2000 Ford Explorer Sport
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Explorer Sport › 2000
These records cover every 2000 Ford Explorer Sport. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 2000 Ford Explorer Sport. Newest first.
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles with steel hoods and certain pickup trucks equipped with sheet molding compound hoods. a wire formed hood striker could be susceptible to fatigue fractures. if the hood striker fractures, the hood could fly open while the vehicle IS being driven.
Risk and remedy
Risk
A hood fly-up while the vehicle IS being operated could result in reduced driver visibility.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the hood striker.
Owner complaints
71 complaints6 involved a crash10 involved a fire9 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine
TL* the contact owns a 2000 ford explorer sport. The contact stated that while starting the ignition, the engine warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where four 02 oxygen sensors were replaced. After the repair the failure persisted but the vehicle was not further serviced. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 169,000.
- Seats · Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
I got into my car to go to lunch from my place of employment with my ceo. When I sat down the seat fell back and the seat back would not catch again. I took my life into my hands driving home that evening. Contacted our local ford dealer where we purchased the car, they said the part was no longer…
I got into my car to go to lunch from my place of employment with my ceo. When I sat down the seat fell back and the seat back would not catch again. I took my life into my hands driving home that evening. Contacted our local ford dealer where we purchased the car, they said the part was no longer available and they could not fix it. They never informed us of a recall. Until exploring the internet today 10-25-2013 we did not realize there was a recall at all. Nhtsa campaign ID # 03v281000/nhtsa action #pe03020 of august 5-2013. Now we can not locate the part. *tr
- Power train · Vehicle speed control
This was a terrible event... My car was aimed down my 300 ft driveway. I don't believe at that point or if it was stuck I didn't know the accelerator was stuck but I soon realized something was wrong. As I headed to new albany high school for water class the explorer went faster and faster on rt…
This was a terrible event... My car was aimed down my 300 ft driveway. I don't believe at that point or if it was stuck I didn't know the accelerator was stuck but I soon realized something was wrong. As I headed to new albany high school for water class the explorer went faster and faster on rt 161... The clutch would not allow a down shift at all after the first time or two... I may have blown it out... The SUV went faster and faster and in 3RD gear it was revving so hard... When I could I pulled into a parking lot and turned the engine off... I let it cool and attempted to start the explorer but it would have red warning lights when I started it in neutral as it revved so high... I pushed it into gear and when I got to the two red lights I turned the key off... Once I stopped in the intersection and about 8 cars were honking at me. I had to deal with five traffic intersections. When I got home I turned the key off and fought the wheel to get turned into the downswing of my driveway... I raced around my house to face out and turned off the key... The explorer was smoking and "laid rubber" and tore out grass in my house... It almost skidded into my pond. I think the clutch IS burned out and the brake ABS light was on as I had to brake all the way home... I tried to disengage the cruise control if that was it during my terror ride but it had no effect... The brakes could not stop the speeding vehicle, the gears were locked while the speed accelerated so there was no downshifting, the pedal was pushed to the floor and would not change speed when I pulled it up with my hand or toe of my shoe... *tr
- Power train › Automatic transmission
2000 ford explorer, o/d light began flashing, car sputtered, driving down the road, car would not go at all as though it was stuck in neutral. Will not go in gear. No drive, no reverse, nothing. towed to transmission repair shop, $1800. To replace transmission. *Tr
- Suspension › Front
Lower and upper ball joint making terrible noise, I did grease but still have noise. *tr
- Electrical system
Windshield wipers stop working,power windows not working, dome light not working, fog lights not working and 4 wheel drive and auto not working. *Tr
- Electrical system
Smoke coming out of steering column when turn signal engaged. took to dealer and told ignition switch had signs of a hot point and was melting. had ignition switch replaced at a service station, however, they said they saw no visible signs of damage. *Tr
- Power train › Automatic transmission
When I bought the car three years ago it had just a rebuilt transmission in it. Less than a month after I purchased it I had to have a 2ND rebuilt transmission put in it when my o/d light began flashing. Just yesterday I was driving down the freeway(i-5 in seattle, wa) when my transmission failed…
