WENT TO APPLY BREAK PRESSURE DUE TO ANOTHER CAR RUNNING STOP SIGN IN PARKING LOT. WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. LOST BREAK PRESSURE AND COULD BARELY STOP. CHECKED BREAK FLUID WHICH WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY. NO BREAK LIGHT NOTICE PRIOR TO INCIDENT INDICATING LOW BREAK FLUID. ASKED FORD DEALERSHIP IF MY CAR WAS SERVICED DUE TO A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS DEFECT. WAS TOLD MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL POSSIBLE DUE TO BEING MANUFACTURE AT A DIFFERENT PLANT AND IT INVOLVED REAR BREAKS.
1999 Ford Explorer Sport
Owners filed 93 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the seats. No safety recall has been issued.
Not among the Ford Explorer Sport years to avoid. Which Ford Explorer Sport years to avoid →
52 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.
Most common 1999 Ford Explorer Sport problems
13 of the 93 complaints (14%) are about the seats.
| Component | Reports | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control · throttle and acceleration | 4 | 0 | 4 | 2 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Seats | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Electrical System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Unknown or Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Tires | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Structure · body and frame | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Engine and Engine Cooling · engine | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What owners reported
Newest filingsBRAKE LINE BROKE AND CAUSED ACCIDENT. NO WARNING AND I'VE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH BRAKES BEFORE VERY FRUSTRATED AND A SCARY SITUATION SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED . *TR
DOORS WILL NOT OPEN HAVE TO CLIMB OUT OF CAR WINDOW ON GROWING PROBLEM FIRST PASSENGER SIDE KNOW DRIVER SIDE A LOT OF EMBARRASSING MOMENTS TRYING TO GET OUT OF CAR AT WORK. *TR
1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT DRIVERS SEAT BACK UNLATCHED ITSELF WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY ONLY 20 MPH! REAR PASSENGER DRIVERS SIDE SEAT IS FOLDED DOWN FORWARD TO HOLD DRIVERS SEAT IN PLACE, UNTIL I CAN FIND ANOTHER USED SEAT. *TR
WAS DRIVING AROUND THE CITY WHEN I REACH INTO MY POCKET TO GET MY PHONE AND HEAR A LOUD THUMP COMING FROM THE SEAT AND THE NEXT THING I NOTICE IS THE SEAT RECLINING ALL THE WAY BACK. I WAS ABLE TO BRING IT BACK UP BY FOLDING THE EXTERIOR PASSENGER SEAT TO PROVIDE SOME SORT OF SUPPORT. WHEN I ARRIVED HOME I TRIED INSPECTING WHAT THE ISSUE WAS AND SAW A LARGE FRACTURE RIGHT NEXT TO THE RECLINING MECHANISM. THIS IS POTENTIALLY A HAZARD THAT CAN ONE DAY CAUSE A SEVERE ACCIDENT. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE BEEN DRIVING SLOW BUT IF I WERE TO BE IN THE FREEWAY THEN IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS. THIS LARGE FRACTURE SEEMS TO DERIVE FROM A POORLY DESIGNED SEAT THAT WEAK METAL OF SOME SORT. *TR
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK WONT UNLOCK WITH KEY OR WITH HANDLE, CANT UNLOCK DOOR WITH PULL KNOB EITHER,IT'S A DEATH TRAP IF U NEED TO ESCAPE IN THE EVENT OF FIRE OR ACCIDENT, THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD ASAP!!! *TR
FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE:FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO WORK CONSISTENTLY. WIPERS COME ON EVEN THOUGH IT IS SET TO THE OFF POSITION. SOMETIMES WIPERS DO NOT COME ON WHEN THEY ARE TURNED TO THE ON POSITION. IN ORDER FOR WIPERS TO WORK CONSISTENTLY THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE MANUALLY ENGAGE WITH HAND AND HAND HAS TO BE KEPT ON THE WIPER CONTROL SWITCH SWITCHING IT ON AND OFF TO MOVE THE WIPER BLADES. WIPERS WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. WIPERS WOULD ACT ERRATICALLY AND FAIL TO OPERATE PROPERLY 90% OF THE TIME. WIPERS SOMETIMES WOULD COME ON AFTER VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP. WIPERS CAN COME ON