1998 Ford Explorer drivetrain & axles problems
39 complaints about drivetrain & axles have been filed for the 1998 Ford Explorer, which is 2% of all its NHTSA complaints.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 39 2% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 119,000 miles 10 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When drivetrain & axles problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 0 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 1 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 2 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 0 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Of the 10 drivetrain & axles complaints that report mileage, the median is about 119,000 miles, and 20% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 3 crashes, 2 injuries.
What owners wrote
April 2, 2002, while driving on a flat, straight freeway, the rear driver's side axle broke. The tire came off the car and sailed through the air. I lost control of vehicle immediately, resulting in a severe skid and vehicle roll-over. Crash resulted in driver sustaining large bump on head from roof collapse and a concussion. Numerous cuts, bruises, and severe muscle stress/strain of neck, shoulders and back. Also received deep contusion on chest due to seat belt retraction.
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.
Other problems reported for the 1998 Ford Explorer
- Tires 750 complaints
- Cruise control 287 complaints
- Engine 200 complaints
- Electrical system 120 complaints
- Wipers, windshield & visibility 117 complaints
- Suspension 116 complaints
- Brakes 102 complaints
- Steering 74 complaints