1998 Ford Explorer Engine Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START AND SMOKED APPEARED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. IN ADDITION, THE OVERHEAD LIGHTS IN THE VEHICLE DID NOT WORK AND THE BATTERY HAD A SHORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID

10790567

Incident

Nov 2, 2015

Mileage

200,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGED OVER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE AS THE FLAMES WERE EXTENSIVE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A YARD. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 98V060000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID

10678937

Incident

Jan 22, 2015

Mileage

170,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, FLAMES ENGULFED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE AND SHATTERED ALL OF THE WINDOWS. THE VEHICLE HAD RECENTLY BEEN REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID

10622205

Incident

Aug 13, 2014

Mileage

200,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO STATED THE TIMING BELT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

NHTSA ID

10610704

Incident

Jul 12, 2014

Mileage

172,000 mi

MY CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND WAS OFF. WE HEARD A NOISE FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE AND MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER WAS IN FLAMES FROM THE ENGINE AREA. WE HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE CAR WAS QUICKLY ENGULFED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10562589

Incident

Feb 2, 2014

Mileage

180,000 mi

THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BROKE ALLOWING THE CHAIN TO SLIP. IT WAS A RECALL PROBLEM BUT I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE PROBLEM MUST NOT HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED, OR ELSE THE RECALL DIDN'T GET DONE PROPERLY. AFTER THE REPAIR IT HASN'T HAD GOOD OIL PRESSURE AT IDLE. IT IS TOO BAD THAT FORD PUT THIS MOTOR IN SO MANY VEHICLES AND DOESN'T STAND BEHIND THEY. IT IS POOR DESIGN IN MY OPINION TO HAVE FOUR TIMING CHAINS ON A 4.0 LITER MOTOR IS CRAZY. I WISH THAT FORD WOULD HAVE PUT MORE EFFORT INTO SEEING THAT MY VEHICLE WERE RECALLED AND NOT ALLOWED TO DEPRECIATE BECAUSE IT WAS HAPPENING TO SO MANY OTHER EXPLORER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10525554

Incident

Jan 15, 2013

Mileage

166,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE ENGULFED INTO FLAMES WITH THE SOUND OF A LARGE EXPLOSION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, WHICH ORIGINATED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED AS DESTROYED AND REMAINED AT THE RESIDENCE FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID

10465398

Incident

Jul 11, 2012

Mileage

120,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10444970

Incident

Jan 19, 2012

Mileage

112,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS ON SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE FOR A BRIEF MOMENT. WHEN SHE RETURNED THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED WITH SMOKE. SHE REMOVED HER CHILDREN AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. AFTER WAITING FOR FIVE MINUTES THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE FIRE DAMAGE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

NHTSA ID

10288537

Incident

Apr 3, 2009

Mileage

110,000 mi

MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10267794

Incident

May 1, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT HEARD A HUGE EXPLOSION COMING FROM HER DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE CALLED HER INSURANCE COMPANY AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000. UPDATED 03/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/17/09.*JB

NHTSA ID

10255623

Incident

Jan 20, 2009

Mileage

143,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT HEARD A HUGE EXPLOSION COMING FROM HER DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE CALLED HER INSURANCE COMPANY AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

NHTSA ID

10255621

Incident

Jan 20, 2009

Mileage

143,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE IN HIS DRIVEWAY, HE NOTICED FIREFIGHTERS OUTSIDE OF HIS HOUSE. HE THEN NOTICED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE ENGINE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TOWED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

NHTSA ID

10249492

Incident

Nov 20, 2008

Mileage

110,000 mi

I WAS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. BROUGHT TO MECHANIC. HE CHANGED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. A TUNE UP WAS ALSO DONE. NOW PERIODIC SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE AND OIL AT DIFFERENT TIMES. VERY POTENT. MECHANIC IS AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS, BUT CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AFTER DOING MANY PRESSURE TESTS AND FLUSHES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10242287

Incident

Aug 19, 2008

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE LEAVING HIS HOME, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.

NHTSA ID

10241837

Incident

Aug 29, 2008

Mileage

110,000 mi

ENGINE FAILURE. ENGINE CODE P0300. CYLINDERS 4, 5, 6 HAVE WEAK COMPRESSION. TIMING CHAIN IS DAMAGED. DEALER HAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED TIMING CHAIN TWICE AND AFTER SECOND SERVICE FORD EXTENDED ENGINE WARRANTY TO 100K MILES (NOW EXPIRED). DEALER NOW RECOMMENDS ENGINE REPLACEMENT AT COST OF $5,500. WHAT WAS ONCE A $30,000 BEAUTIFUL EDDIE BAUER RIG NOW HAS A KELLY BB RETAIL VALUE OF ~$8000, BUT WITHOUT ENGINE, CAR IS A TOTAL (AUCTION BLOCK) LOSS! WHILE NO ONE WAS HURT WHEN THIS ENGINE FAILED, IT IS BOTH A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD AND YET ANOTHER SHOCK TO A VEHICLE WITH A TROUBLESOME (AND EXPENSIVE) PAST, AND TO A LOYAL FORD CUSTOMER WHO EXPECTED A BETTER QUALITY PRODUCT. I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER HOW MANY MORE 1998 EXPLORERS ARE OUT ON THE ROADS ABOUT TO LOOSE THEIR ENGINES. IS 10 YEARS TOO LONG TO OWN A FORD? I AM STILL PONDERING WHAT TO DO WITH THIS VEHICLE WHICH NOW SITS AS A 2-TON "BOOKEND" IN MY GARAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10220462

