68 of the 939 complaints filed about the Ford Explorer Sport are about the electrical system — 7% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1998.
68
Complaints
7%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
21
Fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Suspenion and or traction was and the electrical system didnt work good
NHTSA complaint #11675907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AFTER ADJUSTING STEERING WHEAL UP AND DOWN THE HARNESS WAS BROKEN DUE TO SHORT HARNESS UNDER DASH I DIDN'T NOTICE IT UNTIL THE ELECTRICAL SYS FAILED
NHTSA complaint #10920028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I BOUGHT MY FORD EXP.SPORT TRAC IN 2005 WITH A FEW MILES ON IT. I SOON FOUND OUT THAT IT HAD A FEW PROBLEMS WITH IT'S INTERIOR LIGHTING. THEN IT WAS THE DOOR LOOKS, THEN IT WAS THE RADIO GOING ON AND OFF BY ITSELF. THEN THE WINDOWS WENT UP AND DOWN ON THERE OWN. NOW THE AC COMES ON AND OFF WHILE IN THE OFF POSITION. AS OF TODAY KNOW ONE KNOWS WHAT AS GOTTEN INTO MY TRUCK AND WHEN I ADJUST MY STEERING WHEEL DONE THE TURNING LIGHTS DONT WORK AND I HAVE EVEN RECEIVED A TICKET FOR IT.
NHTSA complaint #10730856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING. PROBLEM TRACED TO TILT STEERING AND MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS. BROKEN RETAINER CLIP ALLOWS WIRES TO BE PULLED FROM CONNECTOR BREAKING CONNECTION FOR BRAKE LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL. ONCE TILT STEERING IS ENGAGED CONNECTION IS BROKEN AND WIRES DO NOT STAY CONNECTED AND LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL IS THE RESULT. THIS COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENT, INJURY AND OR LOSS OF LIFE DUE TO POOR DESIGN. THE BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM HAD ELUDED ME UNTIL I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH ON THE INTERNET WHICH RESULTED IN HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF PEOPLE ALL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. CALLING THE FORD DEALER AND PROVIDING THE PART NUMBER (E6DB14489DA) ON THE CONNECTOR PROVED FUTILE IN HAVING THEM EVEN IDENTIFY THE PART YET I WAS ABLE TO FIND THE PART ON THE INTERNET JUST BE A GOOGLE SEARCH. AT THIS POINT, I AM UNABLE TO LOCATE A REPLACEMENT PART SO I AM FORCED TO HOT GLUE THE WIRES INTO THE BROKEN CONNECTOR IN ORDER TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10637235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND THE SOUND FOR THE DOOR STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V072000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,637 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 158,000.
NHTSA complaint #10507267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE FORD EXPLORER SPORT HAS SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *REAR BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND CAUSED MY BATTERY TO DRAIN. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY STATED THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORERS, THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH THAT THE CAR HAS IS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC ACTUALLY STATED THAT THEY STOPPED MAKING THAT KIND OF BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, SO THEY HAD TO ORDER A NEW KIND OF BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. BECAUSE THE MECHANIC'S STATEMENT, THIS INFORMED ME THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH THAT CAME WITH THE CAR IS DEFECTIVE. *DOOR AJAR LIGHT SOMETIMES COMES ON FOR NO REASON WHEN ALL DOORS ARE FULLY CLOSED, AND THEN TURNS OFF ON IT'S OWN AFTER A COUPLE DAYS. I CALLED FORD AND THEY STATED THIS SOMETIMES HAPPENS AND I NEEDED TO GREASE THE DOOR LATCHED AND CLEAN THE RUBBER LINING ON THE DOORS. I DID ALL THIS AND IT STILL HAPPENS SOMETIMES. I'VE SEEN COMPLAINS ABOUT THIS ONLINE TOO. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE NOW WHEN THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON PEOPLE MAY IGNORE THINKING IT'S THE REGULAR GLITCH, WHEN IT COULD POSSIBLY BE AN OPEN DOOR ONE DAY. *POWER DOOR AND POWER WINDOW MOTOR CONSTANTLY GOES OUT EACH YEAR. I HAVE HAD THIS REPAIRED THREE TIMES NOW. THIS IS ALSO DANGEROUS BECAUSE IN AN EMERGENCY PASSENGERS CAN'T EXIT A WINDOW IF NEEDED.
NHTSA complaint #10496190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK WONT UNLOCK WITH KEY OR WITH HANDLE, CANT UNLOCK DOOR WITH PULL KNOB EITHER,IT'S A DEATH TRAP IF U NEED TO ESCAPE IN THE EVENT OF FIRE OR ACCIDENT, THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD ASAP!!!
