MYRModel Year Report

1998 Ford Explorer Sport

◆ Worse than typical
1998 Ford Explorer Sport
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:44:37.373Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Explorer Sport Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1993: 5 complaints 1993 1997: 37 complaints 1998: 121 complaints 1998 1999: 93 complaints 2000: 71 complaints 2000 2001: 188 complaints 2002: 133 complaints 2002 2003: 65 complaints 2004: 18 complaints 2004 2005: 5 complaints 2005
1998: 121 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19935
199737
1998121
199993
200071
2001188
2002133
200365
200418
20055

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 19%

19% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 23 distinct reports on file.

SEATS 9%

9% of complaints: seats — 11 distinct reports on file.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 7%

7% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 9 distinct reports on file.

TIRES 6%

6% of complaints: tires — 7 distinct reports on file.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE CONSUMER SWERVED TO AVOID AN ONCOMING CAR, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS BACK ON THE ROAD THE RIGHT REAR FIRESTONE (WILDERNESS AT P235/75R15) TIRE BLEWOUT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLLOVER THREE TIMES, ONE PASSENGER WAS TREATED FOR CONTUSIONS AND A...

NHTSA ODI report, 20010709

THE FIRESTONE TIRE BLEWOUT CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH INTO A TREE, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH, BACK, NECK, UPPER AND LOWER EXTREMITY BRUISES AND MUSCLE SPASMS (FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P235/75R15 1055 M/S DOT...

NHTSA ODI report, 20010420

THESE TIRES ARE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. WHEN THEY WERE FIRST INSTALLED, WE NOTICED A STRANGE SOUND. WE DID NOT ASSUME IT WAS FROM THE TIRES, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS RELATED TO THE ROTORS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131013

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6%

6% of complaints: electrical system — 7 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

No recalls on file for this model year.

▮ 1998 — complaint volume: 121
I 20050922 — DP (closed 20060104)

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Ford Explorer Sport — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for latches/locks/linkages issues (23 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seats issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for latches/locks/linkages issues (9 reports on file for this year).
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1997 ▲ 2003 ▲ 2000

WORST YEARS

■ 2001 ◆ 2002 ● 1999

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport?

The most-reported component is latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport have?

No recalls are on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.