ANYTIME WHILE DRIVING. FAULTY HOOD/WEAK HYDRAULIC ARMS: THE HOOD CANNOT SAFELY STAY UP BECAUSE THE HYDRAULIC ARM SUPPORTS ARE TOO WEAK TO HOLD THE WEIGHT OF THE HOOD. THE HOOD SUPPORT DOES NOT LOCK INTO PLACE SO THAT THE HOOD WOULD STAY UP SAFELY. NO SAFETY BAR WAS INSTALLED ON THIS VEHICLE TO SAFELY HOLD UP/PROP UP THE HOOD IN CASE OF HYDRAULIC ARM/SUPPORT FAILURE. IF THE VEHICLE GETS BUMPED WHILE THE HOOD IS UP THE HOOD WOULD FALL AND CLOSE SHUT. BECAUSE THE HOOD WILL NOT STAY UP IT REQUIRES TWO PEOPLE WHEN CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD. ONE PERSON TO HOLD THE HOOD WHILE OTHER IS UNDER IT. EXTREME RUST & RUST THROUGH INTERIOR RUNNING BOARDS/STEP UP: BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR RUNNING BOARDS/STEP UP HAVE EXTREME RUST AND RUSTED HOLES THROUGH THE FRAME IN MANY SPOTS.WHEN THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS ARE OPEN ALL RUST CAN BE SEEN.SOME RUST AND RUSTED HOLES THROUGH TH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE DURING ACTIVATION. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD OPERATE WHENEVER THE WINDSHIELD WASHER CONTROL DEVICE WAS ENGAGED. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATED WHEN MANUALLY TURNING THE CONTROL LEVER. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED WHILE IN THE OFF MODE. IN ADDITION, THE HOOD SUPPORT ARM WOULD NOT REMAIN IN AN UPWARD POSITION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,500. UPDATED 02/22/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE WIPERS WOULD ACTIVATE, WHEN THE DEFROSTER WAS ON. UPDATED 03/01/12
I HAVE A 1999 FOR EXPLORER SPORT (2 DOOR) AND IN FEBRUARY OF 2011 THE DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE LOCKED AND AS NOT BEEN ABLE TO BE OPEN SINCE THEN. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ABOUT IT, THINKING THAT IT WOULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN IF IN A WRECK AND A PASSENGER COULD OPEN THE PASSENGER DOOR. WAS TOLD NOT A SAFETY CONCERN AND TO GET IT FIX I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A COMPANY CAN THINK THAT A DOOR ON A VEHICLE NOT OPENING IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN A CHILD PASSENGER IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE PULLED ON THE DRIVER SEAT TO RECLINE HERSELF AND THE SEAT RECLINED BACKWARD AND FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLT THAT HELD THE SETA IN PLACE FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V281000 (SEATS: FRONT ASSEMBLY: RECLINER) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD ENGAGE INDEPENDENTLY AND THE DOORS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK WITHOUT ENGAGEMENT. IN ADDITION, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ALSO DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V072000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS). THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
SON WAS DRIVING TO SCHOOL. MANEUVERED TO AVOID CONTACT WITH A DEER AND HE LOST CONTROL. TIRE BURST AND FRONT END COLLAPSED. HE DIDN'T MAKE CONTACT WITH ANY OBJECT. CALLED TRIPLE A TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED. TOW DRIVER IMMEDIATELY NOTICED AFTER PLACING VEHICLE ON HIS TRUCK THAT PART OF THE INNER OPERATIONS OF THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING CONTROL ARM ON ONE SIDE HAD CORRODED AND BROKE. HE STATED THAT THIS IS WHY OUR SON WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. HE SUGGESTED FOR US TO CALL THE MAKER OF THE VEHICLE AND SEE IF THE PART IS ON RECALL AND TO TAKE PICTURES BECAUSE THIS WAS A COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE GONE BAD. THE STEERING AND BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY SEVERED WHEN THIS PART OF THE STEERING CORRODED AND SNAPPED UPON A SIMPLE MANUEVER. WE HAVE NOT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THIS IS A PRODUCT LIABILITY SITUATION BY AN ATTORNEY. OUR SON WAS NOT INJURED. AND ALL OF THE DAMAGE IS UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THIS IN OUR OPINION IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IF HE HAD BEEN GOING ANY FASTER ON THE MAIN HIGHWAY THE OUTCOME WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH DIFFERENT BECAUSE OF THIS CORROSION OF THE INNER AREA OF THIS PART OF THE STEERING MECHANISM. *TR
