Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. While driving 15 MPH, the accelerator pedal fell off. Prior to the failure, the contact noticed that the pedal felt loose and then completely detached while pulling into a repair shop. The failure caused unexpected acceleration and the vehicle crashed into a wall, causing damage to the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 116,000. Updated 03-04-08
1998 Ford Explorer acceleration complaints
Page 3 of 10: complaints 41 to 70 of 280, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl*the contact's father owns a 1998 ford explorer. While driving various speeds, the accelerator pedal would stick and then release. The accelerator pedal became detached from the floor. While attempting to pull into a mechanic's garage, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal hard because the vehicle would not move. The contact then proceeded to move the accelerator pedal with her foot, but the vehicle surged forward into the mechanic's wall. There were no deaths, injuries or a police report. The vehicle sustained damage to the front end. The manufacturer will be notified. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 119,031.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. While driving 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal detached from the panel. The vehicle suddenly decelerated. A police officer pushed the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The current and failure mileages were 107,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. While parking his vehicle (2 MPH), the vehicle surged forward and crashed into the wall of the parking structure while the brake was depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle would not stop until he shut off the engine. The current and failure mileages were 150,000. The purchase date was unavailable.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. The contact received a recall notice in august of 2007 for the vehicle speed cruise control switch. He called to schedule an appointment to have the vehicle repaired and was informed that the parts would be unavailable until october. The contact called again and was informed that the parts would remain unavailable until march of 2008. He filed a formal complaint with the manufacturer. There had been no failure to date. The recall number was unknown. The current mileage was 101,000.
My wife's 1998 ford explorer xlt caught on fire while parked right in front of my kid's school, she drove for 1 mile from our house to the school to pick up my kid, luckily it didn't burn in the garage. The fire according to the fire department looks like it started around the brakes master cylinder under the hood directly in front of the driver and according to the burn marks on the hood looks like it was there where it burned the hottest, the whole engine compartment burned and luckily the fire dptm is real close so it didn't burn completely. Upon investigation on the internet I came to know about a safety recall for these vehicles involving the cruise control switch that is located by the brake master cylinder and that can result on fire, so I strongly believe that this incident is a consequence of this recall that I had no idea of. The vehicle is totaled and now we are struggling without our primary family vehicle, I'm just thankful that my family and my house are safe.
In the middle of the night, my 1998 ford explorer spontaneously burst into flames. The fire department determined that this was caused by a defect in the cruise control system that is systematic of ford vehicles. The fire completely burned down most of my two-story house and caused extensive smoke damage to the remaining areas.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. While driving 5 MPH into the garage at the repair shop, the vehicle accelerated and crashed into a wall. The dealer stated that the throttle failed and referenced the federal safety agency campaign number 00v422000 (vehicle speed control). The current and failure mileages were 37,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. The contact received recall notice # 06v286000 (vehicle speed control). She called the dealer to schedule an appointment for the repair and the dealer asked if any failures had occurred. The contact stated that the engine and ABS warning light indicators had illuminated. The dealer then stated that there would be a service charge of $100. When the dealer was told to only service the vehicle for the recall, they stated that the $100 service fee would still apply. The mileage information was unknown.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. While driving in reverse with a trailer attached, the vehicle accelerated at full speed. The contact stated that there were recalls for this year, make, and model, however he was never contacted about the recall. The manufacturer offered to sale him another vehicle. The vehicle's entire rear end is damaged, the trailer is completely destroyed, and the boat that was parked in his yard now has a hole. The current and failure mileages were 110,000.
Ford explorer burst into flames from under the hood in a shopping plaza garage parking. The vehicle was not running at all, had been parked more than a couple hours. Property damage to the shopping plaza.
