2000 Ford Explorer door lock problems

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

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 complaint #11456779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

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 complaint #10714044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

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

NHTSA complaint #10319403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

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 complaint #10315143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

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

NHTSA complaint #10303829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

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.

NHTSA complaint #10267934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

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.

NHTSA complaint #10261961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

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.

NHTSA complaint #10255291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

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!

NHTSA complaint #10254467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

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

NHTSA complaint #10234354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

DRIVER POWER LOCKING DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE.

NHTSA complaint #10230007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

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 complaint #10223839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

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.

NHTSA complaint #10203837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

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 complaint #10171617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

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 -

NHTSA complaint #10170744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE DOOR LOCKS FAILED TO OPEN. THE FIRST WAS THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR PASSENGER DOOR FOLLOWED BY THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AND NOW THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER EACH TIME AND THE LATCH ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 10/25/2006 - THE TECHNICIAN TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL/YEAR VEHICLE AND THAT THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE DOOR LATCHES. ONE OF THE PIECES IS MADE OF A TYPE OF PLASTIC WHICH IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH.

NHTSA complaint #10165721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK INOPERATIVE, REAR DOOR LOCK INOPERATIVE.

NHTSA complaint #10158014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

REAR DOORS ON 2000 FORD EXPLORER (4-DOOR, 4X4, XLT) FAIL TO OPEN. IN JANUARY OF 2005 THE LEFT REAR DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN, EITHER FROM THE INSIDE NOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS HAS JUST HAPPENED TO THE RIGHT REAR DOOR (DECEMBER 2005). I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP ( DON JENKINS FORD IN FUQUAY VARINA, NC) FOR BOTH FIXES, AND THE SERVICE WRITER ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY SAYING THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS/FIXED THIS ON NUMEROUS FORD EXPLORERS BEFORE. THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN AND REPEATING PROBLEM TO FORD. BESIDES COSTING ME $500 TO FIX BOTH DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS, MY GREATEST CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT - MY CHILDREN ARE NOT ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE, AND NO ONE CAN OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE EITHER IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

NHTSA complaint #10145920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK PROPERLY WITH BOTH THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY OR THE UNLOCK LATCH ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SOMETIMES WHEN THIS IS ATTEMPTED THE DOOR OPENS. HOWEVER, THE LATCH IS STILL LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DON'S FORD DEALERSHIP, AND THEY DID NOT OFFER AN EXPLANATION. THE CONSUMER STILL PLANS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK A NEW LATCH AND ACTUATOR WAS INSTALLED. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED BUT THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS STILL INFERIOR AND UNSAFE. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10123746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

WHILE DRIVING, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LOCKED ON IT'S ON. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE DRIVER HAS TO GO THROUGH THE PASSENGER'S DOOR TO GET INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #10109797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO DECEMBER 5TH, 2004, THE HEAT ELEMENT IN MY 2000 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER SEAT WOULD BECOME PAINFULLY HOT UNDER THE LEFT LEG NEAR THE TORSO TO THE POINT WHERE IT NEEDED TO BE MANUALLY TURNED OFF EACH TIME. IT WAS TURNED OFF AS IT BECAME PAINFUL, AND WE WERE CONCERNED WE WOULD BECOME BURNED AND WOULD THE SEAT CATCH ON FIRE. MY OTHER CONCERN FOR THIS IS SOMEONE, SUCH AS A DIABETIC, WITH NEUROPATHY WOULDN'T FEEL THE INTENSITY OF THE HEAT AND BECOME BURNED. 2) APPROX 2 WEEKS AFTER THE INITIAL EVENT THE SEAT LIGHT WILL COME ON BUT NO HEAT IS PRODUCED. WHY DID IT TAKE 2 WEEKS FOR THE ELEMENT (ASSUMED) TO BURN OUT? 3) THE CAR IS SCHEDULED TO GO TO AN INDEPENDANT MECHANIC AS I DO NOT TRUST FORD TO DO THE RIGHT THING. THE DEALER IS NOT CONCERNED THAT MY DRIVER AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF AT WILL FOR DAYS OR WEEKS AT A TIME. THEY RECALLED THE 98 AND 99 MODELS FOR A TENSIONER PULLEY PROBLEM AND ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE '00 BUT THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE $500 FOR THE REPAIR......MOST DEFECTS I TOOK IN FOR WARRANTY REPAIR REMAIN UNFIXED, (MOSTLY ELECTRICAL IN NATURE) INCLUDING A REAR WIPER THAT RARELY GOES ON, RADIO STATIONS AND CLOCK DISPLAY THAT OCCASIONALLY CAN BE SEEN AND A REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE THAT AFTER 5 ATTEMPTS (FORD WENT AGAINST THEIR ENGINEER RECOMMENDATIONS TO DO A RECALL) WILL UNLOCK WITH POWER LOCK BUT THE UNSUSPECTING OR IN A HURRY WILL JUST ABOUT RIP A HAND OFF TO GET IT OPEN.

