1998 Ford Explorer latches & locks problems
69 complaints about latches & locks have been filed for the 1998 Ford Explorer, which is 3% of all its NHTSA complaints.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 69 3% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 98,000 miles 27 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When latches & locks problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 6 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 5 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 5 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 3 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 2 |
What the data shows
Of the 27 latches & locks complaints that report mileage, the median is about 98,000 miles, and 11% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 2 injuries.
What owners wrote
Hood slammed shut unexpectedly during servicing. Hood supports are now very weak and cannot support the weight of the hood.
Normal operation; a the drivers door latch failed in the locked position. As a result, the door could not be unlocked or opened by normal means. The door was finally opened after the door panel was removed allowing the latch to be unlocked by reaching a hand inside the door. The failure is a broken spring. The failure resulted in an internal lever interfering with the lock portion of the latch during the unlock attempts. I have not repaired the failure as of this date. I have the failed item (a spring).
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