Vehicle report

1998 FORD EXPLORER

Reported problems

1959 complaints · median 99000 miles
ComponentReports
TIRES:TREAD/BELT381
TIRES340
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL154
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE100
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL87
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE55
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP48
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER44
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION40
SUSPENSION:FRONT40
UNKNOWN OR OTHER40
SUSPENSION39
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM36
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH34
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL33
SEATS27
TIRES:SIDEWALL25
AIR BAGS22
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING22
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR21
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.18
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH18
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER18
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL16
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE16
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION14
STEERING14
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES13
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT13
STEERING:RACK AND PINION13
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR13
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS12
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH11
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER11
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM11
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR11
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM11
STRUCTURE11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES11
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING10
POWER TRAIN10
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM10
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS10
WHEELS10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY9
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS9
SEAT BELTS9
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC9
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER9
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR8
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR8
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)7
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE7
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY7
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS7
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING7
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE6
ENGINE6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM6
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR6
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT6
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM5
EQUIPMENT5
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY5
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH5
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY5
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC5
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)5
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY5
STRUCTURE:BODY5
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY4
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES4
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS4
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS4
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT4
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR4
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE4
WHEELS:RIM4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN3
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
INTERIOR LIGHTING3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)3
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE3
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT3
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE3
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS3
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP3
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS3
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE3
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM3
SUSPENSION:REAR3
VISIBILITY3
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES3
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR3
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY3
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE2
CHILD SEAT2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:SOLENOID2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS2
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER2
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM2
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER2
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT2
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT2
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION2
SERVICE BRAKES2
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID2
STEERING:LINKAGES2
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM2
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS2
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS2
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR2
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES2
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR2
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW1
CHILD SEAT:HARNESS BUCKLE:CONVERTIBLE1
CHILD SEAT:SHELL:INFANT1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR1
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
PARKING BRAKE1
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL1
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY1
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING1
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR1
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE1
STEERING:COLUMN1
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM1
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR1
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT1
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS1
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM1
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS1
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:LEAF1
Unknown1
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE1
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES1
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING1

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Complaint counts are reports filed with NHTSA, not failure rates. A common model collects more of them than a rare one that breaks more often.

1998 Ford Explorer Reported Problems: 1959 complaints | CarFathom