NHTSA complaint #10104232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO DECEMBER 5TH, 2004, THE HEAT ELEMENT IN MY 2000 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER SEAT WOULD BECOME PAINFULLY HOT UNDER THE LEFT LEG NEAR THE TORSO TO THE POINT WHERE IT NEEDED TO BE MANUALLY TURNED OFF EACH TIME. IT WAS TURNED OFF AS IT BECAME PAINFUL, AND WE WERE CONCERNED WE WOULD BECOME BURNED AND WOULD THE SEAT CATCH ON FIRE. MY OTHER CONCERN FOR THIS IS SOMEONE, SUCH AS A DIABETIC, WITH NEUROPATHY WOULDN'T FEEL THE INTENSITY OF THE HEAT AND BECOME BURNED. 2) APPROX 2 WEEKS AFTER THE INITIAL EVENT THE SEAT LIGHT WILL COME ON BUT NO HEAT IS PRODUCED. WHY DID IT TAKE 2 WEEKS FOR THE ELEMENT (ASSUMED) TO BURN OUT? 3) THE CAR IS SCHEDULED TO GO TO AN INDEPENDANT MECHANIC AS I DO NOT TRUST FORD TO DO THE RIGHT THING. THE DEALER IS NOT CONCERNED THAT MY DRIVER AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF AT WILL FOR DAYS OR WEEKS AT A TIME. THEY RECALLED THE 98 AND 99 MODELS FOR A TENSIONER PULLEY PROBLEM AND ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE '00 BUT THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE $500 FOR THE REPAIR......MOST DEFECTS I TOOK IN FOR WARRANTY REPAIR REMAIN UNFIXED, (MOSTLY ELECTRICAL IN NATURE) INCLUDING A REAR WIPER THAT RARELY GOES ON, RADIO STATIONS AND CLOCK DISPLAY THAT OCCASIONALLY CAN BE SEEN AND A REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE THAT AFTER 5 ATTEMPTS (FORD WENT AGAINST THEIR ENGINEER RECOMMENDATIONS TO DO A RECALL) WILL UNLOCK WITH POWER LOCK BUT THE UNSUSPECTING OR IN A HURRY WILL JUST ABOUT RIP A HAND OFF TO GET IT OPEN.

NHTSA complaint #10104232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

CONSUMER NOTICED REAR DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE, EVEN IF THE CHILD PROOF LOCKS ARE OFF. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #10080068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

DOOR LOCKS FAILED. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY OCCUPANTS WILL BE TRAPPED.

NHTSA complaint #10068627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

BOTH REAR DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE, EVEN IF THE CHILD PROOF LOCKS ARE OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10065135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

EXCESSIVE FORCE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO OPEN DOORS ALTHOUGH THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK WAS IN THE UNLOCK POSITION.

NHTSA complaint #10041999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

THE LATCH TO OPEN THE CAR FROM THE INSIDE HAS BROKEN FOR THE FOURTH TIME. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS THE CHILD PROTECTION SWITCH BUT WHEN I CHECKED IT WAS UNLOCKED. I HAVE SENT IT TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND ALTHOUGH THEY FIX IT (IN A COUPLE OF DAYS) I BELIEVE IT IS UNSAFE IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #10039007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

THE VEHICLES DOORS REMAINED LOCKED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10015486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

DEFECTIVE LATCH ON REAR STOWAGE COMPARTMENT CAUSING THE COMPARTMENT DOOR TO CONTINUALLY OPEN. CJ

NHTSA complaint #559510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH 4- WHEEL DRIVE KICKED IN, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO DOWNSHIFT, RESULTING IN SUDDEN ACCELERATION. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR PROBLEM AFTER EACH OF THE 4 INCIDENTS BY REPLACING HARNESS, COMPUTER, ELECTRONIC CONTROLS, AND TRANSFER CASE. NEW PROBLEM HAS SINCE DEVELOPED--ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION WHEN USING AUTO DOOR LOCK FEATURE. *AK

NHTSA complaint #864185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.