Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
45 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
86 / 7
Average Mileage:
2,440 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Ford Explorer wheels / hubs problems

wheels / hubs problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1998 Ford Explorer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1998 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 17)

problem #340

Nov 242010

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1998 Ford Explorer VIN#[xxx] registered to the state of Nevada; original owner: [xxx]...registered because of disability reasons to wife [xxx]...we were involved in a car crash accident...resulting to a total loss at baker, California because of the vehicle cruise control recall which could cause the tire to be treaded...pushing the car to be out of control..while the brake fluid leaking...and the air bag safety failed to develop (open). I think Ford Motor Company is the primary responsible of the mechanical failure of the workmanship and the car design. I got in touch with their legal department: Product recall & liability. The accident report# [xxx] ncic#[xxx]. the injured driver [xxx]; passenger and the permanent disabled passenger were taken to barstow community hospital emergency room. I need your help in removing all 1998 Ford Explorer from the road; this car could cause major & fatal injuries to the public at large. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #339

Jan 122009

Explorer

  • 168,000 miles
Tire - tread separation vehicle - Ford Explorer (1998) tires - Firestone (purchased somewhere in the 2003-2005 timeframe). These tires were snow tires and are used only a few months out of each year, so there is low mileage on them. At approximately 1 pm, my daughter left a school function in burbank, wa, and turned onto highway 12. She accelerated; about 100 yards later, just as she reached the snake river bridge, the left rear tire lost its tread. She was going less than 50 mph. The car was uncontrollable, spun around, and smashed into the concrete barrier of the bridge. The car was severely damaged (totaled). No other cars were involved.

- West Richland, WA, USA

problem #338

Oct 122008

Explorer

  • 105,000 miles
We had two incidents of tire blow outs in 4 months the last one occurring on Oct 12, 2008. The cause of both blow outs was the tire stem but we did not hear about the recall until I heard it on the news today. We have since bought new tires afraid that it would happen again but what can we do now" I feel like we should be compensated but how" the Ford dealer we bought the tires from is out of business so we could not go there when we realized that it was a tire stem problem and without knowing there was a recall we had no option but to go somewhere else which was american tire. We went to american tire both times it happened for them to fix the tires and they did not mention a recall either. The tires were not old enough to be replaced but for our own safety we did that. I guess I know there is nothing you can do but just wanted to get some advise of what to do, if anything. Thanks, patty P.S. no crash, no deaths, thank goodness

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #337

Jul 022008

Explorer

  • 28,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was traveling in my 1998 Ford Explorer with my son and fiance to bullhead, AZ. Traveling East on hwy40. About 30 miles West of needles, ca I experienced a blown tire on my left rear wheel. These tires were a year old and later we discovered a nail in the tire. We safely merged to the side of the highway and was eventually able to put the spare tire on the left rear. This spare tire is a Firestone Wilderness AT tire (P235/75 R 15). We traveled again for about 20 miles when the spare tread separated causing my SUV to experience severe movement back and forth and almost tipping over; slapping the tread into the rear fender and hatch of the car. My fiance managed to get the car under somewhat control and get us over to the side of the road. We were traveling approx. 70 to 72 mph and because of the first blown tire we all were skidish and keeping both hands on the wheel, which I feel was the reason we did not roll over. I called aaa and got towed to needles, ca where we got a new tire on the spare which cost $175. We continued to travel up hwy95 to bullhead city, AZ, approx. 15 miles, where our house was. July 3 we went to superior tires and bought 4 new Goodyear tires. I am left with a damaged rear fender and a damaged hatch do to the Firestone tire tread separation.

- Pinon Hills, CA, USA

problem #336

Jan 012002

Explorer

  • miles
I had 4 of the Firestone tires on my Explorer when I heard of the potential danger. I removed them immediately (my wife and child were using that car) before they were recalled. Firestone refuses to reimburse me for them because I took them off before the recall.

- St Augustine, FL, USA

problem #335

Nov 142005

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 90,000 miles
Contact stated that right after purchasing the vehicle he had replace the brakes, tires, fuel filter, the fuel injection was cleaned, the anti lock sensors where replaced, the windshield was replaced. The air bags are also deployed. While driving the vehicle it vibrates on the left side. He took the vehicle to a mechanic they put the vehicle on a rack trying to line the vehicle. It would not line up. They found that the ball joints bad, also the motor mounts are broken. The mechanic told him that the frame is bent beyond repair.

