1998 Ford Explorer Fuel System, Gasoline Problems
Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA about fuel system, gasoline problems on the 1998 Ford Explorer, 3% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 94,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “fuel line” (11% of reports).
- 55fuel system, gasoline complaints
- 94,000median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 46%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Fuel line: mentioned in 6 of 55 complaints (11%)
At what mileage do fuel system, gasoline problems happen?
Based on 8 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 55 complaints, 3 a fire, 1 an injury.
Ford Explorer fuel system, gasoline complaints by model year
| Model year | Fuel System, Gasoline complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Explorer | 1 | 1% | 17,000 |
| 2022 Explorer | 15 | 6% | 50,000 |
| 2021 Explorer | 8 | 2% | 55,000 |
| 2020 Explorer | 2 | 0% | 83,000 |
| 2019 Explorer | 3 | 1% | 52,000 |
| 2018 Explorer | 4 | 1% | 60,000 |
| 2017 Explorer | 5 | 0% | 64,781 |
| 2016 Explorer | 7 | 0% | 57,950 |
| 2015 Explorer | 8 | 0% | 27,100 |
| 2014 Explorer | 9 | 1% | 24,800 |
| 2013 Explorer | 33 | 1% | 40,000 |
| 2012 Explorer | 7 | 1% | 23,000 |
| 2011 Explorer | 5 | 0% | 12,852 |
| 2010 Explorer | 1 | 1% | 60,000 |
| 2009 Explorer | 1 | 3% | 84,931 |
| 2008 Explorer | 2 | 1% | 104,125 |
| 2007 Explorer | 1 | 0% | 12,000 |
| 2006 Explorer | 18 | 3% | 70,000 |
| 2005 Explorer | 40 | 8% | 60,000 |
| 2004 Explorer | 19 | 1% | 38,525 |
| 2003 Explorer | 7 | 1% | 35,998 |
| 2002 Explorer | 42 | 1% | 54,000 |
| 2001 Explorer | 8 | 2% | 76,500 |
| 2000 Explorer | 12 | 1% | 44,430 |
| 1999 Explorer | 31 | 2% | 83,000 |
| 1998 Explorer | 55 | 3% | 94,000 |
| 1997 Explorer | 53 | 3% | 102,266 |
| 1996 Explorer | 14 | 1% | 175,500 |
| 1995 Explorer | 11 | 1% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: 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.
Risk: The fuel lines can leak, and in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could potentially result.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Check engine light comes on and o2 sensors have to be replace every thirty to forty thousand miles. Now o/d off light is flashing and car drives like it is in first gear, shifts hard. *tr
Doors and locks on my 1998 ford has been out of order they work when they want to!! I saw that it had a recall in 1999 i guess the last owner didn't get it fixed im sometimes locked out of my car 10-15 min at a time!! I was wondering can you do something or is it too late!! I really need to get…
While accelerating the vehicle hesitates as if it is going to stall. I've taken it and had it checked out. The only thing that has ever been found is faulty o2 sensors. *tr
Frequently asked questions
Do all 1998 Ford Explorers have fuel system, gasoline problems?
No. NHTSA has 55 owner complaints about fuel system, gasoline for the 1998 Ford Explorer (3% of the 1,959 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Ford Explorer fuel system, gasoline?
Yes: 1 safety recall list fuel system, gasoline. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do fuel system, gasoline problems start?
The median reported mileage is 94,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about fuel system, gasoline problems on the 1998 Ford Explorer?
The most frequent phrase is “fuel line”, in 6 of 55 complaints.
Other 1998 Ford Explorer problems
See all 1998 Ford Explorer problems or fuel system, gasoline problems across all Explorer years.