1998 Explorer Van FORD EXPLORER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
82,344 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data updated: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 6 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 16.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 1 |
| Structure:Body:Hood:Hinge And Attachments | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 1; Seats: 1; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 1; Structure:Body:Hood:Hinge And Attachments: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 2 |
2003: 4; 2004: 2
Pattern summary
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10019240 · 2003-05-24 (May 24, 2003)
THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL RING AND PINION GEARS FAILED WITH JUST 78,000 MILES AND MAINLY HIGHWAY ONLY MILES. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019240 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045069 · 2003-10-30 (October 30, 2003)
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON BOLT REPLACEMENT DATED AUGUST 2003. FOR ABOUT ONE YEAR THE FRONT SEATS IN MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROKEN RECLINING TO THE BACK SEAT, I HAVE BLANKETS AND PILLOWS PILED IN THE SEATS THAT ENABLES ME TO SIT UP ENOUGH TO DRIVE AND BUCKLE MY SEAT BELT. ON 9/10/03 I CALLED YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SPOKE TO A REPRESENTING BY THE NAME OF NICOLE TO COMPLAIN. I FOLLOWED INSTRUCTIONS AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH ERNIE HAIR AT FORD, WHO LOOKED AT THE SEATS AND MADE A DETERMINATION THAT TOOK 5 MINUTES, THAT IT WAS THE RECLINER NOT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10045069 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045449 · 2003-11-04 (November 4, 2003)
EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER BRIGHT LIGHT SWITCH ON STEERING COLUMN FAILED WHEN RETURNING FROM BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS TO REGULAR LIGHTING. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT DUE TO THE SWITCH, HAD TO WIGGLE SWITCH TO GET LIGHTS BACK ON. I DISCOVERED BY HOLDING THE SWITCH TOWARDS MY DIRECTION (THE FLASH BRIGHTS MODE), I COULD GET HOME. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IN PITCH DARK . LIGHTS UNEXPECTEDLY WENT OUT DURING THIS ACTION. IT WAS RATHER SHOCKING TO HAVE THE HEADLIGHTS TO TURN OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 124,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045449 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051307 · 2003-12-30 (December 30, 2003)
WHILE THE HOOD WAS OPEN, THE HYDRAULIC HOOD "STRUTS" GAVE WAY, & THE HOOD CAME CRASHING DOWN & HIT ME ON THE BACK OF MY HEAD. LUCKILY, IT WAS A GLANCING BLOW, & I DIDN'T SUSTAIN A MAJOR INJURY.
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10051307 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059027 · 2004-02-26 (February 26, 2004)
BROKEN DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 93,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059027 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062664 · 2004-03-20 (March 20, 2004)
I HAD TO REPLACE THE CENTER ARMREST ON 9-9-99 UNDER WARANTY AND A SECOND TIME AT MY EXPENSE. THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT BOLT WAS MISSING. RAZZARI FORD IN MERCED, CA, CANNOT FIX UNDER WARRANTY. *JB FORD MOTOR COMPANY CLAIMS MISSING BOLT AND DEFECTIVE ARMREST IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I REMINDED THEM I WILL NOT BUY NEW FORDS AGAIN.
