2000 Ford Explorer Interior & seats Problems

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 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

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 OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR INTERIOR CHILD LOCKS FAILED IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THIS WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ID

10714044

Incident

May 1, 2015

Mileage

30,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT COLLAPSED TO THE REAR SEAT. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BECAME UNSTABLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V281000 (SEATS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,199. UPDATED 4/15/15*CN UPDATED 9/11/17*CN

NHTSA ID

10667616

Incident

Dec 20, 2014

Mileage

149,199 mi

2000 FORD EXPLORER WENT UP IN FLAMES. REPORTED IT RIGHT AWAY TO FORD AND WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER. THEY TOLD US TO TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALER IN THE AREA. AFTER MONTHS AND MONTHS AND MONTHS OF GETTING NO RESPONSE WE KEPT GETTING THE RUN AROUND THEN TOLD THAT IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY DEFECT. WE RECENTLY GOT A RECALL LETTER FROM FORD FOR THE EXACT THING THAT HAPPENED TO THIS CAR CAUSING IT TO GO ON FIRE AND FORD WILL NOT RESPOND. THEY SAY THAT THE CLAIM HAS BEEN CLOSED AND THAT THE ORIGINAL DECISION (WHICH WE NEVER RECEIVED) STANDS AND THEY WILL NOT RESPOND TO US ANY LONGER. HOW CAN THIS BE ACCEPTABLE. SEE FORD SAFETY RECALL #05S28 IT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO THE EXPLORER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10651387

Incident

Oct 12, 2012

I HAVE A 2000 FORD EXPLORER, 4-DOOR. THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR ACTUATOR MECHANISM HAS FAILED. THE LEFT FRONT DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM HAS FAILED. ALSO, LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. 1) CAN NOT OPEN RIGHT FRONT DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH KEY-FOB OR WITH THE KEY! I REPLACED A RIVOT THAT HOLDS THE LOCKING ACTUATOR WITH A BOLT (RIGHT SIDE FRONT DOOR). 2)I CAN NOT OPEN LEFT FRONT DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH KEY-FOB OR WITH THE KEY! . I REPLACED THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE OPENING LEVER. THIS WORKED UNTIL THE LATCHING MECHANISM INSIDE THE DOOR FAILED. I CURRENTLY HAVE TO TAKE THE DOOR APART AND TRY TO FIX THIS BECAUSE MY WIFE AND KIDS USE THIS VEHICLE. 3) ON THE LEFT REAR DOOR, THE DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. I CURRENTLY HAVE TO TAKE THE DOOR APART AND TRY TO FIX THIS BECAUSE MY WIFE AND KIDS USE THIS VEHICLE. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT ON THE RIGHT SIDE, ANYONE IN THE LEFT REAR SEAT CAN NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE LEFT REAR DOOR. WE LEASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2000 THEN BOUGHT IT IN 2003. AS OF THIS WRITING, THIS VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 80000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. FORD REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS. MANY MESSAGE BOARDS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH 2000 FORD EXPLORERS. UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE TO RESORT TO USING THE REMEDIES ON VARIOUS MESSAGE BOARDS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ID

10319403

Incident

Feb 10, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE DOOR LOCKS CONTINUED TO FAIL AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILES WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/15/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE LOCKS HAVE FAILED ONE-BY-ONE. THE PASSENGER REAR AND DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR LOCKS COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE TRUNK LOCK ALSO STICKS. UPDATED 09/02/10

NHTSA ID

10315143

Incident

Mar 9, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. SHE STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER, AND REAR DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK SHE HAD TO CLIMB THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. UPDATED 3/4/2010 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT AND REAR DOORS CONTINUE TO JAM. UPDATED 06/17/10*JB

NHTSA ID

10303829

Incident

Jan 4, 2010

ON THIS DATE I EXAMINED THE 2000 FORD EXPLORER INTERIOR LIGHT LOCATED ABOVE THE MIDDLE OF THE DASHBOARD IS A TWO LIGHT ASSEMBLY. ONE OF THE LIGHTS WAS OPERATIONAL, WHILE THE SECOND WOULD ONLY OPERATE WHEN THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS JIGGLED, GOING FROM OFF TO ON, TO DIM. THE CONTACT POINTS FOR THE LIGHTS IS A THIN COPPER STRIP WHICH ENCOMPASSES EACH LIGHT. THE STRIP IS FRAGILE AND THE HEAT FROM THE LIGHTS CAUSED THE COPPER STRIP TO SEPARATE AND MELTED THE PLASTIC ASSEMBLY TO MELT INTO THE LIGHT FIXTURE AND CAUSING FAILURE IN BOTH LIGHTS. THIS RESULTED IN FAILURE OF ALL INTERIOR LIGHTING EXCEPT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. DIFFICULTY IN LOCATING SEAT BELTS, LOCATING DROPPED KEYS, INSURING SAFETY OF PASSENGERS. HAVING PASSENGER READ DIRECTIONS OR MAPS AFTER DARK IS NOW IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT A FLASHLIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10275510

Incident

Jul 1, 2000

Mileage

151 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS RECLINING FARTHER THAN NORMAL. WHEN THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND SAT BACK, THE SEAT FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL WEAR ON THE SEAT AND IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,924.

