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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 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 steering problems

steering problem

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1998 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #5

May 232001

Explorer

  • miles

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

Steering wheel started shaking slightly at low speed on 5/23/01. I entered a freeway and just as I was approaching 70 mph, the entire vehicle started shaking violently to the point I nearly lost control. Started to pull off road, but shaking abated. Took veh to dealer & after road test & insp. Was told that air bubbles had formed in the steering sys., that certain Explorer were known to develop this defect after varying mileages, and that Ford says this problem is a "no fix" and nothing can be done about it. Dealer also sd that they had replaced entire rack & pinion systems on Explorer still under warranty, but it had no effect on shaking. Heard this a.M. that Firestone is accusing Ford of covering up steering defects that contrib. To Explorer rolling; it rang a bell & thought you folks should know about my experience... will make my veh. Avail. For insp., should you folks or mfr. Want to.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #4

May 012001

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Trunk door will not shut properly. Consumer is able to slide his hand in while door is shut. Consumer contacted dmv and found out vehicle had been in an accident, consumer specifically asked for a vehicle that had not been damaged, however dealer sold it to him anyway, consumer feels deceived and is experiencing multiple problems with vehicle. Radio is inoperative at times. Hatch rubs agains frame of vehicle. Taillight and headlight are out of alignment, fog lights had lamp failure. Vehicle experiences problems with absorbing road shock, vehicle pulls to right. Check engine light illuminates, vehicle experiences low power. Rear power window motor failed. Power antenna failed. Right windshield wiper interior garnish molding loose, rear wiper blade skips center of glass, dealer replaced rear wiper arm and blade assembly. Steering gear assembly replaced due to noisy. Bumper not even.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #3

Nov 032000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Tie rod failure, power steering gear failed.

- Kensington, CT, USA

problem #2

Jul 122000

Explorer

  • miles
I think that you explore the steering on the Ford explore. It is mich to quick for the adverage driver. This is the reason there is so many roolovers/wrecks when a tire fails. I was driving when the tire failed on my Explorer. I have built and drove race cars for years, have been to nascar drivers school (twice), and I believe this helped me control my truck when the tire failed. The every day driver would have reacted when the tire failed, the quick steering would have over reacted and the driver can not catch up with the reaction, thus a wreck. Ford should replace the steering boxes on all Explorer, S with a slower steering box.

- Milton, FL, USA

problem #1

Jul 261999

Explorer

  • miles
These defects happens just months after warranty was out live far from dealership but I tried to get it there as soon as I could being that it was my only source of transportation. I felt that capital Ford should of still honored these defects and try to at least offer to help me in anyway they could I feel that they didn"T care about it all they had to say to me that the warranty is out and it's going to cost a lot to have these defects fix they wouldn't even give a price all they said is it's going to be a couple of hundred of dollars. I was very dissapointed in their service and the way they handled this situation. If something isn't done, then I plan to return my SUV at the end of it's lease and go elsewhere to buy my next usv. I hope that you can resolve this problem I purchase several Ford in the past years and have never had any problems with them so I hope you will honor these defects. I look forward to hearing from this request thank you time. No safety defect (s) listed in summary.

- Benson, NC, USA

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