Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
Tl contact owns a 1998 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle erupted into flames coming from the engine compartment into the interior of the vehicle. The contact was able to merged over and exit the vehicle as the flames were extensive and the vehicle was destroyed. The fire department was able to extinguish the flames. The vehicle was towed to a yard. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 98V060000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
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 continued in reverse , turned key off & car continured in reverse until hitting parked car which stopped us total distance about 200 feet, which seemed a lot longer,I felt I did everything correctly maybe if thrown in neutral brakes would have worked, very frighting having no control to stop
The consumer parked the vehicle at her house for at least 7 hours. Then, vehicle caught on fire. The fire department was contacted, and they indicated that the cause of the fire was possibly electrical. Also, consumer contacted the manufacturer, who was no help at all. The vehicle was totaled.
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.
Vehicle engine idle will jump up to 2300 rpms while in park or netural without touching gas pedal, A/C and acc's off. The only way this is noticed is when you shift out of drive while engine is running, or hear the transmission making a clunking sound tyring to downshift at such a high RPM. Vehilce will also increase speed on it's own without pressing gas pedal. It's almost a daily occurance.
Dealership refuse to repair car parts that are important and have serious safty issues. Drivers car seat back collapse, accelerator pedal support bracket ell off the floor boad...needs to be welded back on.
The water pump was replaced on vehicle on 09 aug, 2003, necessitating removal and re-installation of the air intake hose connected to the throttle body. On the morning of 09 feb, 2006 the accelerator was briefly depressed to the floor while navigating in freeway traffic. The accelerator remained in this position after having removed the driver's foot from the accelerator. Full pressure was being applied to the brakes with no apparent slowing of the vehicle. The vehicle was steered towards an open construction area adjacent to the freeway, and shifted into 'park' while still moving at about 50 MPH. The vehicle stopped safely, and without collision. The vehicle remained drivable after this incident. …
The harmonic balancer came loose and the camshaft had broken right at the engine block. Consumer was given an option by the dealer to either overhaul the engine, with no warranty, or replace the engine, with a 3 year 36,000 mile warranty. A service technician found out that upon inspecting the harmonic balancer camshaft area that the long bolt holding the pulley to the camshaft was never tightened was able to removed with the technician's fingers. In addition, the bolt should have some markings on it consistent with an impact wrench. It was confirmed that the bolt would have been removed in order to replace the timing chain. When engine was replaced and performed additional test on vehicle, dealer found a small fuel line leak. Fuel line was repaired and made another test on vehicle. …
Engine starting failure has caused the car to be left two times, each time it stumbled and when it did start my wife put it into drive at which time it rolled into traffic and cut off again. This is dangerous, the shop I took it to could find no bad codes and had no idea why it happened. I found a TSB concerning it on your website so now I know others are having the same problem. Concerning the squeeling coming from the front end at speeds from 0-40, I took it to a shop and they sprayed some lubricant on it but the noise returned, I am afraid that something is going to fail in the front end and again. I found a TSB concerning the same problem on your site, so I am not alone in this problem. The oil leak was noticed when the squeal problem was investigated and again I noticed a TSB conserning the rear main seal leaking.
While driving late at night in a residential neighborhood my wife s Explorer stalled in the middle of the street. She had the Explorer towed home for me to diagnose. I examined the Explorer and found that the inertia switch s electrical connector had slid off. This resulted in the loss of power to the fuel pump. Ford has located this switch near the floor on the passenger side foot area with the wiring routed under the carpet. Repeated passenger foot pressure on the floor had resulted in the connector sliding off. While driving this reduces steering and braking efficiency as well as forward movement. Thank goodness she was not on a freeway, bridge, tunnel or maneuvering through a curve which could have resulted in a serious accident.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
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…
NHTSA investigations
Fuel line damage from jump starting
There is no summary currently available
Fuel System complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1998 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 63 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1998 Ford Explorer, 3% of the model year's 1,959 complaints. The component named most often is fuel injection system (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Ford Explorer fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V-060 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Mar 19, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Ford Explorer fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 18% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 4 fires and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion system 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.