On march 29, 2007, my wife drove our 1998 ford explorer xlt to a doctors appointment at 9:00 a.m. And then to her work location. At 9:36 a.m., my wife parked the explorer, turned the engine off and went into work. At 10:50 a.m, my wife was notified by an employee from another business that the explorer was smoking. At that time, my wife noticed that the engine compartment started burning on the driver's side. The firefighters were summoned to the scene. Upon their arrival, my wife noticed that the entire engine compartment was on fire and there was a cloud of dark heavy smoke. The firefighters were able to extinguish the fire and confine the fire damage to the engine compartment. The interior compartment was saturated with smoke. The county fire marshall was contacted and advised us that similar spontaneous engine compartment fires in ford trucks and suvs have been linked to a defective cruise control deactivation switch and that ford is currently recalling vehicles with those defective switches. The fire marshall indicated that this engine fire may have potentially been attributable to a defective or faulty cruise control deactivation switch. The firefighters documented the incident. Upon being apprised of the recall. We researched the issue and confirmed that ford is conducting a recall of vehicles with defective and faulty cruise control switches and that the vehicles being recalled include the 1998 ford explorers. However, we have not received any notification of the recall from ford motor company and/or its affiliated dealerships. We contacted ford motor company customer relations to register a complaint and inform them of the engine fire. We also contacted our insurance company to file a claim. To clarify the questions following this narrative, the county sheriff's office was contacted they did not need to generate a report in light of the firefighters incident report. Additionally, the only property damage was to the vehicle itself.
Last night I pulled into my driveway after coming home from work, my family had dinner and I was sitting down in the living room to play with my 2 year old son. I heard a popping sound and asked my wife what was that noise, she looked out the window and yelled your car is on fire ! My car burned to the ground!!!
Tl*- the contact stated that after the 1998 ford explorer had been sitting for more than 30 minutes she proceeded to drive when the accelerator pedal felt stuck. Constant pressing on the gas pedal will release it, but in the process the vehicle lunges forward with great force. *ak updated 2/27/2007 -the vehicel was taken to the dealer who cleaned the throttle body. The problem has not returned.
1998 explorer caught on fire to a defect with the vehicle. *ts the consumer received a recall regarding a possible problem with the speed control switch, which could cause a fire.
Our 1998 ford explorer xlt was parked in our garage (on the ground floor of our house). It had not been driven since the day before. The cruise control deactivation switch spontaneously combusted and caused extensive fire and smoke damage to the vehicle and to our primary residence. Both the local fire department and a forensic investigator inspected the scene of the fire. We understand that this switch was just recalled by ford for 1998 explorers in august 2006. However, our family did not receive mail notification. Out SUV was totaled and the estimated loss to our dwelling and personal belongings alone is $350,000.
1998 ford explorer engine fire total loss wile parked overnight in the garage.
Dt*: the contact stated while parked in a driveway, flames erupted from the under the front of the hood. There were no warning signals prior to the incident. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the fire. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified, but the contact planned to do so after filing a complaint with the federal safety agency. The contact noticed on the internet that there were the federal safety agency recalls #06v286000, #00v422000, and #99v062001 which pertained to the vehicle speed control. A recall letter was never received and pictures were available. The vehicle was deemed totaled.
Consumer is out of town and will respond to complaint concerning 1998 explorer when she return. *ts the consumer received a recall regarding the cruise control.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30mph on the highway, the vehicle decreased acceleration without warning although pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal. The contact managed to pull the vehicle over without incident. Upon initial inspection, it was determined the accelerator pedal fractured, but was still attached to the accelerator cables. The vehicle was towed to the dealership who bolted the bracket of the accelerator pedal to the vehicle's firewall. The manufacturer was not alerted.
Ford explorer 1998 date 8-3-06 I have had this car for three years. I have never had any major or minor problems. I have regular required maintenance done (example) fluid changes and brakes. Early february. I noticed around november 2005, my cruise control stopped working. I didn't take it to be checked; I didn't think it was a big issue. I noticed when starting my car, the battery sounded weak. I took the car to ntb to have the battery checked. The battery was bad and was replaced with the exide 72 month battery. I had never the battery replaced. Ntb installed the new battery on february 5, 2006. I drive this car to and from work regularly, about 12 miles. On february 28, 2006, leaving work heading home, I stopped at the grocery store about 1 mile from my house. I left the store and went home. After turning the engine off approximately 5 minutes later standing on my porch, I noticed heavy white smoke coming from under my hood behind the battery area. I ran to my car and opened the door and released the hood. When I raised the hood, I saw the heavy smoke coming from what appeared to be near the wiring in front of the master cylinder. I ran in the house to call 911 and get a fire extinguisher. When I went back to the car under hood area was fully involved in flames. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. After hearing and reading the reports about the cruise control switch, I really think this is exactly what happened to my vehicle.