TIRE BLOW OUT RESULTING IN CRASH. *TR
THIS BOLT WAS REPLACED ON MY VEHICLE IN JAN 2004 AS PART OF THE RECALL. THE NEW BOLT THAT WAS INSTALLED FRACTURED CREATING A VERY SERIOUS CRASH RISK. FORD SAYS THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE ONCE. AUTO RECALL DATE: AUG 05, 2003 VEHICLE COMPONENT: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER ESTIMATED VEHICLES AFFECTED: 1552880 MODEL AFFECTED 1999 FORD EXPLORER 1999 FORD EXPLORER DEFECT SUMMARY: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HIGH BACK SEATS, THE UPPER BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HIGH BACK SEAT, THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME, COULD FRACTURE. IF THE BOLT FRACTURES AND DOES NOT JAM IN THE SEAT BACK FRAME, THE SEAT BACK MAY RECLINE UNTIL IT MAKES CONTACT WITH AN OBJECT BEHIND THE SEAT, SUCH AS THE SECOND ROW SEAT CUSHION. DEFECT CONSEQUENCE: THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SEAT UPPER BOLT WITH A METAL SPACER AND BOLT. IN ADDITION, SEATS WITH TUBULAR BACK FRAMES WILL HAVE THE FULLY THREADED LOWER RECLINER BOLT REPLACED WITH A PARTIALLY THREADED BOLT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. ESTIMATED VEHICLES AFFECTED: 1552880 NOTES: FORD MOTOR COMPANY 03S04. *TR
SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY,ALSO WHEN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED . THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME. HAVE NOT SEEN ANY RECALLS OF THIS MATTER. *TR
MY TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY O/D LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF. THERE ARE MANY MANY COMPLAINTS ON GOOGLE WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. SOME HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION STICK LEADING TO CRASHES. FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL AND BE MAKE TO FIX THESE BEFORE THEY KILL SOMEONE, IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY. FORD IS VERY AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, AND NHTSA NEEDS TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE AND GET OUR VEHICLES REPAIRED!!! *TR
NO MY TRANNY IS NOT WORK CORRECTLY. *TR
WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE, THE CAR WILL NOT START. IT JUST CRANKS AND CRANKS,BUT, WILL NOT TURN OVER.....AS IF IT WAS OUT OF GAS WHEN IT IS NOT. THERE ARE MANY TRICKS TO GETTING THIS THING TO START THOUGH. IF THE WINDOWS ARE ROLLED UP ALL OF THE WAY, AND IT HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN BEFORE NOON, IT WONT START. IF I DRIVE IT IN THE MORNING WHEN IT IS COOL OUTSIDE, IT WILL ALMOST ALWAYS START LATER IN THE DAY. IF I DON'T DRIVE IT UNTIL THE AFTERNOON, AND THE WINDOWS HAVE BEEN LEFT DOWN AND IT IS PARKED IN THE SHADE, IT WILL ALMOST ALWAYS START. THIS PROBLEM HAS BECOME A NIGHTMARE. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP 2 DIFFERENT TIMES AND THEY HAVE YET TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN. THEY HAVE REPLACED RELAY SWITCH'S AND FUEL FILTER, BUT HAS NOT HELPED. I HAVE NOTICED THE "THEFT LIGHT" BLINKS RAPIDLY WHEN IT WONT START, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NO THEFT DEVICE ACTIVATED IN THE VEHICLE!!! THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DOESN'T ROLE DOWN HALF THE TIME, AND THE SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK SEAT "LOCK UP" EVERY TIME SOMEONE USES THEM TO THE POINT WHERE WHOM EVER IS USING IT HAS TO TAKE IT OFF AND LET IT RETRACT ALL THE WAY TO GET IT TO UNLOCK. THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES DURING A TRIP IN THE CAR. I AM OVER ALL DISAPPOINTED WITH THE CAR AT THIS POINT, AND WOULD LOVE TO SELL IT, BUT, I CAN NOT PREDICT FROM DAY TO DAY IF IT WILL EVEN START FOR A BUYER TO TEST DRIVE IT!!!! THE STARTING ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A FEW MONTHS, THE OTHER ISSUES HAVE BEEN H
FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT 4:00AM IN MORNING. *TR
WINDSHIELD CRACKING AND STATIONARY WINDOW BACK PASSENGER WINDOW BREAKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR
TL*CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. CONTACT STATED HE FOUND RECALL NUMBER 00V072000 ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE WHICH IS FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS. CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER MIRROR AND THE POWER WINDOW ALONG WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE DEALER INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 36,700 MILES AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 36,000 MILES. THE CONSUMER OCCURRED AT PURCHASE THIS ISSUE IS IDENTICAL TO A RECALL LISTED ON 1999 FORD EXPLORER 4WD VEHICLES, UNFORTUNATELY FORD DID NOT INCLUDE THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. UPDATED 10/31/07 *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). IN AUGUST OF 2007, SHE CALLED HER LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY HAVE STATED SINCE THAT TIME THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER HAS NOT OFFERED TO DISCONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,800. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
I HAVE A 1999 FORD EXPLORE. THE PROBLEM THAT I HAD WAS WHEN I WAS DRIVING UP A HILL GOING BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT WHILE NOT USING THE SPEED CONTROL MY FORD EXPLORE JUST STARTED TO ACCELERATE AT HIGH SPEEDS BY IT'S SELF. I COULD NOT SLOW IT DOWN. I THOUGHT THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE SPEED CONTROL BUT NO LIGHT WAS ON AND I HIT THE OFF BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES. FINALLY I HAD TO PLACE IT IN NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL ON ACCELERATION. I CALLED FORD AND THEY DID NOT HELP ME. THEN I HAD IT SENT TO A DEALERSHIP AND HAD THEM DOCUMENT WHAT WAS GOING ON WHICH THEY DID. THEY CHARGED ME SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX IT AND I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT. I AM SURE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT THIS HAS HAPPEN TOO, AND I AM WORRIED TO DRIVE MY CAR. *TR
1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT -SHIFT LEVER WAS HARD TO SELECT GEAR-THEN WENT SMOOTH,BUT DOES NOT ALIGN PROPERLY WITH CORRECT GEAR. WAS TOLD THAT CABLE AND ROD IN SHIFT COLUMN WERE BROKE/DAMAGED, THAT THIS VERY COMMON WITH MAKE/MODEL/YEAR. WAS TOLD THAT THIS COULD TOTALLY MALFUNCTION WILE DRIVING-ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE. HAVE NOT HAD MONEY TO FIX AT PRESENT. *TR
ON ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE & CAR WAS DEEMED TOTALED. BY THE FIRE INVESTIGATORS IT WAS CONFIRMED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE, FAULTY DEACTIVATION SWITCH. *AK
HOOD WOULD NOT OPEN. AFTER 2 HOURS OF WORKING ON THE LATCH THROUGH THE GRILLE, I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE HOOD. AFTER BUYING A REPLACEMENT FROM MY LOCAL FORD DEALER,$68.00, AND REPLACING THE CORRODED LATCH, THE NEW ONE WORKED FINE. FOR NOW. *AK
1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT WITH 76,655 MILEAGE CAUGHT FIRE, WHICH WAS PUT OUT BEFORE MAJOR DAMAGE OCCURRUED, THE FIRE STARTED AT THE MASTER CYLINDER, AT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. *AK
