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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
6,365 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 brakes problems

brakes problem

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1998 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #11

Aug 122007

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,016 miles

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

Failure of front brake rotors due to excessive warping and corrosion. This resulted in poor braking and increased stopping distances. Poor quality oem front brake rotors were factory installed on this vehicle. Proper high quality aftermarket front brake rotors were installed. This resulted in excellent braking!

- Albertson, NY, USA

problem #10

Jun 062002

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Brake rotors are "falling apart" and rusting pretty bad. Seems unusuall that rotors should fail like this. I have never seen rotors rusting and metal falling off like this. This is far beyond normal wear and tear.

- Carpentersville, IL, USA

problem #9

Nov 281998

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
We had a problem with rusted rotors from day one with this vehicle. Instead of two different dealerships replacing these faulty rotors they would clean them or turn them. I recently had them replaced at my expense because they could not be of use any further. I contacted Ford with my concerns and was ignored. I fell that both dealerships knew these rotors were defective from the start and instead of replacing them like they should have they just cleaned them and sent me on my way. I am very dissatisfied with the way Ford handled this issue with my brakes.

- Keene, NE, USA

problem #8

Apr 022001

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

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

All 4 brake rotors need to be replaced. Dealer says that there is not enough material left on the rotor to be machined. Why is this happening at 35000 miles? these parts should have a much longer life than that. Seems that there must be a defect.

- Dover, NH, USA

problem #7

Mar 242001

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
While vehicle was in for unrelated reapirs, the dealer replaced both front disc brake rotors even though the warranty had expired by approximately 1500 miles. The service manager stated that "both rotors were shot" and that shouldn't happen at 37,000 miles. I had a 1995 Explorer which did the same thing at approximately the same mileage. At that time, another dealer and Ford would not do anything about the repairs and I had to pay for them. This is the second Explorer I've had withn the same problem. It appears to me that there is a problem with Explorer brake rotors. It's my understanding that this has been a problem on Windstar vans as well. Do you have any information concerning this problem? I can't find anything in the recalll listing about it.

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #6

Sep 202000

Explorer 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Front brake rotors have completley worn out, and they stuck and will not release. All brake pads have worn out. The front brake rotors do not slide back and forth like it should.

- Pittsfield, PA, USA

problem #5

Sep 122000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

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

Code W2hl in February 2000 40 degrees out we were driving our Explorer and the driver's side rear tire peeled apart. About 12 inches came off and you could see the threads. We had the tire replaced at merchant's tire in fredericksburg, va. Now I see the recall. I believe these are bad tires, even though the code is not the decater plant. I have contacted Firestone 6 times, Ford 8 times and get the same response. That they are safe. I replaced the tires at my own expense with michelins. I am keeping the Firestone tires in hope of a wider recall. Through the behavoirs I have seen, Firestone does not want to even discuss this with me. I have the tires seeled in plastic if you want to check over them. Any help would be appreciated.( dot number: Wp tire size: P23275R15 )

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #4

May 011997

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving a vehicle in front suddenly stopped, forcing consumer to step on brake pedal to stop vehicle. But, vehicle did not stop, consumer lost control, resulting in an accident. Also, rotors had to be replaced.

- Pomona, NY, USA

problem #3

Mar 312000

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When vehicle was at 25000 miles dealer had to turn rotors. But consumer was concerned about why that work was done so early. Currently he is worried about warranty expiring.

- Hubert, NC, USA

problem #2

Jan 182000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Rotors warped due to overheating causing pulsating while applying the brakes.

- Marysville , CA, USA

problem #1

Mar 151999

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Very loud, intermittent, squealing from front end. Dealer first stated that the problem was the dust seals/boots, but according to other shop, there aren't any. Next they said it was the front brakes: They only had 5K miles of use left, and the rotors were too worn. I had new rotors and pads installed, but the squeal is still there. It occurs with brakes applied or not, with engine on or off(just rolling down a hill), but only when vehicle is moving. Does not change when turning. Reference other ODI ids: 700845, 702219, 702959, 703052, 703270, 703848, 704071, 829016, 834307, 834481.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

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