RoadVitals

1999 Ford Explorer Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting 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.
40
Latest Dec 31, 2020
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.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. 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. 40 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 exterior lighting

The 25 most recent of 40, in the owner's own words

ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Dec 31, 2020

I NEED TO KNOW WHAT CAUSES THE ELECTRIC TO GO HAYWIRE. THE OVERHEAD LAMP CLICKS ON AND OFF THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK DOESN'T WORK COMPLETELY. THE DRIVER WINDOW DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. SOME OF MY GAUGES WILL DECIDE NOT TO WORK SOMETIMES AND THEN OTHER TIMES WE'LL BE FINE. MY RADIO CLOCK DOES NOT WORK. ALL HAPPENS THE SAME WHETHER I'M DRIVING OR NOT WHETHER I'M PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING OR NOT. I CAN'T FIGURE OUT ANYTHING IT'S CAUSING THIS

NHTSA ID
11385724
Incident
Oct 24, 2020
Mileage
210,000 mi
ElectricalFuel systemExterior lighting
Filed May 26, 2016

THE ELECTRICAL ON MY VEHICLE IS BAD. MY RADIO LIGHTS FLASH, NONE OF MY DOORS OPEN FROM TE INSIDE AND ONLY ROLL DOWN WINDOWS FROM DIVER SWITCTH; GAS GAYGE ONLY READS EMPRY ALTHOUGH I J UST PUT 30 DOLLARS IN THE TANK.

NHTSA ID
10870925
Incident
May 25, 2016
Mileage
280,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 11, 2010

THERE WERE SMOKE FROM STEERING COLUMN. TO BE EXACT, FROM "HAZARDS BUTTON" ON TOP OF STEERING COLUMN BEHIND STEERING. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BUT ONLY FEW SECONDS AND STOP. MY GARAGE MECHANIC CHANGED ASSEMBLY WITH "TURN SIGNAL WIPER SWITCH" AND I THINK FIXED IT. IT IS SCARY SINCE IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING HIGH SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10308672
Incident
May 10, 2009
Mileage
102,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 21, 2009
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS WERE UTILIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V072000 AND WAS ABLE TO HAVE THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH REPLACED AGAIN AT THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED A THIRD TIME, BUT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO ASSUME LIABILITY SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 93,113.

NHTSA ID
10277626
Incident
Jul 10, 2000
Mileage
93,113 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 28, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED FOR TEN SECONDS BEFORE RETURNING TO NORMAL. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,493. UPDATED 02-25-08 *BF UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ID
10216301
Incident
Jan 27, 2008
Mileage
110,493 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Sep 5, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL BLINKED FOUR TIMES AND THEN BECAME STUCK IN THE ON POSITION. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUMES COMING FROM THE HAZARD LIGHT BUTTON. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,475 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,455.

NHTSA ID
10201967
Incident
Aug 25, 2007
Mileage
87,455 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 15, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL DEACTIVATED ON ITS OWN AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. UPDATED 11/09/06. *JB

NHTSA ID
10168350
Incident
Sep 15, 2006
Mileage
99,300 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 7, 2006

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

NHTSA ID
10159250
Incident
May 29, 2006
Mileage
69,725 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 7, 2006

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

NHTSA ID
10159243
Incident
May 29, 2006
Mileage
69,725 mi
ElectricalInterior & seatsExterior lighting+1 more
Filed Jun 7, 2005

DT: CONTACT STATES THE INSIDE LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT WORK. ALSO, THE OUTSIDE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO RUN DOWN. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE REGARDING THE GENERIC ELECTRIC MODULE, BUT THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN.*AK

NHTSA ID
10124461
Incident
May 27, 2005
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 27, 2005

AFTER SITTING IN A TURN LANE FOR 2-3 MINUTES WITH TURN SIGNAL ON, WISPS OF SMOKE BEGAN COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. UPON REPEATING THE SCENARIO IN DRIVEWAY SAME WISPS OF SMOKE WERE OBSERVED, AND ORANGE GLOW COULD BE SEEN INSIDE STEERING COLUMN WHEN LOOKING THROUGH CRACKS AROUND HAZARD WARNING FLASHER BUTTON. IN BOTH INSTANCES, TURN SIGNALS BEING TURNED OFF STOPPED THE SMOKE BEFORE ANY DAMAGE COULD BE DONE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, AND TURN SIGNAL MODULE WAS REPLACED. OLD PART WAS NOT RETURNED TO ME. DEALER SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE MODULE HAD SHORTED OUT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10118538
Incident
Apr 22, 2003
Mileage
147,000 mi
Fuel systemExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Aug 19, 2004

THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER DOES NOT CLEAR THE ENTIRE WINDOW, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL DID NOT WAIT UNTIL THE TURN WAS MADE BEFORE GOING OFF. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES SOMETHING MAY HAVE COME LOOSE WHICH CAUSED A GAS LEAK WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE WIPER AND TURN SIGNAL UNDER WARRANTY. *JB *NM

NHTSA ID
10089275
Incident
Aug 19, 2004
Mileage
83,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 8, 2003

THE TURN SIGNAL SHIFT POPPED UP WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL WAS USED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10019432
Incident
Feb 15, 2003
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 20, 2002

TURN SIGNAL FAILED TO WORK. SMOKE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. POSSIBLE FIRE RISK? DT

NHTSA ID
768654
Incident
Oct 5, 2002
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 28, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I WAS ABLE TO STOP SAFELY ONLY BY OTHER VEHICLE LIGHTS. POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH AUTO LAMP SWITCH IN VEHICLE. AFTER VEHICLE SAT FOR A WHILE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND DASH SWITCH AND TURN ON LIGHTS WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK AT 65 MPH. MR

NHTSA ID
767843
Incident
Jun 4, 2002
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 1, 2002

WHEN PUTTING ON TURN SIGNAL SIGNAL STARTED TO SMOKE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ID
8012992
Incident
Jun 24, 2002
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 20, 2001
Fire reported

WHILE WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE FLASHER TURNED ON SOLID (NO LONGER FLASHING) AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN AT THE EMERGENCY FLASHER BUTTON. SMOKE STOPPED WHEN I RETURNED THE SWITCH TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. RIGHT TURN POSITION NOT AFFECTED. I REPLACED THE SWITCH ON MY OWN - PART COST APPROXIMATELY $60.00 AND NOW I UNDERSTAND THAT SOME OF THESE WERE SUBJECT TO A RECALL FOR THE SAME REASON (SHORT/ELECTRICAL FIRE) THAT I EXPERIENCED. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE.*AK

NHTSA ID
754721
Incident
Aug 23, 2001
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 5, 2001

WHEN USING LEFT TURN SIGNAL THERE IS SMOKE COMING FROM SWITCH. VEHICLE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET. *AK

NHTSA ID
897405
Incident
Sep 15, 2001
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 10, 2001
Fire reported

WHEN SIGNALING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE INDICATOR LIGHT TURNS ON SOLID (NOT FLASHING) AND SMOKE BEGINS TO RISE FROM A SMALL OPENING IN THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. RETURNING THE SWITCH TO THE NUETRAL POSITION STOPS THE SMOKE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. SOME 1999 EXPLORERS ARE COVERED UNDER TSB NUMBERS 00S04 & 00B40 BUT FOR SOME REASON MY VIN DOES NOT FALL WITH IN THE RECALL. I BELIEVE THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE EXPLORERS MANUFACTURED AROUND THE TIME OF MY VIN OR THAT USE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCHES SIMILAR TO THE ONE IN MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
750207
Incident
Jul 10, 2001
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 6, 2001

TURN SIGNALS WILL NOT OPERATE WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS IN TILT POSITION . *AK

NHTSA ID
885205
Incident
Jan 1, 2000
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 26, 2000
Fire reported

WHILE USING MY TURN SIGNALS TURNING LEFT I NOTICED THE FLASHER ON THE DASH HAD FROZEN AND THAT SMOKE WAS POURING OUT OF THE HAZARD FLASHER BUTTON AND ALSO OUT OF THE BASE OF THE TURN SIGNAL STEM. THIS CAN BE REPEATED ALMOST EVERY TIME I USE THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL. THE DEALSHIP WILL BE LOOKING AT IT ON 10/27/2000.*AK (DOT NUMBER: VDHL)

NHTSA ID
735228
Incident
Oct 25, 2000
Exterior lightingSteering
Filed Sep 25, 2000
Fire reported

THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH WHEN CONSUMER TURNED ON TURNING SIGNAL SWITCH AND STEERING COLUMN STARTED SMOKING, AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE HAZARD LIGHTS SWITCH. CONSUMER STATED SMOKE STOPPED WHEN TURNING SIGNAL WAS TURNED OFF.*AK

NHTSA ID
871419
Incident
Sep 24, 2000
Heating & air conditioningExterior lighting
Filed Jul 14, 2000

THE SIGNAL LIGHT SWITCH WILL NOT LOCK INTO PLACE, THE STEERING WHEEL MUST BE IN A SPECIFIC DEGREE OF ROTATION IN ORDER FOR THE LEVER TO LOCK INTO PLACE. NLM

NHTSA ID
553109
Exterior lightingVisibility
Filed Mar 21, 2000

WINSHIELD WIPERS SOMETIMES GO ON WHEN TURN SIGNAL IS USED. THIS IS DISTRACTING AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
720409
Incident
Dec 1, 1999
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 12, 2000

WHEN SITTING AT STOP WITH TURN SIGNAL ENGAGED WINDSHIELD WIPERS START WITHOUT ENGAGING SWITCH. *AK

NHTSA ID
718671
Incident
Feb 12, 2000

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.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .