102 of the
2,374 complaints about the 1998 Ford Explorer are about the
braking system — 4% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
71,000 miles.
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 complaint #10762182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 191,000 milesOxford, MS
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10706549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 131,000 milesHammonton, NJFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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 .
NHTSA complaint #10453787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 236,000 milesAurora, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10439965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesLAS Vegas, NVCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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).
NHTSA complaint #10373143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesAtlanta, GACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10372566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charles City, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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 complaint #10371752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charles City, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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 complaint #10371752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesOakland, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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...
NHTSA complaint #10323668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesCranford, NJCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10245890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 162,550 milesMill Valley, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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.
NHTSA complaint #10211400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,196 milesAlbertson, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10205518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,016 milesAlbertson, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
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!
NHTSA complaint #10205521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,965 milesBeachwood, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE REAR BRAKE LINE BROKE DUE TO CORROSION.
NHTSA complaint #10168939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesVictorville, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10142752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Franksville, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10134503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesLockfort, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
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.
NHTSA complaint #10120752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesRaleigh, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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
NHTSA complaint #10119038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 920,000 milesNewark, DE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10098953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,000 milesWalkersville, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP BRAKES LOCKED . AS A RESULT, CONSUMER HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES TO UNLOCK THE BRAKE PEDAL.
NHTSA complaint #10094801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesPhiladelphia, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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 complaint #10092071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,500 milesSpokane, WACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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
NHTSA complaint #10065547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesAtlanta, GACrash3 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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.
NHTSA complaint #10052141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesHighland, CA
PARKING BRAKE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10047510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,007 milesGroves, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING ABS BRAKES, THEY WOULD FAIL. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE OF FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10040371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Little Rock, AR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE BRAKE SENSORS WERE FAULTY, THE DRIVER SEAT BOLT HAD BROKEN AND FELL WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK WAS DEFECTIVE, AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE. SCC
NHTSA complaint #10004052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carpentersville, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS ARE "FALLING APART" AND RUSTING PRETTY BAD. SEEMS UNUSUALL THAT ROTORS SHOULD FAIL LIKE THIS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ROTORS RUSTING AND METAL FALLING OFF LIKE THIS. THIS IS FAR BEYOND NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.
NHTSA complaint #762779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marshall, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TORQUE CONVERTER DID NOT DISENGAGE WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A STOP SIGN AND STOPPED WHEN BRAKING STALLED THE ENGINE. FORD RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE SOLONOID THAT CONTROLS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS FAILULE IS TOTALLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MAKES THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STOP. STOPPING OCCURES ONLY WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED HARD ENOUGH TO STALL THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #761321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alice, TXCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH WHEN APPYLING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL CAME COMPLETELY OFF AND THE TRUCK FLIPPED OVER CAUSING INJURIES TO THE PASSENGERS. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8004006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Olean, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
FRONT BRAKES DRAG. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED ROTORS AND OTHER PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #898637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.