1998 Explorer Van FORD EXPLORER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
82,344 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 6 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 16.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 1 |
| Structure:Body:Hood:Hinge And Attachments | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 1; Seats: 1; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 1; Structure:Body:Hood:Hinge And Attachments: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 1 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 2 |
2003: 4; 2004: 2
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10019240 · 2003-05-24 (May 24, 2003)
THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL RING AND PINION GEARS FAILED WITH JUST 78,000 MILES AND MAINLY HIGHWAY ONLY MILES. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019240 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045069 · 2003-10-30 (October 30, 2003)
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON BOLT REPLACEMENT DATED AUGUST 2003. FOR ABOUT ONE YEAR THE FRONT SEATS IN MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROKEN RECLINING TO THE BACK SEAT, I HAVE BLANKETS AND PILLOWS PILED IN THE SEATS THAT ENABLES ME TO SIT UP ENOUGH TO DRIVE AND BUCKLE MY SEAT BELT. ON 9/10/03 I CALLED YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SPOKE TO A REPRESENTING BY THE NAME OF NICOLE TO COMPLAIN. I FOLLOWED INSTRUCTIONS AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH ERNIE HAIR AT FORD, WHO LOOKED AT THE SEATS AND MADE A DETERMINATION THAT TOOK 5 MINUTES, THAT IT WAS THE RECLINER NOT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10045069 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045449 · 2003-11-04 (November 4, 2003)
EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER BRIGHT LIGHT SWITCH ON STEERING COLUMN FAILED WHEN RETURNING FROM BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS TO REGULAR LIGHTING. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT DUE TO THE SWITCH, HAD TO WIGGLE SWITCH TO GET LIGHTS BACK ON. I DISCOVERED BY HOLDING THE SWITCH TOWARDS MY DIRECTION (THE FLASH BRIGHTS MODE), I COULD GET HOME. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IN PITCH DARK . LIGHTS UNEXPECTEDLY WENT OUT DURING THIS ACTION. IT WAS RATHER SHOCKING TO HAVE THE HEADLIGHTS TO TURN OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 124,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045449 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051307 · 2003-12-30 (December 30, 2003)
WHILE THE HOOD WAS OPEN, THE HYDRAULIC HOOD "STRUTS" GAVE WAY, & THE HOOD CAME CRASHING DOWN & HIT ME ON THE BACK OF MY HEAD. LUCKILY, IT WAS A GLANCING BLOW, & I DIDN'T SUSTAIN A MAJOR INJURY.
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10051307 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059027 · 2004-02-26 (February 26, 2004)
BROKEN DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 93,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059027 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062664 · 2004-03-20 (March 20, 2004)
I HAD TO REPLACE THE CENTER ARMREST ON 9-9-99 UNDER WARANTY AND A SECOND TIME AT MY EXPENSE. THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT BOLT WAS MISSING. RAZZARI FORD IN MERCED, CA, CANNOT FIX UNDER WARRANTY. *JB FORD MOTOR COMPANY CLAIMS MISSING BOLT AND DEFECTIVE ARMREST IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I REMINDED THEM I WILL NOT BUY NEW FORDS AGAIN.
Owner-reported narrative. 82,344 miles reported. Look up ODI 10062664 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.