74 of the 2,374 complaints about the 1998 Ford Explorer are about the steering — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 119,492 miles.
74
Complaints
12
Crashes
1
Fires
7
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE STEERING ROD FELL OFF AND CAUSED THE STEERING TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #10838010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
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.
STEERING:LINKAGES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST STEERING ABILITY AND DEFECTIVE PARTS PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE FAILURE CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAILED STEERING KNUCKLE. THE BODY SHOP REPAIRED THE STEERING KNUCKLE AND ALL RELATED PARTS. NO OTHER FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,916 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
NHTSA complaint #10199624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:COLUMN
ON 2/22/07 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4DR. I HAD JUST COME OFF THE NJ TURNPIKE AND WAS DRIVING THROUGH UNION CITY AT 6:45 IN THE MORNING WHEN I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I ACCELERATED AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT TO FOLLOW THE ROAD. TO MY SHOCK AND HORROR THE STEERING WHEEL SPUN FREELY WITHOUT CHANGING THE DIRECTION OF MY VEHICLE. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO STEERING WITH BARELY ANY RESISTANCE ON THE STEERING WHEEL ITSELF. MY VEHICLE WENT STRAIGHT ACROSS THE ROAD; I STOPPED THE VEHICLE UP ON A SIDEWALK JUST BEFORE A BUILDING. THANK GOD THERE WAS NO ONE WALKING THERE AT THAT EARLY HOUR. AFTER I MANAGED TO COMPOSE MYSELF I TRIED TURNING THE WHEEL AND FOUND THAT IT WOULD JUST CONTINUE TO SPIN FREELY EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT, WITH NOTHING STOPPING IT. IF I TURNED THE WHEEL HARD AND LET GO THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SPIN COMPLETELY AROUND 5 OR 6 TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. I CALLED THE UNION CITY POLICE AND TOLD THEM WHAT OCCURRED AND THAT THE CAR WAS UP ON A SIDEWALK WITH NO WAY TO STEER IT. THEY TOLD ME TO CALL AAA AND SENT A CAR BY. AAA CAME WITH A FLAT BED AND AFTER A LONG TIME MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE CURB AND ON THE TRUCK. THE DRIVER HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WAY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. I ACCOMPANIED MY VEHICLE AS IT WAS TOWED TO MY LOCAL REPAIR STATION 30 MILES AWAY. THE STATION FOUND THAT INSIDE THE DRIVERS COMPARTMENT THE STEERING COLUMN IS TWO SEPARATE SHAFTS THAT ARE HELD TOGETHER BY A SINGLE BOLT ( NO NUT ). THE BOLT HAD BACKED OUT OF THE CONNECTION AND THE SHAFTS HAD BECOME SEPARATED. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE BOLT UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT ONCE THE SHAFTS BECAME SEPARATED THERE WAS NO WAY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. HE EXPRESSED GREAT CONCERN THAT THE BOLT DID NOT HAVE A NUT OR SOME KIND OF PIN TO KEEP IT FROM FALLING OUT. THE MECHANIC PUT SOME 'THREAD LOCKER' ON THE BOLT AND PUT IT BACK IN THE STEERING SHAFT, WHICH FIXED THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10186510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 1998 FORD EXPLORER AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH SHE HEARD A RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. SHE DID NOT RECEIVE ANY WARNING LIGHTS, AND THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR. SUDDENLY, IT BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND SHE HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED, AND IT RELEASED DEBRIS INTO THE RACK AND PINION, WHICH CAUSED THAT TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 65042 MILES.*AK UPDATED 04/12/07.
NHTSA complaint #10184858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
POWER STEERING GEAR BOX IS LEAKING. BOTH THE GEARBOX AND TIE RODS NEED REPLACED. ONLY 75,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10165224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
I HAVE A 1998 FORD EXPLORER THAT I HAVE BEEN GETTING A LOUD GRUNTING NOISE EVERYTIME I TURN LEFT. REPLACED RACK N PINION AND POWER STEERING PUMP, AND STILL NO CHANGE. NOISE IS STILL THERE.