Incident

Feb 17, 2008

Mileage

130,022 mi

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME THE CAR (ENGINE) CAUGHT ON FIRE . THE FIRE CHIEF WAS NOT REALLY SURE WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10219677

Incident

Dec 28, 2007

MY WIFE WAS JUST LEAVING OUR HOUSE AND THE CRANKSHAFT BROKE. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND LED TO SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT MISHAP. THIS WAS AT A LOW SPEED. THIS FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED COULD RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ID

10190632

Incident

May 3, 2007

Mileage

101,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING OUT FROM A STOP SIGN, TRAVELING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S CHECK GAUGES LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, THERE WAS A NOISE HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE THAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING FLYING AROUND INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULDN'T RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL FORD AUTHORIZED MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE PINS USED IN THE TIMING CHAIN ON THESE VEHICLES ARE PLASTIC AND HAD FRACTURED, PENETRATING THE ENGINE AND ENDING UP IN THE OIL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INFORMED.

NHTSA ID

10165711

Incident

Aug 17, 2006

Mileage

75,000 mi

VERY HEAVY RATTLING IN THE ENGINE OF MY 1998 EXPLORER 4.0 SOHC. TOOK TO LOCAL FORD DEALER, THEY CLAIMED CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MOTOR, TWICE. SOME TIME LATER TENSIONERS BROKE WHILE DRIVING AND MOTOR CEASED. NO COOPERATION OFFERED ON FORD'S PART. HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE OUT OF POCKET FOR FORD'S DESIGN FLAW, WHICH HAS BEEN GETTING SWEPT UNDER THE RUG FOR YEARS NOW. ONE MONTH AFTER THE REPLACEMENT FORD OFFERED TO FIX OTHERS, IF FOUND BEFORE 75K MILES, ETC. TOO LATE FOR ME. HOW MANY FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED? WHAT IF THIS FAILURE HAD OF OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, INSTEAD OF IDLE SPEED. CHECK THE FIGURES ON THIS PROBLEM, IT'S SCARY, AND FORD IS PITIFUL. *JB

NHTSA ID

10163922

Incident

Nov 26, 2004

Mileage

184,000 mi

INTERMITTENT STALLING WHEN COMING TO A STOP. *NM

NHTSA ID

10156199

Incident

Sep 1, 2005

Mileage

99,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE STEERING AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. THIS OCCURRED AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. A FAMILY MEMBER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THE CRANKSHAFT BUSTED, CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST HIGHER THAN THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TRIED TO REPLACE IT WITH A USED ENGINE, BUT WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL MECHANICS THAT FORD MANUFACTURED A BAD ENGINE WITH THE 4.0 SOHC, AND TO PUT A USED ENGINE WOULD BE A WAIST OF MONEY SINCE IT WOULD FAIL AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ID

10153896

Incident

Mar 28, 2006

Mileage

122,000 mi

I OWN A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING AN AWFUL KNOCKING/RATTLE IN THE ENGINE ON START UP. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS NOW. UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM DUE TO IT ONLY DOES IT ON COLD START UPS, ONCE THE ENGINE HAS WARMED UP IT TENDS TO STOP. HOWEVER, AFTER A COLD START UP IT WILL RATTLE (SOUNDS LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE), THE RATTLE INCREASES AS I ACCELERATE, HOWEVER ONCE VEHICLE HAS RAN FOR ABOUT 10 MILES IT WILL GO AWAY. IF VEHICLE IS PARKED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME THEN STARTED UP AGAIN THEN THE NOISE WILL RETURN.*JB

NHTSA ID

10146151

Incident

May 1, 2005

DT:1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A WRECK THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WERE RECALLS 00M12 AND 01M01, BUT THE RECALLS EXPIRED, DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WERE NOT OFFICIAL RECALLS. FORD M SAID IT WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET.*AK

NHTSA ID

10137904

Incident

Sep 27, 2005

IT STARTED WITH A MINOR RATTLE IN THE ENGINE TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. THE RATTLE GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER AND LOUDER UNTIL IT WAS DECIDED NOT TO MOVE THE VEHICLE ANY LONGER. TOOK VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, TURNS OUT, THE TIMING CHAIN ASSEMBLY BROKE THROWING PIECES ALL OVER THE PLACE CAUSING THE CHAIN TO MALFUNCTION THAT LEAD TO DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. ENGINE BLOCK HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF AROUND $3000. FORD HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THIS SAME PROBLEM, HOWEVER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN NOV 2000 AND I NEVER RECEIVED ANY SERVICE BULLETIN FROM FORD INFORMING ME OF THIS PROBLEM. I TRIED TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY WON'T REPAIR IT UNDER THE FORD SAFETY BULLETIN BECAUSE IT WAS ONLY FOR 7 YRS OR 100,000. THE VEHICLES 7 YEARS EXPIRED IN APRIL 2005. I TRIED EMAILING OR CONTACTING FORD DIRECTLY AND GOT NO RESPONSE.

NHTSA ID

10122490

Incident

May 9, 2005

Mileage

83,000 mi