1998 Ford Explorer Brakes Problems

SO SINCE MY DAUGHTER BOUGHT THE FORD A BRAKE LINE THAT'S CONNECTED TO THE CALIPER GETS STRETCHED AND BENT AND IT BREAKS ABOUT EVERY 6 TO 7 MONTHS. I FEEL AS IF IT'S A DESIGN FLAW.I CAN'T AFFORD TO PUT A NEW BRAKE LINE ON EVERY TIME IT BREAKS. I CALLED A DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANIC THERE SAID ONCE EVERY 5 YEARS HE REPAIRS THE LINES, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT. THE TURNING OF THE TIRES STRETCHES THE LINE AND IT WEARS IT DOWN AND THEN THE LINE LEAKS AND CRACKS.

NHTSA ID

10762182

Incident

Sep 2, 2013

THE CRUISE SENSOR ON TOP OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER STAY HOT ALL THE TIME AND IT KEEPS BLOWING MY NUMBER 13 FUSE THAT GOES TO THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND WHEN I PUT A NEW FUSE IN. THE CRUISE SENSOR STARTS SPARKING AN SMOKING REALLY BAD IM A PHRASE THAT IT'S GOING TO CATCH FIRE SOON. *TR

NHTSA ID

10706549

Incident

Apr 16, 2015

Mileage

191,000 mi

THE EXPLORER BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR TO STOP THE VEHICLE . THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD . IN A FEW SECONDS , THE TRUCK WAS IN FLAMES. POLICE AND FIREMEN WERE CALLED TO THE LOCATION . THEY PUT THE FIRE OUT IN A FEW MINUTES . *TR

NHTSA ID

10453787

Incident

Dec 22, 2011

Mileage

131,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEN SPEEDOMETER WENT ALL THE WAY UP TO THE MAX, AND COASTED OFF TO THE SIDE AS SOON AS I COULD. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BE DAMAGED AND THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10439965

Incident

Nov 17, 2011

Mileage

236,000 mi

1998 FORD EXPLORER VIN#[XXX] REGISTERED TO THE STATE OF NEVADA; ORIGINAL OWNER: [XXX]...REGISTERED BECAUSE OF DISABILITY REASONS TO WIFE [XXX]...WE WERE INVOLVED IN A CAR CRASH ACCIDENT...RESULTING TO A TOTAL LOSS AT BAKER, CALIFORNIA BECAUSE OF THE VEHICLE CRUISE CONTROL RECALL WHICH COULD CAUSE THE TIRE TO BE TREADED...PUSHING THE CAR TO BE OUT OF CONTROL..WHILE THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKING...AND THE AIR BAG SAFETY FAILED TO DEVELOP (OPEN). I THINK FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBLE OF THE MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE WORKMANSHIP AND THE CAR DESIGN. I GOT IN TOUCH WITH THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT: PRODUCT RECALL & LIABILITY. THE ACCIDENT REPORT# [XXX] NCIC#[XXX]. THE INJURED DRIVER [XXX]; PASSENGER AND THE PERMANENT DISABLED PASSENGER WERE TAKEN TO BARSTOW COMMUNITY HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM. I NEED YOUR HELP IN REMOVING ALL 1998 FORD EXPLORER FROM THE ROAD; THIS CAR COULD CAUSE MAJOR & FATAL INJURIES TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10373143

Incident

Nov 24, 2010

Mileage

50,000 mi

I OWN A 2000 FORD RANGER AND A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. I BELIEVE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE BREAK PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER ON BOTH VEHICLES. ON AT LEAST FOUR OCCASIONS I HAVE EXPERIENCED MY TENDENCY TO HAVE MY FOOT ON BOTH PEDALS AT THE SAME TIME WHEN IN A SITUATION WHERE I HAVE TO STOP QUICKLY. I T SEEMS THAT I "PANIC" TO SOME DEGREE WHEN IN A SITUATION WHERE I MUST STOP QUICKLY TO AVOID A COLLISION. THIS MAY BE A VERY ISOLATED PERSONAL 'QUIRK" AS IT WERE, BUT I HAVE CAUSED TWO REAR END COLLISIONS SO FAR AND I NOW KNOW THAT I AM PRESSING BOTH PADS WHEN TRYING TO BREAK. I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I REMEMBER VIVIDLY HOW MY MOTOR WAS ACCELERATING WHILE I THOUGHT MY FOOT WAS ONLY ON THE BRAKE AND I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COMING TO A STOP WHEN MOST LIKELY I HAD PLENTY OF SPACE AVAILABLE TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP AND AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10372566

