Model Year Problem Record

Ford Explorer Sport 1998 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

121Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

0Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

3Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

22Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Latches, Locks and Linkages33

Electrical System18

Seats14

Vehicle Speed Control12

Engine12

Tires11

Fuel and Propulsion System3

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Latches, Locks and Linkages33 complaints

33 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

No recall campaigns cover this model year.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20014

20024

200325

200418

200526

200610

200716

20085

20096

20103

20111

20131

20161

20171

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.