Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
71
Latest Feb 19, 2014
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
16
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Nov 13, 2000
What this page shows
Our database holds 71 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2000 Ford Explorer Sport. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaints, most recent first
Showing 1–25 of 71 · page 1 of 3
Engine
Filed Feb 19, 2014
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.
NHTSA ID
10564963
Incident
Jan 30, 2014
Mileage
169,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 25, 2013
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
NHTSA ID
10549604
Incident
Apr 1, 2013
Mileage
160,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 3, 2012
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
NHTSA ID
10453903
Incident
Apr 2, 2012
Mileage
136,998 mi
Transmission
Filed Aug 20, 2011
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
NHTSA ID
10420829
Incident
Aug 11, 2011
Mileage
186,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jun 11, 2011
LOWER AND UPPER BALL JOINT MAKING TERRIBLE NOISE, I DID GREASE BUT STILL HAVE NOISE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10405935
Incident
Jun 6, 2011
Mileage
192,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 29, 2010
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
NHTSA ID
10358354
Incident
Jun 15, 2010
Mileage
110,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 6, 2010
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
NHTSA ID
10354026
Incident
Aug 26, 2010
Mileage
63,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Apr 12, 2010
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
NHTSA ID
10324998
Incident
Apr 11, 2010
Mileage
135,900 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 1, 2009
Fire reported
MY 2000 FORD EXPLORER COMPLETELY BURNT , ENTIRELY GUTTED. I HAVE PICTURES. *TR
NHTSA ID
10290513
Incident
Oct 18, 2009
Mileage
125,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 25, 2009
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
NHTSA ID
10289711
Incident
Sep 1, 2008
Mileage
85,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 24, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AT STEERING COLUMN: SMELL OF WIRES GETTING HOT AND SMOKE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10289701
Incident
Aug 14, 2009
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 2, 2009
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
NHTSA ID
10253530
Incident
Oct 15, 2008
Mileage
120,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 30, 2008
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
NHTSA ID
10250188
Incident
Nov 26, 2008
Mileage
68,112 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 6, 2008
Fire reported
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.
NHTSA ID
10230162
Incident
Jun 5, 2008
Mileage
79,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 19, 2008
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.
NHTSA ID
10228216
Incident
Nov 1, 2007
Mileage
100,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Feb 9, 2008
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
NHTSA ID
10217549
Incident
Jun 8, 2007
Mileage
55,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 17, 2008
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
NHTSA ID
10215283
Incident
Nov 1, 2007
Mileage
114,300 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 3, 2008
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
NHTSA ID
10213626
Incident
Dec 21, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 26, 2007
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
NHTSA ID
10212845
Incident
Dec 24, 2007
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 29, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported
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
NHTSA ID
10210585
Incident
Nov 3, 2004
Brakes
Filed Oct 23, 2007
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.
NHTSA ID
10206624
Incident
Sep 1, 2007
Mileage
136,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 11, 2007
Fire reported
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
NHTSA ID
10205450
Incident
Jan 30, 2004
Mileage
45,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 4, 2007
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
NHTSA ID
10201835
Incident
Aug 27, 2007
Suspension
Filed Aug 24, 2007
Crash reported
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
NHTSA ID
10200720
Incident
Aug 23, 2007
Mileage
55 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 15, 2007
Fire reported
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)
NHTSA ID
10193431
Incident
Jun 10, 2007
Mileage
56,250 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Narrow this down by component
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own