10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
9 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
9,159 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 #33

Jan 182006

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles
Brake fluid level drop in reservoir corresponding to brake pad wear, will result in air entering brake system and resulting in loss of brake pedal efficiency, prior to fluid level in reservoir reaching the min. Level when vehicle is on level ground. Fluid was flushed/bled but anti-lock light remains on and brake efficiency is noticeably deteriorated.

- Las Cruces, NM, USA

problem #32

Mar 152005

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving approximately 80 mph acceleration pedal was let go but speed did not decrease. Consumer then applied brakes but had no effect. He tried to apply the brakes again which slowed vehicle down. Accidents were avoided while pulling to shoulder of road.

- Martinsburg, WV, USA

problem #31

May 102004

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,889 miles
1999 Ford Explorer eddie bauer edition... we had gone out to dinner and when leaving the parking space it sounded as if we ran over a glass bottle. My husband looked around the vehicle and could not find anything. I got in the drivers seat and it felt as if the emergency brake was on (was not) and was very hard to move. We returned to the parking space, turned off the vehicle getting ready to call aaa for services. We both heard a "release" sound. He turned on the vehicle, backed up and we drove home very carefully. The next morning the vehicle was at the dealership to look into this mystery. The brakes were fine; however, they found the following to repair: *seals to brakes *rear axle pinion seal *both lower ball joints on the front end I was told the front right tire ball joints were completely worn down and the tire was just wobbly held on by the lug bolts. We recently purchased this vehicle and would appreciate your help in reviewing the past recalls on this type vehicle. This could and would have been an extreme hazard with probably extreme injury to the persons involved. Also, if you can please check the past history of the owners to make sure they have kept the vehicle maintained with any suggested recall items. Thank you, marlene morgan

- Indian Trail, NC, USA

problem #30

Apr 222003

Explorer 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,373 miles
The ABS hydraulic brake line from L/H fender ABS component to R/H front brake assembly was rubbing against the steering column which caused it to wear. Steel brake line was replaced.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #29

Jul 152000

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer states the anti-lock braking system failed.

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

problem #28

Jul 152000

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer states the ABS system failed.

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

problem #27

Aug 112001

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer's daughter was traveling about 65mph on highway traffic was heavy and vehicles were traveling fast. There was another vehicle in front of the lane. Steering column and brakes weren't functioning. Consumer continued to travel, and she hit guardrail on side, and went onto grass area. Dealership was aware of problem.

- Laredo, TX, USA

problem #26

Jul 102001

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Brakes have been a problem since December 2000. There has been extended stopping distance. Also, brakes constantly squeaked. ABS light was repaired, but intermittently went on and off. Dealer stated "that ABS light being on would not affect brake system". on July 10, 2001, brakes were still squeaking. Consumer left vehicle at dealer's for a month, and dealer stated that rotors were warped, and pads worn out. Dealer resurfaced and replaced pads for both front and rear rotors on Dec-20-2000. Also, dealer replaced pads again on 4-27-2001. On 6-29-2001, brakes had excessive brake dust. Dealer couldn't find problem. On 7-10-2001, dealer test drove and heard squeaking. Dealer cut and replaced rotors. But, problem still exists.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #25

Jul 062001

Explorer

  • miles
Rollover almost occurred from blown tire/excessive play in steering-bad service-no one wants to take responsibility. Vehicle frame is bent and a lot of damage to vehicle-I feel that the vehicle is unsafe to drive. Insurance does not want to cover costs on tires because tire was brand new was replaced by drew Ford on 7-2-01 and blew out on 7-6-01. They said something about it being caused by low inflation and the tire was just replaced on 7-2-01. The service men should have checked the pressure at that time of replacing the tire. (dot number: M6hltb2R21 tiresize: P235/75R15)

- Alpine San Diego, CA, USA

problem #24

Jun 302001

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
This vehicle was purchased for $24,000 at ray anderson, huntington Ford, two weeks prior to the accident. While en route to Texas, in Mississippi, the lights came on the dash panel and the brakes failed. The driver tried to exit applying brake pressure, but there wer not brakes. The vehicle plummeted down an embankment into a ditch. Injuries included a broken back/ broken arm/ 2 broken legs, and severe facial lacerations.

