Vehicle Speed Control
NHTSA campaign 06V286000 · 2006 · reported 08/01/2006
OVERHEATING COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR BURN AND AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
1998 Ford Explorer Sport Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch — runs 5.1× the fleet median for that category across the 191 model-years tracked on this site.
121Complaints
14Recalls
5Crashes
13Fires
13Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch (19% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch complaints here are 5.1× the median for that category across the 191 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch | 23 · 19% | Recalled | Recall 99V164000 |
| Seats:front Assembly:recliner | 11 · 9.1% | Recalled | Recall 03V281000 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 9 · 7.4% | Recalled | Recall 99V164000 |
| Tires | 7 · 5.8% | Recalled | Recall 00T005000 · Recall 01X001000 |
| Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood | 7 · 5.8% | Recalled | Recall 97V215000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 · 4.1% | Recalled | Recall 06V286000 · Recall 09V399000 · Recall 00V422000 · Recall 99V062001 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 121 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 14 campaigns
Exterior Lighting:headlights
NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Vehicle Speed Control
NHTSA campaign 09V399000 · 2009 · reported 10/13/2009
A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 00V168000 · 2000 · reported 06/19/2000
THE LIGHT GIVEN OFF FROM THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS BRIGHTER THAN ALLOWED BY U.S. STANDARDS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 06E026000 · 2006 · reported 03/23/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Tires:tread/belt
NHTSA campaign 00T005000 · 2000 · reported 08/21/2000
IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Vehicle Speed Control
NHTSA campaign 00V422000 · 2000 · reported 12/27/2000
THIS COULD RESULT IN ENGINE SURGE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BREAKS FREE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Seats:front Assembly:recliner
NHTSA campaign 03V281000 · 2003 · reported 08/05/2003
THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Tires:tread/belt
NHTSA campaign 01X001000 · 2001 · reported 05/22/2001
SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Electrical System:ignition:anti-theft:control Module
NHTSA campaign 97V215000 · 1997 · reported 11/24/1997
THE STANDARD SPECIFIED THAT A WARNING TO THE DRIVER SHALL BE ACTUATED WHENEVER THE KEY HAS BEEN LEFT IN THE LOCKING SYSTEM AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPENED. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
NHTSA campaign 99V164000 · 1999 · reported 06/29/1999
IF THIS OCCURS AND THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS EITHER NOT ENGAGED OR IS RELEASED, A HOOD FLY-UP COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
NHTSA campaign 98V060000 · 1998 · reported 03/19/1998
THE FUEL LINES CAN LEAK, AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Vehicle Speed Control
NHTSA campaign 99V062001 · 1999 · reported 03/30/1999
IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS USED AND THIS CONDITION IS PRESENT, A STUCK THROTTLE COULD RESULT, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING, LOCKING AND UNLOCKING ITSELF. THIS CONTINUED UNTIL IT JUST LOCKED AND WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL. BOTH THE OUTSIDE…”NHTSA complaint 10211011 — filed 12/06/2007 · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
“DRIVER'S SIDE POWER DOOR LOCK DID NOT UNLOCK EITHER WITH THE KEY OR LOCK BUTTON. IT TOOK MANY ATTEMPTS TO GET THE DOOR UNLOCKED, LEAVING…”NHTSA complaint 10190511 — filed 05/11/2007 · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
“MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. THE DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH A KEY OR THE UNLOCK BUTTON…”NHTSA complaint 10185592 — filed 03/19/2007 · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport?
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch issues are the most-reported category, cited in 23 of 121 NHTSA complaints (19%), followed by seats:front assembly:recliner (11), latches/locks/linkages (9), tires (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport have?
121 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 5 involved a crash, 13 involved a fire, and 13 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport have any recalls?
Yes — 14 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 06V286000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