- Victorville, CA, USA

problem #334

Sep 152004

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle experienced unexpected acceleration. When approaching a stop vehicle accelerated intermittently, and while driving consumer's vehicle smashed into two other vehicles. Consumer was aware that this problem was ongoing, and would like to know why the manufacturer had not recalled vehicle. Took vehicle to the dealer, and after the vehicle was evaluated by the service technicians, consumer was told that the problem could not be duplicated. The consumer had a tire failure.

- Maryland Heights, MO, USA

problem #333

Mar 242004

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 116,000 miles
Stock jack with Ford Explorer will not allow the tire to be changed. Also found dealer did not replace recall Firestone Wilderness AT recalled tire as per invoice. Tire exploded and ruined. Near miss 16 wheeler.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #332

Mar 172004

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,760 miles
While driving the sidewall blew out of my Bridgestone tire.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #331

Sep 292002

Explorer

  • miles
Tire blew out on the highway. Driver loss control of the car, veered to the right, missed a couple of cars on the right lanes and hit the side of the hill on the left of the road. Car spun and rolled over several times. All passengers (5) were injured. Tire was in good condition and driver did not drive over anything (I.e. potholes, debris, etc). **dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**768040

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #330

Sep 042002

Explorer 4WD 8-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The right rear tire experienced a blowout, which caused the vehicle to roll over. (tire by Michelin) there was a cut found in the inside of the sidewall. The vehicle pulled to the left, veered harshly to the right, and the right rear tire had shredded, which was a Firestone tire. (the front tires were moved to the rear and replaced the front tires with the spare a new tire. In October 2000, all of the tires were replaced with Michelin tires)

- Baldwin City, KS, USA

problem #329

Nov 302002

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles
Was driving approximately 75mph when the tread separated from the tire. This caused the vehicle to be steered towards a hill and bounced off it. The vehicle then rolled over and landed onto the lane, on its roof. Firestone Wilderness AT; size P255 70R16.

- Alameta, CA, USA

problem #328

Sep 042002

Explorer

  • miles
Driver was driving 55mph with one passenger in the 1998 Ford Explorer when the right rear tire had blowout; conditions causes a roll over crash. Driver and the passenger sustained injuries from the crash. A after market equipment, install at 57,276 miles tire Michelin, model txa115 size 235/75R15, dot unavailable. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Baldwing City, KS, USA

problem #327

Jul 022002

Explorer

  • miles
Driver was driving 35 mph with three passengers in a 1998 Explorer when the right rear tire had a blowout. After market equipment. Install at 29,17 miles, tire size 235/75R/15. Dot # unavailable. Dealer and manufacturers were notified. Feel free to provide any further information.

- Balwin City, KS, USA

problem #326

Sep 292002

Explorer

  • miles
Tire blew up on a highway. Driver lost control of the car, veered to the right, missed a couple of cars on the right lanes and hit the side of the hill on the left of the road. Car spun and rolled over several times. All passengers (5) were injured. Tire was in good condition and driver did not drive over anything (I.e. potholes, debris, etc).

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #325

Mar 202002

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Consumer is requesting reimbursement for 4 Firestone 15inch tires which had to be replaced according to Firestone recall received. Consumer mailed reply card but has yet to hear from Firestone regarding reimbursement.

- Marshall, MO, USA

problem #324

Jun 042002

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
The Ford Explorer had the correct tires on it- the driver turned the wheel sharply, the back tired lifted and the Explorer started to roll, it rolled 7 times resulting in 1 death, 1 critically injured and 3 others with injuries. The Ford Explorer was said to roll from the tires, this Explorer had the correct tires on it and it still rolled too easily.

- Lakeside, CA, USA

problem #323

Oct 032000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer states that all of the Firestone Wilderness AT tires, size P265/70R16 and manufactured in Canada, experienced cracking around the outside edges, there have been 2 flats in which one experienced complete cracking, consumer had also found a spot on one of the front tires that exposed the steel belt, consumer had replaced all the tires at her expense due to these not being included in recall 00T005, consumer is requesting these tires be included in the recall and that she be reimbursed.

- Columbia, TN, USA

problem #322

Dec 142001

Explorer

  • miles
Driver lost control of car due to tire tracti0N during incumbient weather. Driver stated that tires were brand new bf uniroyal tire paw tires dotp235/75R15sl size 15X7 purchased new due to Firestone recall.consumer wants tires replaced with a better brand at no cost.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #321

Oct 032000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer states that all of the Firestone Wilderness AT tires, size P265/70R16 and manufactured in Canada, experienced cracking around the outside edges, there have been 2 flats in which one experienced complete cracking, consumer had also found a spot on one of the front tires that exposed the steel belt, consumer had replaced all the tires at her expense due to these not being included in recall 00T005, consumer is requesting these tires be included in the recall and that she be reimbursed.

- Columbia, TN, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?