55 of the 1,737 complaints about the 1999 Ford Explorer are about the body and structure — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 100,000 miles.
55
Complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
7
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
STRUCTURE:BODY
DRIVER SIDE DOOR KEEPS OPENING UP WHILE WHICLE IS MOVING. THE DOOR IS CLOSED AND LOCKED PRIOR TO THE TRAVEL. BIG SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11151292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN DOORS FROM OUTSIDE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE IN AN ACCIDENT IF ATTEMPTING TO GET SOMEONE OUT. ALSO THE LATCH FOR THE HOOD HAS THE SAME PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #11052434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS AT WORK ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON, 5/16 AND RECEIVED A VOICEMAIL AT 3:50PM FROM THE FIRE MARSHALL STATING MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER XLT BURNED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND WAS TOTALED. I HAD NOT DRIVEN THE EXPLORER SINCE APPROXIMATELY 7PM THE NIGHT BEFORE AND HAD TAKEN MY OTHER CAR TO WORK. THE EXPLORER WAS JUST SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY, OUTSIDE THE GARAGE AND STARTED BURNING. A NEIGHBOR 2 HOUSES OVER SMELLED THE SMOKE AND SAW THE FLAMES AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE MARSHALL STATED HE HAD SEEN THIS TYPE OF FIRE BEFORE DUE TO THE FORD CRUISE CONTROL RECALL PROBLEMS, BASED ON THE BURN PATTERN. I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND BOUGHT IT ABOUT 8 YEARS AGO AND HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY KIND OF RECALL NOTICE. I AM EXTREMELY UPSET THAT THIS KIND OF THING COULD HAPPEN AND DID HAPPEN - THE MORE I READ ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE IT'S HAPPENED TO THE MORE UPSET I GET, I'VE HAD NIGHTMARES SINCE FRIDAY SINCE MY HOUSE WOULD HAVE BURNED IF I HAD PARKED IT 1 FOOT CLOSER TO THE GARAGE -- WHICH I USUALLY DO, I HAD PLANNED TO GIVE IT TO MY STEPSON ON SATURDAY WHO WAS COMING TO VISIT FROM NY AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIS FIRST CAR -- MY FIANCE' IS STRESSED OUT AND UPSET BEYOND WORDS I CAN WRITE HERE. NO EXCUSE FORD...SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10592817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. UPDATED 01/13/11*LJ UPDATED 04/01/11
NHTSA complaint #10364175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
I DRIVE A 1999 FORD EXPLORER AND COMING HOME FROM WORK LAST NIGHT THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE FIREWALL SHEARED OFF. MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS LEFT DANGLING AND I COULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY MORE. COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS HAD I BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE. IT APPEARS LIKE THREE LITTLE RIVETS HOLD THE BRACKET TO THE FIREWALL.
NHTSA complaint #10347845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH WINDOW EXPLODED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT SOMEONE HAD BROKEN THE WINDOW AND CONTACTED THE POLICE. THE POLICE ADVISED THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE BREAKAGE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 189,000.
NHTSA complaint #10331532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT REMAIN OPEN IN A FIXATED POSITION. IF THE HOOD COLLAPSES ONTO A PERSON, HE OR SHE COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS THE FRONT HOOD LIFT CYLINDER. SHE HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000. UPDATED 4/23/09 *CN UPDATED 04/28/09.
NHTSA complaint #10264084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR MECHANISM WOULD LOCK, BUT WOULD FAIL TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. IN ADDITION, THE PLASTIC CLIP HANGING DOWN WOULD SLIP OUT OF POSITION. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE FAILURE MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. FORD STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS FAILURE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #10224944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROD THAT IS USED TO KEEP THE HOOD LIFTED IS TOO SMALL. THE ROD DOES NOT KEEP THE HOOD PROPPED UP AND CAUSES IT TO CLOSE. THE HOOD HAS NEVER FALLEN ON HIM, BUT HE HAS HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE CONTACT'S RESPONSIBILITY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA complaint #10200668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
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.
NHTSA complaint #10189395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
1999 EXPLORER HOOD DOES NOT STAY OPEN WHEN LIFTED. *TS THE GAS LIFT SUPPORTS FAILED AND CAUSED THE HOOD TO COME CRASHING DOWN ON THE CONSUMER'S HEAD. THE HOOD CAUSED A GASH AND SWELLING ON THE CONSUMER'S FOREHEAD.
NHTSA complaint #10155197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
1999 EXPLORER HOOD DOES NOT REMAIN OPEN DUE TO SUDDEN GAS LIFT SUPPORT FAILURE. *TS THE HOOD CAME CRASHING DOWN ON THE CONSUMER'S HEAD RESULTING IN A GASH AND SWELLING ON HER FORHEAD.
