Ford Explorer Complaints (1999)
1,441 consumer complaints on file.
- #10159243June 7, 2006EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, TURNED ON LEFT TURN SIGNAL, THE SIGNAL BLINKED 3 TIMES THEN SMOKE CAME FROM THE EMERGENCY BLINKER SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE TURN SIGNAL BECAME A STEADY LIGHT. I PLACED THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IN THE OFF POSITION AND TURNED IT BACK ON, SAME THING HAPPENED. HOWEVER, IF I TURN ON THE TURN SIGNAL WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING, THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN. THIS SITUATION HAPPENED 3 TIMES THIS DAY AND HAS NOT REPEATED. MY HUSBAND CHECKED THE CAR LATER IN THE DAY AND WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THIS TO REPEAT. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10159250June 7, 2006EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
TURNED ON LEFT TURN SIGNAL, BLINKER FLASHED 3 TIMES THEN WENT STEADY, UPON GOING STEADY SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT OF THE EMERGENCY FLASHER SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN. CAR WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC WHEN THIS HAPPENED. UPON TURNING SIGNAL SWITCH TO OFF POSITION SMOKE STOPS. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND DOES NOT HAPPEN WHEN LEFT TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. IS MY VEHICLE GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE? WAS THERE A RECALL WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF? *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10159016June 5, 2006TIRES
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT ONE WEEK APART. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS 32. THERE WAS NO BULGING NOTICED IN THE TIRES.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10158513May 30, 2006VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HAS SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN FEB 2000 AND THE SECOND WAS MAY 26, 2006. ON BOTH OCCASIONS THIS OCCURRED WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 3MPH. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE HIT THE SIDE OF A BUILDING THAT WAS ABOUT 15 FEET AWAY CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE THAT WAS ABOUT 15-20 FEET AWAY. EVEN THOUGH BRAKE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED FOR THE FIRST INCIDENT AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE NHTSA REGARDING THE FIRST INCIDENT. ONE YEAR LATER, THE NHTSA CALLED THE CONTACT TO SEE IF THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT IS FILING ANOTHER COMPLAINT TO ALERT THE NHTSA THE DEFECT HAS OCCURRED AGAIN. UPDATED 06/15/06 -
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10158262May 25, 2006ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING:COLUMN
WHILE DRIVING, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN INSIDE VEHICLE. CONTACTED FORD TO SEE IF PART OF RECALL TO SPEED SENSOR SWITCH. FORD MOTOR CO. STATES VEHICLE NOT PART OF RECALL, DID NOT RECOMMEND ANYTHING. NO RESPONSE TO STEERING COLUMN SMOKING OR SMELLING OF BURNING ELECTRICAL WIRES. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10158044May 22, 2006FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR, MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER LOST ALL POWER. MY FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR AND I WAS TRAVELING AT A CONSTANT SPEED. IT WAS VERY, VERY SCARY AND I WAS LUCKY TO STEER THE CAR INTO A TURNING LANE PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE LOSING ALL MOMENTUM AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE THE FUEL PUMP, BUT THEY DIDN'T SEEM TOO SURE ABOUT IT, WHICH WORRIED ME TO THE POINT THAT I HAVE DECIDED NOT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR IN THE EVENT THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN! *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10157025May 8, 2006ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, POWER WINDOWS AND IGNITION WARNING CHIME FAILED DUE TO THE GEM CIRCUIT. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 00V072000, REGARDING THE FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10156854May 5, 2006SEATS
HERE IS THE COMPLAINT(S) SENT TO FORD MOTOR CO ABOUT MY 1999 EXPLORER: I HAVE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER SEAT BREAKING. IT YIELDS AN UNSAFE CONDITION AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THIS REPEATED PROBLEM. I HAVE LOST THE USE OF MY CAR AND MONEY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT IS CURRENTLY IN FOR THE SAME REPAIR AGAIN. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION IN THE PAST AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY HELP. PLEASE RESPOND TO THIS IN WRITING AND LET ME KNOW MY OPTIONS. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. I THEN CALLED THEN AND THEN EMAILED THEM THIS FOLLOW UP:I CALLED THE NUMBER YOU REQUESTED AND SPOKE WITH JASON AND AM DISSATISFIED WITH ANSWER HE GAVE ME. HE DID SAY HE WOULD REPORT MY CASE TO THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THAT AS I BELIEVE THE STRUCTURE OF YOUR DRIVER'S SEATS ARE NOT PROPERLY DESIGNED AND ARE UNSAFE. MY EXPERIENCE WITH THEM IS THAT THE ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM BENDS AND THEN THE FRAME FRACTURES AND THEN THE SEAT CAN POSSIBLE SNAP OFF. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM IF THIS OCCURS WHILE DRIVING. I AM A REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER BY PROFESSION SO I UNDERSTAND THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THIS ISSUE. YOUR ENGINEERS SHOULD CHECK THEIR CALCULATIONS AND/OR CHECK THE METALLURGY OF THE SEAT COMPONENTS. THERE IS NO REASON FOR A PROPERLY DESIGNED SEAT TO BREAK LIKE MINE HAS. PROBABLY NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD, PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF THIS AND THE LACK OF STANDING BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10156741May 3, 2006SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10155912April 23, 2006SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
