1999 Ford Explorer Problems and Recalls (1,105 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 1999 Ford Explorer is Glass / wipers / cameras (16% of 1,105 owner reports). There are 14 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Glass / wipers / cameras — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 1,105 complaints · 14 recalls

What problems show up on the 1999 Ford Explorer?

182 of 1,105 filings named Glass / wipers / cameras (16% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Tires (129 reports).

There are 14 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Tires, Electrical, Transmission / driveline, Cruise / speed control, Lights, and Brakes. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 1998 has 1,517 reports on file; this year has 1,105. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 1999 Ford Explorer

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 14 campaigns on file below.
  2. Glass / wipers / cameras. Check windshield, wipers and any camera or sensor the listing claims is there.
  3. Tires. Check age, tread depth and uneven wear. Uneven wear often points back to alignment.
  4. Cruise / speed control. Test cruise control and ask about unintended-acceleration reports on this year.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Glass / wipers / cameras. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Glass / wipers / cameras 182 complaints · 16.5% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 81
  • Fires 40
  • Injuries 80
  • Deaths 3
Compare with 1998 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) appears in 182 of 1,105 owner complaints (16.5%) in this vehicle snapshot. Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 182 complaints, 16.5% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 1 crash reports 1 fire reports 182 · 16.5% Tires (TIRES): 129 complaints, 11.7% of reports Tires (TIRES) 12 crash reports 129 · 11.7% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 126 complaints, 11.4% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 11 crash reports 9 fire reports 126 · 11.4% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 85 complaints, 7.7% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 4 crash reports 2 fire reports 85 · 7.7% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 83 complaints, 7.5% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 26 crash reports 83 · 7.5% Engine (ENGINE): 76 complaints, 6.9% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 1 crash reports 4 fire reports 76 · 6.9% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 62 complaints, 5.6% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 1 crash reports 15 fire reports 62 · 5.6% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 46 complaints, 4.2% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 8 crash reports 1 fire reports 46 · 4.2% Suspension (SUSPENSION): 44 complaints, 4.0% of reports Suspension (SUSPENSION) 3 crash reports 44 · 4.0% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 726 complaints, 65.7% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 52 crash reports 17 fire reports 726 · 65.7% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 182 16.5% 1 crashes · 1 fires
Tires (TIRES) 129 11.7% 12 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 126 11.4% 11 crashes · 9 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 85 7.7% 4 crashes · 2 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 83 7.5% 26 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 76 6.9% 1 crashes · 4 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 62 5.6% 1 crashes · 15 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 46 4.2% 8 crashes · 1 fires
Suspension (SUSPENSION) 44 4.0% 3 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 726 65.7% 52 crashes · 17 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jan 1999; the first recall shown was reported in Mar 1999. 1999-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 1999-Q2: 42 owner reports 42 1999-Q3: 156 owner reports 156 1999-Q4: 30 owner reports 30 2000-Q1: 35 owner reports 35 2000-Q2: 32 owner reports 32 2000-Q3: 124 owner reports 124 2000-Q4: 56 owner reports 56 2001-Q1: 25 owner reports 25 2001-Q2: 28 owner reports 28 2001-Q3: 29 owner reports 29 2001-Q4: 21 owner reports 21 2002-Q1: 37 owner reports 37 2002-Q2: 16 owner reports 16 2002-Q3: 22 owner reports 22 2002-Q4: 14 owner reports 14 2003-Q1: 27 owner reports 27 2003-Q2: 32 owner reports 32 2003-Q3: 44 owner reports 44 2003-Q4: 26 owner reports 26 2004-Q1: 21 owner reports 21 2004-Q2: 22 owner reports 22 2004-Q3: 11 owner reports 11 2004-Q4: 13 owner reports 13 2005-Q1: 16 owner reports 16 2005-Q2: 10 owner reports 10 2005-Q3: 9 owner reports 9 2005-Q4: 11 owner reports 11 2006-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2006-Q2: 9 owner reports 9 2006-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2006-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2007-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2007-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2007-Q3: 15 owner reports 15 2007-Q4: 8 owner reports 8 2008-Q1: 19 owner reports 19 2008-Q2: 13 owner reports 13 2008-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2008-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2009-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2009-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2009-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2009-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2010-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2010-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2010-Q3: 