Most common 1998 Ford Explorer Sport problems
Share of the 121 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Explorer Sport complaints by model year
Best Explorer Sport years: 2005, 2004, 1997. Years to avoid: 2001, 2002, 1998, 1999. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport:
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 the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or…
What 1998 Ford Explorer Sport owners say
Locks & latches all 33 →
In 2007, my 1998 Ford Explorer driver door lock stopped working. It really didn't bother me all that much until one day by accident the door locked and would not come open. I had to push with all my force and pull up on the interior door handle at the same time. Finally it came open but the door handle broke. Now it was to the point of disgust. Didn't have the money to fix it so we waited until we did. In 2008, I took my Explorer to the local dealership. I was quoted $197 for everything, installation, parts, and labor. But when I came to pay the bill I was informed it was going to be about $100 if not more when completed. So my aunts boyfriend, who does auto body work, fixed it. It was working fine, we still had to jiggle to lock from the outside to get the locks to unlock. And then about a week ago, I was getting out and the door handle broke again. This time the handle is stuck. …
Drivers side door, of my 1998 Ford Explorer, could not be opened (from inside or outside door handles). Attempted to have door latch assembly replaced, as broken spring was found protruding from door latch assembly area <drivers side>. Dealership incorrectly replaced inside door handle and now drivers side door cannot be locked (but can now be opened or closed). Due to door latch assembly problems with canadian Ford vehicles, I fear we now have a serious security & safety issue with our 1998 Ford Explorer. Dealership refuses to repair unless we basically agree to replace all internal parts of door <including seat belt?>. The estimated repair cost (parts & labor) is in excess of $500.
Electrical system
Tl contact owns a 1998 Ford Explorer Sport. The contact stated that the tail lights failed and the fuses would continuously blow out. An independent mechanic installed new fuses in the vehicle and made the necessary repairs, but the fuses blew out again the same day. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic. While at the repair shop, the vehicle caught fire due to the master cylinder. The mechanic was able to extinguish the fire, but the vehicle was partially destroyed and would need to be rebuilt. The manufacturer stated that there were three open recalls, one of which could result in a fire. NHTSA campaign id numbers 06V286000, 03V281000, and 98V060000 were referenced. The current and failure mileages were less than 132,000.
1998 Ford Explorer caught fire at 4:30 am,under the hood engulfed in flames called fire dept they came and put fire out. The whole entire motor, and front of truck ruined,not drivable. I filed a claim with Ford the day after fire,they stated that they were liable because there were no recalls on 1998 explorers.
Seats
1998 Ford Explorer Sport driver's seat back lever was always being bent down as driver would exit SUV, causing handle to jam against seat frame. Driver would straighten handle in order to change position of seat back from one driver to another. Upon pushing handle back up into original position, it snapped, breaking off at connection point, just above two rivets on cam of the seat back assembly. Seat was in the most forward up position (across drivers seat) while accessing space behind drivers seat, Sport model is a 2-door. Had to use screwdriver as a lever to return seat back to upright position. If this had happen to my wife (or other person not mechanically inclined) she/they would not have been able to return seat back to its normal position, and therefore would not have been able to access seat or drive vehicle. …
Subject: defective seat frame caused by faulty seat recliner bolt comments: I have a 1998 Ford Explorer Sport that was recalled by Ford for a faulty drivers seat recliner bolt. On June 2nd 2010 I took my Explorer to future Ford of concord ca to have the recall repair work performed, which it was, but with a "note to the customer" from the Ford mechanic that the seat frame was damaged as a result of the faulty drivers seat recliner bolt for which my Explorer was recalled for. Upon being informed I asked my Ford service advisor "d.t." how Ford planned to repair the damaged seat frame, and he referred me to the future Ford service manager j.h., who in turn said that his "computer said" the parts are not available, and that I was welcome to voice my concerns to Ford motor company?!?! Can someone at the dot please evaluate my case and if warranted, approach Ford motor co. …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport a good car?
Based on 121 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Explorer Sport rates avoid: 2.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the Explorer Sport at the same age. It is one of the Explorer Sport years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport?
The locks & latches — 33 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year, most often about doors › latch. Next are the electrical system (18) and seats (14).
How many recalls does the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Explorer Sport?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005, 2004 and 1997. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001, 2002, 1998 and 1999. See the full Ford Explorer Sport years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Explorer Sport problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 100,000 miles; 14% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.