One problem related to brake disc pads has been reported for the 1998 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I own a 2000 Ford ranger and a 1998 Ford Explorer. I believe the accelerator pedal and the break pedal are too close together on both vehicles. On at least four occasions I have experienced my tendency to have my foot on both pedals at the same time when in a situation where I have to stop quickly. I t seems that I "panic" to some degree when in a situation where I must stop quickly to avoid a collision. This may be a very isolated personal 'quirk" as it were, but I have caused two rear end collisions so far and I now know that I am pressing both pads when trying to break. I know this because I remember vividly how my motor was accelerating while I thought my foot was only on the brake and I could not understand why my vehicle was not coming to a stop when most likely I had plenty of space available to make a sudden stop and avoid hitting the vehicle in front of me.