Speed control gets hot to touch. All top facing has melted off from heat. I was on highway and my steering wheel became extremely hot. My seat was repaired after recall years ago. It continues to drop low to floor.
1998 Ford Explorer acceleration problems
280 complaints (14% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 113,000. 31 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 280
- of this car's complaints
- 14%
- typical mileage
- 113,000
- crashes
- 31
- recalls
- 4
Which part fails
- Accelerator pedal87
- Cruise control33
- Linkages11
- Cables2
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ford Explorer acceleration problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Ford Explorer acceleration
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
- Risk
- A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1‑888‑222‑2751.
Recall number 09V399000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat.
- Risk
- Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on august 7, 2006. Owners may contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332. (note: also see recalls 05v017 and 05v388)
Recall number 06V286000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with 4.0l sohc engines and still retain the original throttle body (part numbers 97jf-9e926ab or 97jf-9e926-AC). Some of the original throttle bodies installed allowed a gap between the plate and bore to be built too narrow. This reduced clearance allowed the engine deposits normally present in the throttle body to contact or bridge the gap. If the engine deposits bridged the gap between the throttle plate and bore and then hardened, on the initial application of the accelerator pedal after the engine has cooled, the operator would need to apply additional force to the accelerator pedal to break the bridge.
- Risk
- This could result in engine surge when the accelerator pedal breaks free.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the original throttle bodies.
Recall number 00V422000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: certain 1997-1999 rhd explorer equipped with 4.0l ohv/sohc engines and cruise control built from may 29, 1996 through march 4, 1999; 1998-1999 explorer/mountaineers equipped with 4.0l ohv/sohc or 5.0l engines or 1998-1999 rangers equipped with 2.5l, 3.0l ffv/efi or 4.0l engines and cruise control built from january 5, 1998 through march 4, 1999; 1998-1999 mustangs equipped with 3.8l, 4.6l 2-valve or 4-valve engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999; 1999 f250/f350/f450/f550 (over 8,500 lbs.) trucks equipped with 5.4l or 6.8l engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999; and 1999 f-53 stripped chassis equipped with 5.4l or 6.8l engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999. A cruise control cable can interfere with the speed control servo pulley and not allow the throttle to return to idle when disengaging the cruise control.
- Risk
- If the cruise control is used and this condition is present, a stuck throttle could result, which could potentially result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the cruise control cables. At the present time, the replacement cables are not available. Customers are being advised not to use the cruise control system until a replacement can be made.
Recall number 99V062001 · Recall details
Related investigations
Throttle sticking
On january 23, 1997, ford motor company issued special service message (ssm) 10240, announcing that a revised throttle body would be available during the first quarter of 1997 for 1997 model year ford explorers equipped with the 4.0l single overhead cam (sohc) engine.the ssm stated the revised throttle body would address increased throttle efforts that had been experienced on these vehicles.on july 31, 1998, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened service query sq98-014 to determine whether a safety recall was warranted for the problem addressed by ssm 10240.at that time odi had 14 reports alleging throttles sticking open, including three crashes, on 1997 explorers with the 4.0l sohc engine.ea99-001 investigated alleged throttle body sticking, and loss of throttle control, in the subject vehicles.on december 22, 2000, ford motor company filed a defect information report concerning throttle body sticking in 1997-1998 model year explorer and mountaineer vehicles with 4.0 sohc engines that still retain the original throttle body; safety recall 00v‑422.the engineering analysis closing report is attached.
EA99001
What 1998 Ford Explorer owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Gas pedal bracket welding broke while driving and gas pedal is now just dangling - checked on internet and there are a large amount of complaints about same thing - should be a recall
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. While the vehicle was in operation, the accelerator pedal became detached. The contact activated the hazard lights and drove home with caution. The dealer (phil long ford at chapel hills, 1565 auto mall loop, colorado springs, co 80920, (719) 387-1099) was notified, but could not diagnose the cause of the failure. The dealer and manufacturer indicated that there was no recall to provide a remedy. The contact was uncertain that if the part were replaced, the failure would recur. The failure mileage was not available.
Rear end roars and speedometer quit working
When I stepped on the gas pedal and started to proceed through an intersection, I lost all power and had to roll or coast very slowly through the intersection and stop on the other side in a dangerous position in traffic when I could coast no further. The gas pedal bracket had completely broken off the firewall and was laying on the floor. The bracket had been attached by three spot welds. Some other people stopped traffic and pushed me to a safe place to park. The ford dealer parts' department has no parts to fix it and suggested we buy some bolts somewhere and reattach it ourselves somehow. To completely lose power without warning was extremely dangerous! Thank god I was in a controlled intersection and not turning left across oncoming traffic or it could have turned out much worse. Reading online blogs and comments shows this problem of the gas pedal bracket falling off ford products and losing power is not uncommon.
When accelerating from a stop, the bracket that suspends the accelerator pedal broke free from the firewall (it was tack welded in several spots). This caused an immediate loss of power. Luckily I was leaving my residence with no traffic behind. If I had been accelerating via on ramp to highway with vehicles right behind me might have been a different story. Local garage repaired ($47.50) by drilling holes and reattaching with bolts. According to "serious explorations" users group, not an uncommon problem.
Gas pedal and bracket holding gas pedal broke free of it's mounting location on the firewall. 3 spot welds failed completely. Gas pedal is now dangling from its cable under the dashboard.
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 .
When backing up at 5mph vehicle accelerated at high speed went up curb and hit guardrail. After 2-3- seconds vehicle dropped down to 0 MPH.
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.
Questions about the 1998 Ford Explorer acceleration
Does the 1998 Ford Explorer have acceleration problems?
Owners have filed 280 complaints about the acceleration of the 1998 Ford Explorer, 14% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Explorer acceleration problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 113,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Ford Explorer acceleration?
Yes, 4 recalls: 09V399000, 06V286000, 00V422000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Explorer have the most acceleration problems?
The Ford Explorer model years with the most acceleration complaints are 1998 (280 complaints), 1997 (202 complaints) and 2002 (152 complaints).
Other 1998 Ford Explorer problems
Tires 696Engine 194Electrical 114Suspension 111Visibility 108Transmission 102Brakes 94Seats 70Steering 70Locks 65Fuel system 64Body 48Airbags 40Lights 40Seat belts 38Wheels 18Driver assistance 1
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