1999 Ford Explorer Sport
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Explorer Sport › 1999
These records cover every 1999 Ford Explorer Sport. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
93 complaints6 involved a crash5 involved a fire9 injuries2 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Service brakes
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…
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 brakes
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
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
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
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…
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
- Electrical system · Latches/locks/linkages
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
- Electrical system · Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields · Visibility
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…
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 the frame in many spots IS visible from the exterior even when driver or passenger side doors are closed. *tr
- Electrical system · Visibility
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…
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
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…
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
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…
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
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…
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
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…
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
- Tires
Tire blow out resulting in crash. *Tr
- Seats · Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
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…
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
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
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…
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
No my tranny IS not work correctly. *Tr
- Air bags › Frontal · Air bags › Side/window · Electrical system · Fuel system, other · Seat belts · Unknown or other
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…
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 happening for almost a year now. *tr
- Vehicle speed control
Fire in engine compartment 4:00am in morning. *tr
- Visibility › Windshield
Windshield cracking and stationary window back passenger window breaking for no apparent reason. *tr
- Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
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…
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
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…
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
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…
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) · Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
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 control
On engine caught fire & car was deemed totaled. By the fire investigators it was confirmed to be an electrical fire, faulty deactivation switch. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton V-8 and V-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or…
On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton V-8 and V-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi IS not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi IS aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi?s analysis showed, it IS possible for a spark plug to detach from the engine cylinder threads in the subject vehicles.however, odi?s analysis of 474 complaints describing such incidents found only a very few alleged any safety-related consequences.none of these showed any evidence of a serious safety consequence.given the large population and relatively long exposure time of the subject vehicles, the complaint analysis indicates that the risk to motor vehicle safety from the alleged defect IS very low.in view of the foregoing, it IS unlikely that nhtsa would issue an order for the notification and remedy of the alleged defect at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition.therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize nhtsa?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency?s safety mission, the petition IS denied.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10026389Ford: certain 1999-2001 model year vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in new york and certain 2001 vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in the state of maine, certified for sale in california-federal emission warranty refund.
- 10013369General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
- 637922Some vehicles built prior to 9/15/2001 may exhibit low line pressure readings while in drive, no 2ND gear, no 3RD gear, no engine braking in manual 1ST and slipping shifts and / or delayed engagements.
- 637803Concerns with brake vibration, roughness and / or grinding noise, and excessive brake rotor corrosion.
- 637755Some vehicles may exhibit a no 1-2 upshift, no 2-3 upshift, a no engine braking condition in manual 1 or diagnostic trouble code p0732 (gear 2 incorrect ratio) or p0733 (gear 3 incorrect ratio).
- 637710Some vehicles with 4wabs may exhibit diagnostic trouble codes c1233 and c1234 (anti-lock brake sensor output failure).
- 636212Some vehicles with 4wabs may exhibit diagnostic trouble codes c1233 and c1234 (anti-lock brake sensor output failures) in slippery conditions.
- 636065Information regarding discharged battery charging service tips and guidelines.
- 635998Low line pressure reading at wide open throttle (wot), slipping shifts and / or delayed engagements with possible diagnostic trouble codes p0732, p0733, p1762 set on vehicles built before 12/1/2001.
- 630636Some vehicles equipped with the 4.0L SOHC engine may exhibit a check engine light on with diagnostic trouble codes p0300 (random misfire) or p0301.
- 630605Some vehicles built before april 23, 2001 may exhibit a hard start/long crank after sitting for an hour or more due to fuel system contamination.
- 630442Some vehicles may exhibit a hard start/long crank condition after sitting for an hour or more.
- 630418Concerns with rear wipers that do not sufficiently clean the back glass.
- 630105Some vehicles built before april 23, 2001 may exhibit a hard start/long crank after sitting for an hour or more.
- 630022Some vehicles including 1997 through 1999 explorer sport trac equipped with a 4.0L SOHC engine may exhibit a start-up noise from the left front of the engine.
- 627927Some vehicles may exhibit vacuum or air leaks in the intake manifold and / or engine system causing diagnostic trouble codes p0171 and or p0174.
- 625759Information on service parts for hard start condition.
- 622817Some vehicles with 4.0L SOHC engines may make a start-up noise from the left front of the engine.
- 619276On some vehicles, including sport and sport trac, the front axle leaks fluid from the vent tube.
- 618083Air bag lamp on with diagnostic trouble codes b1994 and / or b1998 stored in memory.
Every Ford Explorer Sport model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.