1998 ford explorer parked in garage had spontaneous fire in engine compartment department put out fire. This was a cruise control deactivation switch fire. It may have been reported to you by police, insurance, or fire dept. If so, just let me know you have the information.
Ford explorer 1998 date 8-3-06 I've had this car for three years. I've never had any major or minor problems. I have regular required maintenance done (example) fluid changes and brakes. Early february. I noticed around november 2005, my cruise control stopped working. I didn't take it to be checked; I didn't think it was a big issue. I noticed when starting my car, the battery sounded weak. I took the car to ntb to have the battery checked. The battery was bad and was replaced with the exide 72 month battery. I had never the battery replaced. Ntb installed the new battery on february 5, 2006. I drive this car to and from work regularly, about 12 miles. On february 28, 2006, leaving work heading home, I stopped at the grocery store about 1 mile from my house. I left the store and went home. After turning the engine off approximately 5 minutes later standing on my porch, I noticed heavy white smoke coming from under my hood behind the battery area. I ran to my car and open the door and released the hood. When I raised the hood, I saw the heavy smoke coming from what appeared to be near are in front of the wiring in front of the master cylinder. I ran in the house to call 911 and get a fire extinguisher. When I went back to the car under hood area was fully involved in flames. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. After hearing and reading the reports about the cruise control switch, I really think this is exactly what happened to my vehicle.
On april 4, 2006, my 1998 ford explorer caught fire and was totaled. I arrived at work at approximately 3:15 pm. I went in and went to work. At about 3:55, I was paged over the intercom to get to the north entrance immediately. When I got there the security guards told me that my truck was on fire. As I looked out the doors, the front of my truck was engulfed in flames. The fire department had got there and was in the process of putting the fire out. When the fire was put out, all that was left was a big mess. My truck was gone. The vehicle had been running fine. My cruise control had went out about 1 month prior to the fire. I was unaware of any recalls except for a screw in the drivers seat (which was the only recall letter that I had received.) for days that they can't speak to me about the vehicle or incident because I have an insurance claim and my insurance adjuster says that they won't speak to him either. What are we as consumers supposed to do when the products we purchase, and for the amount they ask for their product , are lost due to the manufacturers defects? How are we as consumers protected?
My car caught on fire while sitting in my driveway. It was not running and it had not been driven in over 3 hours.
1. My 1998 ford explorer xlt burst into flames with absolutely no warning while parked at my daughter's high school parking lot. 2. The vehicle was consumed by flames and is a total loss. The local fire department brought two units to put the fire out. 3. After filing my insurance claim, I researched the problem and found that the ford explorer poses a big fire risk. 4. Specifically, my cruise control stopped working 3 months ago and just as been documented by the federal safety agency, the defective cruise control caused the electrical fire. 5. I thank my lucky stars nobody was hurt....but if my explorer had been parked inside my apartment building this incident would have burned down my building. Pls let me know if you require additional documentation or photos.
1998 ford explorer, 5.0, sn [xxx], speed control after learning about the fires caused by the speed control on other ford vehicles I check the '98. Voltage is measured at the speed control disengage switch located on master cylinder. Using a voltage meter I measured 12 volts to this switch with the ignition switch in the off position with the key removed. This indicates that the switch is hot 100% of the time. I have not had a failure yet, but am concerned that this represents a possible failure in the future causing the vehicle to urn up. I have noted that there have been 16 failures and fires on 1998 ford explorers do to this problem. *jb updated 07/17/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
1998 ford explorer cruise control switch caught on fire. *ts ***no answer required***
My 1998 ford explorer was parked in our attached garage. My wife used the vehicle earlier in the day and parked it in the garage at about 2:30 pm. At about 8:15 pm a smoke detector in the garage alerted us there was smoke in the garage. I opened the door between the laundry room and garage to see the left front tire of the explorer in flames. I immediately had my wife call 911 and I tried to extinguish the fire with a garden hose. This did not stop the fire. I then had to remove another vehicle parked in the driveway. We both safely escaped the fire. In the time between the call to 911 and when the corpus christi fire department arrived and extinguished the fire, two vehicles were destroyed, extensive damage was caused to the house and much personal property was lost.
Proceeding slowly at idle speed with foot on brake. Auto suddenly accelerated spontaneously requiring much harder braking to stop. Happened two times within 10 minute span. Similar problem occurred about 3 years ago and was fixed by ford dealer. No injuries occurred.
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