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HIS 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT AND APPLYING HIS BRAKES AT 10 MPH OR LESS THE ABS KICKED IN. THE BRAKE PEDAL LOST RESISTANCE WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CAN FEEL THE PEDAL GOING STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. THIS HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS, AND SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING 30 MPH OR MORE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS ABS LIGHT TURNED ON 2 DAYS AGO AND IS STILL ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #00V072000, REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN I NOTICED A LOSS OF POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING. I PULLED OVER AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. I CALLED THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY CAME AND TOWED IT BACK TO THEIR SHOP. THE REPAIR MAN TOLD ME THAT A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. IT REQUIRED EXTENSIVE REPAIR. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION HE TOLD ME THAT HE BELIEVED IT STARTED WITH THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. I WAS TALKING TO MY BOSS ABOUT A WEEK AFTER THAT AND HE INFORMED ME THAT THE 1998 EXPLORERS HAD A RECALL FOR THAT EXACT PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT YOU SHOULD INVESTIGATE THE 1999 EXPLORER SPORTS FOR THE SAME THING. *NM
WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN INSIDE VEHICLE. CONTACTED FORD TO SEE IF PART OF RECALL TO SPEED SENSOR SWITCH. FORD MOTOR CO. STATES VEHICLE NOT PART OF RECALL, DID NOT RECOMMEND ANYTHING. NO RESPONSE TO STEERING COLUMN SMOKING OR SMELLING OF BURNING ELECTRICAL WIRES. *JB
(1) DRIVER'S SEAT BACK LATCH BROKEN (2) COULD NOT ENTER, OR EXIT FROM, REAR SEAT ON DRIVER'S SIDE (3) FORD DEALER REPLACED LATCH TOTAL COST ABOUT $200. *NM
I BOUGHT A 1999 FORD EXPLORER IN 02 FOR 17,292.44 IN 05 WE HAD TO PUT A NEW MOTOR IN FOR 5,502.47 NOW HERE WE ARE IN 06 AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT TO REPLACE WILL COST US ANOTHER 2,900.00 SO HERE WE HAVE A FORD THAT IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD WITH 22,794.91 IN IT AND STILL NOT RUNNING I CAN NOT FIND THE RIGHT PERSON TO TALK TO CAUSE THE DEALERSHIP WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. *JB
SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER IN 2003, MY DRIVER'S DOOR HAS ALWAYS GIVEN ME TROUBLE WHEN USING THE KEY TO UNLOCK IT. RECENTLY, THE LOCK STOPPED WORKING WITH THE REMOTE AND I WAS FORCED TO OPEN THE FRONT DOOR BY REACHING FROM THE BACK DOOR. AFTER USING THAT METHOD FOR A WHILE, MY INTERIOR HANDLE IS NOW PERMANENTLY BROKEN AND THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM EITHER SIDE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND AN INCONVENIENCE. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HATCHBACK LIFT GATE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE BALL JOINT ON THE BRACKET CRACKED AND BROKE DUE TO RUST. THE ENTIRE LIFT GATE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT HAS NOT BEEN MADE. UPDATED 03/17/06. *JB
THE FRONT SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN AT ALL. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS BEGINNING TO EXHIBIT THE SAME PROBLEMS. *NM
DRIVING ON I-10 WHEN MY REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED CAUSING MY SUV TO SERVE AND ALMOST LOSE CONTROL. IT CAUSED OVER $3,000 IN DAMAGE. LUCKILY NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED AND NO ONE WAS HURT. IT IS STILL IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REVIEWED BY THE TIRE COMPANY TO SEE IF IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S ERROR. *JB
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM MY ENGINE I TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO LOOK AT IT AND THEY NEW WHAT IT WAS RIGHT AWAY IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER AND THE OWNER OF THE SHOP TOLD ME THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 4.0L ENGINES WITH THAT SAD WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL ON THIS PART THEY MAKE REPLACEMENT KITS JUST FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THIS LEAD TO MORE DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK REPLACING THE CHAIN IN ALL IT'S COASTING ME ABOUT 800 DOLLARS SHOULD THIS BE A RECALL BECAUSE IF THE CHAIN WOULD HAVE BROKE THE MOTOR WOULD HAVE BENT THE RODS IN THE ENGINE AND WHO KNOWS WHAT COULD OF HAPPENED? *NM
