Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
21 / 24
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 1
Average Mileage:
34,325 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 engine problems

engine 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 4 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #94

Dec 252001

Explorer

  • miles

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

Recall 00 V 422 000/throttle: Vehicle would run rough when starting up in morning and stalled intermittently. Dealer and manufacturer were notified, and informed consumer that this vehicle was not covered under recall due to VIN. Feel free to provide any further information concerning this matter.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #93

Oct 312001

Explorer

  • miles
While vehicle was moving in reverse at an unknown speed engine suddenly accelerated, and crashed into a parked bus. Vehicle accelerated to an unknown speed, and traveled approximately 15 feet before the crash. Vehicle has not been examined by a mechanic to determine cause of the problem. Consumer experienced back pains since this incident. Please provide any additional information / documentation.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #92

Jul 312001

Explorer

  • miles
Engine goes dead on acceleration. Vehicle will completely shut down and must be restarted. It is often long periods of time between repair visit and next failure. To date this is still occurrina and is a very dangerous condition. The potential of casing a serious accident is very likely. This has happened numerous times when pulling out into the traffic flow.this has been reported numerous times and I have documentation were the problem has been worked on since 8-26-99. Failures are sporadic and to date they have been unable to duplicate the problem and unable to repair. The dealer has been cooperative however that have not been able to repair. They have replaced intake manifolds, checked fuel pumps, timing chain tensioner and many other things but have not been able to correct the problemt.

- Jackson, TN, USA

problem #91

Aug 042001

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

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

Vehicle stalled after exiting highway. I stopped at exit and vehicle stalled when accelerating, vehicle restarted but would stall when put into gear. After sitting for several hours vehicle restarted with no record of any error codes. High potential for accident because I was pulling out into traffic when vehicle failed, I was able to put the vehicle into neutral and coast into a nearby parking lot with no powering steering or brakes. I had been driving on the highway for approx 4 hours. Took vehicle to Ford service center and they were unable to identify the problem, no repair was done. This was the third time the vehicle had stalled on acceleration, but the first time it would not restart.

- Saint Johns, MI, USA

problem #90

Aug 042001

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Vehicle stalled after exiting highway. I stopped at exit and vehicle stalled when accelerating, vehicle restarted but would stall when put into gear. After sitting for several hours vehicle restarted with no record of any error codes. High potential for accident because I was pulling out into traffic when vehicle failed, I was able to put the vehicle into neutral and coast into a nearby parking lot with no powering steering or brakes. I had been driving on the highway for approx 4 hours. Took vehicle to Ford service center and they were unable to identify the problem, no repair was done. This was the third time the vehicle had stalled on acceleration, but the first time it would not restart.

- Saint Johns, MI, USA

problem #89

Dec 162000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
When engine is first started in the morning it has a run away throttle until it warms up. Accelerates to about 2000 rpms and drops back to about 500 RPM. Vehicle is not put into any gear until after the engine warms up at which time it idles smoothly.

- Del Rio, TX, USA

problem #88

Jun 272000

Explorer

  • miles

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

While driving vehicle it accelerates by itself. Vehicle accelerates with brakes on up to 30 RPM. Also, ehicle accelerates where consumer has to turn key off to stop vehicle. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated there was nothing wrong with vehicle. Please provide VIN#.

- Boston, NY, USA

problem #87

Jun 012000

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When vehicle is slowing down or is at a complete stop it accelerates without any notice. Problem occurs intermittently. Consumer has contacted dealer.

- Far Hills, NJ, USA

problem #86

May 032001

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer received recall notification (00S58) consumer was advised to drop off vehicle and they would get to it on Monday because of scheduling problems.

- Tobyhanna, PA, USA

problem #85

Apr 262001

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
While driving over a period of time and attempting to accelerate, vehicle failed to accelerate and accelerator pedal was slow to respond. Vehicle was parked for a short period of time. Upon restarting vehicle and depressing accelerator pedal, it failed to respond, pedal fell off. It was determined that the 3 rivets that hold the mounting bracket hard sheared off causing the accelerator pedal to fail.

- Hillsboro, OR, USA

problem #84

Apr 092001

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles

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

Vehicle was parked in off position for over ten minutes and caught on fire in engine compartment. Also, vehicle was serviced for recall 00V422000 regarding throttle. Consumer not sure if cause of fire was due to that problem.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #83

Mar 302001

Explorer

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle. (dot number: " tiresize: ")

- Newport Beach, CA, USA

problem #82

Nov 181999

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Faulty throttle body caused the gas pedal to stick. Nlm

- Fleetwood, PA, USA

problem #81

Nov 251998

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer had an accident when gas pedal got stuck, then, vehicle accelerated, and lurched forward. Dealer replaced throttle body, speed unknown. Currently, consumer received recall on this component. The manufacturer denied any defective part exists.

- Worcester, MA, USA

problem #80

Jan 282000

Explorer

  • miles
After driving 10 minutes or more vehicle would intermittently stall or cut out while appliing accelerator from a low speed or at a stop postion in heavy traffic. Vehicle been in dealer shop on two occasions, and informed that nothing could be found or problem could not be duplicated. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.

- Medford, OR, USA

problem #79

Jul 012000

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer had 2 accidents due to sudden acceleration, neither time did airbags deploy. In July 2000, vehicle went through garage door, and on March 13, 2001, vehicle hit concrete wall.

- Helena, AL, USA

problem #78

Jul 012000

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle accelerated on its own when applying brakes to come to a stop. Engine revved, and even though consumer applied brakes, vehicle went through garage wall. Dealer could not find problem. On Mar 13, 2001 this happened again. Consumer pulled into parking space on 5th level of parking garage, applied brakes, and vehicle suddenly accelerated and hit concrete wall. Vehicle at dealer at this time. Consumer no longer feels safe driving vehicle.

- Helena, AL, USA

problem #77

Jan 011998

Explorer

  • miles
Vehicle would stall while accelerating from a stop and also while in motion.

- Chester, VA, USA

problem #76

Feb 032001

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer was traveling 5to 10mph. While entering into a parking lot he applied brakes, and vehicle continued to acellerate and hit another vehicle.

- Pittsford, NY, USA

problem #75

Aug 031999

Explorer

  • miles
Gas pedal was sticking, dealer replaced the throttle body assembly.

- Bethany Beach, DE, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?