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Safety and Reliability Ratings > 1998 > Ford > EXPLORER

1998 FORD EXPLORER
2 Dr Wagon Sport Utility
4 wheel drive


CARFAX has collected the industry's leading used car safety and reliability ratings into one, convenient report. With this report, you'll know the safety and reliability of your next used car. All information presented in this report is specific to the 1998 FORD EXPLORER. Please view the CARFAX Vehicle History Report for the detailed history of a specific used FORD.

 

CARFAX Safety Section One  Safety:

This information will help you select a vehicle model that meets your expectations for safety and security.

CARFAX Safety Section Two  Reliability:

Use this information to check how reliable a vehicle model is before you buy.


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NHTSA Crash Test Results National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration
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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) did not test this vehicle model.

Frontal Crash: Rating:   NHTSA Five Star Legend
Driver Not tested by NHTSA
Passenger Not tested by NHTSA
Side Crash: Rating:
Front Seat Not tested by NHTSA
Rear Seat Not tested by NHTSA
Rollover Resistance: Rating:
Rollover Resistance Not tested by NHTSA

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides 3 different ratings - full-width frontal crash test , side impact crash test , and rollover resistance . The frontal crash test indicates how well the safety features and restraints will protect an occupant in a head-on collision. The side-impact test conveys the chance of a severe chest injury, while the rollover resistance rating estimates the risk of rolling over in a single vehicle crash.


IIHS Crash Test Results Highway Loss Data Institute
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IIHS Crash Test Results for the 1998 FORD EXPLORER are not available in CARFAX Safety & Reliability Ratings.




Low-Speed Damage Repair Highway Loss Data Institute
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Front Crash Description: Front Crash Cost:
Front into flat barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Front into angle barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Rear Crash Description: Rear Crash Cost:
Rear into flat barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Rear into pole   Not tested by IIHS
Average Damage Per Test   Not tested by IIHS

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts four 5 mph crash tests to assess bumper performance. These results convey how well this 1998 FORD EXPLORER bumpers will protect the car body from damage in low-speed collisions. Low-speed damage repair costs are obtained from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute.


Injury, Collision, & Theft Indicators Highway Loss Data Institute
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Index: Score: Rating:
Injury Index 81 Average
Collision Index 120 Average
Theft Index 174 Worse than average


These scores are stated in relative terms, with 100 being the average for all cars in each category. Scores greater than 100 represent higher risk in each category. For example, an injury indicator score of 122 means that a passenger in this model is 22% more likely to be injured in an accident. The injury, collision, and theft indicators for this 1998 FORD EXPLORER are provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. Learn more about these results.



Safety Recalls
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NHTSA Safety Recalls:
Important: The following recalls were issued for the 1998 FORD EXPLORER by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). To find out if a specific 1998 FORD EXPLORER still has open recalls that require repair, CARFAX recommends contacting an authorized dealership for more information.