When I bought the car three years ago it had just a rebuilt transmission in it. Less than a month after I purchased it I had to have a 2ND rebuilt transmission put in it when my o/d light began flashing. Just yesterday I was driving down the freeway(i-5 in seattle, wa) when my transmission failed and I had to coast across 3 lanes of freeway traffic to come to a stop on the shoulder. Thankfully I was able to make it safely to the shoulder but the situation could have ended very differently. I could have very easily gotten into an accident. I have been looking online and am finding that hundreds if not thousands of explorer owners have had the exact same issues that I have experience! It makes me sick that ford had yet to do anything about the problem. *Tr
- Vehicle speed control
My 2000 ford explorer completely burnt , entirely gutted. I have pictures. *Tr
- Seats
The driver's side front seat, without warning, reclined completely. Mechanic believes that the bolt holding the recliner mechanism to the seat frame IS broken. Currently using the rear seat to prop up the driver's seat until a replacement seat can be found. *Tr
- Electrical system
Electrical system at steering column: smell of wires getting hot and smoke. *Tr
- Seats
The driver side rear bottom frame failed in a non moving area. this cause the back of the seat to fall back as the hinge for seat tilt came out of the top due to this failure. thank god I was in my driveway or we would have had a wreck. structural steel in a seat frame should not fail in an 8 year old car. the car has not been in a wreck on the seat abused. the driver weigh 200 lbs or less. *Tr
- Air bags › Side/window
Air bag light stays on. Dealer states a "short" in wiring loom, needs to replace with a better connector for $1100. Dealer warns me that while light IS "on" airbag system will not operate in a crash. *Tr
- Steering › Column
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford explorer sport. while stopped at a stop light, smoke appeared from the steering column. the vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the multifunction switch in the steering column failed. they further stated that once the switch fails, it could catch…
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford explorer sport. while stopped at a stop light, smoke appeared from the steering column. the vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the multifunction switch in the steering column failed. they further stated that once the switch fails, it could catch fire. the vehicle cannot be driven until the switch IS replaced. the vehicle IS currently at the dealer for repair. there were no warning indicators prior to the failure. the failure mileage was 79,000.
- Air bags
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford explorer sport. she stated that she heard a constant beeping noise. the dealer stated that the control panel caused the failure and this could result in the airbags deploying without warning. as a result, the dealer disconnected the airbags. the beeping noise…
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford explorer sport. she stated that she heard a constant beeping noise. the dealer stated that the control panel caused the failure and this could result in the airbags deploying without warning. as a result, the dealer disconnected the airbags. the beeping noise continued to occur. as of may 19, 2008, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were 100,000.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission in this explorer (vin 'x') started slipping at 55K miles between 2-3 shift. I had the transmission rebuilt by fellow mechanics for $1200 total before total failure. *tr
- Seats
The front drivers' seat frame near the seat-back adjustment lever broke while driving, forcing the drivers seat-back to plummet backwards alarming the driver and all passengers. Fortunately no one was sitting on the drivers seat in the rear. They could've been crushed. the only event leading up to the seat frame breaking was putting all my weight into the seat, as it IS designed to support. *tr
- Steering › Gear box (other than rack and pinion)
Gear shift fell off when trying to back out of driveway. the entire steering wheel shaft needed to be replaced. thank heavens we were in the driveway and not on the road.*cn
- Vehicle speed control
Received recall notice on 2000 ford explorer for defective speed control unit that can cause fires in aug.'07 and sep'07. Called local dealer oct.07, no part avail was told avail in dec.'07 when to dealer in dec.'07 in person was now told part not avail. Until "maybe" march 2008. This IS unacceptable! *tr
- Tires
2000 ford explorer turned over four times. Consumer would like some help in this matter. He stated that no one has helped him with trying to have action taken against ford. *kb information taken from previous complaint. The tire detached from the vehicle. *Jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford explorer sport. the contact stated that the parking brake would not support the vehicle when engaged. as october 23, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. the failure mileage was 136,000 and current mileage was 140,000.
