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1998 Ford ExplorerProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 1,959 owner complaints about the 1998 Ford Explorer, most often about the tires. It is covered by 9 safety recalls.

32
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.2× the Explorer median · #2 of 34 years by complaints
Safety recalls9Free fix at dealersOwner complaints1,959416 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage86kTires, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 9, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Ford Explorer has problems

1,959 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Tires69698
Vehicle speed control28181
Engine and engine cooling18916
Electrical system11444
Suspension11113
Visibility1082
Power train1037
Service brakes, hydraulic8620
Steering7014
19 other systems44071

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

9 recalls

1998 Ford Explorer recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front assembly: recliner

Recall 03V-281 · Aug 5, 2003 · 1,552,880 vehicles

Risk. THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 5 more recalls
–no report yet

Hood: latch

Recall 99V-164 · Jun 29, 1999 · 854,288 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS AND THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS EITHER NOT ENGAGED OR IS RELEASED, A HOOD FLY-UP COULD OCCUR.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 99V-062 · Mar 30, 1999 · 898,739 vehicles

Risk. IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS USED AND THIS CONDITION IS PRESENT, A STUCK THROTTLE COULD RESULT, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 98V-060 · Mar 19, 1998 · 320,000 vehicles

Risk. THE FUEL LINES CAN LEAK, AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Anti-theft: control module

Recall 97V-215 · Nov 24, 1997 · 1,100 vehicles

Risk. THE STANDARD SPECIFIED THAT A WARNING TO THE DRIVER SHALL BE ACTUATED WHENEVER THE KEY HAS BEEN LEFT IN THE LOCKING SYSTEM AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPENED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Tires

15 owners mentioned a cost

$482median

Middle half: $200 – $590

Engine and engine cooling

9 owners mentioned a cost

$3,500median

Middle half: $2,800 – $5,000

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other Explorer year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Explorer median. How we score

'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1998 Ford Explorer safety ratings

1998 Ford Explorer 4-DR. 4x4 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

1998 Ford Explorer frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
8 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Ford Explorer, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
  2. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA05005 · closed Aug 2, 2006
    Led to recall 05V-388
  3. THROTTLE STICKINGEA99001 · closed Feb 9, 2001
    Led to recall 00V-422
  4. FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER ATTACHMENTPE03020 · closed Sep 5, 2003
    Led to recall 03V-281
  5. STEERING KNUCKLE SEPARATIONSPE99045 · closed Oct 29, 1999
    No recall
  6. WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTIONPE99049 · closed Apr 24, 2000
    Led to recall 00V-072
  7. FUEL LINE DAMAGE FROM JUMP STARTINGRQ98020 · closed Nov 15, 2000
    Led to recall 98V-060
  8. VEHICLE HESITATION/STALLINGSQ99017 · closed Feb 22, 2000
    No recall
In owners' words

What Explorer owners report

Recent tires complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10373143 · Dec 28, 2010 · 50,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10256951 · Jan 30, 2009 · 168,000 miles
SPARE TIRE THAT IS SECURED TO UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD DUE TO SNAPPED CABLE. *TR
Complaint 10255724 · Jan 20, 2009 · 59,000 miles

Own a 1998 Explorer?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.