10 owner reports 10 2010-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2011-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2011-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2012-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2012-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2013-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2013-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2014-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2014-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2015-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2015-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2017-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2017-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2017-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2018-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2018-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2020-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Jan 1999 Oct 2023 Recall campaign 99V062001 ◆ Recall campaign 99V062001 Recall campaign 99V123000 ◆ Recall campaign 99V123000 Recall campaign 99V164000 ◆ Recall campaign 99V164000 Recall campaign 00V072000 ◆ Recall campaign 00V072000 Recall campaign 00T005000 ◆ Recall campaign 00T005000 Recall campaign 00V395000 ◆ Recall campaign 00V395000 Recall campaign 03V280000 ◆ Recall campaign 03V280000 Recall campaign 03V281000 ◆ Recall campaign 03V281000 Recall campaign 06E026000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E026000 Recall campaign 06E056000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E056000 Recall campaign 07V336000 ◆ Recall campaign 07V336000 Recall campaign 09E012000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E012000 Recall campaign 09E025000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E025000 Recall campaign 09V399000 ◆ Recall campaign 09V399000 Investigation SQ99017 ● Investigation SQ99017 Investigation PE99049 ● Investigation PE99049 Investigation SQ99026 ● Investigation SQ99026 Investigation EA01008 ● Investigation EA01008 Investigation PE03020 ● Investigation PE03020 Investigation DP05005 ● Investigation DP05005
  • Campaign 99V123000 was reported 48 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 99V164000 was reported 110 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 00V072000 was reported 340 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 00T005000 was reported 444 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 00V395000 was reported 572 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 03V280000 was reported 1,579 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 03V281000 was reported 1,608 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 09E025000 was reported 3,704 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
1999-Q1 Owner reports 5
1999-Q2 Owner reports 42
1999-Q3 Owner reports 156
1999-Q4 Owner reports 30
2000-Q1 Owner reports 35
2000-Q2 Owner reports 32
2000-Q3 Owner reports 124
2000-Q4 Owner reports 56
2001-Q1 Owner reports 25
2001-Q2 Owner reports 28
2001-Q3 Owner reports 29
2001-Q4 Owner reports 21
2002-Q1 Owner reports 37
2002-Q2 Owner reports 16
2002-Q3 Owner reports 22
2002-Q4 Owner reports 14
2003-Q1 Owner reports 27
2003-Q2 Owner reports 32
2003-Q3 Owner reports 44
2003-Q4 Owner reports 26
2004-Q1 Owner reports 21
2004-Q2 Owner reports 22
2004-Q3 Owner reports 11
2004-Q4 Owner reports 13
2005-Q1 Owner reports 16
2005-Q2 Owner reports 10
2005-Q3 Owner reports 9
2005-Q4 Owner reports 11
2006-Q1 Owner reports 6
2006-Q2 Owner reports 9
2006-Q3 Owner reports 6
2006-Q4 Owner reports 7
2007-Q1 Owner reports 6
2007-Q2 Owner reports 5
2007-Q3 Owner reports 15
2007-Q4 Owner reports 8
2008-Q1 Owner reports 19
2008-Q2 Owner reports 13
2008-Q3 Owner reports 5
2008-Q4 Owner reports 3
2009-Q1 Owner reports 2
2009-Q2 Owner reports 4
2009-Q3 Owner reports 3
2009-Q4 Owner reports 5
2010-Q1 Owner reports 7
2010-Q2 Owner reports 1
2010-Q3 Owner reports 10
2010-Q4 Owner reports 4
2011-Q1 Owner reports 5
2011-Q2 Owner reports 5
2012-Q1 Owner reports 3
2012-Q3 Owner reports 1
2012-Q4 Owner reports 1
2013-Q1 Owner reports 2
2013-Q2 Owner reports 2
2013-Q4 Owner reports 2
2014-Q2 Owner reports 1
2014-Q3 Owner reports 2
2014-Q4 Owner reports 5
2015-Q3 Owner reports 1
2015-Q4 Owner reports 2
2016-Q1 Owner reports 1
2016-Q2 Owner reports 2
2016-Q3 Owner reports 2
2016-Q4 Owner reports 1
2017-Q1 Owner reports 1
2017-Q2 Owner reports 1
2017-Q4 Owner reports 3
2018-Q3 Owner reports 2
2018-Q4 Owner reports 1
2019-Q2 Owner reports 1
2019-Q3 Owner reports 1
2019-Q4 Owner reports 1
2020-Q4 Owner reports 1
2021-Q1 Owner reports 1
2022-Q2 Owner reports 1
2023-Q4 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 99V062001
Recall campaign 1 99V123000
Recall campaign 1 99V164000
Recall campaign 1 00V072000
Recall campaign 1 00T005000
Recall campaign 1 00V395000
Recall campaign 1 03V280000
Recall campaign 1 03V281000
Recall campaign 1 06E026000
Recall campaign 1 06E056000
Recall campaign 1 07V336000
Recall campaign 1 09E012000
Recall campaign 1 09E025000
Recall campaign 1 09V399000
Defect investigation 1 SQ99017
Defect investigation 1 PE99049
Defect investigation 1 SQ99026
Defect investigation 1 EA01008
Defect investigation 1 PE03020
Defect investigation 1 DP05005
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (14)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Tires, Electrical, Transmission / driveline, Cruise / speed control, Lights, and Brakes.