NHTSA complaint #10152984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
1999 FORD EXPLORER GRAB BAR OVER THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT FELL OFF ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO PRESSURE APPLIED TO IT. *MR FOR SEVEN WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE TO CONSUMER HAD BEEN INSTRUCTED TO USE THE GRAB BAR TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF AN ANKLE INJURY. THE CONSUMER SAID THAT AT NO TIME DURING THOSE SEVEN WEEKS DID THE BAR FEEL LOOSE OR UNSTABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10133461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
DT: VEHICLE'S METAL SPORT RUNNING BOARDS RUSTED IN TWO YEARS. THE OWNER FELT THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE OWNER NEEDED THE RUNNING BOARDS TO HELP HER GET IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND A BODY SHOP. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. CONSUMER CHECKED ON HAVING FIBERGLASS RUNNING BOARDS PLACED ON HER VEHICLE. THE METAL RUNNING BOARDS WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLE WHEN PURCHASED. THE CONSUMER WANTS FORD TO REIMBURSE HER FOR THE NEW FIBERGLASS RUNNING BOARDS. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10127759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
THE FACTORY HOOD SHOCKS ARE TOO SMALL AND CANNOT HOLD THE WEIGHT OF THE HOOD. THIS RESULTED IN THE HOOD SLAMMING SHUT WITHOUT WARNING. *AK THE HOOD WOULD STAY UP FOR FIVE MINUTES. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10072143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
CONSUMER STATES IF THE ARM REST IS TIPPED UPWARD TO GET INTO THE STORAGE AREA, HOT /COLD DRINKS WILL SPILL INTO THE REAR PASSENGER AREA. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10051850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE PASSENGER WAS GETTING INSIDE OF VEHICLE BY PULLING ON THE UPPER HANDLE GRIP THE HANDLE SNAPPED, CAUSING THE PASSENGER TO FALL TO THE GROUND.
NHTSA complaint #10039724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
I PURCHASED A 1999 FORD EXPLORER VIN #[XXX] FROM A WASHINGTON STATE FORD DEALERSHIP IN SEPTEMBER 2002. THE VEHICLE HAD 54,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME, I HAVE PUT 7,000 MILES ON IT. THE REAR LIFTGATE BEGAN TO MAKE A CLUNKING/POPPING NOISE RECENTLY, AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO CLOSE. I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER, PORT ANGELES FORD LINCOLN MERCURY, AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE SHEET METAL WHERE THE HINGES ARE MOUNTED IS TEARING AWAY FROM THE STRUCTURE AND THAT IT IS NOT A COVERED ITEM (I DID PURCHASE THE FORD WARRANTY PLAN), AND THAT I WILL NEED TO GO TO A BODY SHOP AND HAVE NEW STEEL PLATES WELDED IN PLACE AT MY EXPENSE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS IS MY RESPONSIBILITY, THE STEEL THAT WAS USED WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT USING THIS LIFTGATE, AND I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT FORD IS LIABLE FOR THIS. CAN YOU HELP ME TO CONFIRM THIS? I AM UNABLE TO USE THE LIFTGATE AT THIS TIME AS THE FORD DEALER SAYS THE LIFTGATE COULD FALL OFF, POSSIBLY INJURING SOMEONE. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10032628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
THE BUMPER COLLAPSED WHEN IT WAS HIT.
NHTSA complaint #10015047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
THE REAR LIFT GATE DOOR IS FALLING OFF OF THE HINGES.
NHTSA complaint #10008251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
LIFTGATE LOOSE, IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PH.
NHTSA complaint #10006303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
CONSUMER HAD LIFTED TAILGATE. WHILE CONSUMER WAS STANDING UNDERNEATH TAILGATE IT FELL DOWN, HITTING CONSUMER ON THE HEAD. BOTH HYDRAULIC HINGES WERE LEAKING OIL. VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #8017877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED, AND THEN VEHICLE SHUT OFF. IT WAS HARD TO GET VEHICLE BACK STARTED. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8017216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE UNIT RATTLES WHEN IN MOTION, DEALER REPLACED REPLACED THE RIVET IN THE DOOR REGULATOR. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #566562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
THE PRESSURIZED LIFT RODS WHICH HOLD THE HOOD UP FAILED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FIRST TIME THE HOOD FELL AND PINNED MY FINGERS UNDER THE CLOSED HOOD. I FEEL THE COOLER AIR TEMPERATURE (45 DEGREES) CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE. IT HASN'T OCCURED DURING THE WARMER TIMES OF THE YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #762111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
THE PLASTIC TRIM AROUND THE HEAD LINER WAS LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #563788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
THE VEHICLE IS SETTING HIGH OFF THE GROUND CAUSING WIND TO GET UNDER VEHICLE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND A CRASH CAN OCCUR.
NHTSA complaint #564008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
VEHICLE HAS MAJOR VIBRATION THROUGHOUT BODY WHEN IT IS IDLING. RPMS FLUCTUATE UP AND DOWN BETWEEN 1600 AND 2300. DEALER ADDED AN EXTRA BRACKET TO EXHAUST SYSTEM TO HELP STOP VIBRATION. VEHICLE WOULD ONLY REV HARD WHEN IT WAS FIRST STARTED UP. VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 00V395000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 00546, BUT IT WAS UPGRADED ACCORDINGLY TO HELP CORRECT THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT GOT WORSE.
NHTSA complaint #8005933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
REAR TIRE STRUCK THE TOYOTA'S FRONT BUMPER AND ROLLED THE EXPLORER OVER. THE SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED. THE FORCE IN THE ROLLOVER CRASH SHOULD HAVE ACTIVATED THE SIDE AIRBAGS.
NHTSA complaint #9005618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
THE VEHICLE IS SETTING HIGH OFF THE GROUND CAUSING WIND TO GET UNDER BEATHER AND CAUSE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND CRASH CAN OCCUR.
NHTSA complaint #564008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.