Complaints
145
Crashes
5
Fires
17
Injuries
13
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Ford Explorer Sport Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#123 complaints
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Avg mileage:83,493 mi
#211 complaints
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
Avg mileage:85,964 mi
#39 complaints
Latches / Locks
Avg mileage:102,699 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 23 | — | — | 83,493 mi | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 11 | — | — | 85,964 mi | |
| Latches / Locks | 9 | — | — | 102,699 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 7 | — | 4 | 116,507 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 7 | — | — | 164,780 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 5 | — | 2 | 61,500 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 | — | 1 | 100,847 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 5 | — | 1 | 100,394 mi | |
| Other Equipment | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wiring & Fuses | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | 1 | — | — | — |
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
23
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,493
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
85,964
Latches / Locks
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
102,699
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
4
Avg Miles
116,507
Tire Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
164,780
Electrical Faults
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
61,500
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
100,847
Unintended Acceleration
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
100,394
Other Equipment
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wiring & Fuses
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Explorer Sport Years
1998 Ford Explorer Sport — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 1998 Ford Explorer Sport has 145 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch with 23 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport?
Top reported problems: Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch (23 complaints, avg 83,493 mi); Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner (11 complaints, avg 85,964 mi); Latches / Locks (9 complaints, avg 102,699 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 98,235 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport include 5 crash-related reports, 17 fire reports, 13 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Ford Explorer Sport?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer Sport reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Ford Explorer Sport
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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