1998 Ford Explorer: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Dec 20, 2010 · Brakes · VA

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. While driving approximately 10-15 MPH she engaged the brakes and the pedal went almost to the floor. The ABS system activated with limited braking ability. He stated that none of the warnings lights illuminated. One year later the failure recurred. The contact referenced recall 09v399000, vehicle speed control and stated that the recall was performed on the vehicle last year in 2009. The contact stated that the dealer did not inspect the ABS control module connector and repaired it as necessary per the recall. The contact scheduled an appointment with the dealer next week. He called the manufacturer and filed a complaint. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 164,000. Updated 12/14/2011 *cn updated 03/02/11

Filed Apr 4, 2010 · Brakes · 160,000 miles · NJ

98 ford explorer, ABS lockup dry weather, slow speed.... Now has accelerated during one of these episodes ....relatively certain the edge of my foot did not catch the gas pedal...

Filed Jun 18, 2007 · Acceleration · VA

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.

Filed May 1, 2006 · Visibility · 70,000 miles · NV

I purchased my 1998 ford explorer limited from my mother in january of 2006 with 68000 miles on the odometer. In feburary I first noticed vehicle was unable to defrost the front windshield and defog the vehicles windows. The cause of the problem was the climate control would sometimes not blow warm air. This would also result in a very cold interior. After researching the problem on the internet I found many complaints regarding the 1996-1998 ford explorer and a common problem with the climate control's air blending door breaking, making it impossible to regulate heat and cold. The vehicle was parked until I could determine if this was in fact the issue I was having. I had no choice but to park the vehicle until I was sure I had no need to operate the climate control. I was instructed how to check for a broken blend door and indeed found mine to be broken. I took the vehicle to a local ford dealer in carson city nevada and was told that despite the frequency of this problem it was not a recall issue and without a warranty the cost for repair was $1100. I was also informed the broken parts were being replaced with parts constructed of improved material (nylon) because of their tendency to break using the previous material (ABS plastic). I feel ford is well aware of this hazardous problem but because of the cost, won't issue a recall or even a technical service bulletin. Instead the leave the consumer to cough up the labor and parts cost to repair something that should be the responsibility of a reputable automobile manufacturer.

Filed Jul 29, 2005 · Acceleration, Body · 131,000 miles · AL · fire

Dt: 1998 ford explorer. The brakes lights failed on the vehicle. Consumer had the brake light fuses changed. They used the fuses that came with the vehicle. As soon as the second fuse was put in the vehicle caught on fire. Another person put the fire out by beating it with a towel. Then, consumer contacted a dealership by phone, they told her that there was a recall on the master cylinder but, he was unsure of the model years included. When the consumer contacted ford, they told consumer would get back to her. There were no fire or police reports available. The incident occurred on 7-262005 before the hood latch had acted up. Also, cruise control malfunctioned. . It melted the wires for the ABS and the spot for putting in the brake fluid.

Filed May 26, 2005 · Airbags, Brakes · 60,000 miles · NC

The ABS light came on and stayed on while driving. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealership, and a diagnostic test was performed. The dealer determined that the module for the ABS and speed senor went out. The dealership also noticed the pins for the frontal air bags were never connected at the factory, rendering the air bags inoperative. *jb *sb

Filed Sep 14, 2004 · Brakes · 48,000 miles · PA

Vehicle is having a problem with the ABS hydrolic unit. When the vehicle is in motion, it spits out brake fluid which damaged the rotors and the brakes. Owner took the vehicle to a service center to have this problem resolved. Owner later contacted the manufacturer and was told that the vehicle was no longer under warranty and the owner had to pay out of pocket for the repairs. Provide further details.

Filed Sep 23, 2003 · Brakes · 6,007 miles · TX

When applying ABS brakes, they would fail. Had taken vehicle to dealership, and mechanic could not determine cause of failure.

Filed Jul 5, 2001 · Electrical, Visibility · PA

It started with the rear driver window intermittently not working. Then the lock drop down inside door making the door unable to unlock and open. Also engine stalled. Took to the dealer. They fixed the door but couldn't find anything wrong with the engine or the window. Window worked for them. Brought the truck home that night and while I was driving it the battery light on the dash when on and the battery gauge started fluctuating to the "h" and finally held there. Turned truck off and let sit and everything went back to normal. Didn't reacurr for a couple of days but then started up again. Abs light also started coming on and outside temp gauge started to go crazy. Also engine idle started to surge as the battery gauge surged. This was on a weekend. Took truck back to dealer. They couldn't make it do any of these things. They kept it for 5 days and drove it. Still nothing. They decided to look at the electrical system and found the maxi fuse and wiring system burnt. I asked if it could have caught fire and they said no. However I looked at your web site under consumer complaints and found the several people have complained that their explorer had caught fire because of the wiring harness. Some of these explorers were not running at the time of the fire and were parked in a garge. The dealer did replace the fuse and wiring harness however it took 11/2 weeks to get the parts in because they were backordered. Obviously there is a problem with the wiring systems. I also park mine in a garge. I am now worried and afraid to park it in the garge. I have two small children and their safety is my first concern.

Filed Oct 18, 2000 · Brakes · AZ

I have already reported the tire failure that I will refer to, and would like to report the behavior of the brakes. When driving at 65 to 70 MPH, the cruise control was set, and we were going down a moderate grade when the left front tire blew out. I maintained directional control and attempted to apply moderate braking. The brake pedal remained firm, but I got no brake effectivness (not reduced brakeing -- zero brakes!) so I stepped harder on the brakes and still there was no deceleration -- no brakes at all, in fact, because we were going down hill, I cannot even be certian that the cruise control switched off. Assuming that the lack of brakes had to be related to the ABS malfunctioning, I took all pressure off the brake pedal and switched off the ignition switch, then I reapplied gentle pressure to the brakes and the brakes worked normally. To recap: after the tire blew, I had no brakes with the engine running, after switching off the ignition switch the brakes worked normally. I estimate that 3 to 5 seconds elapsed from when the blow out occured to when I switched off the ignition. When I got the vehicke stopped on the shoulded of the road there was very little left of the tire and there was substantial damage to the outer bead of the wheel rim. No other damage to the vehicle was evident, and after installing the spare tire the brakes functioned normally. Several days later the local ford dealer checked the brakes and ABS and found it to be normal. I told the service representative about the brake problem, and he told me that the problem I described couldn't have happened. I assure you -- it happened as I have described. (dot number: vdlhip4447 tiresize: p235/75r15)

Filed Aug 22, 2000 · Brakes, Tires · FL

Consumer was traveling on highway on march 29, there was an intermittent problem with ABS brake system. She was approaching red light, and when she went to apply brakes, brake pedal went all the way to the floor. Consumer took vehicle to the dealership, and problem couldn't be duplicated. Brakes felt like a sponge, and consumer was forced to put vehicle in park, and use emergency brake to stop.*ak consumer states firestone tires dot w2hl, tires make thumping noises and firestone dealer will not replace tires because they are not on recall.

Filed Mar 2, 2000 · Brakes · VA

Abs lights have illuminated due to sensor failure. Yh