2.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,186 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1999 Ford Explorer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #1

Aug 012003

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,186 miles
I purchased a 1999 Ford Explorer VIN #[xxx] from a Washington state Ford dealership in September 2002. The vehicle had 54,000 miles on it at the time, I have put 7,000 miles on it. The rear liftgate began to make a clunking/popping noise recently, and became difficult to close. I took it to our local Ford dealer, port angeles Ford Lincoln Mercury, and they tell me that the sheet metal where the hinges are mounted is tearing away from the structure and that it is not a covered item (I did purchase the Ford warranty plan), and that I will need to go to a body shop and have new steel plates welded in place at my expense. I do not believe that this is my responsibility, the steel that was used was obviously not strong enough to support using this liftgate, and I strongly believe that Ford is liable for this. Can you help me to confirm this? I am unable to use the liftgate at this time as the Ford dealer says the liftgate could fall off, possibly injuring someone. This vehicle has not been in any accidents. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Sequim, WA, USA

Add Complaint