This vehicle has been in and out of the dealership for service issues with problems related to the steering capabilities. Technicians have blown foam in the a-pillers, added sound proofer, riveted the left floor pan, and not to mention, as stated on the service order, repositioned the floor mat, as a solution. The vehicle has a binding in steering between the steering column and something in the left front wheel. No one can seem to resolve the problem. I have also filed a complaint with the dispute settlement board, and at this time, have had no response. This problem has only worsened, and I feel it needs some attention before it becomes a major liability factor on ford motor company, the dealership, and any other parties involved with this matter. What is the point of where enough is enough? Or maybe I should get my insurance company involved along with a attorney. This is the point at which I'm at. I need someone to understand this vehicle has a problem, before someone becomes a statistic on the account of all of the problems that no one can resolve with this vehicle.
1998 Ford Explorer steering complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 70 of 70, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Defective rack and pinion rubbs against front tires, causing more wear and tear on tires. Please provide further information.
Upper ball joints failed.
This vehicle has been in for repair of the same problem, 4 times in the past year. I have also contacted the consumer complaint center at ford motor co. They told me it was up to the regional rep. To make a decision on the safety of the vehicle. When I took the vehicle in for repair on 10/02/2000, the only repair they made was adding sound proofer and bolts. Are they just trying to hide the problem? And what concerns me is that, if I'm on the road with this vehicle, and something does go wrong with the steering, where will I be. The dealership is wanting to get me out of this vehicle before something does happen. But ford is not wanting to take full responsiblity for the problems. Also this vehicle has had the tensioner pully replaced twice. Which means the motor is being opened to do this. How many more problems do I need to go through before someone will understand that this vehicle needs to be taken off the road, before something or someone gets hurt or killed in the process. All the repairs have been made at the same dealership, and can be reviewed through the database. I need your help in resolving this issue.
I think that you explore the steering on the ford explore. It is mich to quick for the adverage driver. This is the reason there is so many roolovers/wrecks when a tire fails. I was driving when the tire failed on my explorer. I have built and drove race cars for years, have been to nascar drivers school (twice), and I believe this helped me control my truck when the tire failed. The every day driver would have reacted when the tire failed, the quick steering would have over reacted and the driver can not catch up with the reaction, thus a wreck. Ford should replace the steering boxes on all explorer,s with a slower steering box.
Rack and pinion steering replaced at 16000mph. Six months later, had to get it replaced again. Therefore, mechanic put in a temporary rack and pinion, and there was alot of wandering and sloppyness.
Have problem with a sloppy / loose steering that wonders and has 2 to 3 inches of play. The original steering and the 3rd which was a temporary steering did not have this problem but all of the new steering did. This play / sloppy steering has almost caused my wife with kids to loose control of the vehical. This also happened to me . The steering is pulled by the road differences and the wind and you must constantly correct the steering to stay straight. The original dealer replaced the original steering with a new one. The next few where replaced by a new dealer in another state. The new steering had the same problem but the temporary steering that was put in was fine. The next 2 went back to the loose / sloppy steering again. The new dealer( heritage ford) will no longer replace the rack because he is unable to find the problem. I contacted ford and they sent it back to the ford dealer who stated that we shouild try another dealer to see if they can find it. I just want it corrected so it is safe to drive.
While driving about 20-25 MPH, driver heard a chain saw sound which got louder and louder. After the explorer was taken to a dealership, a technician found the steerng rack had fallen off. A service bulletin was issued on that subject. The part to correct the problem is on back order.
While making a left hand turn at approx. 5-10mph vehicle lost all power in steering and braking systems and vehicle became uncontrollable and kept turning left into tree. Driver sustained minor injuries.
These defects happens just months after warranty was out live far from dealership but I tried to get it there as soon as I could being that it was my only source of transportation. I felt that capital ford should of still honored these defects and try to at least offer to help me in anyway they could I feel that they didn"t care about it all they had to say to me that the warranty is out and it's going to cost a lot to have these defects fix they wouldn't even give a price all they said is it's going to be a couple of hundred of dollars. I was very dissapointed in their service and the way they handled this situation. If something isn't done, then I plan to return my SUV at the end of it's lease and go elsewhere to buy my next usv. I hope that you can resolve this problem I purchase several ford in the past years and have never had any problems with them so I hope you will honor these defects . I look forward to hearing from this request thank you time. No safety defect (s) listed in summary.