  1. Recall campaign 00T005000

    Tires

    Report date
    Component:
    Tires (TIRES)
    Consequence:
    IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
    Remedy:
    THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 00V072000

    Electrical

    Report date
    Component:
    Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
    Consequence:
    AN INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM COULD AFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RESISTOR IN THE GEM CIRCUIT.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 00V395000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    Consequence:
    OPERATING THE VEHICLE ABOVE THE MAXIMUM SPEED RATING COULD LEAD TO A TIRE FAILURE WHICH AT THESE SPEEDS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 03V280000

    Cruise / speed control

    Report date
    Component:
    Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)
    Consequence:
    THE THROTTLE RETURN SPRING FORCE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO OVERCOME THE BINDING CONDITION WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL IS DISENGAGED. BRAKING FUNCTION WOULD BE MAINTAINED THOUGH STOPPING DISTANCES MAY BE INCREASED.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Recall campaign 03V281000

    Safety recall 03V281000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SEAT UPPER BOLT WITH A METAL SPACER AND BOLT. IN ADDITION, SEATS WITH TUBULAR BACK FRAMES WILL HAVE THE FULLY THREADED LOWER RECLINER BOLT REPLACED WITH A PARTIALLY THREADED BOLT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON AUGUST 29, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Recall campaign 06E026000

    Safety recall 06E026000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
    Remedy:
    PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Recall campaign 06E056000

    Safety recall 06E056000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
    Remedy:
    UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  8. Recall campaign 07V336000

    Safety recall 07V336000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. OWNERS OF THE PASSENGER CARS INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED AS AN INTERIM REPAIR. AS SOON AS REPAIR PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EXPECTED OCTOBER 2007), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2007, AND MAILING COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  9. Recall campaign 09E012000

    Safety recall 09E012000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy:
    SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  10. Recall campaign 09E025000

    Lights

    Report date
    Component:
    Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
    Consequence:
    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  11. Recall campaign 09V399000

    Safety recall 09V399000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
    Remedy:
    FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  12. Recall campaign 99V062001

    Safety recall 99V062001

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS USED AND THIS CONDITION IS PRESENT, A STUCK THROTTLE COULD RESULT, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLES. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE REPLACEMENT CABLES ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CUSTOMERS ARE BEING ADVISED NOT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM UNTIL A REPLACEMENT CAN BE MADE.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  13. Recall campaign 99V123000

    Brakes

    Report date
    Component:
    Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
    Consequence:
    THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKE PRESSURE TO THE FRONT WHEELS, INCREASING THE STOPPING DISTANCE.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FLARE NUT ON THE BRAKE LINE.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  14. Recall campaign 99V164000

