Overview & Reviews

The 1998 Ford Explorer gets a restyled tailgate.

• The Explorer is the best selling sport-ute on the market for a reason. A comfortable interior, three engine choices, and multiple trim levels mean that there is an Explorer for nearly any budget or lifestyle.

• Abysmal gas mileage. Handling is sloppy in corners.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 176.00

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  Poor reliability - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By wind - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Within three months of ownership, I had a lot of engine problems! I wasted a lot of my time, as well as money sending my truck to the repair shop for expensive mechanical problems. The customer service complaint line was a waste of time. The trade value for this vehicle is another sad issue. If I want to trade my vehicle , I will lose 3,000 from the blue book value! I will never buy another FORD!

• 

  Constant repair needed - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By silverbax - November 20 - 8:30 am

  Bought a 98 Ford, had a good vehicle history. Every time there was a little rattle or squeak, Id take it in to try and maintain it. Bad thing: about 3-4 times a year something major happens. Fuel injector sticks and cant be fixed. A/C went out, antifreeze line ruptured, check engine comes on for no reason, and yesterday dash lights blinked out a couple of times. Sometimes parts just fall off - literally. Have to have it aligned about every six months. Spent over $3000 per year in repairs, and it still needs more work. Like the design, but I wont buy another one.

• 

  Very lousy record of Ford Explorer - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By wasiala - August 7 - 10:00 am

  Have had numerous repetitive problems including A/C, heater, Heater core and other leaks. Never gets fixed right without numerous visits. In garage at least once per month. Pinion and diff bearings, front seals, hood shocks, noise in front wheel area for several years, speed control, rear wiper, radio, horn relay, on and on. Will never buy a Ford product again.

• 

  bought a headache - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By bought a headach - May 24 - 1:20 am

  Always wanted an Explorer until I got one. Where do I start -- every little curve you make it sounds like the front end is gonna fall out. The CD player works when it wants to other times it says CD error. The radio stations change themselves. The door, after the drivers side has been opened, keeps unlocking itself. Rides like a horse & buggy. Some times all the windows will roll down. Had to replace driver side door handle two times. Driver side seat latch broke so you have to sit the same way every time you drive. I’m 5, my husband is 62. He was driving when it broke so very rough drive for me.

• 

  burning bag on your doorstep - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By William Clay Ford - April 19 - 10:00 am

  Chronologically, we have had to repair/replace: -tranny (1 week after purchase) -transmission valve body -Throttle body -New keyless entry keypad -Air sensor (once it fails you are rewarded with an exhilirating 30 minute period during which the truck will not start) -Fuel Pump -Throttle body -New tires (the original firestones had a nasty tendency to kill you) -Ball Joints (No grease points. if they ever need grease, they need to be replaced. Top notch!) Currently, I am eagerly anticipating having to replace another throttle body, as the car stalls every so often now, and well, it has been 10,000 miles since I replaced it. I guess its time.

• 

  Lemon - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By JD - November 10 - 11:46 pm

  Purchased the car with 53,000 miles from a dealer. Within a month the transfer case was leaking which was replaced by the dealer. At 78,000 had to replace the heads due to coolant disappearing. At 82,000 unable to control the temperature, full blast heat. To fix this problem the dashboard must be taken out to get to the heater box to replace the damaged part at a cost of $1,100. The mechanic stated that this is a common problem with Ford Explorers. Terrible gas mileage in town 14-15 mpg, highway 17-18 mpg. Owned many Fords before, this one has been the worst.

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  Start your Repair Fund Now - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By Wulf - July 27 - 6:41 pm

  Weve had nothing but problems with this car. The electrical systems fail constantly. Weve had problems with the lights, the brakes, the turn signals, the power doors, the transmission, and the gauges.

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  Dont rollover - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By matt0700 - September 29 - 10:00 am

  While we have had no major problems with our Explorer, I am too concerned about the rollover issue and will not replace this vehicle with another Explorer.

• 

  they roll way to quick - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By jordan tuchmann - July 12 - 10:00 am

  driving my explorer down the road at 45 MPH we started spinning as soon as we hit the grass we fliped. My seat Belt did NOT lock up. It was great un till the end. we now have a lexus rx300 that is a lot less expensive from problems in the explorer. 35000 for the explorer 12000 in the shop toatal 42000. 37000 rx300 2500 in the shop

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  Must be mechanically inclined - 1998 Ford Explorer
  By girlpower2004 - January 26 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my Ford Explorer brand new and it had at least 5 recalls. The most significant would be the tires. I had very serious engine problems and Ford had to replace my engine twice.