RoadVitals

1999 Ford Explorer Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints 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.
47
Latest Nov 13, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 1,348 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
8

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Ford Explorer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 47 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

The 25 most recent of 47, in the owner's own words

Body & structure
Filed Nov 13, 2018

DRIVER SIDE DOOR KEEPS OPENING UP WHILE WHICLE IS MOVING. THE DOOR IS CLOSED AND LOCKED PRIOR TO THE TRAVEL. BIG SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11151292
Incident
Nov 13, 2018
Mileage
135,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 5, 2017

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN DOORS FROM OUTSIDE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE IN AN ACCIDENT IF ATTEMPTING TO GET SOMEONE OUT. ALSO THE LATCH FOR THE HOOD HAS THE SAME PROBLEM

NHTSA ID
11052434
Incident
Jan 1, 2015
Mileage
100,000 mi
Body & structureDriver assistanceElectrical+1 more
Filed May 20, 2014
Fire reported

I WAS AT WORK ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON, 5/16 AND RECEIVED A VOICEMAIL AT 3:50PM FROM THE FIRE MARSHALL STATING MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER XLT BURNED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND WAS TOTALED. I HAD NOT DRIVEN THE EXPLORER SINCE APPROXIMATELY 7PM THE NIGHT BEFORE AND HAD TAKEN MY OTHER CAR TO WORK. THE EXPLORER WAS JUST SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY, OUTSIDE THE GARAGE AND STARTED BURNING. A NEIGHBOR 2 HOUSES OVER SMELLED THE SMOKE AND SAW THE FLAMES AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE MARSHALL STATED HE HAD SEEN THIS TYPE OF FIRE BEFORE DUE TO THE FORD CRUISE CONTROL RECALL PROBLEMS, BASED ON THE BURN PATTERN. I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND BOUGHT IT ABOUT 8 YEARS AGO AND HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY KIND OF RECALL NOTICE. I AM EXTREMELY UPSET THAT THIS KIND OF THING COULD HAPPEN AND DID HAPPEN - THE MORE I READ ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE IT'S HAPPENED TO THE MORE UPSET I GET, I'VE HAD NIGHTMARES SINCE FRIDAY SINCE MY HOUSE WOULD HAVE BURNED IF I HAD PARKED IT 1 FOOT CLOSER TO THE GARAGE -- WHICH I USUALLY DO, I HAD PLANNED TO GIVE IT TO MY STEPSON ON SATURDAY WHO WAS COMING TO VISIT FROM NY AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIS FIRST CAR -- MY FIANCE' IS STRESSED OUT AND UPSET BEYOND WORDS I CAN WRITE HERE. NO EXCUSE FORD...SHAME ON YOU!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10592817
Incident
May 16, 2014
Mileage
118,600 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 5, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. UPDATED 01/13/11*LJ UPDATED 04/01/11

NHTSA ID
10364175
Incident
Oct 14, 2008
Mileage
50,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 6, 2010

I DRIVE A 1999 FORD EXPLORER AND COMING HOME FROM WORK LAST NIGHT THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE FIREWALL SHEARED OFF. MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS LEFT DANGLING AND I COULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY MORE. COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS HAD I BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE. IT APPEARS LIKE THREE LITTLE RIVETS HOLD THE BRACKET TO THE FIREWALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10347845
Incident
Aug 5, 2010
Mileage
234,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 21, 2010
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH WINDOW EXPLODED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT SOMEONE HAD BROKEN THE WINDOW AND CONTACTED THE POLICE. THE POLICE ADVISED THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE BREAKAGE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 189,000.

NHTSA ID
10331532
Incident
May 20, 2010
Mileage
189,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 3, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT REMAIN OPEN IN A FIXATED POSITION. IF THE HOOD COLLAPSES ONTO A PERSON, HE OR SHE COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS THE FRONT HOOD LIFT CYLINDER. SHE HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000. UPDATED 4/23/09 *CN UPDATED 04/28/09.*JB

NHTSA ID
10264084
Incident
Oct 16, 2008
Mileage
75,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 18, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR MECHANISM WOULD LOCK, BUT WOULD FAIL TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. IN ADDITION, THE PLASTIC CLIP HANGING DOWN WOULD SLIP OUT OF POSITION. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE FAILURE MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. FORD STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS FAILURE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID
10224944
Incident
Jul 14, 2006
Mileage
110,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 24, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROD THAT IS USED TO KEEP THE HOOD LIFTED IS TOO SMALL. THE ROD DOES NOT KEEP THE HOOD PROPPED UP AND CAUSES IT TO CLOSE. THE HOOD HAS NEVER FALLEN ON HIM, BUT HE HAS HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE CONTACT'S RESPONSIBILITY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ID
10200668
Incident
Jan 1, 2007
Mileage
30,000 mi
Body & structureFuel systemInterior & seats
Filed May 1, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE VIN. ALSO, THE HOOD ON THE VEHICLE WILL NOT OPEN. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE DRIVER'S DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE KEY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 190,000. *AK

NHTSA ID
10189395
Incident
Feb 1, 2007
Mileage
190,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 4, 2006
1 injury reported

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

NHTSA ID
10155197
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Body & structure
Filed Mar 2, 2006
1 injury reported

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

NHTSA ID
10152984
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Body & structure
Filed Aug 12, 2005