- Electrical system
I started my ford explorer sport on january 30 for a few minutes to warm it up, before I drove to work. I ran back into the house for aprox 4 minutes, when I came back out the front of the explorer was in flames, it totally burned before the fire dept could get there taking our barn with it. *jb
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
1) drivers seat collapse. 2) ford issued a recall claiming a defective driver seat bolt 3) took vehicle to ford dealership for repair, dealership confirms the recalled bolt IS broken and the cause of the seat failure. Ford wants $460.00 to replace the recalled bolt. Why does ford expect me to pay for a recall. 4) seat will not stay upright at all since the dealership performed the inspection. *jb
- Suspension
2000 ford explorer sport rollover accident. both my son and witnesses state that my son was driving the speed limit (55 on a rural 2 lane road) when a small dip in the road caused him to fishtail and flip onto his roof. thank god him and his friend had on the seat belts and were able to crawl out…
2000 ford explorer sport rollover accident. both my son and witnesses state that my son was driving the speed limit (55 on a rural 2 lane road) when a small dip in the road caused him to fishtail and flip onto his roof. thank god him and his friend had on the seat belts and were able to crawl out of the car unharmed. I did not know this problem existed with the ford explorer. more should be done to warn people about this defect! this vehicle should be recalled! the vehicle was totaled. *tr
- Vehicle speed control › Linkages
El pasado domingo 10 de junio del 2007, siendo las 4 p.m. Estacion y apagu un vehculo ford explorer 2000 elite, placas lah-530, serial de carrocera: [xxx], de mi propiedad sin ninguna seal que indicara que algo no estaba funcionando bien. A las 6 p.m. Me dan el aviso que la camioneta SE estaba…
El pasado domingo 10 de junio del 2007, siendo las 4 p.m. Estacion y apagu un vehculo ford explorer 2000 elite, placas lah-530, serial de carrocera: [xxx], de mi propiedad sin ninguna seal que indicara que algo no estaba funcionando bien. A las 6 p.m. Me dan el aviso que la camioneta SE estaba incendiando. Efectivamente cuando fui observ gran cantidad de fuego bajo el cap que consumi todas las partes adyacentes al motor. Funcionaros del cuerpo de bomberos SE hicieron presentes en el sitio y lograron apagar el fuego antes que SE extendiera an mas. Un problema similar SE ha presentado en vehculos ford y que han sido llamados a revisin por fallas en un switch de control de velocidad automtico. aunque mi vehculo no aparece dentro de los reclamados si aparece dentro de los que tienen un switch igual o similar por lo que todo indica que esta fue la causa del incendio y la compaa ford debera responsabilizarse por ello. spanish, not understood. *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6)
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.
- 10014138Safety belt retraction speed.
- 10014096Revised procedure for adjusting alignment on all suspensions - new right hand upper control arm design for torsion bar front suspensions.
- 10013369General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
- 10008580Lamp-brake-invadvertent disabling of brake shift interlock.
- 10008359Diagnostic trouble code (dtc) c1233 & c1234 - replace anti-lock brake system euc.
- 10004027Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips.
- 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.
- 636151Some vehicles may exhibit repeat service for an air bag lamp on with diagnostic trouble codes b1994 and b1998 set.
- 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.
- 627774Some ignition switch lock cylinder assemblies may exhibit rougness and / or excess effort in turning, key does not fully return from start, a malfunction indicator lamp may illuminate with p0500, p1502 and u1039 stored in powertrian control module (pcm).
- 625759Information on service parts for hard start condition.
- 624934On some vehicles the rear wiper arm fails to clean back glass.
- 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.