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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
10 / 2
Average Mileage:
5,718 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 suspension problems

suspension problem

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1998 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #39

Jan 122019

Explorer

  • miles

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

I was driving my truck and one day it started acting weird. My stereo started shutting off and coming in by itself. A couple days later I was driving and my stereo and information center went out and came back on. My truck will only go about 30mps cause it won't shift either. Couple days ago it started back firing. What could be the problem.

- Marion, IN, USA

problem #38

Jun 252013

Explorer

  • 123,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle felt as though it would tip over and swayed when driving approximately 70-75 mph. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the suspension malfunctioned. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000.

- Troy, MI, USA

problem #37

Oct 022012

Explorer

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, a noise emitted when the steering wheel was being maneuvered. The malfunction occurred whenever making a turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the front and rear ball joints were defective. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #36

Jun 012002

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

At high speeds vehicle shakes and will not stay in lane, and steering wheel is very loose. The consumer had rack and pinion installed, but it started leaking and become loose.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #35

Mar 022002

Explorer

  • miles
When brakes are applied their is a loud noise from front end of vehicle, and underneath of vehicle vibrates.contacted dealer.

- Toronto Ontario, CD, USA

problem #34

Jun 072002

Explorer

  • miles
While traveling on highway without prior warning vehicle wandered from lane to lane.

- Orlando Orange, FL, USA

problem #33

Jun 042002

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles

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

Shakes bad, no shock rebound, sways and hard to steer.

- Greer, SC, USA

problem #32

Feb 172002

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When making turns, especially right turns, vehicle slides and almost turns over.. consumer states vehicle is experiencing acceleration problems, and there was a humming noise coming from the engine, signals are not working, dealer replaced a defective connector and multi-function switch, Firestone tires have experienced tread separation, which were replaced in July 2001, the rear seats move/bounce when driving, the rear seat belts were inoperative, the dealer replaced the buckles, there was smoke coming from the steering column, dealer replaced the multi-function switch, the windshield was chipped, the alarm would not chut off at times, dealer replaced a bad loose wire.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #31

Jul 222001

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle was approximately going 60mph when a loss of steering caused vehicle to jerk side to side and roll over. Metal fatigue caused the hydrualic rack and pinion to burst and leak fluid. This manufacturer was notified, and vehicle was totaled.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #30

Jul 031999

Explorer

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Consumer states that while driving, vehicle suddenly experienced a rollover, resulting in major injuries to passenger and driver, the roof crushed in on the passenger and broke his neck, consumer is concerned about the design of the roof.

- Palm Spring, CA, USA

problem #29

Jan 032002

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

While driving 35-40 mph it started to snow rear of vehicle twisted a bit, then started to spin sideways. Vehicle rolled over, and landed on passenger's side. Driver's rear tire was flat. Damage to vehicle was $ $5000. No injuries.

- White Lake, NC, USA

problem #28

Jul 022001

(reported on)

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle suddenly went out of control and almost rolled over. While changing lanes between uneven pavement, three of the tires were on newly paved lane, the other on old pavement. The vehicle suddenly without any warning began to rock uncontrollable from side to side.

- Hendersonville, TN, USA

problem #27

Aug 072001

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
When making a left turn or accelerating to left vehicle completely shuts down, cause unkown. Also, consumer has concerns about wheels being out of around.

- Elkton, MD, USA

problem #26

Jun 192001

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Firestone tires were replaced due to recall 00T005, however consumer states replacement tires (not Firestone's) experience the same vibration and when making a turn it feels like vehicle is going to rollover, problem is possibly suspension related.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #25

Jun 102001

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Explorer roll over killed my sister-very unsafe vehicle-didn't have Firestone tires-vehicle is very unsafe and they should be removed from the roads-she was going 35mph and swerved to avoid a head on collision with another vehicle in her lane-Explorer flipped and she was killed instantly

- Statesboro, GA, USA

problem #24

Dec 011997

Explorer

  • miles
Vehicle shimmies and makes a groaning noise.

- E. Petersburg, PA, USA

problem #23

May 012001

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle is leaning to right. Took vehicle to dealer numerous times. Vehicle bounces and rocks to left and right as well. Dealer cannot remedy.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #22

Aug 072000

Explorer

  • miles
While driving vehicle would vibrate once it goes over 30mph. There would be severe shaking & hard to control. This would happen when just idling or waiting. Sometimes vehicle would stall out.

- Ft Myers, FL, USA

problem #21

Mar 252001

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving 50-55 mph vehicle started spinning and started to roll. Consumer had been driving on a straight part of highway, damage to vehicle unknown at this time.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #20

Jan 032001

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle leans to the left. Nlm

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

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