Owner-reported narrative. 82,344 miles reported. Look up ODI 10062664 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
6 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1997 | 1998 |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 111.1%ODI 10005333 · 75,000 miI HAVE A AWD WITH APPX 75,000/MI AND THE ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE. REPLACEMENT COST $4,700.00. I DO NOT OR HAVE BEEN ROUGH WITH THIS VEHICLE. NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING ONLY... AND MY GAS GAUGE WENT OUT ON MY VEHICLE ALSO. | 116.7%ODI 10019240 · 78,000 miTHE REAR DIFFERENTIAL RING AND PINION GEARS FAILED WITH JUST 78,000 MILES AND MAINLY HIGHWAY ONLY MILES. *NLM |
| Unknown Or Other | 111.1%ODI 10040940 · 93,800 miTHERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR BLEND ON MY VEHICLE. FORD STATES THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER, ANY WEBSITE YOU GO TO THAT HAS FORD OWNERS ON IT HAVE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS. I HAVE CHANGED THE THERMOSTAT, TRACED ALL VACUUM LINES, CHECKED THE HEATER COR ETC. THE BLOWER THROWS OUT COLD AIR ONLY. FORD WANTS IN EXCESS OF $1,100 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I WILL NOT PAY THIS AMOUNT. I PLAN ON CONSULTED WITH MY FAMILY ATTORNEY, AND POSSIBLY SEE IF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT CAN BE FILED. THEY REFUSE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROB… | 116.7%ODI 10062664 · 82,344 miI HAD TO REPLACE THE CENTER ARMREST ON 9-9-99 UNDER WARANTY AND A SECOND TIME AT MY EXPENSE. THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT BOLT WAS MISSING. RAZZARI FORD IN MERCED, CA, CANNOT FIX UNDER WARRANTY. *JB FORD MOTOR COMPANY CLAIMS MISSING BOLT AND DEFECTIVE ARMREST IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I REMINDED THEM I WILL NOT BUY NEW FORDS AGAIN. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 111.1%ODI 100643321997 FORD EXPLORER, BOUGHT AS A PROGRAM VEHICLE (RETURNED) WITH 40,000 MILES.EHICLE NOW HAS 103,000 EASY MILES. MOSTLY SITS IN CARPORT. NOT DRIVEN DAILY. VECHICLE HAS HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS 1. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, HAVE REPLACED )2 SENSOR TWICE. CAME BACK ON SHORTLY AFTER. RUNS ROUGH IN THE MORNING. 2. BLEND DOOR FAILED (THIS CAUSES EITHER WARM OR COOL AIR TO BLOWN INTO THE VEHICLE), RENDERING EITHER AC OR HEATER INOPERABLE. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION, WHEN DEFROSTER IS NEEDED QUICK… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 111.1%ODI 10047380 · 83,000 miIT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION AFTER 5 TRIPS TO THE SERVICE DEPT. THAT MY 1997 FORD EXPLORER NEEDS A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS WAS AFTER SENSORS WERE REPLACED THE FIRST 4 TIMES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON ALMOST CONSTANTLY SINCE THE PURCHASE IN JUNE. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE EXPLORER AND FORD WOULD NOT RECALL THEM FOR THIS MAJOR DEFECT. I DID NOT PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE TO CONSTANTLY MAKE REPAIRS TO A DEFECTIVE PART OR PARTS. FORD SHOULD MAKE THIS RIGHT. PLEASE CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY. [XXX]. *LA INFO… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 116.7%ODI 10045449 · 124,900 miEDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER BRIGHT LIGHT SWITCH ON STEERING COLUMN FAILED WHEN RETURNING FROM BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS TO REGULAR LIGHTING. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT DUE TO THE SWITCH, HAD TO WIGGLE SWITCH TO GET LIGHTS BACK ON. I DISCOVERED BY HOLDING THE SWITCH TOWARDS MY DIRECTION (THE FLASH BRIGHTS MODE), I COULD GET HOME. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IN PITCH DARK . LIGHTS UNEXPECTEDLY WENT OUT DURING THIS ACTION. IT WAS RATHER SHOCKING TO HAVE THE HEADLIGHTS TO TURN OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. *AK |
| Fuel System, Other | 111.1%ODI 10005333 · 75,000 miI HAVE A AWD WITH APPX 75,000/MI AND THE ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE. REPLACEMENT COST $4,700.00. I DO NOT OR HAVE BEEN ROUGH WITH THIS VEHICLE. NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING ONLY... AND MY GAS GAUGE WENT OUT ON MY VEHICLE ALSO. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 116.7%ODI 10062664 · 82,344 miI HAD TO REPLACE THE CENTER ARMREST ON 9-9-99 UNDER WARANTY AND A SECOND TIME AT MY EXPENSE. THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT BOLT WAS MISSING. RAZZARI FORD IN MERCED, CA, CANNOT FIX UNDER WARRANTY. *JB FORD MOTOR COMPANY CLAIMS MISSING BOLT AND DEFECTIVE ARMREST IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I REMINDED THEM I WILL NOT BUY NEW FORDS AGAIN. |
| Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) | 111.1%ODI 10007634 · 43,000 mi4WD LOW AND HIGH LIGHT ILLUMINATED / SIX TIMES FLASHING EVERY THREE MINUTES. WHILE IN REVERSE THE CAR WOULD SHUTTER/BANG. FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE NOT ENGAGING INTO DRIVE. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | Too few reports for a range | 124,900 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10045449 · 124,900 miEDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER BRIGHT LIGHT SWITCH ON STEERING COLUMN FAILED WHEN RETURNING FROM BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS TO REGULAR LIGHTING. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT DUE TO THE SWITCH, HAD TO WIGGLE SWITCH TO GET LIGHTS BACK ON. I DISCOVERED BY HOLDING THE SWITCH TOWARDS MY DIRECTION (THE FLASH BRIGHTS MODE), I COULD GET HOME. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IN PITCH DARK . LIGHTS UNEXPECTEDLY WENT OUT DURING THIS ACTION. IT WAS RATHER SHOCKING TO HAVE THE HEADLIGHTS TO TURN OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. *AK |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Too few reports for a range | 82,344 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10062664 · 82,344 miI HAD TO REPLACE THE CENTER ARMREST ON 9-9-99 UNDER WARANTY AND A SECOND TIME AT MY EXPENSE. THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT BOLT WAS MISSING. RAZZARI FORD IN MERCED, CA, CANNOT FIX UNDER WARRANTY. *JB FORD MOTOR COMPANY CLAIMS MISSING BOLT AND DEFECTIVE ARMREST IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I REMINDED THEM I WILL NOT BUY NEW FORDS AGAIN. |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | Too few reports for a range | 78,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10019240 · 78,000 miTHE REAR DIFFERENTIAL RING AND PINION GEARS FAILED WITH JUST 78,000 MILES AND MAINLY HIGHWAY ONLY MILES. *NLM |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | Too few reports for a range | 93,500 mi | 1 (sparse) | |
| Structure:Body:Hood:Hinge And Attachments | Too few reports for a range | 59,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10051307 · 59,000 miWHILE THE HOOD WAS OPEN, THE HYDRAULIC HOOD "STRUTS" GAVE WAY, & THE HOOD CAME CRASHING DOWN & HIT ME ON THE BACK OF MY HEAD. LUCKILY, IT WAS A GLANCING BLOW, & I DIDN'T SUSTAIN A MAJOR INJURY. |
| Unknown Or Other | Too few reports for a range | 82,344 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10062664 · 82,344 miI HAD TO REPLACE THE CENTER ARMREST ON 9-9-99 UNDER WARANTY AND A SECOND TIME AT MY EXPENSE. THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT BOLT WAS MISSING. RAZZARI FORD IN MERCED, CA, CANNOT FIX UNDER WARRANTY. *JB FORD MOTOR COMPANY CLAIMS MISSING BOLT AND DEFECTIVE ARMREST IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I REMINDED THEM I WILL NOT BUY NEW FORDS AGAIN. |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1997: 0 complaints · 1998: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | Seats | Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | Structure:Body:Hood:Hinge And Attachments | Unknown Or Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 10062664 · 82,344 miI HAD TO REPLACE THE CENTER ARMREST ON 9-9-99 UNDER WARANTY AND A SECOND TIME AT MY EXPENSE. THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT BOLT WAS MISSING. RAZZARI FORD IN MERCED, CA, CANNOT FIX UNDER WARRANTY. *JB FORD MOTOR COMPANY CLAIMS MISSING BOLT AND DEFECTIVE ARMREST IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I REMINDED THEM I WILL NOT BUY NEW FORDS AGAIN. |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Structure:Body:Hood:Hinge And Attachments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 0 | 1ODI 10062664 · 82,344 miI HAD TO REPLACE THE CENTER ARMREST ON 9-9-99 UNDER WARANTY AND A SECOND TIME AT MY EXPENSE. THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT BOLT WAS MISSING. RAZZARI FORD IN MERCED, CA, CANNOT FIX UNDER WARRANTY. *JB FORD MOTOR COMPANY CLAIMS MISSING BOLT AND DEFECTIVE ARMREST IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I REMINDED THEM I WILL NOT BUY NEW FORDS AGAIN. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.