1988 Ford Explorer Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 1988 Ford Explorer.

19871989
Complaints
7
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0

Worst 1988 Ford Explorer Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#12 complaints

Electrical System:Ignition

#21 complaints

Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch

#31 complaints

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

Considering a 1988 Ford Explorer?

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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1988 Ford Explorer.

Electrical System:Ignition
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1988 Ford Explorer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Other Ford Explorer Years

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1988 Ford Explorer — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 1988 Ford Explorer reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1988 Ford Explorer has 7 NHTSA complaints, 0 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical System:Ignition with 2 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1988 Ford Explorer?
Top reported problems: Electrical System:Ignition (2 complaints); Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch (1 complaints); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (1 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
Does the 1988 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1988 Ford Explorer 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 1988 Ford Explorer?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 1988 Ford Explorer

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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