1999 FORD EXPLORER GRAB BAR OVER THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT FELL OFF ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO PRESSURE APPLIED TO IT. *MR FOR SEVEN WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE TO CONSUMER HAD BEEN INSTRUCTED TO USE THE GRAB BAR TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF AN ANKLE INJURY. THE CONSUMER SAID THAT AT NO TIME DURING THOSE SEVEN WEEKS DID THE BAR FEEL LOOSE OR UNSTABLE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10133461
Incident
Jul 20, 2005
Mileage
100,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 12, 2005

DT: VEHICLE'S METAL SPORT RUNNING BOARDS RUSTED IN TWO YEARS. THE OWNER FELT THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE OWNER NEEDED THE RUNNING BOARDS TO HELP HER GET IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND A BODY SHOP. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. CONSUMER CHECKED ON HAVING FIBERGLASS RUNNING BOARDS PLACED ON HER VEHICLE. THE METAL RUNNING BOARDS WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLE WHEN PURCHASED. THE CONSUMER WANTS FORD TO REIMBURSE HER FOR THE NEW FIBERGLASS RUNNING BOARDS. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
10127759
Incident
Oct 2, 2001
Mileage
50,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 4, 2004

THE FACTORY HOOD SHOCKS ARE TOO SMALL AND CANNOT HOLD THE WEIGHT OF THE HOOD. THIS RESULTED IN THE HOOD SLAMMING SHUT WITHOUT WARNING. *AK THE HOOD WOULD STAY UP FOR FIVE MINUTES. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10072143
Incident
Jun 1, 2004
Mileage
51,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 1, 2004

CONSUMER STATES IF THE ARM REST IS TIPPED UPWARD TO GET INTO THE STORAGE AREA, HOT /COLD DRINKS WILL SPILL INTO THE REAR PASSENGER AREA. *AK *MR

NHTSA ID
10051850
Incident
Dec 9, 2003
Mileage
135,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 11, 2003

WHILE PASSENGER WAS GETTING INSIDE OF VEHICLE BY PULLING ON THE UPPER HANDLE GRIP THE HANDLE SNAPPED, CAUSING THE PASSENGER TO FALL TO THE GROUND.*AK

NHTSA ID
10039724
Incident
Aug 10, 2003
Body & structure
Filed Aug 12, 2003

I PURCHASED A 1999 FORD EXPLORER VIN #[XXX] FROM A WASHINGTON STATE FORD DEALERSHIP IN SEPTEMBER 2002. THE VEHICLE HAD 54,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME, I HAVE PUT 7,000 MILES ON IT. THE REAR LIFTGATE BEGAN TO MAKE A CLUNKING/POPPING NOISE RECENTLY, AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO CLOSE. I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER, PORT ANGELES FORD LINCOLN MERCURY, AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE SHEET METAL WHERE THE HINGES ARE MOUNTED IS TEARING AWAY FROM THE STRUCTURE AND THAT IT IS NOT A COVERED ITEM (I DID PURCHASE THE FORD WARRANTY PLAN), AND THAT I WILL NEED TO GO TO A BODY SHOP AND HAVE NEW STEEL PLATES WELDED IN PLACE AT MY EXPENSE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS IS MY RESPONSIBILITY, THE STEEL THAT WAS USED WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT USING THIS LIFTGATE, AND I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT FORD IS LIABLE FOR THIS. CAN YOU HELP ME TO CONFIRM THIS? I AM UNABLE TO USE THE LIFTGATE AT THIS TIME AS THE FORD DEALER SAYS THE LIFTGATE COULD FALL OFF, POSSIBLY INJURING SOMEONE. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10032628
Incident
Aug 1, 2003
Mileage
62,186 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 2, 2003

THE BUMPER COLLAPSED WHEN IT WAS HIT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10015047
Incident
Mar 24, 2003
Body & structure
Filed Feb 28, 2003

THE REAR LIFT GATE DOOR IS FALLING OFF OF THE HINGES.*JB

NHTSA ID
10008251
Incident
Nov 20, 2001
Mileage
25,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 4, 2003

LIFTGATE LOOSE, IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PH. *AK

NHTSA ID
10006303
Incident
Jan 15, 2002
Body & structure
Filed Sep 4, 2002
1 injury reported

CONSUMER HAD LIFTED TAILGATE. WHILE CONSUMER WAS STANDING UNDERNEATH TAILGATE IT FELL DOWN, HITTING CONSUMER ON THE HEAD. BOTH HYDRAULIC HINGES WERE LEAKING OIL. VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ID
8017877
Incident
Aug 15, 2002
Body & structureEngine
Filed Aug 26, 2002

WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED, AND THEN VEHICLE SHUT OFF. IT WAS HARD TO GET VEHICLE BACK STARTED. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID
8017216
Incident
Aug 16, 2002
AirbagsBody & structureElectrical+4 more
Filed Jul 10, 2002

THE AIR BAG (SRS) LIGHT ILLUMMINATES WHILE DRIVING, THE DEALER HAS APPEMPTED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM ON SEVERAL OCCASION YET THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. NLM

NHTSA ID
566562
Incident
Apr 24, 2000
Body & structure
Filed May 20, 2002
1 injury reported

THE PRESSURIZED LIFT RODS WHICH HOLD THE HOOD UP FAILED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FIRST TIME THE HOOD FELL AND PINNED MY FINGERS UNDER THE CLOSED HOOD. I FEEL THE COOLER AIR TEMPERATURE (45 DEGREES) CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE. IT HASN'T OCCURED DURING THE WARMER TIMES OF THE YEAR.*AK

NHTSA ID
762111
Incident
Feb 20, 2002

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .