1998 Ford Explorer Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 63about this part
- Share
- 3%of 1,959 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 63 complaints about the fuel system of the 1998 Ford Explorer, 3% of the 1,959 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 4 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.
“Parked in parking space started car put in reverse, engine roared, accelerated in reverse applying brakes did nothing , both feet on brakes , turned wheel so that car was not to hit parked cars behind us, car continued racing in reverse with continued applying brakes, thru it into park car continued in reverse , turned key off & car continured in reverse until hitting parked car which stopped us total distance about 200 feet, which seemed a lot longer,I felt I did everything correctly maybe if thrown in neutral brakes would have worked, very frighting having no control to stop”
NHTSA complaint #11268145, filed 2019-10, 1 miles“The consumer parked the vehicle at her house for at least 7 hours. Then, vehicle caught on fire. The fire department was contacted, and they indicated that the cause of the fire was possibly electrical. Also, consumer contacted the manufacturer, who was no help at all. The vehicle was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10105179, filed 2005-01, 107,000 miles“Vehicle engine idle will jump up to 2300 rpms while in park or netural without touching gas pedal, A/C and acc's off. The only way this is noticed is when you shift out of drive while engine is running, or hear the transmission making a clunking sound tyring to downshift at such a high RPM. Vehilce will also increase speed on it's own without pressing gas pedal. It's almost a daily occurance.”
NHTSA complaint #10031126, filed 2003-08, 34,100 miles“Check engine light comes on and o2 sensors have to be replace every thirty to forty thousand miles. Now o/d off light is flashing and car drives like it is in first gear, shifts hard.”
NHTSA complaint #10301679, filed 2010-01, 158,000 miles“The water pump was replaced on vehicle on 09 aug, 2003, necessitating removal and re-installation of the air intake hose connected to the throttle body. On the morning of 09 feb, 2006 the accelerator was briefly depressed to the floor while navigating in freeway traffic. The accelerator remained in this position after having removed the driver's foot from the accelerator. Full pressure was being applied to the brakes with no apparent slowing of the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10151200, filed 2006-02, 84,000 milesRelated recalls
- 98V060000Mar 19, 1998Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with 4.0l single overhead cam engines. The engine fuel lines can be damaged if the vehicle is…Covers: Ford Explorer 1997–1998, Mercury Mountaineer 1997–1998
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 7% |
| 2025 | 3 | 3% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 37 | 14% |
| 2021 | 28 | 6% |
| 2020 | 42 | 3% |
| 2019 | 17 | 6% |
| 2018 | 23 | 3% |
| 2017 | 49 | 3% |
| 2016 | 112 | 5% |
| 2015 | 94 | 5% |
| 2014 | 72 | 4% |
| 2013 | 153 | 7% |
| 2012 | 34 | 4% |
| 2011 | 40 | 3% |
| 2010 | 9 | 8% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 27 | 4% |
| 2005 | 66 | 13% |
| 2004 | 33 | 3% |
| 2003 | 11 | 1% |
| 2002 | 72 | 2% |
| 2001 | 11 | 3% |
| 2000 | 19 | 2% |
| 1999 | 34 | 3% |
| 1998 | 63 | 3% |
| 1997 | 56 | 3% |
| 1996 | 23 | 2% |
| 1995 | 16 | 2% |
| 1994 | 33 | 3% |
| 1993 | 12 | 1% |
| 1992 | 18 | 3% |
| 1991 | 26 | 4% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1998 Ford Explorer
696 complaintsVehicle speed control
281 complaintsEngine cooling
189 complaintsElectrical system
114 complaintsSuspension
111 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
108 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
103 complaintsBrakes
94 complaintsSeats
70 complaintsSteering
70 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
65 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 29, 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