Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Ford Explorer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 282 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 282, in the owner's own words
SPEED CONTROL GETS HOT TO TOUCH. ALL TOP FACING HAS MELTED OFF FROM HEAT. I WAS ON HIGHWAY AND MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. MY SEAT WAS REPAIRED AFTER RECALL YEARS AGO. IT CONTINUES TO DROP LOW TO FLOOR.
I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK AND ONE DAY IT STARTED ACTING WEIRD. MY STEREO STARTED SHUTTING OFF AND COMING IN BY ITSELF. A COUPLE DAYS LATER I WAS DRIVING AND MY STEREO AND INFORMATION CENTER WENT OUT AND CAME BACK ON. MY TRUCK WILL ONLY GO ABOUT 30MPS CAUSE IT WON'T SHIFT EITHER. COUPLE DAYS AGO IT STARTED BACK FIRING. WHAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM.
GAS PEDAL BRACKET WELDING BROKE WHILE DRIVING AND GAS PEDAL IS NOW JUST DANGLING - CHECKED ON INTERNET AND THERE ARE A LARGE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME THING - SHOULD BE A RECALL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME DETACHED. THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND DROVE HOME WITH CAUTION. THE DEALER (PHIL LONG FORD AT CHAPEL HILLS, 1565 AUTO MALL LOOP, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80920, (719) 387-1099) WAS NOTIFIED, BUT COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL TO PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN THAT IF THE PART WERE REPLACED, THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
REAR END ROARS AND SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING
WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL AND STARTED TO PROCEED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, I LOST ALL POWER AND HAD TO ROLL OR COAST VERY SLOWLY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND STOP ON THE OTHER SIDE IN A DANGEROUS POSITION IN TRAFFIC WHEN I COULD COAST NO FURTHER. THE GAS PEDAL BRACKET HAD COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF THE FIREWALL AND WAS LAYING ON THE FLOOR. THE BRACKET HAD BEEN ATTACHED BY THREE SPOT WELDS. SOME OTHER PEOPLE STOPPED TRAFFIC AND PUSHED ME TO A SAFE PLACE TO PARK. THE FORD DEALER PARTS' DEPARTMENT HAS NO PARTS TO FIX IT AND SUGGESTED WE BUY SOME BOLTS SOMEWHERE AND REATTACH IT OURSELVES SOMEHOW. TO COMPLETELY LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! THANK GOD I WAS IN A CONTROLLED INTERSECTION AND NOT TURNING LEFT ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR IT COULD HAVE TURNED OUT MUCH WORSE. READING ONLINE BLOGS AND COMMENTS SHOWS THIS PROBLEM OF THE GAS PEDAL BRACKET FALLING OFF FORD PRODUCTS AND LOSING POWER IS NOT UNCOMMON.
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE BRACKET THAT SUSPENDS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BROKE FREE FROM THE FIREWALL (IT WAS TACK WELDED IN SEVERAL SPOTS). THIS CAUSED AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER. LUCKILY I WAS LEAVING MY RESIDENCE WITH NO TRAFFIC BEHIND. IF I HAD BEEN ACCELERATING VIA ON RAMP TO HIGHWAY WITH VEHICLES RIGHT BEHIND ME MIGHT HAVE BEEN A DIFFERENT STORY. LOCAL GARAGE REPAIRED ($47.50) BY DRILLING HOLES AND REATTACHING WITH BOLTS. ACCORDING TO "SERIOUS EXPLORATIONS" USERS GROUP, NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. *TR
GAS PEDAL AND BRACKET HOLDING GAS PEDAL BROKE FREE OF IT'S MOUNTING LOCATION ON THE FIREWALL. 3 SPOT WELDS FAILED COMPLETELY. GAS PEDAL IS NOW DANGLING FROM ITS CABLE UNDER THE DASHBOARD. *TR
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
WHEN BACKING UP AT 5MPH VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED WENT UP CURB AND HIT GUARDRAIL. AFTER 2-3- SECONDS VEHICLE DROPPED DOWN TO 0 MPH. *TR
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT APPEARED ON THE SCENE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL AND ORIGINATED NEAR THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 96,160. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED UNOCCUPIED OUTSIDE OF THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE WHEN IT BURST INTO MASSIVE FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. A FIRE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL PERTAINING TO THE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM MODIFICATION UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V422000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT HAD NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ UPDATED 05/23/11
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BROKE OFF FROM THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000. UPDATED 03/15/11*LJ UPDATED 05/13/11
1998 FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT FIRE PARKED UNDER MY CARPORT. 1/6/11 @ 14:00HRS. *TR
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEPARATED FROM THE FIREWALL; THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. SHE BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V286000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE OPENING A CASE ON HER BEHALF TO FURTHER INSPECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED BUT A NEIGHBOR EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN HE RESEARCHED RECALL 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) WHICH WAS RELATED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 113,000.