NHTSA complaint #10450003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE:FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO WORK CONSISTENTLY. WIPERS COME ON EVEN THOUGH IT IS SET TO THE OFF POSITION. SOMETIMES WIPERS DO NOT COME ON WHEN THEY ARE TURNED TO THE ON POSITION. IN ORDER FOR WIPERS TO WORK CONSISTENTLY THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE MANUALLY ENGAGE WITH HAND AND HAND HAS TO BE KEPT ON THE WIPER CONTROL SWITCH SWITCHING IT ON AND OFF TO MOVE THE WIPER BLADES. WIPERS WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. WIPERS WOULD ACT ERRATICALLY AND FAIL TO OPERATE PROPERLY 90% OF THE TIME. WIPERS SOMETIMES WOULD COME ON AFTER VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP. WIPERS CAN COME ON ANYTIME WHILE DRIVING. FAULTY HOOD/WEAK HYDRAULIC ARMS: THE HOOD CANNOT SAFELY STAY UP BECAUSE THE HYDRAULIC ARM SUPPORTS ARE TOO WEAK TO HOLD THE WEIGHT OF THE HOOD. THE HOOD SUPPORT DOES NOT LOCK INTO PLACE SO THAT THE HOOD WOULD STAY UP SAFELY. NO SAFETY BAR WAS INSTALLED ON THIS VEHICLE TO SAFELY HOLD UP/PROP UP THE HOOD IN CASE OF HYDRAULIC ARM/SUPPORT FAILURE. IF THE VEHICLE GETS BUMPED WHILE THE HOOD IS UP THE HOOD WOULD FALL AND CLOSE SHUT. BECAUSE THE HOOD WILL NOT STAY UP IT REQUIRES TWO PEOPLE WHEN CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD. ONE PERSON TO HOLD THE HOOD WHILE OTHER IS UNDER IT. EXTREME RUST & RUST THROUGH INTERIOR RUNNING BOARDS/STEP UP: BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR RUNNING BOARDS/STEP UP HAVE EXTREME RUST AND RUSTED HOLES THROUGH THE FRAME IN MANY SPOTS.WHEN THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS ARE OPEN ALL RUST CAN BE SEEN.SOME RUST AND RUSTED HOLES THROUGH THE FRAME IN MANY SPOTS IS VISIBLE FROM THE EXTERIOR EVEN WHEN DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE DOORS ARE CLOSED.
NHTSA complaint #10442752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE DURING ACTIVATION. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD OPERATE WHENEVER THE WINDSHIELD WASHER CONTROL DEVICE WAS ENGAGED. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATED WHEN MANUALLY TURNING THE CONTROL LEVER. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED WHILE IN THE OFF MODE. IN ADDITION, THE HOOD SUPPORT ARM WOULD NOT REMAIN IN AN UPWARD POSITION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,500. UPDATED 02/22/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE WIPERS WOULD ACTIVATE, WHEN THE DEFROSTER WAS ON. UPDATED 03/01/12
NHTSA complaint #10442551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD ENGAGE INDEPENDENTLY AND THE DOORS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK WITHOUT ENGAGEMENT. IN ADDITION, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ALSO DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V072000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS). THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
NHTSA complaint #10377170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LEADING UP TO THE EVENT OF THE FIRE, OCCASIONALLY THE "DOOR AJAR" BUTTON WOULD FLASH DURING DRIVING, THE ALARM WOULD RANDOMLY GO OFF, AND THE LIGHTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE WOULD FLASH AT RANDOM TIMES. THIS WAS NEVER A PATTERN, AND THE CAR WENT PERIODS OF TIME WITH NOTHING HAPPENING TO IT. ONE MORNING, I OPENED THE CAR DOOR AND FOUND THE ENTIRE INSIDE TO BE BURNED OUT. THE FIRST STARTED IN THE MIDDLE CONSOLE.
