1998 Ford Explorer Sport: doors won't lock, open or latch

Filed Jan 27, 2009 · Locks · 122,700 miles · TN

In 2007, my 1998 ford explorer driver door lock stopped working. It really didn't bother me all that much until one day by accident the door locked and would not come open. I had to push with all my force and pull up on the interior door handle at the same time. Finally it came open but the door handle broke. Now it was to the point of disgust. Didn't have the money to fix it so we waited until we did. In 2008, I took my explorer to the local dealership. I was quoted $197 for everything, installation, parts, and labor. But when I came to pay the bill I was informed it was going to be about $100 if not more when completed. So my aunts boyfriend, who does auto body work, fixed it. It was working fine, we still had to jiggle to lock from the outside to get the locks to unlock. And then about a week ago, I was getting out and the door handle broke again. This time the handle is stuck. I now have to roll down the window and open the door from the outside or crawl across the passenger side. Which we have had to do that in the past and it is embarrassing. So now I've e-mailed ford about my complaint and that is where I was informed you done the recalls. I really learned that there is alot of people with this same complaint, www.carcomplaint.com. I really hope you can help resolve this matter. What should I do next? I guess just be out $200 more when I have to go back to the dealership....hope you can help. Thank you for your time.

Filed Jan 15, 2009 · Locks · AL

1998 ford explorer driver side door lock won't open. It won't open if you use the key, remote, or manually try to pull up on it while inside. However, the other doors and tailgate unlock ok. I am forced to enter the car on the passenger side and climb over a console in the middle to get into driver seat. I believe this is a serious safety issue as there is no way to get in or out of the car on the driver side. I am 76 years old and this is extremely difficult to get in over the console on passenger side. There are numerous complaints on internet for this exact problem.

Filed Jul 6, 2008 · Locks · 101,000 miles · MA

There were no events leading up to this failure I was driving to go see a movie. The door lock on the drivers side stopped working (even with a key it will not unlock). No parts have been replaced on this door except for the door itself over 7 years ago.

Filed May 20, 2008 · Locks · 70,300 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer sport. The driver side door locks malfunctioned. As a result, the contact cannot open the driver side door. The fuse relay of the vehicle is located in the driver side door, which prevents the contact from changing any of the fuses. Prior to the failure, he experienced issues with manually unlocking the doors with the vehicle key. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 70,300.

Filed Aug 11, 2007 · Locks · NC

The locks on my doors keep locking by themselves and the driver side door wont unlock unless you beat it to death the back latch does not open at all it is locked and won't unlock.

Filed May 11, 2007 · Locks · 70,000 miles · CA

Driver's side power door lock did not unlock either with the key or lock button. It took many attempts to get the door unlocked, leaving me no choice but to exit out of the passenger's side.

Filed Mar 19, 2007 · Locks · 00

My vehicle is currently experiencing the same problem as the previous complaint. The door locks will not unlock with a key or the unlock button when locked(electrical). This could be quite dangerous in an accident where the driver will not be able to exit as the driver door is unable to unlock.

Filed Feb 17, 2007 · Locks · NC

The door locks will not unlock with a key or the unlock button when locked(electrical). My vehicle is not the only one. I have spoken with 5 others in my city alone with explorers and they are all having the same troubles. This has got to be a defect for it to be in so many other explorers.

Filed Aug 4, 2006 · Locks · 98,000 miles · CA

The driver's side door lock is no longer able to be unlocked with the key or by the power lock switch. If it is locked accidentally, it is impossible to enter the vehicle any way other than by crawling in from the passenger side door or by pulling very hard on the inside handle while working the key in the lock. This could present a serious problem in the case of an accident if an individual needs to flee the vehicle.

Filed Jul 18, 2006 · Locks · TX

The driver's side door lock is no longer able to be unlocked with the key or by the power lock switch. If it is locked accidentally, it is impossible to enter the vehicle any way other than by crawling in from the passenger side door. This could present a serious problem in the case of an accident if an individual needs to flee the vehicle... Especially for those like myself with infants that would need to be removed from the vehicle as well. The problem began four or five years ago when it became difficult to unlock the door with the key at various times. Since then, the situation has worsened significantly. The only thing about the driver's side door that is in working condition now is the "lock" action of the power lock switch. Having said that, the power window on the driver's side door no longer works, though I am unsure if it is in any way related to the lock.

Filed Aug 29, 2005 · Locks · 153,000 miles · IA

Dt: the driver's side door will not unlock by key, remote or the inside handle. When the consumer contacted the dealer and manufacturer, they told her that it was not on recall and that she had to take care of the issue herself. The consumer felt that this was a safety issue because if there was an emergency one would not be able to exit the vehicle quickly. The consumer was unable to unlock the door when she left for work on 8-29-05. As of now the problem is still has not been solved. *ak the consumer stated son-in-law was able to fix the door. Update 4/25/07

Filed Jul 19, 2005 · WI

Driver side door will not open. Appears to be stuck in the lock position. Have read numerous websites that it is a defective spring from ace lock co.