1999 Ford Explorer Interior & seats Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE HOOD OPENED AND CRACKED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND TIED THE HOOD DOWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT, WHILE DRIVING, THE SPEED CONTROL WOULD ENGAGE OR NOT ENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11210309

Incident

May 20, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY WAS CUT OFF BY ANOTHER VEHICLE REQUIRING ME TO HEAVILY BRAKE AND SHARPLY SWERVE TO AVERT COLLISION. BECAME IMMEDIATELY AWARE THAT HEADRESTS OF FRONT SEATS PROVIDED ABSOLUTELY NO (REPEAT NO) INJURY (E,G. WHIPLASH) PROTECTION. WHEN SITTING IN FRONT SEATS THE HEADRESTS CANNOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BE POSITIONED CLOSE TO THE HEAD OF THE OCCUPANT. THIS, IN TURN, PROVIDES THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR SEVERE INJURY SUCH AS "WHIPLASH" TO OCCUR. ATTEMPTS TO PURCHASE SAFER REPLACEMENT HEADRESTS FROM FORD AND OTHER AUTOMOTIVE PARTS STORES WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AS THEY WERE REPORTEDLY NEVER MANUFACTURED.

NHTSA ID

11109902

Incident

Jun 25, 2018

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT PREMATURELY DETERIORATED AND THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL FRACTURE CAUSING THE SEAT TO BE STRUCTURALLY UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V281000 (SEATS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10817050

Incident

Aug 3, 2015

Mileage

80,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINED FARTHER THAN NORMAL. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE RECLINING BOLT WAS SEPARATED FROM THE METAL TRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 03V281000 (SEATS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,118.

NHTSA ID

10513281

Incident

Apr 20, 2013

Mileage

159,118 mi

THE POWER LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK ALL THE DOORS. THE ONLY DOOR THAT WILL UNLOCK IS THE FRONT PASSENGER. IF THE DRIVER DOOR SHUTS HARD IT WILL NOT OPEN BY THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE HANDLE. HAVE TO ENTER FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10501267

Incident

Dec 19, 2012

SEAT BROKE ON IMPACT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10473620

Incident

Aug 28, 2012

Mileage

173,000 mi

THE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK, YOU HEAR THE CLICKING AS THE OTHER DOORS UNLOCK, BUT IT WILL NOT UNLOCK. AS WITH THE OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN REGARDING THIS ISSUE, I TOO AM CONCERNED IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT AND THE PERSON IN THE PASSENGER SIDE IS UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID

10453124

Incident

Mar 5, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WOULD NOT STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE BOLTING OF THE SEAT FAILED DUE TO THE WEIGHT CAPACITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

NHTSA ID

10393748

Incident

Mar 29, 2009

Mileage

70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS LITTLE SUPPORT FOR THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BACK AND WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE SEAT FRACTURED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V281000 (SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINE) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS HOWEVER, THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ID

10392135

Incident

Jan 10, 2011

Mileage

30,000 mi

FRONT PASSENGER DOOR CANNOT OPEN, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR HANDLES DO NOT RELEASE LATCH. PASSENGER IS TRAPPED IN VEHICLE. THE POWER (SOLENOID) AND MANUAL (KEY) LOCKING MECHANISM ACTIVATES/WORKS, BUT DOES NOT ALLOW DOOR TO BE OPENED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10355621

Incident

Sep 13, 2010

Mileage

216,300 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BECAME DETACHED FROM THE MOUNTING BRACKET OF THE BASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE HE WOULD BE LIABLE FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 12/21/10*BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE FIXED THE SEAT AT HIS EXPENSE. UPDATED 12/29/10

NHTSA ID

10351420

Incident

Aug 23, 2010

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT OBSERVED THE RECLINER BOLT WHICH SECURED THE DRIVER SEAT BACK WAS BROKEN CAUSING THE SEAT TO COLLAPSE IN A BACKWARD POSITION. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V281000 (COMPONENT: SEATS: FRONT ASSEMBLY: RECLINER). THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THERE WAS A PRIOR RECALL REMEDY REPAIR PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL SERVICE REPAIR FAILED TO CORRECT THE SAFETY DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 89,000.

NHTSA ID

10320120

Incident

Mar 11, 2010

Mileage

89,000 mi

1999 FORD EXPLORER - THE DOORS LOCK BECOME STUCK - NEITHER OPENING WITH THE KEY MANUALLY, KEY CODE, OR REMOTE FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND THE DOOR IN THE BACK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE JUST STOPPED WORKING THE DOOR IN THE REAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OPENS FROM THE OUTSIDE; THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AT ALL. IN ATTEMPT TO FREE MYSELF FROM THE CAR I BROKE THE INTERNAL DOOR HANDLE. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT AND IT IS UNSAFE AND EXPENSIVE FOR THE OWNERS TO FIX. PLEASE REFERENCE THIS WEBSITE TO SEE THE NUMEROUS OTHER FORD CONSUMERS THAT ARE EFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM JUST ON THIS ONE FORUM THERE ARE MORE FORUMS THAN THIS FOR ALMOST ALL THE FORD MODELS: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/1998/ACCESSORIES-INTERIOR/DRIVERS_DOOR_WONT_UNLOCK.SHTML. *TR

NHTSA ID

10293275

Incident

Sep 19, 2009

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HIGH BACK SEAT COLLAPSED BACKWARDS. THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V281000 (SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND IS CURRENTLY NOT BEING DRIVEN. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 128,000.