Recall date: 01-04-2001
Units potentially affected: 220,000
NHTSA campaign number: 00V422000
Defective part or component: FUEL:THROTTLE LINKAGES AND CONTROL
Description: Vehicle Description: Sport utility vehicles equipped with 4.0L SOHC engines and still retain the original throttle body (Part Numbers 97JF-9E926AB or 97JF-9E926-AC). Some of the original throttle bodies installed allowed a gap between the plate and bore to be built too narrow. This reduced clearance allowed the engine deposits normally present in the throttle body to contact or bridge the gap. If the engine deposits bridged the gap between the throttle plate and bore and then hardened, on the initial application of the accelerator pedal after the engine has cooled, the operator would need to apply additional force to the accelerator pedal to break the bridge. This could result in engine surge when the accelerator pedal breaks free. Dealers will replace the original throttle bodies.
Recall date: 06-04-2001
Units potentially affected: 13,000,000
NHTSA campaign number: 01X001000
Defective part or component: TIRES:TREAD
Description: This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Ford is replacing all Firestone Wilderness AT 15, 16, and 17 inch tires mounted on Ford trucks and suvs. Ford reports tread separation can occur due to a combination of the sensitivity of the tire design to stress, aging, and manufacturing differences between plants. Ford is replacing these tires to prevent possible premature tire failure. The vehicles listed below may have been originally equipped with Firestone Wilderness AT tires or may have had Wilderness AT tires installed during the Firestone recall launched in August 2000: certain 1991 through 2002 Ford Explorers, certain 2001 through 2002 Explorer Sports and Sport Tracs, certain 1997 through 2002 Mercury Mountaineers, certain 1991 through 2001 Rangers, certain 1999 through 2001 Expeditions, certain 1991 through 1994, and 1997 model year F-series, certain 1991 through 1994 Broncos. Note: both original equipment and replacement tires are affected. Should the tread separate at highway speeds, a vehicle crash could occur, possibly resulting in personal injury or death. The replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on March 31, 2002. However, customers can contact Ford at 1-877-917-3673 or go on-line to www.ford.com for possible assistance.
Recall date: 08-07-2006
Units potentially affected: 1,200,000
NHTSA campaign number: 06V286000
Defective part or component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Description: On certain trucks equipped with speed control, gasoline or natural gas engines, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat. Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire. Dealers will install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system free of charge. The recall began on August 7, 2006. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. (note: also see recalls 05V017 and 05V388)
Recall date: Not reported
Units potentially affected: 1,100
NHTSA campaign number: 97V215000
Defective part or component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT
Description: Vehicle Description: Multi-purpose passenger vehicles, Eddie Bauer and Limited editions. The key-in-ignition/door open warning chime may not function when the door is opened. This does not fully comply with FMVSS No. 114, ""Theft Protection."" 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. Dealers will install a jumper wire to provide the necessary ground circuit in these vehicles.
Recall date: Not reported
Units potentially affected: 320,000
NHTSA campaign number: 98V060000
Defective part or component: FUEL:FUEL LINES FITTINGS:METALLIC
Description: Vehicle Description: Multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with 4.0L single overhead cam engines. The engine fuel lines can be damaged if the vehicle is jump started and the ground cable is attached to the fuel line bracket that is located near the battery. Since the bracket is not grounded, the stainless steel fuel line braid could act as a ground potentially overheating the PTFE inner liner of the fuel line resulting in damage to the fuel line. The fuel lines can leak, and in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could potentially result. Dealers will install a warning label on the fuel line bracket advising owners not to use it for a jump start ground. Also a revised bolt will be installed in the alternator bracket to provide a convenient jump start ground location.


This 1998 FORD EXPLORER safety recall information was provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Data Loss Institute and is derived from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration list of safety recalls. Please call the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236) to report safety defects or to obtain information on cars, trucks, child seats, and highway or traffic safety. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by the National Highway Traffic and Saftey Administration, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



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J.D. Power Ratings
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Ownership: Rating:
Initial Ratings (up to 1 year)  
Overall Quality No data from source
  Mechanical Quality Rating 3 of 5
  Feature and Accessory Quality Rating 3 of 5
  Body and Interior Quality Rating 3 of 5
Overall Appeal No data from source
  Performance Rating 3 of 5
  Comfort Rating 3 of 5
  Feature and Instrument Panel No data from source
  Style Rating 3 of 5
Midterm Ratings (1-3 Years)  
  Mechanical Reliability No data from source
  Feature and Accessory Reliability No data from source
  Body and Interior Reliability No data from source
Long Term Ratings (3-5 Years)  
Overall Dependability No data from source
  Mechanical Dependability No data from source
  Feature and Accessory Dependability No data from source
  Body and Interior Dependability No data from source

J.D. Power and Associates uses selected highlights from the firm's quality and customer satisfaction syndicated studies to create the Power Ratings at the model-level. These ratings and awards are based on model rankings within each vehicle segment, whereas Power Circle Ratings compare all models across segments.

All information provided by J.D. Power and Associates is proprietary information owned by J.D. Power and Associates and is protected by U.S. and international copyright law and conventions. Reproduction of this information, in whole or in part, by any means is prohibited without the express written consent of J.D. Power and Associates, other than printing copies of the JDPA content by site visitors for their personal use. J.D. Power and Associates® is a registered trademark of J.D. Power and Associates.



