAR. *TR

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND O2 SENSORS HAVE TO BE REPLACE EVERY THIRTY TO FORTY THOUSAND MILES. NOW O/D OFF LIGHT IS FLASHING AND CAR DRIVES LIKE IT IS IN FIRST GEAR, SHIFTS HARD. *TR

1998 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND TRANS STARTED SLIPPING BADLY ALL AT ONCE. CAN NOT DRIVE NOW. I DON'T YET KNOW HOW MUCH A NEW TRANS WILL COST, BUT VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND SERVICED REGULARLY. I BELIEVE THIS TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BACK OF A PARKING SPACE, ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DANGLING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CONSOLE COMPLETELY UNATTACHED FROM THE CAR. VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN PICKED UP FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR OTHER REPAIRS. CALLED FORD WHO CAME AND DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE, TOOK IT BACK TO THEIR SHOP, MADE REPAIRS AND BROUGHT SUV BACK TO ME AT NO CHARGE. *TR

1998 FORD EXPLORER. PARKED AT RESTAURANT, SHUT OFF VEHICLE, WENT INSIDE. APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES LATER SOMEONE YELLED FIRE. WENT OUTSIDE TO DISCOVER SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLED AND RESPONDED QUICKLY. FIRE EXTINGUISHED, BUT VEHICLE TOTALED. NO INJURIES, NO OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE EXCEPT BURNED HEDGES THAT WERE IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHERE IT WAS PARKED. TOW TRUCK DRIVER REMARKED THAT IT APPEARED POSSIBLE THAT IT WAS ONE OF THOSE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSED FIRES AS IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED ON OR NEAR THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, MY SON WAS USING THE TRUCK WHEN THE FIRE OCCURRED AND I AM RELATING HIS RECOLLECTION OF THE EVENTS. VEHICLE WAS TOWED IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS TO A HOLDING YARD AND SUBSEQUENTLY TO MY HOME WHERE IT IS PRESENTLY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE TRYING TO USE THE LIGHTER IN THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND NO ACTION WAS TAKEN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

AFTER SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR APROX 9 HOURS, THE ENGINE AREA CAUGHT ON FIRE AT 4AM. SPECULATION IS THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH IGNITED AND CAUSED THE FIRE. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, AS IS THE INTERIOR WITH SMOKE DAMAGE. *TR

CIGARETTE LIGHTER CAUSED WIRING HARNESS TO BURN. SMOKE FILLED THE CABIN WHEN LIGHTER STUCK AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF VEHICLE. AFTERWARD SEVERAL EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS STAYED ON. THE REAR WIPERS WERE ALSO ACTIVATED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PARKED HE SAW SMOKE AND FLAMES UNDERNEATH OF THE HOOD OF HIS VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND HE WAS ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER. THE SPEED CONTROL WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED ; WHICH CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK . NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. HE THEN RECEIVED A LETTER FOR RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WILL CONTACT HIM WITH A RESPONSE WITHIN A FIFTEEN DAY PERIOD. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 155000.

LARGE FUEL LEAK FROM BRAIDED STEEL FUEL LINES WHERE THEY WERE RUBBING AGAINST THEIR BRACE ON THE TOP FRONT OF ENGINE. THEY WERE CUT, WITH A SPLICE PUT IN, AND THE BRACE REMOVED, RATHER THAN A REPLACEMENT. THE REASON BEING THE REPLACEMENT PART COST OF $600. *TR

I DRIVE A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE LOCKS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR HAVE JAMMED, PREVENTING THE OCCUPANT FROM OPENING THE DOOR. THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN VERY COSTLY (AROUND $800 TOTAL), AND THE FAULTY/JAMMED LOCKS HAVE POSED SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERNS, SINCE THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE ARM REST TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I WOULD STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT YOU ADDRESS THIS SAFETY ISSUE WITH FORD MOTOR CO. ASAP. IT MAY BE TOO LATE FOR ME. HOWEVER, IT WILL BE A HELP TO OTHERS WHO MIGHT HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND NOT BE ABLE TO ESCAPE A FIRE OR WORSE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WITH MY MOTHER IN THE CAR, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. THE FRIEND WHO HAD TO CLIMB IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE OVER THE ARM REST ENDED UP WITH A SORE BACK. WE WERE OUT OF TOWN WHEN THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR

WIPERS WORKS WHEN THEY WANT TOO. POWER WINDOWS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TOO. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WORKS WHEN THEY WANT TOO. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WERE INOPERABLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ARM YET THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN A YEAR. THE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ARM WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME BY THE DEALER. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE WIRES WERE DISCOLORED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED SEVERAL ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT DECLINED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM DID NOT NEED AN ADDITIONAL REPLACEMENT BUT SUGGESTED REPLACING THE FUSE. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE USING THE TURN SIGNALS, THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH INSIDE BEGAN SMOKING. THERE WERE NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE OR RELATED RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS, THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 191,000.

I OWN A 1998 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS. BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS DO NOT OPERATE USING ANY OF THE THREE AVAILABLE METHODS FOR UNLOCKING. THE REMOTE KEY FOB OPERATION, THE EXTERIOR DRIVER DOOR ENTRY PAD OR THE INTERIOR LOCKING MECHANISM DO NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS. THIS VEHICLE HAS THE DOORS SET TO AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN PUT IN TO ANY OTHER GEAR THAN 'PARK' AND THE DOORS CAN ONLY BE OPENED USING THE INTERIOR HANDLE WHICH IS ONLY ACCESSIBLE FROM THE REAR DOOR OF MY 4-DOOR VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED TODAY TO REPLACE A SIMILAR VEHICLE (1999 FORD EXPLORER XLT) THAT HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THANKFULLY WHEN I TOTALED THE VEHICLE IN AN UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT THE DOOR DID NOT STICK CLOSE WITH THE LOCK BEING THE CULPRIT. *TR

WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE GAS PEDAL SNAPPED OFF AND FELL TO THE FLOOR OF THE CAR. WE WERE ABLE TO COAST OUT OF THE INTERSECTION WHERE IT HAPPENED. ONCE STOPPED WE DISCOVERED THAT THE WELDS THAT HELD THE PETAL TO THE FIRE-WALL (I BELIEVE THAT IS WHAT THE MECHANIC LATER CALLED IT) HAD BROKEN. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO BOLT THE PEDAL BACK ON. WHILE THERE WERE NO INJURIES, OR IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO THE CAR, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A FAR MORE DANGEROUS SITUATION, AS WE WERE HEADED FOR A BUSY HIGHWAY AT THE TIME. WE FEEL FORD SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS INCIDENT, TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE COST OF REPAIR, AND TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE. *TR

98 FORD EXPLORER IS THERE A RECALL ON TRANSMISSION 2 WHEEL DRIVE

I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, IN MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER, EDDIE BAUER, THIS AFTERNOON ; I WAS ABOUT 10 TO 15 MILES OFF THE INTERSTATE. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY GAS PEDAL BROKE OFF AND WAS JUST HANGING THERE. IT WAS A VERY BUSY STATE HWY WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 55 MPH. LUCKILY A CHP OFFICER CAME BY AND PUSHED MY CAR FORWARD TO A WIDER SPOT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THEN THE TOW TRUCK CAME AND TOWED ME TO A SHOP. IT REALLY SCARES ME TO THINK ABOUT IF MY WIFE OR SON HAD BEEN DRIVING AND NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO OR WHAT WAS WRONG. ALSO, I WAS VERY LUCKY IT DID NOT HAPPEN TO ME WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE. AFTER I GOT THE CAR TOWED AND CAME HOME I WENT ON THE INTERNET TO RESEARCH THIS PROBLEM. ON WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM I FOUND 11 OTHER CASES LISTED WITH VERY SIMILAR STORIES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED AND THE FUSES WOULD CONTINUOUSLY BLOW OUT. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSTALLED NEW FUSES IN THE VEHICLE AND MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS, BUT THE FUSES BLEW OUT AGAIN THE SAME DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC. WHILE AT THE REPAIR SHOP, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS PARTIALLY DESTROYED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE THREE OPEN RECALLS, ONE OF WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 06V286000, 03V281000, AND 98V060000 WERE REFERENCED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 132,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN THE VEHICLE WOULD RANDOMLY STOP WORKING. THIS CAUSES DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS IN RAINY WEATHER. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC MODULE IN THE WIPER/WASHERMOTOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V072000, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE99049 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS) ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED BECAUSE THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,000. UPDATED 09/01/09. *LJ UPDATED 09/04/09.*JB

WE WERE DRIVING ALONG IN OUR 1998 FORD EXPLORER AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THEN IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR. IT OCCURS EVERYTIME WE DRIVE THE CAR NOW. WE TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS A TORQUE CONVERTER AND THAT IT WAS 2000 DOLLARS. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER IT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THIRD GEAR. FORD DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACED FOR 4000 DOLLARS. WE DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FROM 98-04 EXPLORERS, AS THEY SHARE THE SAME TRANSMISSION. LINK: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION_FAILURE.SHTML FEEL FREE TO CALL ME ANYTIME. *TR

REVERSE SOMETIMES IT WORKS SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. *TR

SPOT WELDS ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MOUNTING BRACKET FAILED AND BROKE COMPLETELY OFF CAUSING LOSS OF ACCELERATOR FUNCTION AND ALLOWING PEDAL TO FALL BEHIND BRAKE PEDAL. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT MANY FORD EXPLORERS ARE EXPERIENCING AND SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE DIES! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINES ALL THE WAY BACK UNTIL IT TOUCHES AN OBJECT BEHIND THE SEAT. SHE COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DUE TO THIS ISSUE. HIS VEHICLE MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V281000 (SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING IT. *TR

DOOR LOCKS ARE STUCK ON PASSENGER SIDE OF 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A REPAIR SHOP, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND HAD IT REPAIRED AGAIN FOR FREE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,994 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

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.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS ON SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE FOR A BRIEF MOMENT. WHEN SHE RETURNED THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED WITH SMOKE. SHE REMOVED HER CHILDREN AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. AFTER WAITING FOR FIVE MINUTES THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE FIRE DAMAGE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

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.