Incident

Dec 23, 2010

Mileage

95,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH SHE ENGAGED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED WITH LIMITED BRAKING ABILITY. HE STATED THAT NONE OF THE WARNINGS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. ONE YEAR LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL 09V399000, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL AND STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE LAST YEAR IN 2009. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIRED IT AS NECESSARY PER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER NEXT WEEK. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 164,000. UPDATED 12/14/2011 *CN UPDATED 03/02/11

NHTSA ID

10371752

Incident

Mar 15, 2010

98 FORD EXPLORER, ABS LOCKUP DRY WEATHER, SLOW SPEED.... NOW HAS ACCELERATED DURING ONE OF THESE EPISODES ....RELATIVELY CERTAIN THE EDGE OF MY FOOT DID NOT CATCH THE GAS PEDAL... *TR

NHTSA ID

10323668

Incident

Apr 3, 2010

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A REPAIR SHOP, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND HAD IT REPAIRED AGAIN FOR FREE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,994 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

NHTSA ID

10275946

Incident

Apr 17, 2009

Mileage

150,000 mi

1998 FORD EXPLORER HAD BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO THE BRAKE FLUID EATING THROUGH THE METAL. *NJ WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED, THE CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE BRAKE LINE WAS MADE OF METAL AND HAD A HOLE IN IT. *JB

NHTSA ID

10245890

Incident

Aug 22, 2005

Mileage

55,000 mi

I PUT ON THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL SIMPLY CHATTERED LIKE THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE MECHANISM WAS WORKING. HOWEVER, EVEN WHEN I LET OFF AND LIGHTLY HIT THE PEDAL AGAIN FOR 3 SEPARATE TIMES THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND ONLY CHATTERED. I RAN INTO A TREE TO AVOID A HITTING ANOTHER CAR AND SOME PEDESTRIANS WHICH WRECKED MY FRONT END, RIGHT FENDER, RIGHT DOOR, HOOD AND OTHER PARTS ON THE RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10211400

Incident

Dec 7, 2007

Mileage

162,550 mi

FAILURE OF FRONT BRAKE ROTORS DUE TO EXCESSIVE WARPING AND CORROSION. THIS RESULTED IN POOR BRAKING AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES. POOR QUALITY OEM FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE FACTORY INSTALLED ON THIS VEHICLE. PROPER HIGH QUALITY AFTERMARKET FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE INSTALLED. THIS RESULTED IN EXCELLENT BRAKING! *JB

NHTSA ID

10205521

Incident

Aug 12, 2007

Mileage

70,016 mi

REAR METAL BRAKE LINE, RUNNING ACROSS REAR AXLE, RUPTURED DUE TO EXTENSIVE CORROSION. THIS RESULTED IN COMPLETE LOSS OF REAR BRAKES. A NEW METAL BRAKE LINE HAD TO BE FABRICATED [PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FROM FORD]AND INSTALLED. DEALER COST $400+. NOTE: SEVERAL FORD DEALERS AND BRAKE SHOPS ADVISED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO THE FACT THAT THESE BRAKE LINES WERE NOT PROPERLY COATED TO GUARD AGAINST CORROSION. *JB

NHTSA ID

10205518

Incident

Sep 4, 2007

Mileage

70,196 mi

THE REAR BRAKE LINE BROKE DUE TO CORROSION. *NM

NHTSA ID

10168939

Incident

Sep 17, 2006

Mileage

71,965 mi

DT: CONTACT STATED THAT RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE HE HAD REPLACE THE BRAKES, TIRES, FUEL FILTER, THE FUEL INJECTION WAS CLEANED , THE ANTI LOCK SENSORS WHERE REPLACED, THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED . THE AIR BAGS ARE ALSO DEPLOYED. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT VIBRATES ON THE LEFT SIDE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC THEY PUT THE VEHICLE ON A RACK TRYING TO LINE THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD NOT LINE UP. THEY FOUND THAT THE BALL JOINTS BAD, ALSO THE MOTOR MOUNTS ARE BROKEN. THE MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT THE FRAME IS BENT BEYOND REPAIR. *NM

