1998 Ford EXPLORER SPORT: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000213 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)
I WAS CHANGING FUSES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF OUR 98 EXPLORER AND THE HOOD SLAMMED SHUT ON MY HAND AND FINGERS. THE PISTONS THAT HELD THE HOOD UP FAILED.
Owner-reported narrative. 47,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000213 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000883 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)
I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS IN MY FORD. SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 01205 ,0232 AND 15406 SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VACUUM OR AIR LEAKS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND / OR ENGINE SYSTEM CAUSING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171 AND OR P0174. *TT SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0L SOHC ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0300 (RANDOM MISFIRE) OR P0301. *TT CONCERNS WITH REAR WIPERS THAT DO NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAN THE BACK GLASS. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000883 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006542 · 2003-02-05 (February 5, 2003)
VEHICLE HAS AIR LEAKS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO HAVE AN ERRATIC IDLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH
Owner-reported narrative. 104,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006542 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006551 · 2003-02-12 (February 12, 2003)
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHEN IT WAS FULLY DEPRESSED. *DT *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006551 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007674 · 2003-02-17 (February 17, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELLING AT 75 MPH ON I-10, THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED AND DISINTEGRATED.
Owner-reported narrative. 97,010 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007674 at NHTSA ↗
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 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 10023594 · 2003-06-23 (June 23, 2003)
NOT A SAFETY ITEM. HOWEVER THERE IS A RADIO DISPLAY PROBLEM WITH THE FORD EXPLORER'S. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE RADIO DISPLAY WAS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE EXPLORER'S. THE COST TO REPAIR IS $275. IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, I WONDER WHY IT IS NOT A RECALL ITEM. I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE FORD HAS SCREWED OUT OF $275 FOR A PROBLEM CAUSED BY THEIR FAULTY RADIOS AND NOT BY FAULT OF CONSUMERS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 33,243 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023594 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.