How many recalls does the 1998 Ford Explorer have?

The 1998 Ford Explorer has 9 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 1998 Ford Explorer has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 1998 Ford Explorer?

Of 2,374 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is tires.

1998 Ford Explorer Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1998 Ford Explorer has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 9,567,644 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 2,374 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the tires. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 09V399000 2009-10-13 4,500,000 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

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,…

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 06V286000 2006-08-01 1,200,000 affected

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, GASOLINE OR NATURAL GAS ENGINES, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence

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)

SEATS 03V281000 2003-08-05 1,552,880 affected

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HIGH BACK SEATS, THE UPPER BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HIGH BACK SEAT, THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME, COULD FRACTURE. IF THE BOLT FRACTURES AND DOES NOT JAM IN THE SEAT BACK FRAME, THE SEAT BACK MAY RECLINE UNTIL IT MAKES CONTACT WITH…

Consequence

THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SEAT UPPER BOLT WITH A METAL SPACER AND BOLT. IN ADDITION, SEATS WITH TUBULAR BACK FRAMES WILL HAVE THE FULLY THREADED LOWER RECLINER BOLT REPLACED WITH A PARTIALLY THREADED BOLT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 00V422000 2000-12-27 220,000 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN ENGINE SURGE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BREAKS FREE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL THROTTLE BODIES.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 00V168000 2000-06-19 20,637 affected

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS, LIGHT PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. OFF LEASE CANADIAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WHICH MEET CANADIAN REQUIREMENTS AND NOT THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." ACCORDING TO FORD, THE…

Consequence

THE LIGHT GIVEN OFF FROM THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS BRIGHTER THAN ALLOWED BY U.S. STANDARDS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL BE ADVISED TO DEACTIVATE THE RUNNING LIGHT FUNCTION AND TO COMPLETE ANY OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECALLS ON THESE VEHICLES.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 99V164000 1999-06-29 854,288 affected

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY CORRODE AT THE LATCH PIVOT AND STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS AND THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS EITHER NOT ENGAGED OR IS RELEASED, A HOOD FLY-UP COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SECONDARY HOOD LATCH WITH COMPONENTS THAT ARE COATED PRIOR TO ASSEMBLY FOR IMPROVED LATCH PIVOT CORROSION PROTECTION.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 99V062001 1999-03-30 898,739 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

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.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 98V060000 1998-03-19 320,000 affected

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L SINGLE OVERHEAD CAM ENGINES. THE ENGINE FUEL LINES CAN BE DAMAGED IF THE VEHICLE IS JUMP STARTED AND THE GROUND CABLE IS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL LINE BRACKET THAT IS LOCATED NEAR THE BATTERY. SINCE THE BRACKET IS NOT GROUNDED, THE STAINLESS…

Consequence

THE FUEL LINES CAN LEAK, AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WARNING LABEL ON THE FUEL LINE BRACKET ADVISING OWNERS NOT TO USE IT FOR A JUMP START GROUND. ALSO A REVISED BOLT WILL BE INSTALLED IN THE ALTERNATOR BRACKET TO PROVIDE A CONVENIENT JUMP START GROUND LOCATION.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 97V215000 1997-11-24 1,100 affected

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES, EDDIE BAUER AND LIMITED EDITIONS. THE KEY-IN-IGNITION/DOOR OPEN WARNING CHIME MAY NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED. THIS DOES NOT FULLY COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."

Consequence

THE STANDARD SPECIFIED THAT A WARNING TO THE DRIVER SHALL BE ACTUATED WHENEVER THE KEY HAS BEEN LEFT IN THE LOCKING SYSTEM AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPENED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A JUMPER WIRE TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY GROUND CIRCUIT IN THESE VEHICLES.

Complaints by component

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

381

361535

TIRES

340

45867

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

154

212461

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

100

132

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

1316

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

SUSPENSION:FRONT

Total complaints2,374

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Speed control gets hot to touch. All top facing has melted off from heat. I was on highway and my steering wheel became extremely hot. My seat was repaired after recall years ago. It continues to drop low to floor.”

SEATS · reported 2020-01-01

“Speed control gets hot to touch. All top facing has melted off from heat. I was on highway and my steering wheel became extremely hot. My seat was repaired after recall years ago. It continues to drop low to floor.”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2020-01-01

“Parked in parking space started car put in reverse, engine roared, accelerated in reverse applying brakes did nothing , both feet on brakes , turned wheel so that car was not to hit parked cars behind us, car continued racing in reverse with continued applying brakes, thru it into park car…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2019-10-12

“My explorer had been parked in my driveway for well over 15 hours when I heard my neighbor screaming. The suv was fully ignited into flames.just out of no where. I was able to get the fire out with my water hoses before the gotta department showed up but the entire vehicle is ruined and half my…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2019-04-12

“I was driving my truck and one day it started acting weird. My stereo started shutting off and coming in by itself. A couple days later I was driving and my stereo and information center went out and came back on. My truck will only go about 30mps cause it won't shift either. Couple days ago it…”

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · reported 2019-01-12

“I was driving my truck and one day it started acting weird. My stereo started shutting off and coming in by itself. A couple days later I was driving and my stereo and information center went out and came back on. My truck will only go about 30mps cause it won't shift either. Couple days ago it…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2019-01-12

“I was driving my truck and one day it started acting weird. My stereo started shutting off and coming in by itself. A couple days later I was driving and my stereo and information center went out and came back on. My truck will only go about 30mps cause it won't shift either. Couple days ago it…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2019-01-12

“Gas pedal bracket welding broke while driving and gas pedal is now just dangling - checked on internet and there are a large amount of complaints about same thing - should be a recall”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2018-06-29

Defect investigations

Investigation DP05005 Opened 2005-09-22 · closed 2006-01-04

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR…

Investigation DP05005 Opened 2005-09-22 · closed 2006-01-04