THE APPARATUS THAT HOLDS MY SPARE TIRE IN PLACE, BENEATH MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER SLS BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL OUT FROM UNDER MY SUV,ONTO THE ROAD. THANKFULLY, I WASN'T ON A BUSY 65 MPH HIGHWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED. OTHERWISE, A SERIOUS ACCIDENT INVOLVING VEHICLES BEHIND ME, COULD HAVE OCCURRED. *NM
ON 2/14/03, I WOKE UP SCREAMING THAT I SMELL SMOKE. MY FIANCE JUMPED UP, AND WE SCREAMED FOR EVERYONE TO GET OUT- BECAUSE THE HOUSE WAS ON FIRE. THE HOUSE BURNED DOWN WITH ME BREAKING BOTH ANKLES AND MY 2 OLDEST CHILDREN DYING. FOR TWO YEARS I NEVER KNEW WHAT HAPPENED. THE CAUSE WAS LEFT UNDETERMINED. THERE WERE SO MANY HOLES INTO WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT. EVERYTHING WAS INVESTIGATED, EVEN THE STOVE. NOTHING LEADS TO THE FIRE, EXCEPT FOR THE 1999 FORD EXPLORE TRUCK THAT WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. NO ONE INSPECTED THE TRUCK BECAUSE THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH RECALL. I FEEL THAT HAD WE KNOWN ABOUT THE FORD CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, WE WOULDN'T HAVE PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE THOROUGHLY LOOKED INTO, BECAUSE THE PLACE OF ORIGIN WAS IN THE AREA OF THE GARAGE.
WE WERE FORCED TO TAKE THIS VEHICLE FROM HANSEL FORD IN SANTA ROSA WHEN THEY FELT WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE 2004 FORD F-150 WE PURCHASED THEY HAD SOLD MY TRADE IN HADN'T MADE A DEAL WITH COMPANY FOR CONTRACT CAME A FEW DAY BEFORE FIRST PAYMENT DUE AND REPOED IT SINCE WE HAVE HAD CAR NIGHTMARES THE SEAT ON DRIVER SIDE BROKE JUST REGULAR TIME IT DOES A LOT OF JERKING AND SPUTTERING THE LIGHT WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO ETC..... PLEASE GET ME A DECENT VEHICLE FOR AFTER. *JB
ON 08/11/05,I HAD A GENTLEMAN INTERESTED IN PURCHASING MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. HE CAME TO LOOK AT IT, HE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD & MENTIONED THAT FORD WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CONNECTORS IN FRONT OF THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR & THAT SOME VEHICLES HAD EVEN CAUGHT ON FIRE! HE SAID IT LOOKED AS THOUGH IT HAD ALREADY MELTED. VERY CONCERNED, I MADE AN APPT FOR THE NEXT DAY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MOORE MOTOR SALES IN CARO, & HAD THE RECALL DONE. ON MY WAY HOME, I TRIED OUT THE CRUISE CONTROL - TO MY SURPRISE, IT DID NOT WORK! WHEN I RETURNED HOME, I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD TO FIND THE PART THAT I THOUGHT WAS TO BE REPLACED WAS STILL THERE! SO, I CALLED MOORE MOTOR SALES AND SPOKE TO HEATH PETERS. I QUESTIONED HIM WHY THIS MELTED PART WAS NOT REPLACED AND HE SAID THAT THE ONLY THING ON THE RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE WAS THE CABLE, NOT THE SWITCH. I EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT I WAS CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND MYSELF AT 8 MONTHS PREGNANT AS PASSENGERS. HE IMMEDIATELY SCHEDULED ME FOR ANOTHER APPT ON 08/15/05(MONDAY). OVER THE WEEKEND I TOOK THE TIME TO RESEARCH THIS ISSUE FURTHER. I DISCOVERED THIS "SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH, " HAD BEEN RECALLED IN SOME FORD VEHICLES, UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR OTHERS & MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME SWITCH AS THOSE UNDER THE RECALL. ON MONDAY, I WENT TO MY APPT AS SCHEDULED. I INFORMED HEATH THAT I WANTED TO BE THERE WHEN THEY LOOKED AT MY SUV. I SHOWED HIM & THE SERVICE TECH THE CHARRED SWITCH. THEY BOTH AGREED THAT THIS PART HAD MELT
WHILE DRIVING THE AIRBAG LIGHT LIGHTS UP WITHOUT ANY IMPACT. *JB
COMPLAINED OF LOUS RATTLING NOISE IN ENGINE ON 7/07/03, AND AGAIN ON 09/29/04 AT A DIFFERENT FORD DEALER. THERE ARE MAJOR MECHINICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE IN CONCERN TO THE ENGINE CAM GUIDES, REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND LOWER BASLL JOINTS WORN, WHY WASN'T MY FORD EXPLORER SPORT RECALLED FOR THESE PROBLEMS OR GIVEN THE SAME TSB AS THE 1999 FORD EXPLORER?
