1998 Ford Explorer structure problems
48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the structure on the 1998 Ford Explorer — 2% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Door locks and windows quit working after buying it. So many issue ..the steering wheel control words melted. Back door don't shut probably and never has since bought. This was bought as a new not used vehicle. Door locks was the worse.they sometimes stick and won't unlock since bought new.never…”
filed Jul 14, 2019
“I have 1998 ford explorer and I noticed trying to unlock the door automatically that it would stick sometimes. Sometimes becale always and noticed the passenger door never would unlock. Then one day parked I tried to open passenger door and it wouldnt open. I had to open it from the inside. Now it…”
filed Apr 10, 2018
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Structure problems in other Explorer years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Explorer | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 Explorer | 7 | 7% |
| 2023 Explorer | 10 | 9% |
| 2022 Explorer | 10 | 4% |
| 2021 Explorer | 23 | 5% |
| 2020 Explorer | 44 | 4% |
| 2019 Explorer | 148 | 50% |
| 2018 Explorer | 287 | 39% |
| 2017 Explorer | 656 | 39% |
| 2016 Explorer | 584 | 24% |
| 2015 Explorer | 407 | 23% |
| 2014 Explorer | 276 | 16% |
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.