1998 Explorer Van Ford Explorer Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 82,344miles, 5 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Explorer Van Ford Explorer (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1998 Explorer Van Ford Explorer. The part named most often is seats, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (2) and exterior lighting (1). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 82,344 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seats2 33%
- Exterior lighting1 17%
- Other or unknown1 17%
- Body and structure1 17%
Example complaints
Seats: “I received a recall notice on bolt replacement dated august 2003. For about one year the front seats in my vehicle has been broken reclining to the back seat, I have blankets and pillows piled in the seats that enables me to sit up enough to drive and buckle my seat belt. On 9/10/03 I called your customer service and spoke to a representing by the name of nicole to complain. …”
NHTSA complaint #10045069, filed 2003-10Exterior lighting: “Eddie bauer Ford Explorer bright light switch on steering column failed when returning from bright headlights to regular lighting. The headlights went out due to the switch, had to wiggle switch to get lights back on. I discovered by holding the switch towards my direction (the flash brights mode), I could get home. This occurred while driving in pitch dark . Lights unexpectedly went out during this action. It was rather shocking to have the headlights to turn off unexpectedly.”
NHTSA complaint #10045449, filed 2003-11, 124,900 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 78,000 and 93,500 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1998 Explorer Van Ford Explorer in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1998 Explorer Van Ford Explorer.
Other model years of the Explorer Van Ford Explorer
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 6 | 82,344 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 9 | 71,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Explorer Van Ford Explorer model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Explorer Van Ford Explorer have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1998 Explorer Van Ford Explorer as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Explorer Van Ford Explorer is reported most often?
Seats is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 2.
Has the 1998 Explorer Van Ford Explorer been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Explorer Van Ford Explorer reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 82,344 miles and the middle half falls between 78,000 and 93,500 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.