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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

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1998 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 8 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #14

Feb 081999

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

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

Acceleration problem experienced with 1998 Ford Explorer ltd with SOHC V6 engine. The vehicle has been into the dealer four times for this problem, and they said they identified it to Ford Motor Company. Ford replied that they were aware of an acceleration problem and were working on it. Kokomo auto word advised me to maintain a history of events while awaiting further information from fmc. This history was started after the vehicle had been in the shop three times for the same problem. The dealer worked on the vehicle, but has been unable to correct the problem, even after obtaining two "red box" recordings. One recording was "captured" by the service department personnel after they had kept the vehicle for a week. The other was when they put the "red box" in the vehicle for me to try and "capture" an event, which I was able to do. After they read the "capture" I had made, the service manager insinuated that it was my driving style that caused the problem, I.e stepping onthe brake after or during acceleration. When I reminded them they had also managed to record an event, no more was said about my driving style. The dealer requested I use a specific brand of gasoline, which I did, to determin if that could be the problem. The problem has occurred eighteen times since Dec. 23, 1998.

- Peru, IN, USA

problem #13

Jan 151999

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
The throttle assembly sticks. When I press on the accelerator it appears stuck. I must press harder than necessary to release the throttle so vehicle will respond. This is my third complaint and second throttle. Ted russell Ford in knoxville and don smith Ford in greeneville have been very cooperative and responded to my complaints. My concern is that this appears to be a reoccurring problem with the design of the part. In certain situations this condition could be very dangerous. I would like to have assurance that the most recent repair has corrected the sticking throttle, and I will not experience it again.

- Greeneville, TN, USA

problem #12

May 011998

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
EA99001; intermittently when about to make a stop, the vehicle idles up to 6000 RPM, and becomes impossible to stop. Consumer turns off the vehicle so that she won't have an accident. Been to the dealer, they cannot determine problem. Cruise control has been disconnected.

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

problem #11

Jan 131999

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

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

Accelerator sticks when departing from stop. Will suddenly release and vehicle accelerates excessively. Engine at times will hesitate when accelerating from stop. Very dangerous when attempting to merge.

- Mascoutah, IL, USA

problem #10

Dec 021997

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Fuel throttle body linkages and control malfunctions causing the accelerator pedal to stick and hesitate.

- Rocky Moun, VA, USA

problem #9

Aug 301998

Explorer

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Cruise control failed resulting in it not disengaging while braking causing a vehicle collision.

- Agua Dulce, CA, USA

problem #8

Nov 231998

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

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

98 Ford Explorer - 1. gas pedal sticks, so force must be used to get moving... dealer ordered new throttle body. 2. loud squel from front brakes (constant and loud enough to frighten people walking along road), dealer cleaned brakes, but noise returned after just 200 mile, ... waiting for appointment with dealer

- Billerica, MA, USA

problem #7

Nov 011998

Explorer

  • miles
Upon sudden acceleration, engine 'bogs down' or stalls for 10-30 seconds, but engine does not shut off. No warning lights come on. I barely avoided 2 accidents due to this failure. This problem has existed on my vehicle for the last 3 weeks. Other consumers have reported the same issue, ODI id's: 538898, 824222, 824246, 825166, 825418, 825825, 827652, 828092, 829007. According to web searches, Ford does not have a resolution. How many deaths/accidents will be needed before a resolution is posted by Ford to resolve this issue?

- Alpharetta, GA, USA

problem #6

Aug 281998

Explorer

  • miles
While driver waited to pull into a gas station with foot on the brake pedal, all of a sudden the truck surged and the accelerator went on full blast, causing driver to crash into a brick wall. The problem was reported to Ford. The vehicle is being repaired by a body shop.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #5

Oct 161998

Explorer

  • miles
While parking vehicle, foot on brake, vehicle started to accelerate before consumer was able to shift gear into park. Vehicle took off and caused consumer to hit a wall. Dealer/manufacturer notified.

- Piscat Away, NJ, USA

problem #4

Sep 221998

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles

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

When accelerating vehicle will stall, causing the engine to lose power for approximately 10-30 seconds, which could result in an accident. Dealer claims has no remedy for defect.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #3

Jul 021998

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
When braking to stop, engine tends to accelerate. Requires excessive force on brake to ensure deceleration.

- Cheyenne, WY, USA

problem #2

Mar 051998

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Throttle body failure causing throttle to stick in idle position.

- Slippery R, PA, USA

problem #1

Feb 041998

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Accelerator pedal sticks.

- Laconia, IN, USA

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