DT: DRIVING WHEN HE FELT GAS PEDAL WENT DOWN, IT BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ALL ON ITS OWN IN BUSY TRAFFIC. HE WAS PRESSING BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME IN EFFORT TO STOP. COULD SMELL SOMETHING AS IF BURNING. JAMMED IGNITION INTO PARK AND PULLED KEYS OUT. VEHICLE STOPPED. CALLED TRIPLE A AND THE COPS, VEHICLE WAS TOWED. NO ACCIDENT. NO REPAIRS YET. TOW DRUCK DRIVER SUPSECTS SOMETHING WITH GAS PEDAL HAS BROKEN OFF.*AK
THE CRANKSHAFT SHEARED OFF DIRECTLY BEHIND THE HARMONIC BALANCER, THE TRUCK HAS ONLY 70,000 MILES, WILL REQUIRE MAJOR ENGINE WORK TO FIX. IT BROKE UNDER NORMAL ACCELERATION CONDITIONS.*AK
WHEN STOPPED WITH FOOT ON BRAKE TRUCK SUDDENLY SURGES FORWARD.
@ 50,000 MILES RADIATOR WENT OUT AND WE REPLACED W/ NEW RADIATOR/ HEADS IN THE MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED / ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS / RE-BUILT TRANSMISSION PUT IN / DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINER FAILURE . *AK
THIS REPORT CONCERNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT 2DR 4X4. VEHICLE HAS 144,000 PLUS MILES. SPECIFICALLY THIS PERTAINS TO THE FRONT DRIVER?S SEAT (NON-POWER MODEL). OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT (BOTTOM FRAME) THREE TIMES. EACH TIME THE SEAT FRAME HAS BROKEN IN THE SAME MANNER. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE FRAME METAL RIPS/TEARS AT THE LOCATION OF THE MOUNTING BOLT FOR THE RECLINE LEVER. THIS TEARING CAUSES THE SEAT BACK TO RECLINE WITHOUT WARNING ON THE LEFT SIDE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO FALL BACKWARDS AWAY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. FORD HAS STATED THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY INFO ON THIS. THIS IS SOMEWHAT STRANGE AS THEY APPARENTLY DIRECTED DEALERSHIPS APPROXIMATELY 2 YRS AGO TO REPLACE THIS FRAME ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE PROBLEM IS VERY APPARENT AND A VERY EASY FIX. THE TEARING OCCURS JUST TO THE FRONT OF THE (FRONT) BOLT HOLE ABOUT 1/8 INCH FROM THE HOLE. THERE IS A LARGE SPOT WELDED PLATE INSIDE THE FRAME WHERE THE BOLTS FOR THE RECLINE LEVER INSERT INTO THE FRAME. IF THIS PLATE WAS EXTENDED ABOUT 4 INCHES OR MORE PAST THE FRAME HOLES THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT OCCUR. I HAVE DETAILED PHOTOS OF THIS FRAME AND PROBLEM AREA AVAILABLE FOR USE TO YOUR OFFICE AS WELL AS THE FRAME ITSELF.*AK
RECALL 00V072000 CONCERNING ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE INOPERATIVE. ALSO, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND THE 4X4 CONTROL WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *AK
Complaints 1-50 of 93, newest first, reproduced as filed.
Across model years
Worst on record: 2001Reading this record
2 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.