1998 Ford Explorer Engine Problems

“The timing chain tensioner broke allowing the chain to slip. It was a recall problem but I was not the original owner and the problem must not have been addressed, or else the recall didn't get done properly. After the repair it hasn't had good oil pressure at idle. It is too bad that Ford put this motor in so many vehicles and doesn't stand behind they. It is poor design in my opinion to have four timing chains on a 4.0 liter motor is crazy. …”

“The contact owns a 1998 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal noise emitted from the engine. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing, who stated the timing belt failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 172,000.”

“The contact owns a 1998 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to start and smoked appeared on numerous occasions. In addition, the overhead lights in the vehicle did not work and the battery had a shortage. The contact stated that the service engine light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 200,000.”

“The contact owned a 1998 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while parked, the vehicle engulfed into flames with the sound of a large explosion. The fire department extinguished the fire, which originated underneath the hood area. The vehicle was declared as destroyed and remained at the residence for further investigation. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.”

“The contact owned a 1998 Ford Explorer. The contact noticed smoke rising from the engine compartment, which entered the cabin of the vehicle through the air conditioning vents. Shortly afterwards, flames engulfed the entire vehicle and shattered all of the windows. The vehicle had recently been repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 09v399000 (vehicle speed control). The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 200,000.”