Complaints
2,374
Crashes
219
Fires
124
Injuries
261
Fatalities
20
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Ford Explorer Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1381 complaints
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
Avg mileage:61,042 mi
Crash-related:36
Fires:1
#2340 complaints
TIRES
Avg mileage:92,196 mi
Crash-related:45
#3154 complaints
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Avg mileage:125,857 mi
Crash-related:21
Fires:24
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Ford Explorer.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 381 | 36 | 1 | 61,042 mi | |
| TIRES | 340 | 45 | — | 92,196 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 154 | 21 | 24 | 125,857 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 100 | 1 | 3 | 105,754 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 87 | 8 | — | 103,738 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 55 | — | 3 | 97,497 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 48 | 13 | 1 | 69,426 mi | |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 44 | 4 | — | 70,438 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 40 | — | 1 | 102,644 mi | |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 40 | 4 | — | 90,000 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 40 | 1 | 2 | 102,750 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 39 | 7 | — | 111,500 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 36 | 3 | 21 | 186,704 mi | |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 34 | — | — | 105,204 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 33 | — | 25 | 97,254 mi | |
| SEATS | 27 | 3 | — | 119,881 mi | |
| TIRES:SIDEWALL | 25 | — | — | — | |
| AIR BAGS | 22 | 13 | — | 456,000 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 22 | 1 | 7 | 112,099 mi | |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | 21 | — | — | — | |
| EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. | 18 | — | — | 109,500 mi | |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH | 18 | — | — | — | |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 18 | — | — | — | |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 16 | 16 | — | 84,173 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 16 | — | 1 | 95,025 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 15 | — | 12 | 101,143 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 14 | — | — | 15,000 mi | |
| STEERING | 14 | 3 | 1 | 145,500 mi | |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 13 | — | — | 105,062 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT | 13 | — | — | — |
Other Ford Explorer Years
Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
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