I bought my truck in sept 1998. In aug 1999 I took it into the dealer because the drivers mirror vibrates at speeds of 55mph and up. Also the steering wheel vibrates and the left front tire feels like it is going to come off at about 65 MPH. I have everything documented and have been in now 7 times. The first time they changed the mirror, the 2nd the balanced/rotated the tires, the 3 time they had me buy new tires, the 4th the put another set of new tires on, the 5th I had the service mgr and head mechanic drive it again the tires were balanced/rotated, the 6th time the regional service manager drove it. Then a factory rep from ford motor company came down from detroit and called me on the phone. With each time I had it in I was told it is "normal" for a mirror to vibrate but each of them said they didn't feel the virbration in the front end or steering column. I wrote a letter to the owner of the dealership along with a c/c to the president/ceo of ford motor co. I stated the ga lemon law/new car warrenty act of 1990 and per the lemon law giving them 1 more opportunity to fix the problem. The service manager called me on 11/4/99 and I took it in the am of 11/5/99 for the 7th time. He looked the suspension over and said he could not find anything wrong. I have copies of everything I mailed out and all the times I have been in. The vehicle has gotten worse, it is hard to see anything out of the drivers mirror at 50 MPH and I can not see anything at 70 MPH. The left front tire feels like it is going to come off when I reach about 65 MPH, and it also is hard to control the vehicle. The steering wheel has a vibration in it and the front seats now have a vibration. I feel very unsafe in this vehicle. I ask on 11/5/99 about a replacement and the service manager said the dealership said they would not do that. I would have to go persue the lemon law. I don't want my children or anyone else to get hurt. Please help!!
R/f/tie rod broke off spindle causing loss of steering and plowing into 2 parked cars
When turning at any speed, the steering mechanism makes a soft but loud grinding noise. With car at stop, you can see the power sterring fluid resivour cavitate. After 9 trips to the dealer, they have yet to be able to fix the issue. They have tried new hoses, flushing the system, resetting the computer, and parts from the 6 cl. Engine to resolve issue. Noise appears after car has been running for at least 5 minutes, and is more prominent the warmer the engine/outside temperature.
Serious power steering leakage. Taken to dealer twice, and told it's been repaired - still unresolved. Also continual squeaking in right front wheel. Dealer states cannot repair.
When heavy wind occurs it is difficult to gain control of the vehicle due to the rack and pinion steering malfunctioning. Please give any further details.
When turning steering to the right or left, it makes a grinding noise and binds up. Dealer contacted and is aware of the problem. Cannot remedy the problm. Problem still exists. Extended warranty effective.
When driving and trying to switch lanes consumer lost control of vehicle, causing vehicle to run on the side of the road and rollover.
Power steering failed. Yh
Power steering makes noise. Yh
Rubbing noise when making normal turns/dealer replaced two separate power steering parts/problem persists/dealer now saying noise is charactaristic of 1998 explorers.
Transmission failed due to broken support, however vibrations in drivetrain prior to failure.
I stated to johnson ford ,scrapping noise coming from right front when you turn. Buring smell, and worst on left turns.
While driving at 55 MPH went off the road into the ditch to avoid an animal and came back onto the road, and the consumer lost control and the vehicle flipped over.
Rack and pinion steering was replaced 2x for a griding noice that is still hear...car has been in the shop for a total of over 45 days for warentee work drivers window constantly rattles. Window gate has been replaced numerous times to no help. Fuel pump failed and was replaced
While driving 50 to 60 MPH vehicle hit water puddle which caused vehicle to flip and roll on its side.
Steering problems associated with grinding, hesitation and vibration.
Recall no. 97v215000 theft protection; mrs. Sanchez contacted rich ford 2 weeks after receiving the notice and set an appointment. The day of the appointment the parts were not there.
While driving on dry straight road at approximately 55 MPH vehicle jerked suddenly to the left. When attempting to correct steering, vehicle went out of control and veered to the right, the spun back to the left. Turned around on the road backwards and flipped on passengers's side and slid into median. Also, ABS brakes/suspension and transfer case failed.
Loss of control resulted in accident
Vehicle lost steering control resulting in a collision.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1998 Ford Explorer?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history