ON JULY 17, 2010 THE ACCELERATOR TO MY 1998 EXPLORER (EDDIE BAUER) STUCK WHEN I WAS TRYING TO BACK A LITTLE WAYS DOWN MY DRIVE WAY. THE TRUCK ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND JUMPED THE STREET HITTING MY NEIGHBOR PORCH DAMAGING THE PORCH AND NEIGHBOR'S YARD. THE POLICE CAME AND COMPLETED AN ACCIDENT REPORT. THE FORD EXPLORER WAS TOWED TO THE BODY SHOP AND REPAIRED TOWED TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE FORD EXPLORER. I TRADED THE VEHICLE IN. I HAVE SPOKEN TO OTHER 1998 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS AND THEY ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BACK OF PARKING SPACE AT HOME, VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT TOWNHOME ACROSS THE STREET. ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RECENTLY REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP (01/12/2010). *TR
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BACK OF A PARKING SPACE, ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DANGLING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CONSOLE COMPLETELY UNATTACHED FROM THE CAR. VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN PICKED UP FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR OTHER REPAIRS. CALLED FORD WHO CAME AND DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE, TOOK IT BACK TO THEIR SHOP, MADE REPAIRS AND BROUGHT SUV BACK TO ME AT NO CHARGE. *TR
I HAVE A 1998 FORD EXPLORER, 4.0L V6 WITH ALMOST 110K MILES ON THE VEHICLE. ON 2/24/10 I ACCELERATED FROM A COMPLETE STOP AND THE ENTIRE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY, DETACHED FROM THE FIRE WALL AT WHAT LOOKS LIKE THE SPOT WIELDS. THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN A ACCIDENT DUE TO IMMEDIATE VEHICLE DECELERATION. THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY IS NOW ONLY "ATTACHED" TO THE CAR VIA THE THROTTLE CABLE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME BY BASICALLY PULLING THE THROTTLE CABLE. THIS WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS I HAD USE ONE HAND ON THE WHEEL WHILE BENDING DOWN TO PULL THE CABLE. I WAS JUST ABLE TO SEE OVER THE DASH. I WAS TOLD BY SANTA MARGARITA FORD IN ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA, THAT IT'S NOT OF THEIR CONCERN SINCE THEY DON'T "FIX" PARTS BUT REPLACE THEM. THEY WOULD CHARGE ME TO "REPLACE" THE PART. SO NO FIX HAS BEEN DONE TO MY VEHICLE YET. I WILL MOSTLY LIKELY DRILL AND BOLT THE ASSEMBLY TO THE FIREWALL, SINCE FORD HAS NO INTEREST IN "FIXING" MY CAR. *TR
1998 FORD EXPLORER. PARKED AT RESTAURANT, SHUT OFF VEHICLE, WENT INSIDE. APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES LATER SOMEONE YELLED FIRE. WENT OUTSIDE TO DISCOVER SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLED AND RESPONDED QUICKLY. FIRE EXTINGUISHED, BUT VEHICLE TOTALED. NO INJURIES, NO OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE EXCEPT BURNED HEDGES THAT WERE IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHERE IT WAS PARKED. TOW TRUCK DRIVER REMARKED THAT IT APPEARED POSSIBLE THAT IT WAS ONE OF THOSE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSED FIRES AS IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED ON OR NEAR THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, MY SON WAS USING THE TRUCK WHEN THE FIRE OCCURRED AND I AM RELATING HIS RECOLLECTION OF THE EVENTS. VEHICLE WAS TOWED IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS TO A HOLDING YARD AND SUBSEQUENTLY TO MY HOME WHERE IT IS PRESENTLY. *TR
AFTER SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR APROX 9 HOURS, THE ENGINE AREA CAUGHT ON FIRE AT 4AM. SPECULATION IS THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH IGNITED AND CAUSED THE FIRE. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, AS IS THE INTERIOR WITH SMOKE DAMAGE. *TR
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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