NHTSA complaint #10156180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT 1998 FORD EXPLORER HAD A STEERING PROBLEM. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNING TO THE LEFT, SHE HEARD A CLUNG, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNING, BUT SHE WAS NOT MOVING. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THAT A STEERING SHAFT BROKE. THE SHAFT WAS REPLACED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING FINE NOW. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY SAID THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE CONSUMER WAS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO PAY THE BILL.
NHTSA complaint #10136568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
I HAVE A 1998 FORD EXPLORER 4 DR 2WD AND THE DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN SOMETHING WENT WRONG WITH THE LOCK FROM THE INSIDE U CAN OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE BUT IT WONT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE SINCE THAT OCCURED MY ANTI-THEFT MY SECURITY SYSTEM AND MY HORN ALSO STOPPED WORKING I HAVE CHECKED THE FUSES AND THE RELAYS THEY TELL ME THAT ITS SOMETHING IN THE WIRING WHAT SHOULD I DO
NHTSA complaint #10114592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
ON 6/18/04 MY FAMILY WAS IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT WHILE ON VACATION IN NY. MY SON WAS DRIVING AND SWERVED TO AVOID A CAR COMING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE STEERING BECAME VERY LOOSE AND WE ROLLED OVER. BEFORE ROLLING OVER, HE TRIED TO REGAIN CONTROL AND TOTTTLED LEFT THEN TOTTLED RIGHT AND THEN FLIPPED AND LANDED ON THE HOOD. THE THREE WITH MINOR INJURIES INCLUDED CUTS ON HANDS FROM CLADD, SPRAIN NECK AND BRUISES.
NHTSA complaint #10078968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A GRINDING NOISE WHEN MAKING A LEFT OF RIGHT TURN. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE POWER STEERING HOSE WITH AN UPDATED ONE, AS STATED IN THE TECHNICAL SERVIC EBULLETIN 9821-01 WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10073683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING WANDERED AND SWERVED. AT THIS TIME THE CAUSE IS UNDETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #10038449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH STEERING LOCKED UP.
NHTSA complaint #10037660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
FRONT END FELT LOOSE AND VEHICLE WAS VEERING TO THE RIGHT DUE TO CRACKED BALL JOINTS. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED, AND A RED BROWN LIQUID WAS LEAKING FROM DRIVER'S SIDE BECAUSE POWER STEERING RACK WAS DEFECTIVE. ALSO, DEALER REPLACED TIMING GEAR, AND UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLDS.
NHTSA complaint #10017752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
ON 5/7/03, I TOOK MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER TO CLASSIC FORD IN SMITHFIELD NC., BECAUSE I HAD BEEN HEARING A ROARING NOISE WHEN EVER I TURNED TO THE LEFT. I WAS TOLD THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE MY RACK & PINION. THEY WILL HAVE TO KEEP IT A COUPLE DAYS TO REPLACE IT. I FEEL THAT IS VERY UNUSUAL FOR AN AUTO WITH ONLY 66,000 MILES WOULD HAVE THAT PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING.(INCIDENT DATE SHOULD BE 5/7/2003)
NHTSA complaint #10018356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
AT HIGH SPEEDS VEHICLE SHAKES AND WILL NOT STAY IN LANE, AND STEERING WHEEL IS VERY LOOSE. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD RACK AND PINION INSTALLED, BUT IT STARTED LEAKING AND BECOME LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #8013098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING, POWER STEERING FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. AFTER INSPECTION OF VEHICLE BY DEALER IT WAS DETERMINED THAT POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8011173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT THERES A RUBBING GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM STEERING. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT STEERING WHEEL CASE NEEDED REPLACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8009206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER HEARS A GRINDING NOISE WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND APPLYING OR RELEASING THE BRAKES. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND INNER TIE ROD HAD DETERIORATED FROM WEAR AND TEAR. THE PART WAS REPLACED.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8008506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH THE VEHICLE SERVERLY TURNED TO THE LEFT, THE CONSUMER HAD TO QUICKLY REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE BY TURNING TO RIGHT TO STAY ON ROAD, THE VEHICLE WA TALEN TO THE DEALER FOR A BRAKE JOB WHEN DEALER DISCOVERED A VIBRATION IN STEERING COLUMN. DEALER REPAIRED A STEERING HOSE THAT WAS ROUTED IMPROPERLY. THERE IS A BULLETIN # 98-21-1.