    Safety recall 99V164000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    IF THIS OCCURS AND THE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH IS EITHER NOT ENGAGED OR IS RELEASED, A HOOD FLY-UP COULD OCCUR.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SECONDARY HOOD LATCH WITH COMPONENTS THAT ARE COATED PRIOR TO ASSEMBLY FOR IMPROVED LATCH PIVOT CORROSION PROTECTION.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 8 of 1,105 complaints · page 1 of 45
2023-11-03Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11553341
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Gas pedal bracket fell off the firewall of the vehicle.jamming up under the brake pedal almost caused and accident. I got the vehicle stopped by using the Emergency brake did a temporary repair to get my vehicle to a shop to see about having repair done. After the vehicle was at the shop and repair was done the garage had informed me of the pour weld condition from the the gas pedal bracket was installed. Said repair was in deed done by the shop with all new weld being done and adjusted. After looking online for gas pedal problems for these vehicles Ford needs to have a nationwide recall to repair or replace these before someone gets serious injury or even death from a accident
2022-04-25WHEELS
NHTSA ODI 11462156
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Was driving under 20mph on my way home about 5 minutes away no warning no sounds nothing warned us that our tire was going to fall off the drivers side while driving with other vehicles on the road behind us and in passing us all 5 studs that hold the lugnuts on so tire stays on but all 5 studs broke and tire just fell off thank god no one got hurt. Just caused a anxiety attack I was scared that bad and that's bad enough. Plus had to have it towed costing $60.00 less than 5 mins. Away to get it home now it's sitting on a Jack with scotches and now I have to hope I can get help with getting my son to elementary school. My only car not now.
2021-01-05Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)
NHTSA ODI 11386554
CrashFireInjuryDeath
THEY FIX THE CABLE FOR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND IS SAID THEY SHOULD CHECK ABS MODULE AND FIX AS NECESSARY THEY NEVER DID JUST SWITCH CABLE THAT'S ALL
2020-12-31Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11385724
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I NEED TO KNOW WHAT CAUSES THE ELECTRIC TO GO HAYWIRE. THE OVERHEAD LAMP CLICKS ON AND OFF THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK DOESN'T WORK COMPLETELY. THE DRIVER WINDOW DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. SOME OF MY GAUGES WILL DECIDE NOT TO WORK SOMETIMES AND THEN OTHER TIMES WE'LL BE FINE. MY RADIO CLOCK DOES NOT WORK. ALL HAPPENS THE SAME WHETHER I'M DRIVING OR NOT WHETHER I'M PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING OR NOT. I CAN'T FIGURE OUT ANYTHING IT'S CAUSING THIS
2019-11-16Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)
NHTSA ODI 11280507
CrashFireInjuryDeath
ACCELERATION ( GAS STUCK OPEN AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO NOT TO BE CONTROLLED AND THE CAR JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT A CAR IN OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY). 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT
2019-07-13Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11231523
CrashFireInjuryDeath
MY VIN WAS GOOD YESTERDAY, IT IS NOT IN YOUR OR FORD'S, COMPUTER TODAY...PROBABLY BECAUSE RECALLS FOR EXTREMELY DANGEROUS VEHICLES, SUCH AS THIS ONE, ARE VOLUNTARY AND TO BE ENFORCED BY THE CONSUMER AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. YESTERDAY, THE FORD RECALL NOTICE ON MY VIN SHOWED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS TO BE REPAIRED BY MY FORD DEALER ONLY IF FORD INTENDED TO CONTINUE TO MANUFACTURE PARTS AS WELL AS PROVIDE THE PARTS AND SERVICE ...IF FORD WAS NOT WILLING TO PROVIDE THEM THEY HAD TH OPTION OF PURCHASING THE AUTOMOBILE BACK. YESTERDAY, I POINTED OUT THAT FORD NEVER PROVIDED THE CORRECT PART, THEY INSTEAD RECALLED FOR THE WRONG PART.(THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPORTED TO EXPLODE AND BURN WHILE SAFELY PARKED IN THE GARAGE OR DRIVEWAY) THE PART WHICH IS ACTUALLY DEFECTIVE IS THE DESIGN OF THE ENTIRE SERIES OF VEHICLES WHICH FORD NO LONGER PROVIDES PARTS FOR ONLY WAIVERS OF LIABILITY. WHAT IS ACTUALLY WRONG WITH THE DESIGN IS THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM IS CONSTANTLY MAINTAINED UNDER PRESSURE BY THE FUEL PUMP, REGARDLESS IF THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING OR NOT. (MY CRIPPLED VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH NO FUEL IN IT'S TANK AND THE BATTERY TERMINAL DISCONNECTED.) I BELIEVE THIS INVOLVES ALL FORD VEHICLES OF THIS CHASSIS THAT WERE SUPPOSEDLY REDESIGNED, AT US GOVERNMENT EXPENSE, FOR E10 FUEL AND WERE NOT DESIGNED BY A FACTORY TEAM FOR PROFESSIONAL ALCOHOL FUEL RACING. DANGEROUS CONDITION: ALL AND ANY SERIES OF VEHICLES OF THIS DESIGN WILL EVENTUALLY SPRING A LEAK, REGARDLESS OF WHO IS AT FAULT AND WITH NO WAY OF STEMMING FUEL FLOW IT WILL PUMP THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THE FUEL TANK UNDER THE DRIVERS/PASSENGERS SEAT. THIS DESIGN CONDITION IS SO DANGEROUS THAT SUCH DESIGNS ARE CONSIDERED DANGEROUS IN ALCOHOL FUEL RACING; WITH NO WAY OF STEMMING THE FUEL SYSTEM POWER AND/OR THE FUEL FLOW THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED ON ANY RACE TRACK OR GARAGE TO WHICH I AM AWARE.
2019-05-28Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11210309
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE HOOD OPENED AND CRACKED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND TIED THE HOOD DOWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT, WHILE DRIVING, THE SPEED CONTROL WOULD ENGAGE OR NOT ENGAGE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
2018-11-13STRUCTUREUnclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11151292
CrashFireInjuryDeath
DRIVER SIDE DOOR KEEPS OPENING UP WHILE WHICLE IS MOVING. THE DOOR IS CLOSED AND LOCKED PRIOR TO THE TRAVEL. BIG SAFETY ISSUE.

Ford Explorer Complaints by Year

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 1999 Ford Explorer?

Owners named Glass / wipers / cameras most often — 182 of 1,105 reports (16%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 1999 Ford Explorer?

NHTSA lists 14 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Tires, Electrical, Transmission / driveline, Cruise / speed control, Lights, and Brakes. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 1999 Ford Explorer?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Check windshield, wipers and any camera or sensor the listing claims is there. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources