1998 Ford Explorer LE V6 from North America

Summary:

In general, this is not a recommended SUV

Faults:

Into the dealership twice to repair the rear wiper motor. It STILL does not work.

Recall at ~15000 km for cruise control; I can see why the Lemon Aid series does not recommend this feature, especially on Fords. They have a tendency to stick ON.

This is a noisy ride. There is little substance to the body; one receives a tinny slam when you close the doors.

General Comments:

The engine is neither fuel efficient (17L/100km) nor of adequate power (160 HP). Passing on the highway is unpleasant, especially on rural highways.

HVAC system is above average. Leased at the time for a very good price, which is why it was chosen in the first place. I'll do my homework next time!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 9th September, 2001

1998 Ford Explorer Limited 4.0 six from North America

Summary:

Middle class, middle of the road!

Faults:

Wilderness AT tire problem. What else is new?

Have a mystery click when we step on the brakes that no one can find.

Digital readouts on CD Player/Clock/Radio burned out early on.

Carpet does not seem to resist staining the way other manufacturers do.

Transmission is weak for this size and weight of car.

General Comments:

Too cramped in the front seat. Who designed this car, the Munchkins?

Leather interior has held up nicely with no propensity to easily rip or tear.

Compared to my previous car, this one's a dream, but there are way better out there and I think I just fell for the SUV trend. However, prior to my Jag, I had a Bronco that lasted me 218,000 miles - so - come on Ford and bring some of those smart engineers back out of retirement.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 26th July, 2001

1998 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0 SOHC 6 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Good seating permits excellent roadway visibility

Faults:

The vehicle was recalled for hood latch replacement.

The vehicle was recalled for throttle plate modification.

The vehicle was recalled for modification of the (OBD-II) on-board diagnostics system.

The vehicle was recalled for replacement of "Wilderness AT" tires, after we had replaced four tires with Bridgestone tires. The dealer declined any reimbursement for the cost of replacement tires. The vehicle is currently equipped with the original "Wilderness AT" spare tire.

We recently left the vehicle with our local Ford dealer for completion of the manufacturer's recommended 60,000 mile check, with a note indicating "the front suspension screeches during any vertical movement". The dealer's maintenance facility completed the 60,000 mile check (including lubrication) for a cost of slightly more than $1100.00. Maintenance personnel employed by the dealer indicated they could not locate the squeak/screech, but they would like to disassemble the mounting grommets for the front sway bar so they could lubricate them, and the proposed disassembly would cost an additional $42.00. I believe their actions constitute price gouging, deception, and laziness. They could have taken a squirt can filled with rubber lube and lubricated all of the suspension gromments and engine mounts in two minutes.

General Comments:

The 4.0 SOHC 6 cylinder engine seems inadequate for operation in mountain areas at altitudes in excess of 5,000 feet.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 1st July, 2001

1st Jul 2001, 21:09

The dealer is just trying to cheat you out of some more money, don't let them do it, take an oil can and squirt the oil on the rubber bushings yourself and it should fix the screeching, most of it anyway. I had to do that to my cousins Pontiac, but of course that is a GM product so its probably just falling apart, your Ford just needs a little oil.

10th May 2003, 11:42

How are recalls considered to be something that has gone wrong with a vehicle? Unless a part failed and had to be replaced I don't see the problem. Anyone that would pay a dealer 1100 for service should have their head examined!

20th Dec 2004, 11:48

Having problems with 98 Explorer. Horrible noise in engine at all times. Ford Dealership said it was the timing chains and wants to put a new motor in it since they need to pull the motor out to get to them!??? Another mechanic is about to replace the timing chain adjuster to see if that works. Anyone else have this problem?

1998 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer V6 S from North America

Faults:

Nothing yet.

12,xxx miles on it.

General Comments:

2nd Explorer owned. Other was a 95 EB. Great SUV. There is a reason they are number one. Ford dealer great, Dave Sinclair.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st January, 1999

1998 Ford Explorer XLT V6 from North America

Faults:

1. The keys have a chip and cost 30.00 to replace, with great difficulty and time and only from the dealer can it be done.

2. The accelerator, sticks, had it back twice.

3. It holds back.

General Comments:

Will not buy another one, they give you a year free road service and the people on the phone are rude and non helpful.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th June, 1998

13th Jul 2001, 15:34

I have had several of the Ford keys with the chip made for both my 1998 Explorer and 1998 Taurus, and all of them were duplicated by independent key shops. Each key was $12 to $14, and the programming of the keys is a simple procedure and well explained in the owners manual that comes with the car.

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1998 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0 SOHC from North America

Faults:

At 5,000 km ... nothing so far.

General Comments:

Would be perfect if it had about another one inch of clearance.

The cup holders suck. My '93 chevy pick-up was far superior. Why can't they make an adjustable one?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th June, 1998