Five problems related to axle assembly have been reported for the 1998 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
While driving, rear axle broke on driver's side. Consumer lost control, causing a vehicle roll over. Driver injured.
April 2, 2002, while driving on a flat, straight freeway, the rear driver's side axle broke. The tire came off the car and sailed through the air. I lost control of vehicle immediately, resulting in a severe skid and vehicle roll-over. Crash resulted in driver sustaining large bump on head from roof collapse and a concussion. Numerous cuts, bruises, and severe muscle stress/strain of neck, shoulders and back. Also received deep contusion on chest due to seat belt retraction. I feel blessed to be alive to make this report. 2 weeks after accident still experiencing body pain. I can just now talk about the roll-over without crying. My family and myself have been through hell. Vehicle is a total loss.
I feel this SUV is very unsafe Ford and dealership state otherwise. No safety defect recorded.
Rr axle shaft broken, resulting in loss of control, vehicle ran off the road and overturned. (n. C. Crash report).
Axle failure.