1998 Ford Explorer

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #09V399000October 13, 20094,500,000 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control

  Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 F-250 sd through F-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 E-150 through E-550, 1995-2002 Explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 F53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.

  A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.

  Remedy

  Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact Ford at 1-888-222-2751.

• NHTSA recall #06V286000August 1, 20061,200,000 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control

  On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.

  Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire.

  Remedy

  Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on august 7, 2006. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. (note: also see recalls 05V017 and 05V388)

• NHTSA recall #03V281000August 5, 20031,552,880 vehicles affected

  seats: front assembly: recliner

  On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with high back seats, the upper bolt on the driver's side high back seat, that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame, could fracture. If the bolt fractures and does not jam in the seat back frame, the seat back may recline until it makes contact with an object behind the seat, such as the second row seat cushion.

  The driver could potentially lose contact with the steering wheel or foot pedals during such an event, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the driver seat upper bolt with a metal spacer and bolt. In addition, seats with tubular back frames will have the fully threaded lower recliner bolt replaced with a partially threaded bolt. Owner notification began on august 29, 2003. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

• NHTSA recall #00V422000December 27, 2000220,000 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control

  Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 4.0L sohc engines and still retain the original throttle body (part numbers 97JF-9E926AB or 97JF-9E926-AC). Some of the original throttle bodies installed allowed a gap between the plate and bore to be built too narrow. This reduced clearance allowed the engine deposits normally present in the throttle body to contact or bridge the gap. If the engine deposits bridged the gap between the throttle plate and bore and then hardened, on the initial application of the accelerator pedal after the engine has cooled, the operator would need to apply additional force to the accelerator pedal to break the bridge.

  This could result in engine surge when the accelerator pedal breaks free.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the original throttle bodies.

• NHTSA recall #00V168000June 19, 200020,637 vehicles affected

  exterior lighting

  Vehicle description: mini vans, light pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles. Off lease canadian vehicles equipped with daytime running lights which meet canadian requirements and not the photometric requirements of FMVSS 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." according to Ford, the vehicles were imported into the U.S. Erroneously.

  The light given off from the daytime running lights is brighter than allowed by U.S. Standards.

  Remedy

  Dealers will be advised to deactivate the running light function and to complete any outstanding safety recalls on these vehicles.

• NHTSA recall #99V164000June 29, 1999854,288 vehicles affected

  latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch

  Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The secondary hood latch may corrode at the latch pivot and stick in the open position.

  If this occurs and the primary hood latch is either not engaged or is released, a hood fly-up could occur.

  Remedy

  Dealers will install a secondary hood latch with components that are coated prior to assembly for improved latch pivot corrosion protection.

• NHTSA recall #99V062001March 30, 1999898,739 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control

  Vehicle description: certain 1997-1999 rhd Explorer equipped with 4.0L ohv/sohc engines and cruise control built from may 29, 1996 through march 4, 1999; 1998-1999 Explorer/mountaineers equipped with 4.0L ohv/sohc or 5.0L engines or 1998-1999 rangers equipped with 2.5L, 3.0L ffv/efi or 4.0L engines and cruise control built from january 5, 1998 through march 4, 1999; 1998-1999 mustangs equipped with 3.8L, 4.6L 2-VALVE or 4-VALVE engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999; 1999 F250/F350/F450/F550 (over 8,500 lbs.) trucks equipped with 5.4L or 6.8L engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999; and 1999 F-53 stripped chassis equipped with 5.4L or 6.8L engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999. A cruise control cable Can interfere with the speed control servo pulley and not allow the throttle to return to idle when disengaging the cruise control.

  If the cruise control is used and this condition is present, a stuck throttle could result, which could potentially result in a crash.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the cruise control cables. At the present time, the replacement cables are not available. Customers are being advised not to use the cruise control system until a replacement Can be made.

• NHTSA recall #98V060000March 19, 1998320,000 vehicles affected

  fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

  Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with 4.0L single overhead cam engines. The engine fuel lines Can be damaged if the vehicle is jump started and the ground cable is attached to the fuel line bracket that is located near the battery. Since the bracket is not grounded, the stainless steel fuel line braid could act as a ground potentially overheating the ptfe inner liner of the fuel line resulting in damage to the fuel line.

  The fuel lines Can leak, and in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could potentially result.

  Remedy

  Dealers will install a warning label on the fuel line bracket advising owners not to use it for a jump start ground. Also a revised bolt will be installed in the alternator bracket to provide a convenient jump start ground location.

• NHTSA recall #97V215000November 24, 19971,100 vehicles affected

  electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module

  Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles, eddie bauer and limited editions. The key-in-ignition/door open warning chime may not function when the door is opened. This does not fully comply with FMVSS no. 114, "theft protection."

  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.

  Remedy

  Dealers will install a jumper wire to provide the necessary ground circuit in these vehicles.

Other model years

• 1991 609
• 1992 633
• 1993 939
• 1994 1,207
• 1995 843
• 1996 1,450
• 1997 1,731
• 1998
• 1999 1,348
• 2000 952
• 2001 375
• 2002 3,295
• 2003 1,131
• 2004 1,304
• 2005 497
• 2006 630
• 2007 208
• 2008 148
• 2009 33
• 2010 115
• 2011 1,197
• 2012 830
• 2013 2,237
• 2014 1,684
• 2015 1,813
• 2016 2,465
• 2017 1,704
• 2018 734
• 2019 300
• 2020 1,249
• 2021 451
• 2022 271
• 2023 113
• 2025 107
• 2026 42