NHTSA complaint #10358978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING,POWER WINDOWS NOT WORKING, DOME LIGHT NOT WORKING, FOG LIGHTS NOT WORKING AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND AUTO NOT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10358354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SMOKE COMING OUT OF STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURN SIGNAL ENGAGED. TOOK TO DEALER AND TOLD IGNITION SWITCH HAD SIGNS OF A HOT POINT AND WAS MELTING. HAD IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED AT A SERVICE STATION, HOWEVER, THEY SAID THEY SAW NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10354026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING AT THE TIME. VEHICLE DESTROYED BY FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10323671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT THAT THE 4X4 CONTROL MODULE CONSTANTLY MALFUNCTIONS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT IS WIDESPREAD AND COULD CAUSE MAJOR ACCIDENTS BY LOSING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DURING OPERATION IN THE WINTER MONTHS ON SNOW/ ICE. IF YOU RESEARCH THIS YOU'LL FIND THE PROBLEM EXISTED FROM WHEN THESE WERE NEW VEHICLES AND FORD HAS NO RESOLUTION TO FIX THIS PROBLEM OTHER THAN REPLACE IT WITH ANOTHER DEFECTIVE PART. FORD'S DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER DOESN'T EVEN RECOGNIZE THERE IS A FAILURE IN THE SYSTEM CREATING AN EVEN LARGER DANGER SINCE HERE'S NO WAY TO TRACE THE PROBLEM WHEN TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED IMMEDIATELY. FORD AND MOTOROLA HAVE DESIGNED AND INSTALLED A DEFECTIVE PART THAT CAN KILL PEOPLE IF NOT FIXED AND HAS PROBABLY CAUSED HUNDREDS OF ACCIDENTS ALREADY. THE FORD PART NUMBER IS 1L54-7H417-AC AND THE MOTOROLA MODEL NUMBER IS 01MP207C01 AND IT IS DESCRIBED AS THE 4X4 CONTROL MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #10292297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AT STEERING COLUMN: SMELL OF WIRES GETTING HOT AND SMOKE.
NHTSA complaint #10289701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED AND THE FUSES WOULD CONTINUOUSLY BLOW OUT. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSTALLED NEW FUSES IN THE VEHICLE AND MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS, BUT THE FUSES BLEW OUT AGAIN THE SAME DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC. WHILE AT THE REPAIR SHOP, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS PARTIALLY DESTROYED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE THREE OPEN RECALLS, ONE OF WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 06V286000, 03V281000, AND 98V060000 WERE REFERENCED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 132,000.
NHTSA complaint #10277486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE, THE CAR WILL NOT START. IT JUST CRANKS AND CRANKS,BUT, WILL NOT TURN OVER.....AS IF IT WAS OUT OF GAS WHEN IT IS NOT. THERE ARE MANY TRICKS TO GETTING THIS THING TO START THOUGH. IF THE WINDOWS ARE ROLLED UP ALL OF THE WAY, AND IT HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN BEFORE NOON, IT WONT START. IF I DRIVE IT IN THE MORNING WHEN IT IS COOL OUTSIDE, IT WILL ALMOST ALWAYS START LATER IN THE DAY. IF I DON'T DRIVE IT UNTIL THE AFTERNOON, AND THE WINDOWS HAVE BEEN LEFT DOWN AND IT IS PARKED IN THE SHADE, IT WILL ALMOST ALWAYS START. THIS PROBLEM HAS BECOME A NIGHTMARE. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP 2 DIFFERENT TIMES AND THEY HAVE YET TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN. THEY HAVE REPLACED RELAY SWITCH'S AND FUEL FILTER, BUT HAS NOT HELPED. I HAVE NOTICED THE "THEFT LIGHT" BLINKS RAPIDLY WHEN IT WONT START, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NO THEFT DEVICE ACTIVATED IN THE VEHICLE!!! THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DOESN'T ROLE DOWN HALF THE TIME, AND THE SEAT BELTS IN THE BACK SEAT "LOCK UP" EVERY TIME SOMEONE USES THEM TO THE POINT WHERE WHOM EVER IS USING IT HAS TO TAKE IT OFF AND LET IT RETRACT ALL THE WAY TO GET IT TO UNLOCK. THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES DURING A TRIP IN THE CAR. I AM OVER ALL DISAPPOINTED WITH THE CAR AT THIS POINT, AND WOULD LOVE TO SELL IT, BUT, I CAN NOT PREDICT FROM DAY TO DAY IF IT WILL EVEN START FOR A BUYER TO TEST DRIVE IT!!!! THE STARTING ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A FEW MONTHS, THE OTHER ISSUES HAVE BEEN HAPPENING FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10235583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE AND NEGATIVE CABLE ARE MAPPED LIKE THE LETTER "T". THE PLASTIC POWER STEERING RESERVOIR'S RUBBER CASING IS CHEWED OFF ON THE SIDE FACING THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING AND FLUID RESERVOIR ARE SEPARATED BY AN INCH. THE BATTERY IS POSITIONED AT A DOWNWARD ANGLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE SHIFTS BACK AND CAUSES THE POWER CABLE TO RUB AGAINST THE RESERVOIR. THE SEAM AROUND THE RESERVOIR HAS SHARK LIKE TEETH WITH JAGGED EDGES THAT CUT INTO THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,800.
NHTSA complaint #10210803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WAS USING THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE IN WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED SMOKING AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE, THEN THE CAB STARTED BURNING AND THEN THE WHOLE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND EXPLODED.
NHTSA complaint #10206342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.