NHTSA ID

10268155

Incident

May 5, 2009

Mileage

93,924 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM WITHIN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. HE ASSUMED THAT THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. HE FOUND SEVERAL CONSUMERS ONLINE WHO WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS FAILURE AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 108,000. UPDATED 06/23/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO GET THE DOORS TO WORK. UPDATED 06/23/09.*JB

NHTSA ID

10267934

Incident

May 6, 2009

Mileage

108,000 mi

MY DRIVER'S DOOR WAS CONSTANTLY GETTING JAMMED. THE LOCK WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN I HIT THE POWER LOCK BUTTON. SO NOW MY DOOR OPENS WHEN IT FEELS LIKE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10261961

Incident

Sep 7, 2008

MY DRIVER'S DOOR KEEPS GETTING JAMMED. I HAVE TO SOMETIMES CRAWL OVER THE SEAT TO GET OUT OF THE TRUCK. THE LOCK ARE CONSTANTLY GETTING STUCK TO THE POINT I CAN'T MANUALLY EVEN PULL THEM UP ANYMORE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10255291

Incident

Nov 4, 2008

Mileage

130,000 mi

MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK GETS STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION RANDOMLY. THIS OCCURS BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND PARKED. IT ALSO EFFECTS THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW. IT IS DRIVING ME CRAZY. I HAVE TO CRAWL OVER THE PASSENGER SEAT AND WIGGLE THE HANDLE WHILE TRYING TO PULL UP THE LOCK MANUALLY. I WILL EVENTUALLY BREAK THE HANDLE. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH I FOUND 100'S IF NOT 1,000'S OR MORE PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET THAT HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE. MANY ARE CALLING FOR A RECALL. JUST GOOGLE " FORD EXPLORER DRIVER'S DOOR WON'T UNLOCK" OR THIS LINK HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/1998/ACCESSORIES-INTERIOR/DRIVERS_DOOR_WONT_UNLOCK.SHTML THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE! *TR

NHTSA ID

10254467

Incident

Jan 1, 2008

Mileage

80,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 20 MPH, THE UPPER BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HIGH BACK SEAT (THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME) FRACTURED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND FOOT PEDALS. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V281000 (SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER) OR RECALL NUMBER PE03020AND. FORD STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE PERFORMED BECAUSE THE SEAT HAD ALREADY FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE DUE TO MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND, UPON RECOVERY, WAS INFORMED BY FORD THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE PERFORMED BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT COMPLETED IN A TIMELY FASHION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10238683

Incident

Jan 10, 2002

Mileage

50,000 mi

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NO LONGER LOCK AUTOMATICALLY. I HAVE TO PHYSICALLY PUSH THE BUTTON DOWN AND SOMETIMES IT WON'T UNLOCK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10234354

Incident

Jun 1, 2008

Mileage

118,656 mi

DRIVER POWER LOCKING DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10230007

Incident

Mar 26, 2008

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS ON HER VEHICLE LATCH AND UNLATCH INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ID

10223839

Incident

Mar 19, 2008

Mileage

105,000 mi

LTR RE NUMEROUS RECALLS ON HIS 2000 FORD SUV EXPLORER. *KB

NHTSA ID

10208245

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

2000 FORD EXPLORER PROBLEMS WITH DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM. CUSTOMER STATES THAT IT BEGAN WITH THE REAR DOORS NOT UNLOCKING, HATCH DOOR WILL NOW NOT UNLOCK. CUSTOMER THINKS DOORS WILL STOP OPENING. *KB THE CONSUMER HAS TRIED OILING THE MECHANISMS, BUT THAT STILL DIDN'T WORK. *JB UPDATED 10/03/07.*JB

NHTSA ID

10203837

Incident

Sep 1, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT WOULD MOVE BACK AND FORTH AND FAILED TO LOCK IN PLACE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECLINER BOLT FAILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NOTICE NUMBER 03V281000 (SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER) IN 2004. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR BECAUSE OF THE TIME FRAME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,848. UPDATED 10/03/07 *TR

NHTSA ID

10202133

Incident

Aug 1, 2007

Mileage

90,000 mi

WE TOOK OUR 2000 FORD EXPLORER INTO SANTA MARGARITA FORD FOR MAINTENANCE. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SUBJECT TO RECALL 03S04, REPLACEMENT OF A SEAT BOLT. THE DEALER REQUESTED AUTHORIZATION FROM FORD TO DO THE REPAIRS. FORD SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS APPARENTLY SOMEE DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ALL THEY OFFERED WAS TO PAY $100. I WAS UNABLE TO SPEAK WITH ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO MADE THE DECISION TO NOT COMPLETELY PAY FOR THE NEEDED REPAIRS. $100 IS UNACCEPTABLE; I EXPECT FORD TO PAY FOR ANY AND ALL REPAIRS. *JB

NHTSA ID

10178312

Incident

Jan 4, 2007

Mileage

91,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAD TO BE LIFTED UP HIGHER THAN NORMAL TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. THE DOOR WAS INOPERABLE FROM THE OUTSIDE. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE DOOR HANDLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

10171617

Incident

Oct 23, 2006

Mileage

113,400 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH, AND THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER DOORS KEPT JAMMING CLOSED. EACH DOOR REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE LATCHES WERE FAULTY, AND THE PARTS WERE ORDERED. UPDATED 11/21/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID

10170744

Incident

Oct 12, 2006

Mileage

122,000 mi