1998 Ford EXPLORER SPORT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
121 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
100,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 69 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 121 complaints (19.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 7.4% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 6.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 5.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 2.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 23 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 11 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 9 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 7 |
| Tires | 7 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 23; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 11; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 9; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 7; Tires: 7; Electrical System: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 11 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 26 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 11; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 26; 150,000 and above: 9
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (26). 52 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 25 |
| 2004 | 18 |
| 2005 | 26 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2007 | 16 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2001: 4; 2002: 4; 2003: 25; 2004: 18; 2005: 26; 2006: 10; 2007: 16; 2008: 5; 2009: 6; 2010: 3; 2011: 1; 2013: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10014516 · 2003-04-17 (April 17, 2003)
BLEND DOOR IN THE VENTILATION SYSTEM DOES NOT OPERATE. LEADS TO HEAT IN THE SUMMER AND DIFFICULITY DEFROSTING THE WINSHIELD IN THE WINTER. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 1998 EXPLORERS. I ALSO HAD THE EVAPORATOR TANK REPLACED LAST YEAR. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED TO FIX. I ALSO HAD TWO SETS OF BRAKES AND ROTORS ON THIS VEHICLE AND THE RADIO STILL DOES'NT WORK RIGHT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 63,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014516 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039319 · 2003-09-22 (September 22, 2003)
RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD MOTOR CORP AND TELEPHONED THEM ABOUT ANOTHER MATTER. NAMELY WHEN BREAKING MY 1998 FORD SPORT EXPLORER, IT SUDDENLY STARTED TO ACCELERATE. IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND CONTINUED TO BREAK THE CAR. THE MOTOR RACED,BUT THE VEHICLE STOPPED. BECAUSE I APPLIED THE BRAKE WITH CONSIDERABLE FORCE. FORD MOTOR PERSONNEL TOLD ME TO BRING THIS MATTER TO THE ATTENTION OF MY LOCAL FORD DEALER. COMPLIED, BUT ADVISED IF THE PROBLEM DOES NOT APPEAR DURING A ROAD TEST NOTHING CAN BE DONE. THIS IS A COP OUT . WHO KNOWS WH…
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039319 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021354 · 2003-06-10 (June 10, 2003)
SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND PARK LIGHTS TURNED ON ALTHOUGH THE LIGHT SWITCH WAS IN THE "OFF" POSITION. ALSO MOVING THE MULTIFUNCTION LEVER TO MAKE A LEFT TURN SIGNAL ,THE INSTUMENT PANEL SHOWED THAT THE LEFT SIGNAL LIGHT WAS STUCK "ON" AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS DIDN'T WORK AT THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE TRUCK. HOWEVER, THE RIGHT SIGNAL HAS NEVER MALFUNCTIONED. THIS IS VERY TROUBLING. THIS EVENT OCURRED TWICE WITHIN A WEEK. DEALER HAS REPLACED TWO RELAYS(I PAID FOR), ONLY TIME WILL TELL IF THIS IS THE FIX.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 114,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021354 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041070 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, I HEARD A SNAP AND A POP LIKE A FANBELT BROKE. I LOST ALL POWER. THIS INCLUDES POWER STEERING AND AIR CONDITIONING. I DRIVING AROUND A CURVE, ON AN INCLINE, AND TO PULL OVER I WAS ON A SLOPE DOWNHILL. I HAVE SINCE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT UNCOMMON WITH THE MOTOR THAT IS IN MY CAR. THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE IN MY CAR. IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL?
Owner-reported narrative. 100,251 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041070 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10047615 · 2003-11-26 (November 26, 2003)
OVER THE LAST YEAR MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER 2 DOOR SPORT HAS BEEN LOOSING SOME INTERIOR ELECTRICAL FEATURES. THE FIRST WAS THE DISPLAY LIGHTS ON THE RADIO. THEY WOULD COME AND GO..... NOW THE DISPLAY IS TOTALLY GONE. HOWEVER THE RADIO, CD PLAYER AND TAPE DECK STILL WORK. I JUST CAN'T SEE WHAT TRACK, STATION, OR THE TIME. THEN THE NEXT ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WAS THE DRIVER SIDE POWER UNLOCK SWITCH. I CAN LOCK ALL THE DOORS BUT I CANNOT UNLOCK THE DOORS, NEXT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY DASH..... I CAN'T REMEMBER IF THIS WAS THE S…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10047615 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10108063 · 2005-01-27 (January 27, 2005)
FIRE UNDER THE HOOD OF A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED AND THE IGNITION TURNED OFF FOR OVER 4 HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT THE FIRE BEGAN AS THE RESULT OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT UNDER THE HOOD.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 135,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10108063 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081696 · 2004-07-12 (July 12, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH CONSUMER FELT VIBRATION IN THE GAS PEDAL. THE GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO NEAR 100 MPH. CONSUMER HAD TO VEER OFF THE ROAD, AND PUT THE GEAR SHIFT INTO PARK TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 114,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081696 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10296772 · 2009-12-23 (December 23, 2009)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 118,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10296772 at NHTSA ↗