1999 Ford Explorer

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 1,348 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the tires. It has been recalled 15 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

302 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles; the median is 82,201 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Tires189
27241
Tires › Tread/Belt148
15021
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer92
000
Vehicle Speed Control68
974
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor53
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission53
000
Air Bags53
11111
Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner35
103
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline33
100
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal31
100

15 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Vehicle Speed Control09V399000
Filed Oct 13, 20094,500,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Risk. A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy. FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Vehicle Speed Control07V336000
Filed Aug 3, 20073,600,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Fuel System, Gasoline06E056000
Filed Jun 13, 200658,640 vehiclesUfi Filters Usa

Defect. CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Risk. FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner03V281000
Filed Aug 5, 20031,552,880 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Vehicle Speed Control › Cables03V280000
Filed Aug 5, 2003448,005 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL AND 4.0L SOHC ENGINES, IF THE STRAND COVER ON THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE BECOMES FLARED AT THE END, THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE MAY BIND WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL IS ACTIVATED.

Risk. THE THROTTLE RETURN SPRING FORCE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO OVERCOME THE BINDING CONDITION WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL IS DISENGAGED. BRAKING FUNCTION WOULD BE MAINTAINED THOUGH STOPPING DISTANCES MAY BE INCREASED.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Tires › Tread/Belt01X001000
Filed May 22, 200113,000,000 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.

Risk. SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy. THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)00V395000
Filed Nov 28, 2000100,500 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 3.27 OR 3.55 AXLE RATION. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE A POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE THAT COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO EXCEED THE DESIGN INTENT TOP SPEED. AT THESE EXTREME SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE COULD BE CAPABLE OF EXCEEDING THE SPEED RATING OF THE TIRE.

Risk. OPERATING THE VEHICLE ABOVE THE MAXIMUM SPEED RATING COULD LEAD TO A TIRE FAILURE WHICH AT THESE SPEEDS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE.

Showing 10 of 15 campaigns, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 3, 2023PA

Gas pedal bracket fell off the firewall of the vehicle.jamming up under the brake pedal almost caused and accident. I got the vehicle stopped by using the Emergency brake did a temporary repair to get my vehicle to a shop to see about having repair done. After the vehicle was at the shop and repair was done the garage had informed me of the pour weld condition from the the gas pedal bracket was installed. Said repair was in deed done by the shop with all new weld being done and adjusted. After looking online for gas pedal problems for these vehicles Ford needs to have a nationwide recall to repair or replace these before someone gets serious injury or even death from a accident

Wheels
Filed Apr 25, 2022TN

Was driving under 20mph on my way home about 5 minutes away no warning no sounds nothing warned us that our tire was going to fall off the drivers side while driving with other vehicles on the road behind us and in passing us all 5 studs that hold the lugnuts on so tire stays on but all 5 studs broke and tire just fell off thank god no one got hurt. Just caused a anxiety attack I was scared that bad and that's bad enough. Plus had to have it towed costing $60.00 less than 5 mins. Away to get it home now it's sitting on a Jack with scotches and now I have to hope I can get help with getting my son to elementary school. My only car not now.

Power Train
Filed Mar 29, 2022PR

The transmission stopped going in reverse for no apparent reason. All other gears work fine. There’s no lagging when driving and no other signs. I went to put it in reverse to back out of my driveway and when I pushed the gas it just reved the engine up and floated backwards causing me to apply the brakes quickly so I wouldn’t hit my house. There was smoke coming up from the transmission fluid container.The smoke continues to this day and there’s the proper amount/ plenty of transmission fluid in the transmission container.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 5, 2021NV

THEY FIX THE CABLE FOR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND IS SAID THEY SHOULD CHECK ABS MODULE AND FIX AS NECESSARY THEY NEVER DID JUST SWITCH CABLE THAT'S ALL

Electrical System
Filed Dec 31, 2020210,000 milesIN

I NEED TO KNOW WHAT CAUSES THE ELECTRIC TO GO HAYWIRE. THE OVERHEAD LAMP CLICKS ON AND OFF THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK DOESN'T WORK COMPLETELY. THE DRIVER WINDOW DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. SOME OF MY GAUGES WILL DECIDE NOT TO WORK SOMETIMES AND THEN OTHER TIMES WE'LL BE FINE. MY RADIO CLOCK DOES NOT WORK. ALL HAPPENS THE SAME WHETHER I'M DRIVING OR NOT WHETHER I'M PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING OR NOT. I CAN'T FIGURE OUT ANYTHING IT'S CAUSING THIS

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Nov 16, 2019130,000 milesFL

ACCELERATION ( GAS STUCK OPEN AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO NOT TO BE CONTROLLED AND THE CAR JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT A CAR IN OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY). 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 13, 20191 milesFL

