1999 Ford Explorer Sport

Fatalities reported

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 →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
70,000 milesMedian miles at failure

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.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner9
101
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control · throttle and acceleration4
042
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration4
010
Seats4
000
Electrical System4
000
Unknown or Other3
000
Tires3
100
Structure · body and frame3
001
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine3
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Sep 12, 2018187,043 milesFL

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.

Service BrakesCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 13, 2015125,000 milesKY

BRAKE 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

Structure
Filed Oct 15, 2014CA

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

Seats
Filed Jun 26, 201395,000 milesGA

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

Seats
Filed Jun 7, 2013200,000 milesCA

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

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Mar 1, 2012GA

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

Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields
Filed Jan 6, 201275,000 milesIL

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

Visibility
Filed Jan 5, 201276,500 milesIL

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

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Nov 11, 2011AL

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

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Jan 25, 2011135,000 milesSC

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.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 19, 201184,000 milesNE

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.

Steering
Filed Apr 25, 2010164,886 milesVA

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

TiresCrash
Filed Oct 26, 2009138,316 milesCA

TIRE BLOW OUT RESULTING IN CRASH. *TR

Seats
Filed Aug 25, 200970,000 milesFL

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

Steering › Column
Filed Aug 20, 2009TX

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 2, 2009156,000 milesTX

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

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Nov 25, 2008CA

NO MY TRANNY IS NOT WORK CORRECTLY. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 24, 2008102,000 milesCA

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

Vehicle Speed ControlFire
Filed Jun 30, 2008150,000 milesTX

FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT 4:00AM IN MORNING. *TR

Visibility › Windshield
Filed May 25, 2008135,000 milesKY

WINDSHIELD CRACKING AND STATIONARY WINDOW BACK PASSENGER WINDOW BREAKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Oct 9, 200736,000 milesAL

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

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 4, 2007DE

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

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 27, 2007126,000 milesAL

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)
Filed Sep 17, 200715,000 milesMD

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

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire
Filed Jun 28, 2007FL

ON ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE & CAR WAS DEEMED TOTALED. BY THE FIRE INVESTIGATORS IT WAS CONFIRMED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE, FAULTY DEACTIVATION SWITCH. *AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Jun 14, 2007MD

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

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire
Filed Apr 7, 200776,655 milesMD

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jan 17, 200749,300 milesNY

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

Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Filed Dec 13, 2006135,000 milesOH

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.

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire
Filed Aug 18, 2006109,685 milesMO

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

Electrical System
Filed May 25, 2006201,000 milesNH

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

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Apr 23, 200657,000 milesNV

(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

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 19, 2006IN

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

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Apr 10, 2006GA

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

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut
Filed Feb 21, 200655,000 milesMA

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

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Nov 14, 2005VA

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

Tires
Filed Nov 4, 2005AZ

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 20, 2005WI

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

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 11, 2005130,000 milesCA

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

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise ControlFire2 injured2 killed
Filed Sep 22, 2005GA

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.

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner
Filed Sep 8, 200595,265 milesCA

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

Vehicle Speed Control › Linkages
Filed Aug 15, 200594,400 milesMI

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

Air Bags
Filed Aug 3, 2005PA

WHILE DRIVING THE AIRBAG LIGHT LIGHTS UP WITHOUT ANY IMPACT. *JB

Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit
Filed Jul 25, 2005PA

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?

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed May 9, 200575,000 milesMA

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

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 9, 200570,000 milesMA

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 27, 200534,000 milesNY

WHEN STOPPED WITH FOOT ON BRAKE TRUCK SUDDENLY SURGES FORWARD.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed Mar 21, 200550,000 milesAR

@ 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

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner1 injured
Filed Feb 16, 2005CO

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

Electrical System
Filed Oct 26, 200430,000 milesIL

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: 2001
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20055100Routine
200418100Routine
200365110Routine
2002133571Fatalities reported
20011887114Fatalities reported
2000711100Routine
1999 — this page93052Fatalities reported
19981210130Routine
199737052Fatalities reported
19935010Routine

Compare every Explorer Sport year →

Reading 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.