1998 Ford Explorer Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 103about this part
- Share
- 5%of 1,959 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 102,156miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 103 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Ford Explorer, 5% of the 1,959 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 102,156 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was going down clinton keith in murrieta when all of a sudden my transmission would not shift passed 3rd. It was working fine the day before. So I took it slow back home and the closer I got home the transmisson started slipping gears.”
NHTSA complaint #11114246, filed 2018-07, 167,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10525554, filed 2013-07, 166,000 miles“1998 Ford Explorer transmission overdrive light started flashing and trans started slipping badly all at once. Can not drive now. I don't yet know how much a new trans will cost, but vehicle has been well maintained and serviced regularly. I believe this transmission should be recalled.”
NHTSA complaint #10300152, filed 2010-01, 152,600 miles“We were driving along in our 1998 Ford Explorer and the overdrive light started blinking and then it would not shift into 3rd gear. It occurs everytime we drive the car now. We took it to a Ford dealer, they said it was a torque converter and that it was 2000 dollars. About 2 weeks later it would not come out of third gear. Ford dealer said it was not the same problem, and the transmission needed replaced for 4000 dollars. We did some research and found that this is a very common problem from 98-04 explorers, as they share the same transmission. …”
NHTSA complaint #10288752, filed 2009-10, 78,952 miles“The 1998 Ford Explorer accelerator pedal fell off. I was driving at 60 MPH in a straight line and accelerating to 65 MPH when I felt a pop. The accelerator pedal stopped working. Despite the emergency flashers, I was nearly rear-ended by a car that didn't notice I was slowing down on the freeway. Luckily, I pulled over and stopped safely. Looking at the break, I think the sheet metal holding the rivets was too weak. On 5/23/07 I called the Ford customer relations hot line. They refused to help stating only there are no recalls on my car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10191565, filed 2007-05, 128,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10017891Apr 1, 2005Front axle leaks fluid from vent tube - vehicles equipped with 4x4 or awd.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 7% |
| 2025 | 16 | 15% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 12 | 11% |
| 2022 | 61 | 23% |
| 2021 | 127 | 28% |
| 2020 | 504 | 40% |
| 2019 | 35 | 12% |
| 2018 | 50 | 7% |
| 2017 | 125 | 7% |
| 2016 | 215 | 9% |
| 2015 | 86 | 5% |
| 2014 | 80 | 5% |
| 2013 | 119 | 5% |
| 2012 | 55 | 7% |
| 2011 | 64 | 5% |
| 2010 | 28 | 24% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 36 | 24% |
| 2007 | 57 | 27% |
| 2006 | 296 | 47% |
| 2005 | 99 | 20% |
| 2004 | 460 | 35% |
| 2003 | 335 | 30% |
| 2002 | 1,502 | 46% |
| 2001 | 42 | 11% |
| 2000 | 133 | 14% |
| 1999 | 115 | 9% |
| 1998 | 103 | 5% |
| 1997 | 104 | 6% |
| 1996 | 120 | 8% |
| 1995 | 119 | 14% |
| 1994 | 86 | 7% |
| 1993 | 72 | 8% |
| 1992 | 77 | 12% |
| 1991 | 69 | 11% |
| 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 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