When it hits twenty MPH or when applying the brakes vehicle will pull to the left or right. Consumer feels this is an unsafe way to drive.
1998 Ford Explorer suspension complaints
Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 111, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Air conditioner failed due to a defective accumulator....not covered by ford esp plan. Also, lower ball joints failed....covered by ford esp plan.
Severe blowout, rollover 4 times resulted in paralized back seat occupant, shoulder belt did not deploy, only lap then released at 3 rollover( dot number: )
While driving at any speed vehicle pulled to the left. Consumer stated this could cause an accident.
When making a right or left turn rear end of the vehicle slips and a loud noise occurs. After numerous attempts, dealer has not identified the problem. *ak
Vehicle rolled after gpoing out of control when tires came in contact with gravel on shoulder.
Tire is showing signs of unusual tread wear. Tire rotation occurred at 35000 miles and alignment was checked. Tire is wearing towards the inside and another tire is showning similar signs of wear. The tire is creating excessive road noise. *ak( dot number: e27477 tire size: p235 75r15 )
Crm loves vehicle but there is alot of noises and vibrations and being a secon owner and having so many miles on the vehicle I haven't contacted about these problems nor had them fixed due to cost of repair.crm is looking into buying another vehicle of this sort but now not necessarily ford.
Vehicle is not able to be properly aligned due to the design of the camber unit, consumer has to purchase a camber kit in order for the vehicle to not pull to the right (alignment failure). Mjs
Suspension problems began after a heavy load was in the vehicle.(400-500 lbs) the front end rode 1 foot above the rear end.since then the car has handeled quite differently,and has constant loud squeaks and grinds. The bushings recently were removed and greased,under carriage arms in front had to be replaced. Problem appears to be ok,why did this start at 6000 miles? Hesitation during hard acceleration,always from stop,crossing intersection.extensive throttle body,housing repair work neccessary,recalls did not solve the problem.two friends with 98 explorers have had exact problems with load carrying and suspension problems.hesitation problems as wellave had ecact problems not solve the problem er carriage
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!!
Consumer stated that while driving vehicle about 40 MPH the left front tire start vibrating also the left side mirror where the consumer can not see other vehicle.
Also experiencing right flood light failure. This is the 3rd bulb replacement. I, the customer would like some resolution to these problems. The vehicle cost too much to experience these many problems.( dot number: 274 tire size: p235/75r15 )
Vehicle experiencing problem with vibration whenever moving out of a tight parking space while turning the wheel. Also, fuse to power window kept blowing out for unknown reaso.; dealer notified and unable to correct the problem. Can the federal safety agency help inthis matter.
Vehicle would lock into and out of 4-wheel drive rapidly on dry, smooth pavement for no reason ,causing vehicle to lurch and lag ( jerking ) and causing front left wheel hop and vibration. Dealership has removed the 4 wheel drive capabilty of this vehicle to reslove the problem instead of repairing. The originally equipped 4 wheel drive explorer is now only 2 wheel drive. Indicator lights on dash now continuously flash providing somewhat of a drivers distraction. Also vehicle has a loud squeal in front end at speeds from 1 thru 40 MPH which one failed repair attempt has been made. Also vehicle engine has loud mechanical engine noise ( knocking and banging ) in upper engine area.
During a routine check-up the air suspension was knocked out causing the ride to be noisy, bouncy and uncomfortably. Nlm
Vehicle vibrates from 0 to 60 MPH. It can be felt in the steering wheel , seats and center console. It is very noticeable when starting on an incline. In some cases it feels like something is banging. The dealer and mfg. Both tell me this in a normal condition and that there is nothing they can due to corrent this situation. I am afraid that as this vibration continues, something (drive shaft, break hose, trans or rear seals) will eventually start to break down or leak. If a break line or hose vibrates and begins to leak no telling what can happen !!!
While driving a loud noise occurs under the vehicle. Dealer cannot identify the problem.
Left front suspension bolt missing / fell off, causing suspension to collapse, damaging the spindle / brake hose / wheel sensor, the wheel rim and tire.
Very loud, intermittent, squealing from front end. Dealer first stated that the problem was the dust seals/boots, but according to other shop, there aren't any. Next they said it was the front brakes: they only had 5k miles of use left, and the rotors were too worn. I had new rotors and pads installed, but the squeal is still there. It occurs with brakes applied or not, with engine on or off(just rolling down a hill), but only when vehicle is moving. Does not change when turning. Reference other odi ids: 700845, 702219, 702959, 703052, 703270, 703848, 704071, 829016, 834307, 834481.
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.
A squeeling type grind in left front end occurs daily when vehicle driven, independant of speed variation, sound can be heard through closed windows; dealership will not perform repair after two attempts, engineering at ford unable to determine cause so far,noise is piercing to driver and surrounding area driven.
While driving anywhere between 20-50 MPH there is a whistling and grinding noise in the wheels on the right side. This prolbem has been corrected by the dealer three times, and the problem has started up again. Also, around the beginning of november 1998, when turning the steering wheel to left, a rubbing and a grinding noise came from the steering wheel. Dealer stated that this prolbem was not dangerous, and that a part would be ordered to correct problem. Problem has not been corrected.
While driving the front wheels make an high pitch noise that gets louder the faster consumer drives the vehicle. The dealer has been contacted.
Vehicle susceptable to lateral windshear which causes temporary loss of control. Mgm
Wheel bearing failure.
Vehicle experienced sway bar / bushing failure.
Lower control arm failed. Yh
The front end makes noise & vibrations continuously. The wheels & steering wheel also shake. Vehicle was aligned. Had springs changed. The problem still has not been corrected.
While driving at any speed and when driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle started to vibrate and shake. Also, there was a leakage coming under the vehicle near the engine. Contacted the dealer for repairs, and the vehicle was in for repairs twice. Vehicle will be taken back to the shop for additional repairs.
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