NHTSA ID

10142752

Incident

Nov 14, 2005

Mileage

90,000 mi

1998 FORD EXPLORER ACCELERATOR PEDAL BROKE LOOSE FROM THE FLOORBOARD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO BECOME UNABLE TO HANDLE THE VEHICLE IN A SAFE MANNER. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC

NHTSA ID

10134503

Incident

Aug 1, 2005

DT: 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE BRAKES LIGHTS FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSES CHANGED. THEY USED THE FUSES THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE. AS SOON AS THE SECOND FUSE WAS PUT IN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. ANOTHER PERSON PUT THE FIRE OUT BY BEATING IT WITH A TOWEL. THEN, CONSUMER CONTACTED A DEALERSHIP BY PHONE, THEY TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE MASTER CYLINDER BUT, HE WAS UNSURE OF THE MODEL YEARS INCLUDED. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD, THEY TOLD CONSUMER WOULD GET BACK TO HER. THERE WERE NO FIRE OR POLICE REPORTS AVAILABLE. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 7-262005 BEFORE THE HOOD LATCH HAD ACTED UP. ALSO, CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED. . IT MELTED THE WIRES FOR THE ABS AND THE SPOT FOR PUTTING IN THE BRAKE FLUID. *AK

NHTSA ID

10130626

Incident

Jul 26, 2005

Mileage

131,000 mi

THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE MODULE FOR THE ABS AND SPEED SENOR WENT OUT. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO NOTICED THE PINS FOR THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS WERE NEVER CONNECTED AT THE FACTORY, RENDERING THE AIR BAGS INOPERATIVE. *JB *SB *NM

NHTSA ID

10119038

Incident

Apr 21, 2005

Mileage

60,000 mi

CONSUMER STATES: FRONT BRAKES ON OUTSIDE OF WHEELS IT HAS A COATING OF DARK POWDER. THE MECHANIC THINKS IT'S BRAKE DUSTS NO SIGN OF IT ON REAR WHEELS. *NM

NHTSA ID

10120752

Incident

May 15, 2004

Mileage

70,000 mi

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE BAKES FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINE CORRODED. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *AK THE NON CORRODING STEEL BRAKE LINE RUSTED AND RUPTURED. *SC

NHTSA ID

10098953

Incident

Oct 26, 2004

Mileage

920,000 mi

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP BRAKES LOCKED . AS A RESULT, CONSUMER HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES TO UNLOCK THE BRAKE PEDAL. *AK

NHTSA ID

10094801

Incident

Sep 30, 2004

Mileage

69,000 mi

VEHICLE IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS HYDROLIC UNIT. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT SPITS OUT BRAKE FLUID WHICH DAMAGED THE ROTORS AND THE BRAKES. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED. OWNER LATER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THE OWNER HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIRS. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA ID

10092071

Incident

Sep 8, 2004

Mileage

48,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL, THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND CONTINUED TO PICK UP SPEED. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS NOT HURT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *NM THE HILL WAS APPROXIMATELY 2 1/2 BLOCKS AND THE CONSUMER WOULD NORMALLY DRIVE DOWN THE HILL WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID

10065547

Incident

Mar 25, 2004

Mileage

23,500 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING SHUT OFF WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISH-TAIL AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TWICE. *NM ALL SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED. THE ACCIDENT WAS A RESULT OF MULTIPLE SYSTEM FAILURES. *SC

NHTSA ID

10052141

Incident

Dec 23, 2003

Mileage

71,000 mi

EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASE LEVER BRACKET FELL FROM CONNECTION TO PLASTIC DASH. FORD WILL SPLIT THE $2000 COST 50/50 TO REPAIR SINCE NO RECALL AT THIS TIME. FEEL POOR DESIGN ATTACHING MECHANISM TO PLASTIC DASH INSTEAD OF METAL BRACKET. WHEN USED CURRENTLY, MUST BE CAREFUL TO NOT LET RELEASE GET STUCK UNDER DASH MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO RETRIEVE AND RELEASE THE LEVER. *LA

NHTSA ID

10047510

Incident

Nov 19, 2003

Mileage

72,000 mi