1999 Ford Explorer

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #09V399000October 13, 20094,500,000 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control

  Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 F-250 sd through F-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 E-150 through E-550, 1995-2002 Explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 F53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds). The scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.

  A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.

  Remedy

  Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact Ford at 1-888-222-2751.

• NHTSA recall #07V336000August 3, 20073,600,000 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control

  On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.

  This could result in an underhood fire.

  Remedy

  Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected october 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on august 13, 2007, and mailing completed by september 19, 2007. Owners may contact Ford at 1-888-222-2751.

• NHTSA recall #03V280000August 5, 2003448,005 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control: cables

  On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control and 4.0L sohc engines, if the strand cover on the speed control cable becomes flared at the end, the speed control cable may bind when the speed control is activated.

  The throttle return spring force may not be sufficient to overcome the binding condition when the speed control is disengaged. Braking function would be maintained though stopping distances may be increased.

  Remedy

  Dealers will inspect the speed control cable and, if necessary, replace it. Owner notification began august 29, 2003. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

• NHTSA recall #03V281000August 5, 20031,552,880 vehicles affected

  seats: front assembly: recliner

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #00V395000November 28, 2000100,500 vehicles affected

  power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

  Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with the 3.27 or 3.55 axle ration. The subject vehicles have a powertrain control module that could allow the vehicle to exceed the design intent top speed. At these extreme speeds, the vehicle could be capable of exceeding the speed rating of the tire.

  Operating the vehicle above the maximum speed rating could lead to a tire failure which at these speeds could result in a crash.

  Remedy

  Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module.

• NHTSA recall #00V072000March 7, 2000208,903 vehicles affected

  electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers

  Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles equipped with 4.0L engines and all-time 4-WHEEL drive (A4WD) powertrains. The generic electronic module (gem) could experience a condition referred to as "lock-up" in which the gem controlled electronic functions (e.g., front windshield wipers, interior lights, 4X4 system, etc.) could not be turned on or, in some cases if the function is on, could not be turned off.

  An inoperative windshield wiper system could affect driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy

  Dealers will install a resistor in the gem circuit.

• NHTSA recall #99V164000June 29, 1999854,288 vehicles affected

  latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch

  Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The secondary hood latch may corrode at the latch pivot and stick in the open position.

  If this occurs and the primary hood latch is either not engaged or is released, a hood fly-up could occur.

  Remedy

  Dealers will install a secondary hood latch with components that are coated prior to assembly for improved latch pivot corrosion protection.

• NHTSA recall #99V123000May 18, 199915,681 vehicles affected

  service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

  Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The right front brake line to the hydraulic control unit (hcu) connection could separate causing the line to leak when the brake pedal is applied.

  This could result in a loss of brake pressure to the front wheels, increasing the stopping distance.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the flare nut on the brake line.

• NHTSA recall #99V062001March 30, 1999898,739 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control

  Vehicle description: certain 1997-1999 rhd Explorer equipped with 4.0L ohv/sohc engines and cruise control built from may 29, 1996 through march 4, 1999; 1998-1999 Explorer/mountaineers equipped with 4.0L ohv/sohc or 5.0L engines or 1998-1999 rangers equipped with 2.5L, 3.0L ffv/efi or 4.0L engines and cruise control built from january 5, 1998 through march 4, 1999; 1998-1999 mustangs equipped with 3.8L, 4.6L 2-VALVE or 4-VALVE engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999; 1999 F250/F350/F450/F550 (over 8,500 lbs.) trucks equipped with 5.4L or 6.8L engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999; and 1999 F-53 stripped chassis equipped with 5.4L or 6.8L engines and cruise control built from march 2, 1998 through march 4, 1999. A cruise control cable Can interfere with the speed control servo pulley and not allow the throttle to return to idle when disengaging the cruise control.

  If the cruise control is used and this condition is present, a stuck throttle could result, which could potentially result in a crash.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the cruise control cables. At the present time, the replacement cables are not available. Customers are being advised not to use the cruise control system until a replacement Can be made.

Other model years

• 1991 609
• 1992 633
• 1993 939
• 1994 1,207
• 1995 843
• 1996 1,450
• 1997 1,731
• 1998 1,959
• 1999
• 2000 952
• 2001 375
• 2002 3,295
• 2003 1,131
• 2004 1,304
• 2005 497
• 2006 630
• 2007 208
• 2008 148
• 2009 33
• 2010 115
• 2011 1,197
• 2012 830
• 2013 2,237
• 2014 1,684
• 2015 1,813
• 2016 2,465
• 2017 1,704
• 2018 734
• 2019 300
• 2020 1,249
• 2021 451
• 2022 271
• 2023 113
• 2025 107
• 2026 42