19 of the
2,374 complaints about the 1998 Ford Explorer are about the
wheels — 1% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
150,000 miles.
MY SEAT BELT ON MY PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT WORK HALF THE TIME. MY DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK RIGHT. I CAN'T GET MY WINDOW ON THE DRIVER SIDE TO GO UP AND DOWN. I HIT A TREE GOING 55 MILES AN HOUR IN MY AIRBAG DID NOT EVEN DEPLOY. I'M LUCKY I'M STILL ALIVE. THE FENDERS RUBBING UP AGAINST MY TIRE. SPEED CONTROL IS WRONG. WHENEVER I'M GOING 55 MILES AN HOUR IT SAYS 57 ACTUALLY I DON'T REMEMBER THE CORRECT DATE. BUT I'M SURE IT SHOWS I KNOW IT WAS 2017. SOMEBODY RAN ME OFF THE ROAD. MY TRUCK HIT THE TREE AND MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I'M LUCKY IT DIDN'T I GUESS BECAUSE DON'T AIRBAGS HAVE METAL SHARDS IN THEM IS WHAT I WAS TOLD
NHTSA complaint #11287420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZCrash1 injured
WHEELS
AS I WAS MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY ONTO THE ON RAMP LIKE ANY OTHER MORNING GOING TO WORK I BEGAN TO YIELD AS THERE WAS TRAFFIC COMING IN MY DIRECTION. AS I BEGAN TO YIELD MY CAR FLIPPED OVER AS IF SOMEONE PURPOSELY TILTED THE VEHICLE OVER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY THE CAR ROLLED OVER ONTO MY LEFT ARM AND LEG BREAKING MY ANKLE AND CAUSING MANY OTHER INJURIES AND DISTRESS.
NHTSA complaint #10680699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesMillwood, WV
WHEELS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE WHEELS WERE DETERIORATING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT CHROME PORTIONS OF THE WHEELS WERE DETACHING WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE WHEELS WELDED AND BOLTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10469634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fall River, MA
WHEELS
THE MAGNESIUM WHEELS ON MY VEHICLE ARE DETERIORATING AROUND THE HUB. A LOCAL TIRE CENTER INFORMED ME THEY ARE UNSAFE TO USE. YOU CAN PUT YOUR FINGER RIGHT THROUGH THE CENTER. IF A WHEEL WAS TO BREAK UP WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY IT COULD BE DISASTROUS. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN FEBRUARY OF 1999 FROM RODMAN FORD, FOXBORO, MA THESE WHEELS WERE USED ON SALEEN EXPLORERS AND SALEEN MUSTANGS FROM 1994-1998 SO THERE COULD BE MORE OUT THERE WITH IMPENDING FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10010332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Syosset, NY
WHEELS
THERE WAS A HAIRLINE CRACK THROUGH ONE SPOKE OF THE DRIVER'S WHEEL. IT WAS ONLY SUPPORTED BY 4 SPOKES INSTEAD OF 5. CONSUMER WAS VERY CONCERNED THAT OTHER SPOKES WOULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY. RELATED RECALL 00E027000 CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. *PH *JB *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10003997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Randolph, NJ
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
SPARE TIRE FELL OFF VEHICLE. FORTUNATLY I WAS GOING SLOWLY ON A QUIET STREET. WHAT IF I HAD BEEN ON A CROWDED HIGHWAY?
NHTSA complaint #764344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vernon, CT
WHEELS
CONSUMER HAD EXPERIENCED SOME PROBLEMS WITH SUSPENSION. HAD TO REPLACE SHOCKS AND TIRES. CURRENTLY, DEALER INDICATED THAT WHEELS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALSO TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8000707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomingdale, GA
WHEELS
FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES ROAR WHEN CONSUMER BRAKES OR WHEN THE VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP, CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCES QUICK STEERING BECAUSE OF THE SHORT WHEEL BASE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #556637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Edwardsville, KS
WHEELS
THERE IS A THUMPING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD, WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL. THIS THUMPING FEELS AS IF SOMETHING IS BINDING IN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 PREVIOUS TIMES AND WILL BE RETURNING FOR THE 4TH. ASAP THIS IS A LEASED VEHICLE. AND THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD. I ALSO HAVE RECEIPTS OF EVERY TIME THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE. MY CONCERN IS THAT, IF I WANTED A VEHICLE WITH ALL THESE PROBLEMS, I MIGHT AS WELL OF PURCHASED A USED ONE. IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF THE LEASE, THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CARRY OVER THE REMAINING LEASE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE. I FEEL I DIDN'T CAUSE THESE PROBLEMS, SO WHY HAVE I BEEN SUBJECT TO BEING PENALIZED FOR THE REMAINING LEASE OF 1 YR. CAN YOU HELP?
NHTSA complaint #730855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Edwardsville, KS
WHEELS
THERE IS A THUMPING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD, WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL. THIS THUMPING FEELS AS IF SOMETHING IS BINDING IN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 PREVIOUS TIMES AND WILL BE RETURNING FOR THE 4TH. ASAP THIS IS A LEASED VEHICLE. AND THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD. I ALSO HAVE RECEIPTS OF EVERY TIME THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE. MY CONCERN IS THAT, IF I WANTED A VEHICLE WITH ALL THESE PROBLEMS, I MIGHT AS WELL OF PURCHASED A USED ONE. IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF THE LEASE, THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CARRY OVER THE REMAINING LEASE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE. I FEEL I DIDN'T CAUSE THESE PROBLEMS, SO WHY HAVE I BEEN SUBJECT TO BEING PENALIZED FOR THE REMAINING LEASE OF 1 YR. CAN YOU HELP?
NHTSA complaint #730855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
WHEELS:RIM
RIMS ARE NOT ROUND THEY ARE OVAL SHAPED,PREMATURE OF WEARING TIRES ,CAUSING SEVERE VIBRATION CONTACTED DEALER BUT NOT WANTING TO REPLACE THEM!!!!!!( DOT NUMBER: VDHL TIRE SIZE: P23575/R15 )
NHTSA complaint #729619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newark, DE
WHEELS:RIM
WHILE EXIT PARKING, HIT ON CURB WITH LOW MPH. TIRE FAILED AT CLOSE TO RIM CREATED A 1/2 INCH SLIT. THE INITIAL HIT POINT IS MORE TOWARDS THE FRONT WHEEL IS NOT DEMAGED BUT HAVE BLACK MARK NEXT TO THE TIRE RUPTURE. HITTING CURB SEEMS COMMON AMONG DRIVERS, BUT I NEVER HEARD OF ANYONE HAVING SOMETHING LIKE THIS. THEREFORE, I THINK THAT THIS IS A QUALITY PROBLEM.( DOT NUMBER: W2HL TIRE SIZE: P235/R15? )
NHTSA complaint #729012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cumming, GA
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
DRIVER'S FRONT WHEEL W/HUB COMMENCED TO COME OFF WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 70 MPH. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #864267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portage, MI
WHEELS
4-WHEEL DRIVE HIGH/LOW INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY EVERY 0.5 MILE.
NHTSA complaint #715102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho SAN, CA
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
LUG NUTS WERE STRIPPED. YH
NHTSA complaint #608865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hastings, FL
WHEELS:RIM
RIMS ARE NOT ROUND THEY ARE OVAL SHAPED. ALSO, PREMATURE WEAR OF TIRES, CAUSING EXTREMELY BAD VIBRATION.CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #843921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Uxbridge, MA
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
LUGS:NUTS AND BOLTS SHEARED OFF DUE TO CORROSION/RUST.
NHTSA complaint #781342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
U S A F AC, CO
WHEELS:RIM
THE TIRE RIM WAS DEFECTIVE CAUSING A SLOW LEAK REQUIRING AIR EVERY 2-3 DAYS.
NHTSA complaint #780416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cheyenne, WY
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
WHILE DRIVING THE LUGS: NUTS STARTED TO COME OFF THE TIRE, AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHIMMY. DEALER HAS SEEN.
NHTSA complaint #824943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.