Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I own a 2000 Ford ranger and a 1998 Ford Explorer. I believe the accelerator pedal and the break pedal are too close together on both vehicles. On at least four occasions I have experienced my tendency to have my foot on both pedals at the same time when in a situation where I have to stop quickly. I t seems that I "panic" to some degree when in a situation where I must stop quickly to avoid a collision. This May be a very isolated personal 'quirk" as it were, but I have caused two rear end collisions so far and I now know that I am pressing both pads when trying to break. I know this because I remember vividly how my motor was accelerating while I thought my foot was only on the brake and I could not understand why my vehicle was not coming to a stop when most likely I had plenty of space available to make a sudden stop and avoid hitting the vehicle in front of me.
While driving down a hill, the driver applied the brakes. The pedal went to the floor and continued to pick up speed. The driver lost control of the vehicle and hit a tree. Both frontal air bags did deploy. The driver was not hurt. The vehicle was totaled. The hill was approximately 2 1/2 blocks and the consumer would normally drive down the hill with the brakes applied.
I put on the brakes and the pedal simply chattered like the anti lock brake mechanism was working. However, even when I let off and lightly hit the pedal again for 3 separate times the brakes did not work and only chattered. I ran into a tree to avoid a hitting another car and some pedestrians which wrecked my front end, right fender, right door, hood and other parts on the right.
While driving at night the interior and exterior lighting shut off which caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The rear end of the vehicle began to fish-tail and the vehicle rolled over twice. All systems including the antilock brakes failed. The accident was a result of multiple system failures.
The cruise sensor on top of the brake master cylinder stay hot all the time and it keeps blowing my number 13 fuse that goes to the brake lights and when I put a new fuse in. The cruise sensor starts sparking an smoking really bad im a phrase that it's going to catch fire soon.
The Explorer brake peddle went to the floor to stop the vehicle . There was smoke coming from under the hood . In a few seconds , the truck was in flames. Police and firemen were called to the location . They put the fire out in a few minutes .
1998 Ford Explorer had brake failure due to the brake fluid eating through the metal. When the brakes failed, the consumer hit another vehicle. The brake line was made of metal and had a hole in it.
This is the second time , that l have told this department about this brake problem with my 98 Ford Explorer . My first complaint was some time in July of this year . The dealer has cut the front rotors once at 9000miles all highway driving and rplaced the rotors at 18000 . The ABS system is not working the way it should , l just experienced this on the 20th of this month ,in portland me . After you have applied the brakes and are stitting for awhile with the brakes applied and then you release the brakes and then if you have to stop real quickly the ABS system will not function the way it should . What you end up with is that you do'nt have any brakes at all and you crash .
Dt: contact stated that right after purchasing the vehicle he had replace the brakes, tires, fuel filter, the fuel injection was cleaned , the anti lock sensors where replaced, the windshield was replaced . The air bags are also deployed. While driving the vehicle it vibrates on the left side. He took the vehicle to a mechanic they put the vehicle on a rack trying to line the vehicle. It would not line up. They found that the ball joints bad, also the motor mounts are broken. The mechanic told him that the frame is bent beyond repair.
So since my daughter bought the Ford a brake line that's connected to the caliper gets stretched and bent and it breaks about every 6 to 7 months. I feel as if it's a design flaw.I can't afford to put a new brake line on every time it breaks. I called a dealership and the mechanic there said once every 5 years he repairs the lines, I don't believe that. The turning of the tires stretches the line and it wears it down and then the line leaks and cracks.
Brake complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1998 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 94 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Ford Explorer, 5% of the model year's 1,959 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (48 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Explorer brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1998 Ford Explorer, though it has 9 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Explorer brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 19 crashes, 2 fires and 8 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.