2000 Ford Explorer Owner Complaints

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID

11654947

Incident

Apr 3, 2025

Driving at the correct speed limit swerved to avoid hitting deer that ran out into the road hit a covert had seatbelt on airbags came out before that something hit me in side of my right arm it hit my elbow so hard and fast my arm was flung outwards and upwards which broke out the passenger side window the top of my elbow is broken that gave me a large purple bruise I got 2 pretty good size gashes on my arm also one on the bottom of my forearm and on the back side of my arm. Refer to request 1500509 and Request 1500511.

NHTSA ID

11585274

Incident

Apr 28, 2023

The contact owned a 1999 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, and the brakes were depressed, the vehicle fishtailed crashed into a ditch and rolled two times. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained head, arm, and back, injuries and the passenger sustained head, neck, finger, and back injuries. Medical attention was sought. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

NHTSA ID

11576621

Incident

Mar 9, 2024

Mileage

190,000 mi

No incidents. However, cruise control and rear window wiper are both inoperable.

NHTSA ID

11561697

Incident

Jul 3, 2023

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon pulling into a gas station, both white and black colored smoke began to emit from the vehicle without warning. Before the contact could fully react, the vehicle soon caught fire. The contact managed to pull away from the gas pumps as a gas attendant brought out fire extinguishers that they both used to exterminate the fire. The fire department arrived at the scene; however, the contact was unsure if a fire report was filed. The contact suffered minor scrapes and bruises as a result of the fire but did not seek medical attention. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained at the gas station. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 223,000.

NHTSA ID

11534005

Incident

Jul 24, 2023

Mileage

223,000 mi

Front seat will not stay up. They recline out of nowhere. I believe it's just old wore out parts.

NHTSA ID

11506893

Incident

Feb 13, 2023

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that there were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

NHTSA ID

11462086

Incident

Dec 13, 2021

Mileage

153,000 mi

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, she noticed that the hood was shuddering. The contact veered to the side of the road and manually pushed the hood down several times however, the hood failed to close completely and would not latch securely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact continued to drive at a slower speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was being diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V164000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

NHTSA ID

11456779

Incident

Feb 21, 2022

Mileage

87,000 mi

I was driving slowly (35mph), regular speed limit on that road is 60. Roads were snowy and icy, another vehicle driving extremely fast for the road conditions, started to swerve head on in to my lane, I swerved to avoid a head on collision. In doing so, I hit ice, started doing a 360, the front end and the drivers side door of my vehicle hit an irrigation ditch where it goes under a street, it caught my vehicle on the drivers side and I started rolling. I rolled 3 or 4 times and finally landed right side up. My roof was caved in and resting on the top of my head, shoulder and neck. However, none of my airbags deployed ( see pictures), even though I hit the irrigation ditch head-on. Vehicle can be inspected if needed. The vehicle is totaled as they had to cut the doors off to extract me. I have left head, shoulder, neck, abdomen and leg soft tissue damage since I kept slamming in to the steering wheel with no protection since my air bags did not deploy. I did have my seatbelt on.

NHTSA ID

11452345

Incident

Feb 16, 2022

JUST FOLLOWING. INSTRUCTIONS FOR RECALL ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL

NHTSA ID

11416516

Incident

May 13, 2021

RUST AND CLEAR PAINT PEELING. DOOR HANDLES LOOSE UNABLE TO OPEN ALL 4 DOORS. I HAVE TO UNLOCK FROM REAR WINDOW TO ACCESS VEHICLE. UNCLEAR OTHER THAN DESIGN OF HANDLES. LEFT FRONT DOOR HANDLE COMPLETELY BROKE OFF. QUOTE OF $150 A DOOR TO REPAIR. WILL COST ME $600. VERY UNSAFE AND PROBLEMATIC. INCLUDING A LOSS IN VALUE.

NHTSA ID

11390936

Incident

Sep 15, 2016

Mileage

13,500 mi

BIG CONCERN WITH MY POWER TRAIN. THE BACK OF THE CAR HAS A LOUD WHIRRING NOISE WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CLICKS LOUDLY WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN. GOING A FASTER SPEED SEEMS TO SOUND BETTER BUT ITS PRETTY SCARY.THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. THERE ALSO IS A SENSOR THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND I DON'T KNOW ITS NAME.. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHECKED OUT AND RENDERED PASSABLE BUT I FEAR THAT I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STOP SOMETIMES.IT FEELS UNSTABLE. I AM ELDERLY AND NEED A STABLE CAR TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ID

11355228

Incident

May 15, 2020

MY OVERHEAD LIGHT MELTED SMOKED AND DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE AND NOW I'M HAVING TROUBLE W MY DASH LIGHTS FLICKERING AND MY AUTOMATIC LIGHTS DON'T EVER SHUT OFF

NHTSA ID

11350878

Incident

Aug 21, 2020

Mileage

155,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ROLLED WHEN PARKED ON A HILL ALTHOUGH IT WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED AS OF YET. THE CONTACT WAS HAVING MEDICAL ISSUES RELATED TO STRESS DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,275.

NHTSA ID

11306314

Incident

Jan 24, 2020

Mileage

155,275 mi

WHEN TURNING THE CAR STEERING WHEEL TURNS POPS AND CLICKS WITHOUT TIRES OR STEERING COLLUM TURNING LIKE IT'S BROKE OFF OF THE COLLUM AS WELL THE CAR COME OUT OF PARK AND ROLLS OFF WILE CAR IS OFF AND IN PARK WITH KEYS OUT SHIFTERS ALSO VERY LOOSE AS THE STEERING GOES IT FIRST HAPPEND GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND WE JUST STARTED DRIFTING IN AND OUT IF LANES WITH LITTLE CONTROL HAPPENS WHEN CARS OFF ON MOVING OR NOT NOTHING CHANGES DOES SEEM TO IMPROVE WHEN IT'S IN 4WD

NHTSA ID

11277708

Incident

Nov 1, 2019

Mileage

150,000 mi

VEHICLE IS STUCK IN 4-WHEEL LOW ANIMAL GOING TO 4 WHEEL HIGH OR AUTO I

NHTSA ID

11257876

Incident

Jan 1, 2018

Mileage

170,000 mi

PROBLEM: VEHICLE CRANKS BUT NO START. VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM MY GARAGE TO FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPT. SERVICE MANAGER'S . DIAGNOSIS FOUND THE FUEL PUMP INOPERABLE. REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER.

NHTSA ID

11165002

Incident

Jan 5, 2019

Mileage

78,458 mi

THE PASSENGER DOOR STOPPED LOCKING, ONE OF THE SEATS BELTS IS MISSING THE COVER TO CLICK THE BELT

NHTSA ID

11145239

Incident

Oct 31, 2018

THE VEHICLE IS SUBJECT TO SUDDEN UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION WHILE BOTH IN MOTION AND STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID

11055411

Incident

Dec 16, 2017

Mileage

112,727 mi

I HAVE JUST REPLACED, FOR THE 4TH TIME, THE FRONT, DRIVERS SIDE, RUBBER BRAKE LINE . THE LINE SEEMS TO BE TO SHORT. WHEN MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN THE LINE IS PULLED TAUNT TO BEYOND IT'S LENGTH. IT SEEMS THAT THE LINE IS ABOUT 3 TO 4 INCHES TO SHORT. EACH TIME IT HAS BROKEN AT THE SAME PLACE WHERE THE RUBBER LINE CONNECTS TO THE BRAKE CALIPER. I STILL HAVE TWO OF THE BRAKE LINES THAT LEAKED. I DON'T KNOW HOW OTHER EXPLORES BRAKE LINES HAVE HELD UP WITHOUT LEAKING. I AM GOING TO REPLACE THE HOSE THAT IS LEAKING , PURCHASED FROM NAPA THAT IS THE SAME LENGTH AS THE OTHERS. I HAD A NEW ONE MADE TO ORDER WITH A 3 INCH INCREASE IN LENGTH. THE BRAKE HOSE ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE IS THE CORRECT LENGTH. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 5 YEAR AND IT HAS 187,000 MILES DRIVEN. THE DATE THAT THIS HAPPEN, BELOW, WAS THE FIRST OF THREE TIMES IT HAPPENED.

NHTSA ID

11033223

Incident

Oct 10, 2012

Mileage

167,000 mi

I AM DEEPLY DISGUSTED WITH YOUR SERVICE. I HAD FILED A COMPLAINT ONLINE AND ON THE PHONE ABOUT THE VEHICLE I HAVE SPECIFIED ON THIS ONLINE SYSTEM. THIS WAS DONE BACK IN 2011 AND FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH THE MANUFACTURE AND THE CA STATE DEPT. OF INVESTIGATIONS WITH DMV. I HAD ALSO SENT THE 20 PAGE OR SO COMPLAINT DIRECTLY TO A CA STATE SENATOR. I WAS SOLD A VEHICLE WITH A FIRE RECALL STILL IN EFFECT AND REGISTERED TO THE AUTO DEALER OF AUTO WEST GROUP. THE VEHICLE COME TO FIND OUT HAD WELL OVER 15 SAFETY RELATED RECALLS IN ITS HISOTRY. FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO AQUIRE COPIES OF WHAT I HAD SENT INTO YOUR DEPARTMENT, THE FTC, THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND THE BUREAU OF AUTO REPAIRS. NOW I FIND THAT I AM BEING STONEWALLED AND BEING TOLD THINGS LIKE THEY NO LONGER HAVE ANY RECORDS OF THE PROBLEMS. I NEVER RECEIVED A REPLACMENT VEHICLE AND I WAS IN FACT A VICTIM OF FINANCIAL FRAUD ASSOCIATED WITH THE PURCHASING OF THIS VEHICLE. BANK OF AMERICA AND THE USED VEHICLE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALER. SINCE THIS TIME THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA HAD ENACTED A FEW NEW LEMON LAW PROTECTIONS. I AM CERTAIN THAT MY PAPERWORK AND COMPLAINT WRITE-UPS ASSISTED IN SERVING THE LEGISLATION. IT COULDN'T BE MORE APPARENT THAT I AM BEING HARASSED AS A WHISTLE BLOWER.. I HAVE RECEIVED NO INFORMATION OR FOLLOWUP LETTERS FROM ANY SOURCE. ALL OF THEM ARE SIMPLY TRYING TO PRETEND I DO NOT EXIST. THEIR HAS BEEN NO RESOLVE OF THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ID

10970791

Incident

Jan 29, 2008

Mileage

89,000 mi

MY DOORS WILL NOT OPEN. I WAS TOLD THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WAS THE PROBLEM AND WOULD COST OVER $600.00. THE DRIVERS DOOR CAN NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE BECAUSE THE HANDLE BROKE, I HAVE TO LEAVE MY DOOR OPEN IN ORDER TO GET IN, THE FRONT PASSAGER DOOR AND THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR THE INSIDE. THE FRONT PASSAGER DOOR THE HANDLE ON THE INSIDE BROKE AS WELL AS THE HANDLE ON THE OUTSIDE, THE LOCK STICK FELL OUT. THE PASSAGER BACK DOOR IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET INTO MY TRUCK, THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL OPEN FROM THE INSIDE SOMETIMES. THIS IS A SAFTY HAZZARD. I CAN BE LOCKED INSIDE MY TRUCK WITH NO WAY OUT AND I AM LOCKED OUT OF MY TRUCK WHEN THE BACK DOOR STOP WORKING. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED SINCE SO MANY FORD DOORS ARE NOT OPENING.

NHTSA ID

10969654

Incident

Jan 6, 2016

Mileage

167,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS IN PARK, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. UPDATED 01/11/2017*CT *TR

NHTSA ID

10910441

Incident

Jun 10, 2015

Mileage

106,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE SEAT FRACTURED AND ROTATED BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V281000 (SEATS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

NHTSA ID

10908154

Incident

Sep 14, 2016

Mileage

153,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FOR EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH DEFINITY DAKOTA A/T TIRES, SIZE: P235/75 R15 A/T (NA). WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER TIRE BEGAN TO SHRED. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NO VISIBLE INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED; HOWEVER, A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,346 AND THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,870. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10903362

Incident

Aug 5, 2016

Mileage

89,870 mi