1998 Ford Explorer electrical system problems
114 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 1998 Ford Explorer — 6% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“My seat belt on my passenger side does not work half the time. My door locks do not work right. I can't get my window on the driver side to go up and down. I hit a tree going 55 miles an hour in my airbag did not even deploy. I'm lucky I'm still alive. The fenders rubbing up against my tire. Speed…”
filed Dec 6, 2019
“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…”
filed Apr 15, 2019
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Driveability-malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminated-diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) p0420 and/or p0430. *mj
0475 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2004Driveability-malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminated-diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) p0420 and/or p0430. *mj
03251 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 22, 2003Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on with diagnostic trouble codes p0420 and/or p0430. *tt
17312 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2003Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips. *tt
03181 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 15, 2003
Electrical System problems in other Explorer years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Explorer | 6 | 27% |
| 2025 Explorer | 18 | 20% |
| 2024 Explorer | 2 | 11% |
| 2023 Explorer | 13 | 13% |
| 2022 Explorer | 36 | 14% |
| 2021 Explorer | 40 | 10% |
| 2020 Explorer | 182 | 15% |
| 2019 Explorer | 19 | 7% |
| 2018 Explorer | 57 | 8% |
| 2017 Explorer | 93 | 6% |
| 2016 Explorer | 126 | 5% |
| 2015 Explorer | 89 | 5% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1998 Ford Explorer
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.