(1) DRIVER'S SEAT BACK LATCH BROKEN (2) COULD NOT ENTER, OR EXIT FROM, REAR SEAT ON DRIVER'S SIDE (3) FORD DEALER REPLACED LATCH TOTAL COST ABOUT $200. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10155707April 19, 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I BOUGHT A 1999 FORD EXPLORER IN 02 FOR 17,292.44 IN 05 WE HAD TO PUT A NEW MOTOR IN FOR 5,502.47 NOW HERE WE ARE IN 06 AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT TO REPLACE WILL COST US ANOTHER 2,900.00 SO HERE WE HAVE A FORD THAT IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD WITH 22,794.91 IN IT AND STILL NOT RUNNING I CAN NOT FIND THE RIGHT PERSON TO TALK TO CAUSE THE DEALERSHIP WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10155040April 11, 2006SEATS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD THEN THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAD BROKEN. WHEN THE CONTACT SITS IN THE SEAT, THE SEAT LEANS TO THE RIGHT SIDE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10155004April 10, 2006LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER IN 2003, MY DRIVER'S DOOR HAS ALWAYS GIVEN ME TROUBLE WHEN USING THE KEY TO UNLOCK IT. RECENTLY, THE LOCK STOPPED WORKING WITH THE REMOTE AND I WAS FORCED TO OPEN THE FRONT DOOR BY REACHING FROM THE BACK DOOR. AFTER USING THAT METHOD FOR A WHILE, MY INTERIOR HANDLE IS NOW PERMANENTLY BROKEN AND THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM EITHER SIDE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND AN INCONVENIENCE. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10155197April 4, 2006STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
1999 EXPLORER HOOD DOES NOT STAY OPEN WHEN LIFTED. *TS THE GAS LIFT SUPPORTS FAILED AND CAUSED THE HOOD TO COME CRASHING DOWN ON THE CONSUMER'S HEAD. THE HOOD CAUSED A GASH AND SWELLING ON THE CONSUMER'S FOREHEAD. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10152893March 16, 2006VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
RE: 1999 FORD EXPLORER IN NOVEMBER OF 2005, MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING TO KINGSVILLE, TEXAS ONE SATURDAY EVENING TO ATTEND A CHARITY FUNCTION. UPON OUR EXITING FROM THE HIGHWAY, WE PROCEEDED DOWN TWO CITY BLOCKS. AFTER WHICH, THE ACCELERATOR RACED UNEXPECTEDLY. I MANAGED TO HOLD DOWN THE BRAKE AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL STOP, ALL THE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS REVVING AT ABOUT 4,000 RPMS. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE CAR OVER AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I THOUGHT THAT THE FLOOR MAT MUST HAVE GOTTEN CAUGHT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND I REMOVED THE FLOOR MAT COMPLETELY. UPON MY RESTARTING THE ENGINE, IT IMMEDIATELY REVVED UP TO 4,000 RPMS AGAIN. THANKFULLY THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARKED POSITION. I QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE ENGINE BECAUSE I KNEW IT WAS DANGEROUS TO TRY TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. I PHONED AAA AUTO CLUB AND HAD THEM SEND A WRECKER TO TOW THE VEHICLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, EDDIE YAKLIN IN KINGSVILLE, TEXAS. ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, I PHONED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE HAD FRAYED LEAVING IT IN THE OPEN POSITION. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO GET THE TECHNICAL DETAILS OF THE PROBLEM. I AM WRITING THIS LETTER FOR TWO REASONS: (1)TO NOTIFY YOU OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN THE INJURY AND/OR DEATH OF FORD CUSTOMERS AND THEIR NEIGHBORS. I AM ALSO SUBMITTING A COPY OF THIS LETTER TO THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD. I HAVE PERFORMED SOME RESEARCH AND IT APPEARS THAT FORD HAS HAD THROTTLE PROBLEMS IN THE PAST. SEE ATTACHED COPIES OF MY RESEARCH MATERIAL. (2)TO REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF CORRECTING THE DESIGN AND/OR MECHANICAL DEFECT OF THE THROTTLE CABLE. I HAVE ENCLOSED A COPY OF THE INVOICE DEPICTING THE SERVICE COSTS I INCURRED CORRECTING THE DEFECTIVE THROTTLE CABLE. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10152984March 2, 2006STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
1999 EXPLORER HOOD DOES NOT REMAIN OPEN DUE TO SUDDEN GAS LIFT SUPPORT FAILURE. *TS THE HOOD CAME CRASHING DOWN ON THE CONSUMER'S HEAD RESULTING IN A GASH AND SWELLING ON HER FORHEAD. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10151136February 24, 2006VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
GEM MODULE (VEHICLE GETS LOCKED INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE OR WILL NOT EXIT 4 WHEEL DRIVE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V06200. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10150723February 21, 2006STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HATCHBACK LIFT GATE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE BALL JOINT ON THE BRACKET CRACKED AND BROKE DUE TO RUST. THE ENTIRE LIFT GATE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT HAS NOT BEEN MADE. UPDATED 03/17/06. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10150293February 15, 2006VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WIFE CAME HOME FROM WORK SICK. PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. THOUGHT ENGINE OVERHEATED. OPENED HOOD AND FLAME SHOT UP FROM BRAKE MASTER. FIRE DEPT REPORT SHOWS IT WAS CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH THAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. FROM WHAT I'VE LEARNED ABOUT THIS IS THE CRUISE CONTROL QUITS WORKING..OURS QUIT WORKING. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10149194February 1, 2006SEATS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT DOES NOT RECLINE. IF THE SEAT IS ADJUSTED TO LEAN FORWARD, IT WILL NOT GO BACK. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE SEAT TRACK IS BENT. UPDATED 2/24/2006 - THE SEAT WILL RECLINE BUT WILL NOT ADJUST. IT IS FROZEN ON THE TRACK AND AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER CANNOT REACH THE GAS PEDAL . *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0