Identifix Reliability Ratings
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Category: Comments: Rating:
Engine No data from source
Transmission & Driveline No data from source
Steering & Suspension No data from source
Brakes No data from source
Heating & Air Conditioning No data from source
Starting & Charging No data from source
Accessories No data from source
Identifix Legend


This 1998 FORD EXPLORER reliability information was provided by Identifix. Identifix is the nation's largest technical support service for the aftermarket auto repair industry. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by Identifix, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Original Manufacturer Warranty
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Coverage: Years/Mileage:
Basic 3 years or 36,000 miles  
Drivetrain 3 years or 36,000 miles  
Emissions 2 years or 24,000 miles  
Corrosion 5 years with Unlimited mileage  
Transferable Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered.  
Roadside Assistance Roadside assistance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles.  
Safety Belt & Inflatable Restraint Safety belt and inflatable restraint system are covered for 5 years or 50,000 miles.  
Specific Components 8 years or 80,000 miles  
Notes: Manufacturer covers emissions components under basic warranty. Emissions coverage may vary by state. Refer to owners manual for specific details. Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered. Roadside assistance is covered during basic warranty. Safety belt and inflatable restraint systems are covered for 5 years or 50,000 miles. Alignment and wheel balance covered for 1 year 12,000 miles  

This 1998 FORD EXPLORER warranty information has been provided by J&L Warranty Pros.


New Car Test Drive Review
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Category: Review:
Summary:

Subtle changes for the most popular SUV.
By Mike Knepper, NewCarTestDrive.com

The Explorer continues to be the best-selling sport-utility vehicle in the country. It isn't necessarily the best SUV in the country, at least if real off-road capability is a factor. Modest ground clearance and a long wheelbase limit its usefulness in rough country. What seems to keep the Explorer on top is its roominess, solid reputation for durability, quality engineering, good looks and its overall reputation as the leader. Those are the things that keep resale values up.

The single overhead-cam V6 engine is a sweetheart, and unless you must have the extra torque provided by the V8 for serious trailering, we can't advise spending the extra money.

The Explorer operates in a populous realm, against some very able competition. And it's not the least expensive, by any means. But for the kind of all-around uses most families find for their sport-utilities, the Explorer's formula is still tough to beat.

Overview:

There seems to be an unending stream of sport-utilities hitting showrooms. But none have come close to the popularity of Ford's Explorer.

It has been so successful that there has been little inducement to change it. However, there are some improvements for 1998. A programming change in the four-wheel-drive system sends more power to the front wheels under hard acceleration to lessen the likelihood of the rear wheels slipping. The standard ABS has been massaged to improve control on slippery surfaces, with reduced noise and vibration when activated. The rack-and-pinion steering system has been refined for better on-center feel and quicker response. All models now have Ford's SecuriLock security system, which the company claims is virtually impossible to defeat.

A simple three-position dial on the instrument panel controls the four-wheel-drive system. The normal mode is Auto. This mode continually monitors and adjusts power to the front wheels to minimize slip. The 4x4 High mode electronically locks the transfer case in high gear, providing a 50/50 torque split between the front and rear wheels; this mode is primarily for driving off road or in extreme winter conditions. The 4x4 Low mode switches the transfer case to the lower gear ranges for serious off-roading.

The Explorer offers an engine for everyone. Choices start with a 4.0-liter overhead-valve V6 rated at 160 horsepower. Next up is a 4.0-liter single overhead-cam V6 with 205 hp. And finally, the big 5.0-liter V8 makes 215 hp.

Explorer permutations are numerable. They start with a basic two-door, two-wheel-drive XL at $20,405 (including destination), and stop with the four-door, 4WD Limited at more than $35,000. Our tester, a four-door XLT 4x4, equipped the way many are sold, sits in between the extremes at $29,585. That includes the 4.0-liter sohc V6, our recommendation, for $540. The V8, with a trailer-towing package and four-speed automatic, tacks on another $1600. All told, in ascending order of trim and price, there is Explorer XL, Sport, XLT, Eddie Bauer and Limited. Deciding to buy an Explorer is not too difficult. Deciding which Explorer with which engine and which transmission could take an afternoon of brochure browsing.

Read the complete 1998 Ford Explorer review

© 2002 NewCarTestDrive.com

CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by NewCarTestDrive.com, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Awards
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View awardees recognized by Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com, Polk Automotive, and J.D. Power and Associates.



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