- Pontiac, MI, USA

problem #23

Mar 012000

Explorer

  • miles
Braking system has failed on this vehicle 4 times in less than 40,000 miles, 3 master cylinders not counting the original, and 3 complete braking systems on all 4 wheels. This vehicle is being repaired at scarff Ford in auburn, wa and put back on the road, if it has not been fixed the four time, what makes them think the fifth time will do it. This vehicle is not only a hazard to whom ever gets it, but to everyone around it. Why are they allowed to put a vehicle back on the road with known problems?

- Auburn, WA, USA

problem #22

Jun 152001

Explorer

  • miles
Moving approx 5mph in parking lot - truck started to stall - pressed accelerator - throttle engaged full open - running into truck in front of us. Had to put vehicle in neutral & turn off engine to stop forward motion. Brakes would not hold.

- Sorrento, FL, USA

problem #21

May 312001

Explorer

  • miles
Vehicle is a 2wheel drive vehicle but it has a 4 wheel drive system inside of vehicle. ABS braking system lights comes on when applying brakes. Dealership is aware of problem.

- Swinsboro, GA, USA

problem #20

Jan 092000

Explorer

  • miles
While driving about 15 mph touched gas pedal and vehicle accelerated on its own, and pedal went to floor, where consumer pressed brakes pedal to stop, but did not stop until turned off ignition switch. The vehilcle accelerated on its own three times.

- East Boston, MA, USA

problem #19

Nov 162000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Tires: Developed a vibration as though there was a bump on a tire on the vehicle. I had this checked on several occasions at the dealership and at the Firestone store in our area. The dealership tells me everytime I take it in that the tires need rotated. These tires must have been rotated on 10 different occasions by either myself or the dealership. This does not change the bumping but did seem to alter the origination point of the vibration. Brakes: The brakes continue to squeel and on two occasions faded as though there were no brakes. The dealership states they can't find the problem. This was checked several times. 4WD: The computer would throw the 4WD in and out of operation while driving down the road at any speed. At first the dealership could not find the problem. Later they determined that it was the computer. It still appears to do this on occasion but it is difficult to tell with the other bumps and vibrations caused by the tires. Both the dealership and Firestone have looked at the tires which still have good tread and stated they were fine. All of these have been present since the vehicle was new and have been checked on numerous occasions throughout our ownership. This is a leased vehicle. Otherwise it would be gone!( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Altoona, PA, USA

problem #18

Nov 162000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Tires: Developed a vibration as though there was a bump on a tire on the vehicle. I had this checked on several occasions at the dealership and at the Firestone store in our area. The dealership tells me everytime I take it in that the tires need rotated. These tires must have been rotated on 10 different occasions by either myself or the dealership. This does not change the bumping but did seem to alter the origination point of the vibration. Brakes: The brakes continue to squeel and on two occasions faded as though there were no brakes. The dealership states they can't find the problem. This was checked several times. 4WD: The computer would throw the 4WD in and out of operation while driving down the road at any speed. At first the dealership could not find the problem. Later they determined that it was the computer. It still appears to do this on occasion but it is difficult to tell with the other bumps and vibrations caused by the tires. Both the dealership and Firestone have looked at the tires which still have good tread and stated they were fine. All of these have been present since the vehicle was new and have been checked on numerous occasions throughout our ownership. This is a leased vehicle. Otherwise it would be gone! (tiresize: P235/75R15)( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Altoona, PA, USA

problem #17

Nov 122000

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Coming to stop, pulling into parking space, and about to apply brakes when vehicle accelerated/ surged foward at a high rate speed, causing vehicle to go over concrete porch, knocked over 6 pole, and hit wall of restaurant. During acceleration consumer slammed on brakes, but vehicle would not stop until 5-6 feet later. Firestone Wilderness AT tires caused trauble to the consumer and had to be replaced by bf good rich tires.

- Joelton, TN, USA

problem #16

Oct 262000

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Speed control cable was replaced for recall 99V062000/ manufacturer's 99S09. After vehicle came from dealer ABS light came on & stayed on. ABS light didn't come on until speed control cable was replaced.

- Eatonton, GA, USA

problem #15

Oct 122000

Explorer

  • miles
No summary

- Bayamon, PR, USA

problem #14

Oct 132000

Explorer

  • miles
No summary

- Bayamon, PR, USA

Read the next 13 complaints »