VehicleVerdict

1998 Ford Explorer fuel system problems

The 1998 Ford Explorer has 69 fuel system complaints filed with NHTSA — 3% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

69

Fuel System complaints

3%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Fuel System complaints by year

Related recalls

98V060000Fuel SystemMarch 19, 1998 · 320,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE FUEL LINES CAN LEAK, AND IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT.

Remedy

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.

Common questions

How many fuel system complaints does the 1998 Ford Explorer have?

NHTSA has 69 complaints about the 1998 Ford Explorer fuel system — 3% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1998 Ford Explorer fuel system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the fuel system: 98V060000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.