2000 Ford Explorer Problems and Recalls (802 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2000 Ford Explorer is Transmission / driveline (14% of 802 owner reports). There are 14 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Transmission / driveline — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 802 complaints · 14 recalls

What problems show up on the 2000 Ford Explorer?

110 of 802 filings named Transmission / driveline (14% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Cruise / speed control (101 reports).

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

The 1999 has 1,105 reports on file; this year has 802. 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 2000 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. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  3. Cruise / speed control. Test cruise control and ask about unintended-acceleration reports on this year.
  4. Tires. Check age, tread depth and uneven wear. Uneven wear often points back to alignment.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Transmission / driveline. 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: Transmission / driveline 110 complaints · 13.7% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 87
  • Fires 64
  • Injuries 85
  • Deaths 3
Compare with 1999 →
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 Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) appears in 110 of 802 owner complaints (13.7%) in this vehicle snapshot. Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 110 complaints, 13.7% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 4 crash reports 3 fire reports 110 · 13.7% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 101 complaints, 12.6% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 12 crash reports 12 fire reports 101 · 12.6% Tires (TIRES): 77 complaints, 9.6% of reports Tires (TIRES) 9 crash reports 77 · 9.6% Engine (ENGINE): 72 complaints, 9.0% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 1 crash reports 10 fire reports 72 · 9.0% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 61 complaints, 7.6% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 2 crash reports 21 fire reports 61 · 7.6% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 55 complaints, 6.9% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 9 crash reports 2 fire reports 55 · 6.9% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 54 complaints, 6.7% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 26 crash reports 54 · 6.7% Suspension (SUSPENSION): 40 complaints, 5.0% of reports Suspension (SUSPENSION) 6 crash reports 1 fire reports 40 · 5.0% Steering (STEERING): 31 complaints, 3.9% of reports Steering (STEERING) 5 crash reports 6 fire reports 31 · 3.9% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 509 complaints, 63.5% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 50 crash reports 29 fire reports 509 · 63.5% 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)
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 110 13.7% 4 crashes · 3 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 101 12.6% 12 crashes · 12 fires
Tires (TIRES) 77 9.6% 9 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 72 9.0% 1 crashes · 10 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 61 7.6% 2 crashes · 21 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 55 6.9% 9 crashes · 2 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 54 6.7% 26 crashes · 0 fires
Suspension (SUSPENSION) 40 5.0% 6 crashes · 1 fires
Steering (STEERING) 31 3.9% 5 crashes · 6 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 509 63.5% 50 crashes · 29 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 Oct 1999; the first recall shown was reported in Mar 2000. 1999-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2000-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2000-Q2: 17 owner reports 17 2000-Q3: 73 owner reports 73 2000-Q4: 40 owner reports 40 2001-Q1: 24 owner reports 24 2001-Q2: 27 owner reports 27 2001-Q3: 24 owner reports 24 2001-Q4: 16 owner reports 16 2002-Q1: 22 owner reports 22 2002-Q2: 18 owner reports 18 2002-Q3: 22 owner reports 22 2002-Q4: 12 owner reports 12 2003-Q1: 22 owner reports 22 2003-Q2: 26 owner reports 26 2003-Q3: 32 owner reports 32 2003-Q4: 28 owner reports 28 2004-Q1: 30 owner reports 30 2004-Q2: 16 owner reports 16 2004-Q3: 14 owner reports 14 2004-Q4: 14 owner reports 14 2005-Q1: 25 owner reports 25 2005-Q2: 20 owner reports 20 2005-Q3: 9 owner reports 9 2005-Q4: 9 owner reports 9 2006-Q1: 11 owner reports 11 2006-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2006-Q3: 9 owner reports 9 2006-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2007-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2007-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2007-Q3: 13 owner reports 13 2007-Q4: 20 owner reports 20 2008-Q1: 23 owner reports 23 2008-Q2: 12 owner reports 12 2008-Q3: 9 owner reports 9 2008-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2009-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2009-Q2: 8 owner reports 8 2009-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2009-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2010-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2010-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2010-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2010-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2011-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2011-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2011-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2012-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2012-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2012-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2012-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2013-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2013-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2014-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2014-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2015-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2015-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2015-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2015-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2016-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2016-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2017-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2017-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2017-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2018-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2020-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2020-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2021-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2022-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2024-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2024-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Oct 1999 Apr 2025 Recall campaign 00V072000 ◆ Recall campaign 00V072000 Recall campaign 00V179000 ◆ Recall campaign 00V179000 Recall campaign 00V228001 ◆ Recall campaign 00V228001 Recall campaign 00T005000 ◆ Recall campaign 00T005000 Recall campaign 00V395000 ◆ Recall campaign 00V395000 Recall campaign 03V094000 ◆ Recall campaign 03V094000 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 PE00044 ● Investigation PE00044 Investigation EA01008 ● Investigation EA01008 Investigation PE03020 ● Investigation PE03020 Investigation DP05005 ● Investigation DP05005
  • Campaign 00V179000 was reported 58 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 00T005000 was reported 231 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 00V395000 was reported 403 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 03V280000 was reported 1,387 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 03V281000 was reported 1,387 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 09E025000 was reported 3,202 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
1999-Q4 Owner reports 5
2000-Q1 Owner reports 5
2000-Q2 Owner reports 17
2000-Q3 Owner reports 73
2000-Q4 Owner reports 40
2001-Q1 Owner reports 24
2001-Q2 Owner reports 27
2001-Q3 Owner reports 24
2001-Q4 Owner reports 16
2002-Q1 Owner reports 22
2002-Q2 Owner reports 18
2002-Q3 Owner reports 22
2002-Q4 Owner reports 12
2003-Q1 Owner reports 22
2003-Q2 Owner reports 26
2003-Q3 Owner reports 32
2003-Q4 Owner reports 28
2004-Q1 Owner reports 30
2004-Q2 Owner reports 16
2004-Q3 Owner reports 14
2004-Q4 Owner reports 14
2005-Q1 Owner reports 25
2005-Q2 Owner reports 20
2005-Q3 Owner reports 9
2005-Q4 Owner reports 9
2006-Q1 Owner reports 11
2006-Q2 Owner reports 6
2006-Q3 Owner reports 9
2006-Q4 Owner reports 7
2007-Q1 Owner reports 6
2007-Q2 Owner reports 3
2007-Q3 Owner reports 13
2007-Q4 Owner reports 20
2008-Q1 Owner reports 23
2008-Q2 Owner reports 12
2008-Q3 Owner reports 9
2008-Q4 Owner reports 4
2009-Q1 Owner reports 8
2009-Q2 Owner reports 8
2009-Q3 Owner reports 4
2009-Q4 Owner reports 4
2010-Q1 Owner reports 8
2010-Q2 Owner reports 7
2010-Q3 Owner reports 6
2010-Q4 Owner reports 4
2011-Q2 Owner reports 3
2011-Q3 Owner reports 6
2011-Q4 Owner reports 3
2012-Q1 Owner reports 4
2012-Q2 Owner reports 3
2012-Q3 Owner reports 3
2012-Q4 Owner reports 4
2013-Q1 Owner reports 1
2013-Q3 Owner reports 2
2013-Q4 Owner reports 1
2014-Q2 Owner reports 3
2014-Q3 Owner reports 3
2014-Q4 Owner reports 4
2015-Q1 Owner reports 1
2015-Q2 Owner reports 2
2015-Q3 Owner reports 5
2015-Q4 Owner reports 1
2016-Q1 Owner reports 3
2016-Q2 Owner reports 4
2016-Q3 Owner reports 2
2017-Q1 Owner reports 1
2017-Q2 Owner reports 1
2017-Q4 Owner reports 2
2018-Q4 Owner reports 1
2019-Q1 Owner reports 1
2019-Q3 Owner reports 1
2019-Q4 Owner reports 1
2020-Q1 Owner reports 1
2020-Q3 Owner reports 2
2021-Q1 Owner reports 1
2021-Q2 Owner reports 1
2022-Q1 Owner reports 2
2022-Q2 Owner reports 1
2023-Q1 Owner reports 1
2023-Q3 Owner reports 1
2023-Q4 Owner reports 1
2024-Q1 Owner reports 1
2024-Q2 Owner reports 1
2025-Q2 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 00V072000
Recall campaign 1 00V179000
Recall campaign 1 00V228001
Recall campaign 1 00T005000
Recall campaign 1 00V395000
Recall campaign 1 03V094000
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 PE00044
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, Airbags, Transmission / driveline, Cruise / speed control, and Lights.

