1998 Ford Explorer Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 114about this part
- Share
- 6%of 1,959 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 105,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 114 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Ford Explorer, 6% of the 1,959 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 105,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 41 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The cruise sensor on top of the brake master cylinder stay hot all the time and it keeps blowing my number 13 fuse that goes to the brake lights and when I put a new fuse in. The cruise sensor starts sparking an smoking really bad im a phrase that it's going to catch fire soon.”
NHTSA complaint #10706549, filed 2015-04, 191,000 miles“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 garage as well. The fire started down by the brakes and the entire vehicle was engolfed within seconds. Obviously it was electrical. Upon further investigation I believe it was the cruise control switch malfunction. My SUV had 134,000 miles on it and kept in immaculate condition. …”
NHTSA complaint #11196183, filed 2019-04, 134,000 miles“Only got my service dog out, thank god I was in a glass front restraunt. Cd player caught the dash on fire and burned the truck completely up. Truck was parked and off for 20 min.”
NHTSA complaint #10785850, filed 2015-10, 100,000 miles“Last night I pulled into my driveway after coming home from work, my family had dinner and I was sitting down in the living room to play with my 2 year old son. I heard a popping sound and asked my wife what was that noise, she looked out the window and yelled your car is on fire ! My car burned to the ground!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10183601, filed 2007-02, 135,000 miles“May 20, approximately 03:30am, while driving about 35mph to work in the dark with head lights on; headlights unexpectedly turned off. Luckily that section of the street, had street lights working properly; but, I was approaching an unlit stretch of winding road with a 45mph speed limit. This could have become very dangerous. (dashboard lights were not affected.) turning the normal headlight switch did not seem to fix the problem. I tried the bright light function, which is part of the turn signal lever. …”
NHTSA complaint #10461016, filed 2012-06, 99,000 milesRelated recalls
- 97V215000Nov 24, 1997Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles, eddie bauer and limited editions. The key-in-ignition/door open warning chime may not function when the…Covers: Ford Explorer 1998
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | 21% |
| 2025 | 23 | 22% |
| 2024 | 2 | 10% |
| 2023 | 14 | 13% |
| 2022 | 39 | 14% |
| 2021 | 48 | 11% |
| 2020 | 188 | 15% |
| 2019 | 20 | 7% |
| 2018 | 58 | 8% |
| 2017 | 94 | 6% |
| 2016 | 129 | 5% |
| 2015 | 93 | 5% |
| 2014 | 100 | 6% |
| 2013 | 163 | 7% |
| 2012 | 64 | 8% |
| 2011 | 95 | 8% |
| 2010 | 12 | 10% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 38 | 26% |
| 2007 | 25 | 12% |
| 2006 | 39 | 6% |
| 2005 | 36 | 7% |
| 2004 | 55 | 4% |
| 2003 | 54 | 5% |
| 2002 | 148 | 4% |
| 2001 | 29 | 8% |
| 2000 | 78 | 8% |
| 1999 | 92 | 7% |
| 1998 | 114 | 6% |
| 1997 | 80 | 5% |
| 1996 | 47 | 3% |
| 1995 | 55 | 7% |
| 1994 | 75 | 6% |
| 1993 | 45 | 5% |
| 1992 | 45 | 7% |
| 1991 | 52 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1998 Ford Explorer
696 complaintsVehicle speed control
281 complaintsEngine cooling
189 complaintsSuspension
111 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
108 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
103 complaintsBrakes
94 complaintsSeats
70 complaintsSteering
70 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
65 complaintsFuel system
63 complaintsBody and structure
48 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology