Problems · by component

1998 Ford Explorer engine and engine cooling problems

198 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 1998 Ford Explorer cite engine and engine cooling, 9% of all 2,099 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
198
9% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
18
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine and engine cooling

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“MY CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND WAS OFF. WE HEARD A NOISE FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE AND MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER WAS IN FLAMES FROM THE ENGINE AREA. WE HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE CAR WAS QUICKLY ENGULFED. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 2, 2014Engine and engine coolingFire reportedODI 10562589
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE ENGINE WAS ON SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE FOR A BRIEF MOMENT. WHEN SHE RETURNED THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED WITH SMOKE. SHE REMOVED HER CHILDREN AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. AFTER WAITING FOR FIVE MINUTES THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE FIRE DAMAGE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2009Engine and engine coolingFire reportedODI 10288537
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT HEARD A HUGE EXPLOSION COMING FROM HER DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE CALLED HER INSURANCE COMPANY AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 20, 2009Engine and engine coolingFire reportedODI 10255621
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT HEARD A HUGE EXPLOSION COMING FROM HER DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE CALLED HER INSURANCE COMPANY AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000. UPDATED 03/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/17/09.*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 20, 2009Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed controlFire reportedODI 10255623
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE NOTIFIED. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ON FIRE WHEN THEY DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL. THERE WAS NO POWER RUNNING THROUGH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 158,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 15, 2009Engine and engine coolingFire reportedODI 10255202
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE IN HIS DRIVEWAY, HE NOTICED FIREFIGHTERS OUTSIDE OF HIS HOUSE. HE THEN NOTICED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE ENGINE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TOWED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 21, 2008Engine and engine coolingFire reportedODI 10249492

Showing 6 of 198 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.