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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,909 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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1998 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #11

May 052005

Explorer 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

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

5-5-05 3:30 a.M. licking county fire department was called due to fire 0F my 1998 Ford exployer. It had set for two days before the fire. Its not clear what caused the fire. Co-counsel, lieff cabraser representing owners of Ford vechicles claims Ford speed control deactivation switches. Also known as "brake pressure switch, " powered by the battery and is mounted above flamable flammable reservoires of brake fluid. If certain conditions occur, a fire can break out, even when the engine had been turned off and, in some cases, idle for days.

- Reynoldsburg, OH, USA

problem #10

Aug 202001

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Ford Explorer 98, interior windows, lights, etc. Do not work. Electrial power problems interiorally. Have tried over 5 times over years to have fix by carmax and Ford. Electrical problems would work for 1-2 weeks, had warranty at times. But now warranty is out carmax and Ford stated it a manufactory electical issues.

- Mesquite, TX, USA

problem #9

May 152002

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Clearwater, FL, USA

problem #8

Feb 212002

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

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

1998 Ford Explorer 4WD mileage: 82000. The problem just started yesterday. I noticed no problems with the way the vehicle drives or handles...but the 4WD hi and 4WD lo lights on the dashboard periodically (every 5 - 10 minutes) blink 5 times simultaneously. The dash is normal for 5 minutes, and then the lights blink again. This happens repetitively whether driving in town, on the highway, etc. I have had the vehicle in 4WD auto the whole time. I have not used the 4WD very much at all!

- Waxhaw, NC, USA

problem #7

Mar 012001

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
An electrical fire which originated in dashboard area while vehicle was in park. Prior to fire, if turn signal was left on for an extended period of time, roughly over a minute, smoke would come from dashboard. No investigation has been made to determine cause of fire.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #6

Oct 062000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Vehicle lost all power including power steering and power brakes at 70 mph on 4 lane interstate 85/40 without warning. Dealership stated the passenger's foot unknowingly disconnected wiring harness causung engine to stop running. This vehicle has only been serviced by the Ford dealership. The wiring harness should not have been in the position in which it could be disconnected by the passenger.

- Kernersville, NC, USA

problem #5

Feb 182000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

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

The transmission would not upshift and I would lose control of the car's accelaeration power until it would slide into gear. The electrical system has got out on me twice while driving. All of the instrument panel zeros out except for the speedometer and tachometer. This problem has still not been fixed.

- Pasadena, CA, USA

problem #4

Feb 151998

Explorer

  • miles
Ongoing problem with rear windshield wiper failure. On one occasion motor was replaced. Later on, windshield wiper commenced to operate erratically or not at all. Also, noticed instrument panel would get too hot to touch. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that it was normal. Please feel free to provide any further details on both of these matter.

- San Marino, CA, USA

problem #3

Mar 212000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Miamisburg, OH, USA

problem #2

Dec 011998

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Windshield wipers don't work and 4-wd dash light flashes when engine is cold and outside temperature is less than 40 deg F. wipers work ok after engine warms up (about 5 min).

- Lafayette, LA, USA

problem #1

Nov 151998

Explorer

  • miles
When opening up the door and there was black smoke coming from the vehicle, and the dashboard melted. Consumer did not know why this problem happened.

- New York, NY, USA

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