1998 Ford Explorer Consumer Reviews

Best truck I've ever owned

Written by: blasterrat on 02/01/2008

Vehicle

1998 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer AWD

Review

A great auto. Good gas mi.16/21, lots of cargo room, good design. Parts are expensive. Never been stuck and I do a lot of off roading. I would definetly buy another if I could afford, new price is ridiculous. Overall i am really impressed by this truck.

Favorite Features

AWD, V-8 engine

Suggested Improvements

Make replacement parts affordable

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Got my Money's Worth

Written by: mispinla on 01/17/2008

Vehicle

1998 Ford Explorer 4 Dr XL Utility

Review

I bought my Ford in 2002 and have literally driven it high and low and everywhere in between. It has 155,000 miles on it and I've never been stranded on the side of the road, had to rent a car due to service/or repairs, nor had to repaint or wax my car. I'm sure it could use a good detail and wax job now, but I've gone as long as two months w/o washing it! Sure it drinks gas, it's a truck! It's also very comforatble and roomy. The only real complaint I have is I've had to replace the driver side and passenger rear door handles and the center console broke one day when my 200lb+ friend leaned a little too much on it as she climbed in, and sometimes wierd stuff happens w/ the electricity

Favorite Features

It's roomy and comfortable and has proven very reliable and pretty durable. Decent sound system and good interior design.

Suggested Improvements

Better door handles, fix the electrical system, and center console design.

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Feels Unsafe

Written by: Josh on 01/13/2008

Vehicle

1998 Ford Explorer 4 Dr XLT 4WD Utility

Review

Our father bought his second Explorer from my grandfather in 2005. It can get you from point A to point B, but with mediocre comfort. We use this for towing tools on a small trailer, which works great. Our car never came with the fog lights hooked up and we haven't since set them up. The dash is confusing and looks cheap, not to mention it is full of gaps. We have a CD Changer, which we don't use, the CD/Cassette/Radio/Phone set up is cool. The vehicle is fully loaded. The compass/thermometer in the overhead console is nice, but is off on the temp. Sitting in the front seems like your going to fly forward and hit your head, which I nearly did last night. Overall, this seems like a tow-truck

Favorite Features

Sunroof, rear temperature controls, roomy!

Suggested Improvements

Better quality- there are so many recalls!, better colors, for the price you expect a high finish and better electronics, Explorers don't feel safe.

0 out 2 people found this review helpful

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wow

Written by: THEMAN on 12/07/2007

Vehicle

1998 Ford Explorer 2 Dr Sport Utility

Review

I bought a 98 explore sport with 98,000 miles so i know it would have some wear and tear but not like this. The jirst month i had it the trans went then the U joiints. I got them fixed then the rear went and to top it off i only was getting 16 miles to the gallon

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

0 out 2 people found this review helpful

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98 2dr sport 5 speed 2WD

Written by: hawc on 11/05/2007

Vehicle

1998 Ford Explorer 2 Dr Sport Utility

Review

Purchased from a family member two years ago. I've had to replace ABS speed sensor and both 02 sensors (FYI: if your ABS light is on in your Explorer then it's about a 90% chance you just need a very inexpensive speed sensor which can be replaced in under fifteen minutes). The car has otherwise been reliable. Ride quality and handling are decent. Performance is lacking in the OHV 4.0 liter especially from a standing start. It's a lot of heft to get rolling afterall. Once your up to speed, performance is actually quite decent.

Favorite Features

Nice styling. Has the looks of a 4WD model. Durability of the OHV V6. 4 wheel disc brakes. 16" alloy wheels. The ease of folding down rear seats.

Suggested Improvements

Arm rest broke prematurely. Manual transmission gearing is off. Radio display is out (another common problem) Rear wiper could be improved.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Explorer reliable and functional

Written by: Jerry G on 10/24/2007

Vehicle

1998 Ford Explorer 4 Dr XL Utility

Review

My Explorer has been a reliable car. A few things needed replacing (window motor & an engine part or two, but nothing major). Overall I have been very pleased with the XL. The size is great and the mileage isn't bad for an SUV - low 20s on the highway. About 17 in the city. It rides a bit like a truck - because, well it's a truck essentially. It starts easily and starts smoothly every time. Some rate the Explorer a bit lower, but I've had no major problems. It has been a good vehicle.