NHTSA ID

10277004

Incident

Jul 14, 2009

Mileage

128,000 mi

1999 FORD EXPLORER DRIVERS DOOR LOCK/LATCH WILL NOT OPEN. BROKEN SPRING FOUND INSIDE DOOR, NOT FIXED, EXPENSIVE TO FIX. DEATHTRAP FOR TRAPPED DRIVERS IN ACCIDENT, VERY INCONVENIENT FEELING TRAPPED INSIDE DUE TO FAULTY DOOR LATCH/LOCK. NOT SAFE, ESPECIALLY WITH ALREADY RECALL OF INSTANT FIRE AT ANYTIME DUE TO RECALL OF CRUISE CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10253953

Incident

Jan 5, 2009

Mileage

141,474 mi

THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK HAS STOPPED WORKING. THE DOOR WILL NOT LOCK AT ALL AT THIS POINT. I HOPE TO GOD THAT NO ONE STEALS MY CAR! ONE OCCASION IT DECIDED TO WORK AND IF I DIDN'T HAVE KEYLESS ENTRY, MY KIDS WOULD HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN THE CAR WITH THE CAR RUNNING. I HAVE NOT ATTEMPTED TO HAVE IT FIX. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM, ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER PROBLEMS THAT I AM HAVING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10229152

Incident

May 1, 2008

Mileage

109,000 mi

I HAVE A FORD EXPLORER SPORT 1999, THE DOOR LOCKS WON'T UNLOCK WITH THE KEYS (BOTH SIDE DOORS, THE HATCH WORKS FINE) OR THE KEYPAD, WHEN THEY LOCK AFTER STARTING, THE DRIVERS DOOR WON'T UNLOCK WITH THE HANDLE OR THE UNLOCK BUTTON. IT DOES HOWEVER IF YOU HIT THE UNLOCK BUTTON, PUSHING THE UNLOCK BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES WHILE PULLING UP ON THE LOCK - WHICH IS HARD TO GET A HOLD OF, OR THE HANDLE (FOR NOW) I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF I HAPPENED TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT, THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN IF NEEDED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10226087

Incident

Apr 22, 2008

Mileage

78,000 mi

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. IT WORKED FINE UP UNTIL A FEW MONTHS AGO. IT STOPPED UNLOCKING WITH THE REMOTE THEN IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED UNLOCKING WITH THE KEY. I HAVE TO NOW REACH THROUGH MY PASSENGER DOOR TO OPEN MY DRIVERS DOOR. I AM AFRAID OF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET RESCUED IS FOR SOMEONE TO OPEN MY DRIVERS DOOR TO GET ME OUT. IF IT IS LOCKED, AND IT NORMALLY IS BECAUSE IT LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY WHEN START TO DRIVE, NO ONE WOULD BE ABLE TO GET ME OUT. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN. I HAVE LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT QUITE A FEW PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. TO MAKE THINGS WORSE MY BACK DOOR HAS DONE THE SAME THING EXCEPT I CAN NOT GET IT TO OPEN AT ALL. I HAVE TWO VERY YOUNG KIDS AND I WOULD HATE FOR THEM TO GET TRAPPED INSIDE. I CAN'T OPEN IT FROM THE INSIDE BECAUSE THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK IS ON. ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE I AM HAVING IS BEING SCARED THAT I WILL BE ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE WHEN UNLOCKING THE DRIVERS SIDE AND MAYBE HAVING SOMEONE ELSE GET INTO THE CAR BEFORE I CAN GET IN AND LEAVE. I HAVE PURCHASED THE PART TO GET IT FIXED BUT I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX IT FOR ME. IT HAS YET TO GET FIXED BUT I DO PLAN ON GETTING IT DONE SOON. PLEASE HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10220963

Incident

Nov 30, 2007

Mileage

154,000 mi

1999 FORD EXPLORER RECALL ON SEAT RECLINER CUSTOMER WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT OTHER CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SEATING FOR THE 99 FORD EXPLORER AND IN AUGUST 2003 HE TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP WHO IN FACT PERFORMED THE REPAIRS AND NOW FOUR YEARS LATER THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED YET AGAIN BUT THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO. * TR

NHTSA ID

10201551

Incident

Aug 1, 2003

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. WHEN THE FAILURE BEGAN, SHE WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR FROM THE OUTSIDE BY ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS PRESENT. THE CONTACT WILL FOLLOW UP WITH THE MANUFACTURER ON NHTSA CAMPAIGN NOTICE NUMBER 03V280000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES) SHE RECEIVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID

10201507

Incident

May 16, 2007

Mileage

100,000 mi

THE PASSENGER DOOR LOCK STOPPED POPPING UP ON THE FIRST PRESS OF THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE DOOR. THIS BEGAN ALMOST 2 YEARS AGO. IT REQUIRED MULTIPLE PRESSES ON THE UNLOCK BUTTON TO GET THE DOOR TO UNLOCK. THE PROBLEM HAS NOW OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER' S SIDE DOOR. ONLY THIS TIME IT REQUIRED MANY MORE DEPRESSES TO UNLOCK. I HAVE TO PHYSICALLY PULL THE HANDLE AND PULL UP ON THE DOOR LOCK KNOB TO FORCE IT TO OPEN IF IT WILL OPEN. MY FEAR NOW IS IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT OR THE TRUCK CATCHES ON FIRE I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO UNLOCK EITHER DOOR. *AK

NHTSA ID

10191140

Incident

Apr 1, 2007

Mileage

100,000 mi

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S FRONT SEAT WAS ROCKING AND VIBRATING DUE TO THE SEAT FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS OCCASIONALLY UNABLE TO REACH THE PEDALS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS FAILURE WAS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES HE WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS. UPDATE 05/10/07*TR

NHTSA ID

10183523

Incident

Dec 25, 2006

EVERY SINCE I HAD MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER WORKED ON FOR THE SEAT RECLINER RECALL I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY DRIVER'S SEAT MOVING LIKE IT WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED. I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE PIN HOLDING MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT TO THE RAIL THAT THE SIDE SLIDES ON, FRONT TO REAR, HAD PULLED OUT OF THE HOLE. THIS MEANS THAT MY SEAT WAS NOT SECURED TO THE VEHICLE. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE PIN BACK INTO THE SEAT RAIL BUT IT WILL NOT STAY IN. THE RESULT IS THAT THE SEAT REMAINS UNSECURED TO THE FLOOR AND WILL FALL BACK IF I LEAN BACK IN IT! *NM

NHTSA ID

10175480

Incident

Jun 18, 2006

Mileage

103,340 mi

1) 1999 FORD EXPLORER 2 DOOR (MINE) AND 2000 FORD EXPLORER 4 DOOR (MY BROTHER'S). BOTH VEHICLES ARE OPERATED AS NORMAL DAILY DRIVER VEHICLES. THERE WAS NO KNOWN EVENT LEADING TO THE FAILURE IN EITHER VEHICLE (NOT OPERATED UNDER HARSH CONDITIONS/GRAVEL ROADS, ETC.). 2) BOTH VEHICLES WITHIN A FEW MONTH PERIOD BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM -- PASSENGER DOOR ON MY EXPLORER, AND BOTH DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS ON MY BROTHERS. WHEN LOCKED, THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE POWER LOCK CYLINDER WAS ACTUATING, BUT NOT DISENGAGING THE LOCK. THE DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED WITH THE KEY FROM THE OUTSIDE NOR THE FOB/KEY CHAIN. ALSO, THE REAL CONCERN - THE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE BY PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE (WHICH NORMALLY WOULD UNLOCK AND OPEN THE DOOR). IN EACH OF THE THREE DOORS, A SMALL RETRACTING SPRING INSIDE THE DOOR LATCH WAS BROKEN. HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR SOME OTHER SITUATION REQUIRING AN EMERGENCY EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE, THE OCCUPANT SITTING BY THE AFFECTED DOOR POSSIBLY COULD NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT MOVING TO ANOTHER DOOR OF THE VEHICLE. 3) I REPAIRED THESE LATCHES MYSELF, USING SPRINGS PURCHASED FROM A LOCAL HARDWARE STORE, AS THE LATCHES ARE NOT AVAILABLE AFTERMARKET IN STORES SUCH AS AUTO ZONE OR NAPA (FORD DEALER MAY HAVE THEM BUT HAVE NOT CHECKED). THE SMALL SPRING APPEARS TO KEEP THE LOCK MECHANISM PULLED OFF UNLESS THE LOCK IS ENGAGED, WITHOUT THE SPRING, THE LOCK WOULD NOT DISENGAGE UNDER NORMAL OPERATION. THE ONLY WAY THE DOOR WOULD UNLOCK WAS TO PUSH THE UNLOCK BUTTON NUMEROUS TIMES (SOMETIMES 30 + TIMES) AND IT WOULD EVENTUALLY UNLOCK. REMOVAL OF THE DOOR PANEL AND LATCH ASSEMBLY WAS REQUIRED TO FIX THE BROKEN SPRING. WE DO HAVE AT LEAST ONE OF THE BROKEN SPRINGS (ABOUT 1 1/2 INCHES LONG). *NM

NHTSA ID

10170925

Incident

Jun 1, 2006

Mileage

149,000 mi