MY VIN WAS GOOD YESTERDAY, IT IS NOT IN YOUR OR FORD'S, COMPUTER TODAY...PROBABLY BECAUSE RECALLS FOR EXTREMELY DANGEROUS VEHICLES, SUCH AS THIS ONE, ARE VOLUNTARY AND TO BE ENFORCED BY THE CONSUMER AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. YESTERDAY, THE FORD RECALL NOTICE ON MY VIN SHOWED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS TO BE REPAIRED BY MY FORD DEALER ONLY IF FORD INTENDED TO CONTINUE TO MANUFACTURE PARTS AS WELL AS PROVIDE THE PARTS AND SERVICE ...IF FORD WAS NOT WILLING TO PROVIDE THEM THEY HAD TH OPTION OF PURCHASING THE AUTOMOBILE BACK. YESTERDAY, I POINTED OUT THAT FORD NEVER PROVIDED THE CORRECT PART, THEY INSTEAD RECALLED FOR THE WRONG PART.(THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPORTED TO EXPLODE AND BURN WHILE SAFELY PARKED IN THE GARAGE OR DRIVEWAY) THE PART WHICH IS ACTUALLY DEFECTIVE IS THE DESIGN OF THE ENTIRE SERIES OF VEHICLES WHICH FORD NO LONGER PROVIDES PARTS FOR ONLY WAIVERS OF LIABILITY. WHAT IS ACTUALLY WRONG WITH THE DESIGN IS THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM IS CONSTANTLY MAINTAINED UNDER PRESSURE BY THE FUEL PUMP, REGARDLESS IF THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING OR NOT. (MY CRIPPLED VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH NO FUEL IN IT'S TANK AND THE BATTERY TERMINAL DISCONNECTED.) I BELIEVE THIS INVOLVES ALL FORD VEHICLES OF THIS CHASSIS THAT WERE SUPPOSEDLY REDESIGNED, AT US GOVERNMENT EXPENSE, FOR E10 FUEL AND WERE NOT DESIGNED BY A FACTORY TEAM FOR PROFESSIONAL ALCOHOL FUEL RACING. DANGEROUS CONDITION: ALL AND ANY SERIES OF VEHICLES OF THIS DESIGN WILL EVENTUALLY SPRING A LEAK, REGARDLESS OF WHO IS AT FAULT AN

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 28, 2019100,000 milesNV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE HOOD OPENED AND CRACKED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND TIED THE HOOD DOWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT, WHILE DRIVING, THE SPEED CONTROL WOULD ENGAGE OR NOT ENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 13, 2018135,000 milesNC

DRIVER SIDE DOOR KEEPS OPENING UP WHILE WHICLE IS MOVING. THE DOOR IS CLOSED AND LOCKED PRIOR TO THE TRAVEL. BIG SAFETY ISSUE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 8, 2018120,000 milesIL

FOR YEARS NOW, THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING. IT CAN HAPPEN IN TOWN OR ON HIGHWAYS. AT TIMES IT WILL START RIGHT BACK UP AND IS DRIVABLE. OTHER TIMES IT NEEDS TO SIT FOR 15-20 MINUTES BEFORE BEING ABLE TO START AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH SOMETIMES IT WILL START AFTER A SHORT TIME, BUT SPUTTER AND STALL AGAIN WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE. THIS STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT 10-YEARS AGO, AND ALL THE LIKELY CAUSES HAVE BEEN CHECKED OR FIXED (I.E FUEL FILTER REPLACED). IT SEEMS TO USUALLY, IF NOT ALWAYS, HAPPEN DURING SPRING/SUMMER MONTHS WHEN IT IS WARM. NO MECHANIC, INCLUDING AT FORD DEALERSHIPS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY ANY PROBLEMS. IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT WILL STALL ON BUSY INTERSTATES AT SPEED LIMITS. THIE DATE AND INFO I USED FOR THIS POSTS WAS SIMPLY THE MOST CURRENT EVENT, BUT THE SAME EVENTS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING CONSISTENTLY FOR MANY YEARS.

Seats
Filed Jul 6, 2018120,000 milesCA

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY WAS CUT OFF BY ANOTHER VEHICLE REQUIRING ME TO HEAVILY BRAKE AND SHARPLY SWERVE TO AVERT COLLISION. BECAME IMMEDIATELY AWARE THAT HEADRESTS OF FRONT SEATS PROVIDED ABSOLUTELY NO (REPEAT NO) INJURY (E,G. WHIPLASH) PROTECTION. WHEN SITTING IN FRONT SEATS THE HEADRESTS CANNOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BE POSITIONED CLOSE TO THE HEAD OF THE OCCUPANT. THIS, IN TURN, PROVIDES THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR SEVERE INJURY SUCH AS "WHIPLASH" TO OCCUR. ATTEMPTS TO PURCHASE SAFER REPLACEMENT HEADRESTS FROM FORD AND OTHER AUTOMOTIVE PARTS STORES WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AS THEY WERE REPORTEDLY NEVER MANUFACTURED.

