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.
1998 Ford Explorer: sudden unintended acceleration
28 of the 1,958 complaints about the 1998 Ford Explorer describe sudden unintended acceleration.
- owner complaints
- 28
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- typical mileage
- 76,000
- recalls
- 4
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls and 7 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Sudden unintended acceleration by model year
What owners say
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.
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.
The federal safety agency recall 00v422000; ford issued a throttle recall. This vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN, although, accelerator got stuck and engine surged forward when accelerator was freed.
When pressing on the brake pedal, the vehicle surged forward. This caused the consumer's vehicle to rear-end another vehicle. *ak the consumer rear-ended a harley davidson motorcycle. *sc
While driving,vehicle suddenly accelerated uncontrollably. The driver placed both feet on the brake pedal the vehicle continue to accelerated. The driver shift the vehicle in neutral and turn the vehicle off and was able to coasted the vehicle to the shoulder. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the problem could not be duplicated. The driver informed the mechanic recall number(99v062001) was for this vehicle based on the problem with driver vehicle. Also the mechanic informed the driver the is recall was not available for this vehicle. A representative would be down to make that determination. Please fill in additional information.
The accelerator pedal bracket suddenly broke as a result of flimsy craftsmanship. The metal bracket is attached to the metal body of the vehicle by 3 thin pegs (they snapped at the base of the bracket) and glue! (it's obvious it's the faulty manufacture's work, and never messed with previously.) this defect could potentially cause you to be stranded (no acceleration) possibly on the highway making it a dangerous situation. I experienced loss of control with the acceleration and a sudden acceleration which nearly caused a crash. I'm attempting to consult with galpin ford of van nuys, ca currently to repair the problem, but am experiencing lack of communication. 1998 ford explorer-eddie bauer v-6 sohc(?) vehicle wall accelerator pedal bracket. *ak ! ___/ ! ---! ! ---! * ! ---!___
Consumer received recall 00v422000 notice concerning vehicle speed control. While cruise control is engaged at any speed and the brakes are depress vehicle will surge forward. The only way this problem won't occur is if the consumer puts the gear in neutral. This problem happened three times in the last eighteen months.
The accelerator pedal would stick causing sudden acceleration. This will eventually get someone killed. Ford should recall vehicle. *ak the vehicle would surge when the brakes were applied. The problem remained the same. *scc the reverse lights were inoperative, the heater control valve was replaced, the left rear brake light was replaced. *jb. Surges into oncoming traffic with brakes on. The consumer received a response from the federal safety agency that indicated that review of the evidence during the investigation concluded that there was insufficient evidence to include the 1998 ford explorer 5.0 liter engine in the scope of recall 00v‑422.
While driving at 30 MPH vehicle suddenly accelerated to 70 MPH. Brake pedal was depressed to decrease speed but engine continued to rev although vehicle came to a complete stop.
While traveling on the highway and without prior warning four wheel drive will engage on its own, causing vehicle to suddenly accelerate.
The vehicle experienced sudden acceleration.
Service bulletins that may apply
- On some vehicles, the accelerator pedal bracket may become loose or separated from the dash panel
- Some vehicles may exhibit an intermittent hesitation on acceleration or while turning
- This bulletin states that whenever the clean air tube retaining clamps are removed for any repair,...
- Vehicles may experience a no start condition when parked on an incline with the vehicle in a nose down...
- Some vehicles may exhibit an occasional hoot / moan from the idle air control (IAC) valve
- Recall information regarding speed control cable replacement
- Some customers have reported the throttle stuck at idle on some vehicles
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
Questions about the 1998 Ford Explorer sudden acceleration
Is sudden unintended acceleration a common problem on the 1998 Ford Explorer?
28 of 1,958 owner complaints about the 1998 Ford Explorer (1%) mention sudden unintended acceleration. The model year with the most reports is 1997.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1998 Ford Explorer?
There are 4 recalls and 7 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1998 Ford Explorer
Tire blowout 238Stalling 100Fire or smoke 85Adaptive cruise 57Wipers 56Door locks 41Hesitation 33Grinding brakes 24Ball joint 23Loss of power 22Pulling 22ABS 21No deployment 20Engine failure 20Seat belt 19Headlights 16Jerking 16Brake failure 15Overheating 13Check engine light 12Power steering loss 12Fuel pump 8Won't start 8Airbag light 7Transmission failure 7Knocking 6Fuel leak 6Fuel smell 5Harsh shifting 5Premature wear 5Slipping 5
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