NHTSA complaint #8006378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLICKING NOISE AND VIBRATES FLOORBOARD. SOUND IN THE STEERING HAS PROGRESSED, AND HAS MORE PLAY SINCE PROBLEM OCCURRED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8005353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
VEHICLE WAS APPROXIMATELY GOING 60MPH WHEN A LOSS OF STEERING CAUSED VEHICLE TO JERK SIDE TO SIDE AND ROLL OVER. METAL FATIGUE CAUSED THE HYDRUALIC RACK AND PINION TO BURST AND LEAK FLUID. THIS MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #8004713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE EXPERIENCD PREMATURE WEAR OF THE FRONT BALL JOINTS AND TIE RODS, DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #899960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT THERE IS A NOISE. RACK AND PINION MALFUNCTIONED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #898640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RACK AND PINION STEERING MOMENTARILY LOCKED UP WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER, AND HAD RACK AND PINION REPLACED. CURRENTLY, IT WAS MAKING NOISE WHENEVER A TURN WAS BEING MADE. DEALER UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #898381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHILE DRIVING A BOLT CAME OUT OF STEERING COLUMN WHICH RENDERED STEERING TOTALLY INOPERATIVE. ALSO, IT DEACTIVATED AIR BAG . CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT BEING COOPERATIVE.*AK
NHTSA complaint #897404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILED. WHILE DRIVING WOULD FEEL LIKE VEHICLE HAD FLAT TIRES. WOULD HAVE TO OVERCOMPENSATE FOR STEERING. THE STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. TOOK VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THERE WAS NO RACK AND PINION STEERING LEFT. *AK NLM
NHTSA complaint #896672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN STEERING FAILED. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE MADE A COMPLETE TURN AND DAMAGED FRONT AND REAR END OF VEHICLE. DEALER HAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH STEERING. PLEASE ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #895258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
3RD STEERING RACK AND PINION IN 9 MONTHS. 1ST FAILURE CAUSED LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, BUT NO INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #748525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
ATTN. NHTSA ADMINISTRATOR-[XXX]: I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE. IN AN EFFORT TO HELP IN THE INVESTIGATION OF THE FORD EXPLORER - I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER MY VEHICLE TO BE USED FOR TESTING. I WOULD LIKE TO BE COMPENSATED OF COURSE AND THIS WOULD ALLOW ME TO PURCHASE A SAFER VEHICLE FOR MY FAMILY. THE VEHICLES TESTED BY [XXX] STUDY OF THE "OVERSTEERING" CONDITION WERE SIMILAR TO MINE. THE FOUR DOOR (4X2) DESIGN HAS BEEN CHOSEN BY [XXX] FOR REASONS I DON'T DARE WISH TO SPECULATE. ALTHOUGH, IT SEEMS FAIRLY OBVIOUS THAT MY FAMILY AND I ARE OPERATING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. AS A FORD EXPLORER OWNER, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO PROCEED WITH AN INVESTIGATION INTO ROLLOVERS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD'S CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT SEVERAL TIMES VIA E-MAIL AND HAVE GOTTEN TRACKING/CASE ID NUMBERS IN RESPONSE. THEY ARE REFUSING TO ACT UPON A SAFETY CONCERN WHERE LIVES ARE AT STAKE. MY VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL OCTOBER 2001 AND I WISH TO EXCHANGE THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE. IF MY OFFER DOES NOT APPEAL TO YOU THEN PLEASE OFFER ME ANY SUGGESTIONS THAT YOU FEEL ARE HELPFUL TO MY CAUSE. SINCERELY, [XXX]/[XXX]/[XXX] ([XXX]) & [XXX] ([XXX]). *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *JS
NHTSA complaint #748098 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.