Air BagsCrash2 injured1 killed
Filed Dec 19, 2017220,000 milesAL

I WAS IN A REALLY HAD CAR ACCIDENT N,MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY N

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 5, 2017100,000 milesFL

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN DOORS FROM OUTSIDE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE IN AN ACCIDENT IF ATTEMPTING TO GET SOMEONE OUT. ALSO THE LATCH FOR THE HOOD HAS THE SAME PROBLEM

Steering
Filed Nov 21, 2017130,000 milesPA

THE GEARSHIFT ON THE COLUMN IS LOOSE AND DOES NOT LINE UP PROPERLY WITH THE GEAR INDICATOR. WHEN ITS IN PARK IT STILL DRIFTS FORWARD UNLESS THE GEAR SHIFT IS PUSHED UP PASS PARK. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHICH I WAS TOLD THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED FOR SOME TIME IN THESE YEAR FORD EXPLORERS.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 14, 2017200,000 milesTX

WHILE DRIVING ALONG A MAIN STREET I WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE FRONT RIGHT PORTION OF THE VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT THEREFORE, MY FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND AS A RESULT MY FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH CAUSE A BROKEN JAW AND CRACKED TEETH VEHICLE WAS MOVING FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR. I WAS RUSHED TO HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS MADE.

Air Bags1 injured
Filed Feb 13, 2017193,338 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED VARIOUS INJURIES TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BODY. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 193,338.

Engine
Filed Nov 14, 201690,000 milesNY

THE SINGLE OVERHEAD CAMSHAFT (SOHC) V6 ENGINE MAY HAVE AS MANY AS FOUR TIMING CHAINS WITH ASSOCIATED TENSIONERS AND GUIDES. I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING A RATTLING SOUND FROM MY ENGINE FOR YEARS AND IT USE TO COME AND GO, BUT NOW IT HAS GOTTEN WORST. I HAD NOTIFIED FORD MOTORS CORP., ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BACK ON 6-30-10 AND DIDN'T GET ANY HELP ON THIS MATTER, THE PERSON I SPOKE WITH TOLD ME THAT MY VIN# WASN'T COVERED. I RECENTLY FOUND THREE DOCUMENTS ON THIS PROBLEM, WITH A NHTSA # ON EACH DOCUMENT. ITEM NUMBER #630022, #620173 AND ARTICLE # 02-7-6. I HAVE ALSO BEEN BY A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE SAME. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE FORD DEALERSHIP IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY VEHICLE FIXED, AND IS HOPING TO CAN HELP.

Power Train
Filed Sep 15, 20162,931,000 milesIN

TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING. NEUTRAL IS ACTUALLY REVERSE OVER DRIVE IS NEUTRAL 2ND IS OD 1ST IS 2ND PAST 1ST IS 1ST GEAR. WHEN I MOVE POWER LAMP TO OFF MY HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF. ALL OF THIS HAOPENED WHEN I TURNED MY VEHICLE ON OR WHEN I WAS DRIVING.

Engine
Filed Jul 12, 2016130,000 milesNE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO CONSTANTLY SHIFT THE VEHICLE FOR IT TO BE OPERATED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THESE FAILURES, THE BRAKES, TRANSMISSION, AND OIL WERE CHANGED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000

Steering
Filed Jun 10, 2016186,200 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE DRIVER SIDE TURN SIGNAL ENGAGED, A PUFF OF SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,200.

20 of 1,348 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2002
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20270100Routine
2026341400Routine
2025982000Routine
2024201010Routine
20231081520Routine
20222642410Above average
20214232650Above average
20201,21233100Above average
2019294600Above average
2018728770Above average
20171,69114110Above average
20162,44915140Above average
20151,782910Above average
20141,676762Fatalities reported
20132,23412111Fatalities reported
2012827760Above average
20111,197840Above average
2010115200Routine
200933100Routine
2008148330Routine
2007208352Fatalities reported
2006630470Above average
2005497361Fatalities reported
20041,3044150High concern
20031,1317102Fatalities reported
20023,29510575Fatalities reported
200137512216Fatalities reported
200095215644Fatalities reported
1999 — this page1,34815444Fatalities reported
19981,9591410216Fatalities reported
19971,731125334Fatalities reported
19961,450113751Fatalities reported
199584312328Fatalities reported
19941,20778220Fatalities reported
19939399481Fatalities reported
19926337634Fatalities reported
199160911634Fatalities reported
199012010Routine

Compare every Explorer year →

Reading this record

4 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.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 13, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.