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
Tire Defects
Avg mileage:92,196 mi
Crash-related:45
#3154 complaints
Unintended Acceleration
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 | |
| Tire Defects | 340 | 45 | — | 92,196 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 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 | |
| Automatic Transmission | 40 | — | 1 | 102,644 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 40 | 4 | — | 90,000 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 39 | 7 | — | 111,500 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 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 | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 27 | 3 | — | 119,881 mi | |
| Tires:Sidewall | 25 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 22 | 13 | — | — | |
| 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 | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 16 | — | 1 | 95,025 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 15 | — | 12 | 101,143 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 14 | — | — | 15,000 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 14 | 3 | 1 | 145,500 mi | |
| Latches / Locks | 13 | — | — | 105,062 mi | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift | 13 | — | — | — |
Tires:Tread/Belt
381
complaints
Crashes
36
Fires
1
Avg Miles
61,042
Tire Defects
340
complaints
Crashes
45
Fires
—
Avg Miles
92,196
Unintended Acceleration
154
complaints
Crashes
21
Fires
24
Avg Miles
125,857
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
100
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Avg Miles
105,754
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
87
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
—
Avg Miles
103,738
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
55
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
97,497
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
48
complaints
Crashes
13
Fires
1
Avg Miles
69,426
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
44
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
70,438
Automatic Transmission
40
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
102,644
Suspension:Front
40
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
90,000
Suspension Failures
39
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
—
Avg Miles
111,500
Electrical Faults
36
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
21
Avg Miles
186,704
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
34
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
105,204
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
33
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
25
Avg Miles
97,254
Seat-Related Issues
27
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
119,881
Tires:Sidewall
25
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
22
complaints
Crashes
13
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
22
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
7
Avg Miles
112,099
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
21
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
109,500
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
16
complaints
Crashes
16
Fires
—
Avg Miles
84,173
Gasoline Fuel System
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
95,025
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
12
Avg Miles
101,143
Electrical System:Ignition
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
15,000
Steering Defects
14
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Avg Miles
145,500
Latches / Locks
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
105,062
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Ford Explorer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Explorer Years
1998 Ford Explorer — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Ford Explorer reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 1998 Ford Explorer has 2,374 NHTSA complaints, 219 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Tires:Tread/Belt with 381 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Ford Explorer?
Top reported problems: Tires:Tread/Belt (381 complaints, avg 61,042 mi); Tire Defects (340 complaints, avg 92,196 mi); Unintended Acceleration (154 complaints, avg 125,857 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?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 92,442 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?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Ford Explorer include 219 crash-related reports, 124 fire reports, 261 injuries, and 20 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 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 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 1998 Ford Explorer?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (tires:tread/belt) and verify open recalls have been addressed.
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 1998 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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