Vehicle Speed Control
NHTSA campaign 06V286000 · 2006 · reported 08/01/2006
OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
1998 Ford Explorer Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Tires:tread/belt — runs 8.0× the fleet median for that category across the 390 model-years tracked on this site.
1,959Complaints
14Recalls
181Crashes
102Fires
215Injured
16Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Tires:tread/belt (19.4% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Tires:tread/belt complaints here are 8.0× the median for that category across the 390 model-years tracked on this site.
4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tires:tread/belt | 381 · 19.4% | Recalled | Recall 00T005000 · Recall 01X001000 |
| Tires | 340 · 17.4% | Recalled | Recall 00T005000 · Recall 01X001000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 154 · 7.9% | Recalled | Recall 06V286000 · Recall 09V399000 · Recall 00V422000 · Recall 99V062001 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline | 100 · 5.1% | Investigation closed | DP05005 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal | 87 · 4.4% | Recalled | Recall 06V286000 · Recall 09V399000 · Recall 00V422000 · Recall 99V062001 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 55 · 2.8% | Investigation closed | DP05005 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 1,959 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 14 campaigns
Exterior Lighting:headlights
NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Vehicle Speed Control
NHTSA campaign 09V399000 · 2009 · reported 10/13/2009
A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 00V168000 · 2000 · reported 06/19/2000
THE LIGHT GIVEN OFF FROM THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS BRIGHTER THAN ALLOWED BY U.S. STANDARDS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 06E026000 · 2006 · reported 03/23/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Tires:tread/belt
NHTSA campaign 00T005000 · 2000 · reported 08/21/2000
IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Vehicle Speed Control
NHTSA campaign 00V422000 · 2000 · reported 12/27/2000
THIS COULD RESULT IN ENGINE SURGE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BREAKS FREE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Seats:front Assembly:recliner
NHTSA campaign 03V281000 · 2003 · reported 08/05/2003
THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Tires:tread/belt
NHTSA campaign 01X001000 · 2001 · reported 05/22/2001
SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Electrical System:ignition:anti-theft:control Module
NHTSA campaign 97V215000 · 1997 · reported 11/24/1997
THE STANDARD SPECIFIED THAT A WARNING TO THE DRIVER SHALL BE ACTUATED WHENEVER THE KEY HAS BEEN LEFT IN THE LOCKING SYSTEM AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPENED. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
NHTSA campaign 99V164000 · 1999 · reported 06/29/1999
IF THIS OCCURS AND THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS EITHER NOT ENGAGED OR IS RELEASED, A HOOD FLY-UP COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
NHTSA campaign 98V060000 · 1998 · reported 03/19/1998
THE FUEL LINES CAN LEAK, AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Vehicle Speed Control
NHTSA campaign 99V062001 · 1999 · reported 03/30/1999
IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS USED AND THIS CONDITION IS PRESENT, A STUCK THROTTLE COULD RESULT, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“POWER LOCKS MALFUNCTIONING; ONCE UNLOCKED AND CONSUMER GETS OUT GO TO REAR OF PASSENGER SIDE TO TAKE INFANT OUT OF CSS, THE DOORS HAVE LOCKED…”NHTSA complaint 834770 — filed 02/12/1999 · STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
“ENGINE STALLED DURING LEFT TURN AT INTERSECTION. ALL THREE TIMES THAT THIS HAS OCCURED HAS BEEN UP STARTING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, AND UNDER MODERATE…”NHTSA complaint 703214 — filed 02/12/1999 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
“WHEN DRIVING AND TRYING TO SWITCH LANES CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ROLLOVER.”NHTSA complaint 834641 — filed 02/09/1999 · STEERING
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Ford Explorer?
Tires:tread/belt issues are the most-reported category, cited in 381 of 1,959 NHTSA complaints (19.4%), followed by tires (340), vehicle speed control (154), engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (100). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1998 Ford Explorer have?
1,959 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 181 involved a crash, 102 involved a fire, and 215 reported injuries. 16 deaths were reported.
Does the 1998 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Yes — 14 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06V286000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 Ford Explorer's reported problems?
4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