Favorite Features

Best item: Reliable. Also, the size is really handy for hauling, etc.

Suggested Improvements

Stiff ride, but I understand that has been improved on later models.

1 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Reliable workhorse

Written by: Love to travel on 05/28/2007

Vehicle

1998 Ford Explorer Limited AWD

Review

Purchased 2 years old with 34,000 miles. Original flaws repaired under warranty by first owner, but had to take it in to redo the front differential pinion seal. Relatively few problems over 7 years and 70,000 miles: the usual DPFE failure, cruise control servo that went out at 100,000, squeaky bushing requiring replacement of an anti-wind up bar in the rear suspension, very short lived ignition wires - replaced twice. Major annoyance: disappearing display of the MACH radio - replaced the power board myself; otherwise a very expensive repair. Minor annoyance: squeaky front axle seals in cold weather. Overall, compared to other vehicles that I owned, a very reliable, almost trouble- free performer.

Favorite Features

Powerful, troublefree 5.0 engine. Strong, chassis-on-frame, real SUV construction; unlike those newer sardine-can 'unibody' cars pretending to be SUVs. Easy access to spark plugs through the wheel well - the easiest I have seen on any modern vehicle. Troublefree A/C even at 100,000 - quite amazing!

Suggested Improvements

Original brake pads dangerously weak - had to replace with aftermarket. Radio display fiasco should have been fixed by Ford for free. Headlights are very poor, due to the combined high/low beam design. Needs twin headlights, like Crown Vic. Fog lights are useless - needs cornering lights instead.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Great SUV

Written by: gatormike on 04/07/2007

Vehicle

1998 Ford Explorer 4 Dr Eddie Bauer Utility

Review

This has been a great SUV for my family. The vehicle handles well and has excellent pick up. It has been very reliable. I must say, on the negative side, that the overhead instrument panel display lights went out and the moonroof frame came out, however it did not affect the operation. Those are about the only problems we have had and we have had the vehicle for 4 years. I put a captain's bed in the vehicle and I am amazed at the cargo capacity. I know the Explorers have a bad reputation for rolling so I am very careful but all in all I love the vehicle.

Favorite Features

Cargo space. Ease in putting seats down in rear. Easy handling.

Suggested Improvements

Improved gas mileage.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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50/50

Written by: Twinklesparkle002 on 03/01/2007

Vehicle

1998 Ford Explorer 2 Dr Sport Utility

Review

I'm 50/50 on the good and the bad, but I guess for the price, that it is good. I love how it takes corners, but I hate having to fight the locks while holding a baby. Car seats do not fit in the back seats unless you want your chair kicked or hugging the dash. But I love how it gets up and goes.

Favorite Features

Power windows, ac/heater, v6, great handling, and small for a SUV.

Suggested Improvements

Control panel lights, radio led, check engine light (fuse?), rear wiper, no car seat room, transmission, and door locks.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Love it - usual problems

Written by: Chuck on 01/05/2007

Vehicle

1998 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer AWD

Review

My EB has 130,000 on it now. Have had typical problems that would be found on any vehicle regardless of the make. Brakes, shocks, squeaks and rattles, etc. All of these things I consider normal for an older vehicle. Ball joints are a problem and very expensive because they're part of the entire upper control arm assembly. Replacement is fairly easy for a backyard mechanic, but $200 labor for each side from a dealer wouldn't be out of the question. Gas mileage is better than my best friend's V6 EB. I average 22 hwy and 17 city. Keep the vehicle well cared for and it will treat you well. Overall, I'm very satisfied and would gladly buy another.

Favorite Features

Brakes are very strong. Good power when you need it (but watch that gas needle go down!). Rear sound controls for my daughter on long trips. Interior has held up wonderful...seats still look like new.

Suggested Improvements

A replaceable ball joint that only costs the typical $30-40 NOT $200-300. The front suspension system is silly and doesn't ride any better than other systems/ styles.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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