1998 Ford Explorer Sport Vehicle speed control Problems

“Driving in rush hour traffic on 4 lane road at 35 MPH the accelerator stuck wide open. Immediately jammed my left foot on the brake to not hit other cars while trying to use right foot to get behind the gas pedal and unstick it. Put car in neutral and eventually was able to get pedal unstuck. Checked to ensure floor mat was not causing the problem. Proceeding driving with hazards at less than 25 MPH. Within 10 minutes same thing happen except that this time I was initially unsuccessful in getting the pedal to unstick. …”

“I arrived back from taking my son to the park at approximately 6:00pm, watched tv and then fired up the grill around 7:45pm. I came back in the house and heard a loud noise. I yelled upstairs to my husband and asked if he had heard the noise, he yelled back and said, call 911 your truck is on fire. He immediately began to fight the fire with two fire extinguishers and the water hose. We were scared as the fire department had not yet arrived and we were worried it was going to blow up as it was only approximately 7 feet from the house. …”

“Speed control switch failed on my 1998 Ford explorer, resulting in cruise control failure, major electrical short circuit, blown 20a fuse, no tail lights, leaking brake fluid from master cylinder thru faulty switch, and wires, switch and connector burned approximatly six inches back from switch. Switch was burned, also. A new switch was put on the vehicle, along with a pigtail (wires & connector), the brake system had to be bled and a new fuse installed. At that time, I knew nothing of a defect. Ford said nothing of the problem. The repair was made 1/14/05. …”

“Received a recall notice from Ford motor corp and telephoned them about another matter. Namely when breaking my 1998 Ford sport explorer, it suddenly started to accelerate. Immediately shifted into neutral and continued to break the car. The motor raced,but the vehicle stopped. Because I applied the brake with considerable force. Ford motor personnel told me to bring this matter to the attention of my local Ford dealer. Complied, but advised if the problem does not appear during a road test nothing can be done. This is a cop out . Who knows when it will appear again and some one perishes.”

“While driving at 55 MPH consumer felt vibration in the gas pedal. The gas pedal went to the floor and vehicle accelerated to near 100 MPH. Consumer had to veer off the road, and put the gear shift into park to stop the vehicle. There was a recall for this vehicle but consumer's vehicle was not a part of the recall due to VIN.”