1998 Ford Explorer Latches/locks/linkages Problems
Owners have filed 65 complaints with NHTSA about latches/locks/linkages 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: “side door” (32% of reports).
- 65latches/locks/linkages complaints
- 94,000median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $340typical repair cost reported by owners
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Side door: mentioned in 21 of 65 complaints (32%)
- Hood latch: mentioned in 6 of 65 complaints (9%)
- Open inside: mentioned in 5 of 65 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical latches/locks/linkages repair on the 1998 Ford Explorer at $340, and half of them between $230 and $800.
Based on 5 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2003–2009), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do latches/locks/linkages problems happen?
Based on 26 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 65 complaints, 2 an injury.
Ford Explorer latches/locks/linkages complaints by model year
| Model year | Latches/locks/linkages complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Explorer | 1 | 2% | 1,623 |
| 2025 Explorer | 1 | 1% | 1,200 |
| 2024 Explorer | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2023 Explorer | 1 | 1% | 6,700 |
| 2022 Explorer | 2 | 1% | 31,500 |
| 2021 Explorer | 1 | 0% | 55,401 |
| 2020 Explorer | 7 | 1% | 46,500 |
| 2019 Explorer | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2018 Explorer | 2 | 0% | 70,000 |
| 2017 Explorer | 5 | 0% | 80,000 |
| 2016 Explorer | 5 | 0% | 130,000 |
| 2015 Explorer | 1 | 0% | 122,000 |
| 2014 Explorer | 3 | 0% | 94,000 |
| 2013 Explorer | 16 | 1% | 36,825 |
| 2011 Explorer | 1 | 0% | 28,472 |
| 2007 Explorer | 1 | 0% | 123,000 |
| 2005 Explorer | 10 | 2% | 25,962 |
| 2004 Explorer | 23 | 2% | 72,500 |
| 2003 Explorer | 17 | 2% | 87,500 |
| 2002 Explorer | 50 | 2% | 70,500 |
| 2001 Explorer | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2000 Explorer | 29 | 3% | 92,100 |
| 1999 Explorer | 33 | 2% | 109,000 |
| 1998 Explorer | 65 | 3% | 94,000 |
| 1997 Explorer | 32 | 2% | 85,000 |
| 1996 Explorer | 34 | 2% | 99,500 |
| 1995 Explorer | 11 | 1% | 100,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Problem: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The secondary hood latch may corrode at the latch pivot and stick in the open position.
Risk: If this occurs and the primary hood latch is either not engaged or is released, a hood fly-up could occur.
Fix: Dealers will install a secondary hood latch with components that are coated prior to assembly for improved latch pivot corrosion protection.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford explorer. The contact stated that when the vehicle was parked, the front passenger side door did not open from the inside or outside. The contact stated that the passenger had to climb over and go out of the front driver's side door. The vehicle was not taken to a…
I drive a 1998 ford explorer sport. Over the past two years, the locks on both the driver and passenger door have jammed, preventing the occupant from opening the door. The repairs have been very costly (around $800 total), and the faulty/jammed locks have posed significant safety concerns, since…
Door locks are stuck on passenger side of 1998 ford explorer. The door will not open at all. *tr
Frequently asked questions
Do all 1998 Ford Explorers have latches/locks/linkages problems?
No. NHTSA has 65 owner complaints about latches/locks/linkages 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 latches/locks/linkages?
Yes: 1 safety recall list latches/locks/linkages. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do latches/locks/linkages problems start?
The median reported mileage is 94,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix latches/locks/linkages problems on the 1998 Ford Explorer?
Owners report a typical cost of $340 (half paid between $230 and $800), from 5 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about latches/locks/linkages problems on the 1998 Ford Explorer?
The most frequent phrase is “side door”, in 21 of 65 complaints, followed by “hood latch” (6).
Other 1998 Ford Explorer problems
See all 1998 Ford Explorer problems or latches/locks/linkages problems across all Explorer years.