1998 Ford Explorer Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 111about this part
- Share
- 6%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 111 complaints about the suspension of the 1998 Ford Explorer, 6% of the 1,959 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 12 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My wife was driving our 1998 Ford Explorer eddie bauer and experienced a sudden pull to the left. Upon arriving at our mechanic, la autobody - newton ma, we were informed that we were missing both of our sway bars. Has there been other complaints from Ford truck owners? If so when will a recall be demanded by the NHTSA. According to our mechanic he has seen this many times and it can cause accidents on the road.”
NHTSA complaint #10047037, filed 2003-11, 98,000 miles“Since purchasing a used 1998 Ford Explorer I have been blessed with nothing but problems with it. 6 months after purchasing the vehicle my wheel bearings went out and damaged the spindle. This was a $500 expense as the spindle was a dealer part. When I purchased it there were 26000 miles on it...there were about 36000 when the bearings went out...just as the warranty expired. Then, about a year later, the upper air intake manifold got a hole burned in it. Again, Ford couldn't offer me any kind of help and said it was a $800-1000 repair. …”
NHTSA complaint #10082273, filed 2004-07, 103,000 miles“During the annual vehicle safety inspection, it was reported that the two front suspension stabilizer link bolts were broken. Each bolt had failed as a result of rust and corrosion at the upper end where it attached to the stabilizer. This resulted in a degradation of handling ability, which in a SUV vehicle with high center of gravity, could have caused a serious accident. Parts were replaced and I am retaining what is left of the failed parts for further examination.”
NHTSA complaint #10222723, filed 2008-03, 80,500 miles“Dt: contact stated that right after purchasing the vehicle he had replace the brakes, tires, fuel filter, the fuel injection was cleaned , the anti lock sensors where replaced, the windshield was replaced . The air bags are also deployed. While driving the vehicle it vibrates on the left side. He took the vehicle to a mechanic they put the vehicle on a rack trying to line the vehicle. It would not line up. They found that the ball joints bad, also the motor mounts are broken. The mechanic told him that the frame is bent beyond repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10142752, filed 2005-11, 90,000 miles“I was driving my truck and one day it started acting weird. My stereo started shutting off and coming in by itself. A couple days later I was driving and my stereo and information center went out and came back on. My truck will only go about 30mps cause it won't shift either. Couple days ago it started back firing. What could be the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11170910, filed 2019-01Related service bulletins
- 10014096Dec 13, 2004Revised procedure for adjusting alignment on all suspensions - new right hand upper control arm design for torsion bar front suspensions.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 3% |
| 2024 | 3 | 14% |
| 2023 | 14 | 12% |
| 2022 | 13 | 5% |
| 2021 | 15 | 3% |
| 2020 | 36 | 3% |
| 2019 | 11 | 4% |
| 2018 | 23 | 3% |
| 2017 | 58 | 3% |
| 2016 | 73 | 3% |
| 2015 | 83 | 5% |
| 2014 | 103 | 6% |
| 2013 | 79 | 4% |
| 2012 | 22 | 3% |
| 2011 | 24 | 2% |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 3% |
| 2006 | 5 | 1% |
| 2005 | 15 | 3% |
| 2004 | 37 | 3% |
| 2003 | 63 | 6% |
| 2002 | 422 | 13% |
| 2001 | 43 | 11% |
| 2000 | 62 | 7% |
| 1999 | 65 | 5% |
| 1998 | 111 | 6% |
| 1997 | 105 | 6% |
| 1996 | 97 | 7% |
| 1995 | 93 | 11% |
| 1994 | 65 | 5% |
| 1993 | 59 | 6% |
| 1992 | 60 | 9% |
| 1991 | 33 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1998 Ford Explorer
696 complaintsVehicle speed control
281 complaintsEngine cooling
189 complaintsElectrical system
114 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 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