1998 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 51,700miles, 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 Ford Explorer Sport Trac (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The part named most often is brakes, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and electronic stability control (1). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 40% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 51,700 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, 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.
- Brakes2 40%
- Electrical system2 40%
- Fuel system1 20%
Example complaints
Brakes: “The brake line on both of my 1996 and 1998 Ford explorer rusted out last year and this year on both suvs, causing the brake system to totally fail on the 1996 and lost one set of brakes on the 1998. We were very lucky. The problem was noticed when parked.”
NHTSA complaint #10166683, filed 2006-08, 45,700 milesElectrical system: “I own a Ford explorer 1988 bought new in 1999. I have only 36.000 miles on it and last month I was just driving for about 2 miles when I sensed a powerful smell of gas. Pulled over imediately, opened the hood a I saw gasolin pouring on the engine and the batteries from the two fuel lines going into the feuel injection system in top of the engine. I have called Ford and they told me there is no recall on this. It should be because the Ford dealer where I have fixed the problem(700$ !!!!). Old me they encountered this problem other times. …”
NHTSA complaint #10110295, filed 2005-02, 36,000 milesElectronic stability control: “Takata recall.. The lights inside will cut on for no reason. The radio and other components will cut on and off when they want..the brake paddle works when it want .”
NHTSA complaint #11183727, filed 2019-03, 179,766 milesMileage when problems were reported
40% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 45,700 and 88,000 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 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 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 Ford Explorer Sport Trac.
Other model years of the Ford Explorer Sport Trac
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 31 | 30,000 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2009 | 6 | 20,000 | 0 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 23 | 65,265 | 1 | — | 16 | — | Rising |
| 2007 | 100 | 39,275 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 5 | 74,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 66 | 68,000 | 0 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 86 | 43,768 | 0 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 78 | 58,500 | 0 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 144 | 48,104 | 2 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 167 | 71,760 | 4 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1998 | 5 | 51,700 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 6 | 107,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Ford Explorer Sport Trac model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport Trac have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport Trac as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 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 Ford Explorer Sport Trac reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 51,700 miles and the middle half falls between 45,700 and 88,000 miles; 40% 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.