  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 00V179000

    Airbags

    Report date
    Component:
    Airbags (AIR BAGS)
    Consequence:
    INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SIDE CRASH SENSORS WITH A REVISED DESIGN THAT WILL REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN UNEXPECTED SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 00V228001

    Safety recall 00V228001

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE ON CERTAIN SEAT BELT BUCKLES OF YOUR VEHICLE AND REPLACE ALL SEAT BELT BUCKLES THAT FALL WITHIN THE SUSPECT DATE CODE RANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 26, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. 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 →

  6. Recall campaign 03V094000

    Safety recall 03V094000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. 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 →

  8. 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 →

  9. 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 →

  10. 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 →

  11. 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 →

  12. 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 →

  13. 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 →

  14. 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 →
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 10 of 802 complaints · page 1 of 33
2025-04-16Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
NHTSA ODI 11654947
CrashFireInjuryDeath
See attached document for complaint.
2024-04-25Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11585274
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Driving at the correct speed limit swerved to avoid hitting deer that ran out into the road hit a covert had seatbelt on airbags came out before that something hit me in side of my right arm it hit my elbow so hard and fast my arm was flung outwards and upwards which broke out the passenger side window the top of my elbow is broken that gave me a large purple bruise I got 2 pretty good size gashes on my arm also one on the bottom of my forearm and on the back side of my arm. Refer to request 1500509 and Request 1500511.
2024-03-11Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
NHTSA ODI 11576621
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owned a 1999 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, and the brakes were depressed, the vehicle fishtailed crashed into a ditch and rolled two times. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained head, arm, and back, injuries and the passenger sustained head, neck, finger, and back injuries. Medical attention was sought. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
2023-12-24Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)
NHTSA ODI 11561697
CrashFireInjuryDeath
No incidents. However, cruise control and rear window wiper are both inoperable.
2023-07-24Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11534005
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon pulling into a gas station, both white and black colored smoke began to emit from the vehicle without warning. Before the contact could fully react, the vehicle soon caught fire. The contact managed to pull away from the gas pumps as a gas attendant brought out fire extinguishers that they both used to exterminate the fire. The fire department arrived at the scene; however, the contact was unsure if a fire report was filed. The contact suffered minor scrapes and bruises as a result of the fire but did not seek medical attention. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained at the gas station. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 223,000.
2023-02-13Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11506893
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Front seat will not stay up. They recline out of nowhere. I believe it's just old wore out parts.
2022-04-25Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11462086
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that there were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
2022-03-15Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11456779
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2022-02-17Airbags (AIR BAGS)
NHTSA ODI 11452345
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I was driving slowly (35mph), regular speed limit on that road is 60. Roads were snowy and icy, another vehicle driving extremely fast for the road conditions, started to swerve head on in to my lane, I swerved to avoid a head on collision. In doing so, I hit ice, started doing a 360, the front end and the drivers side door of my vehicle hit an irrigation ditch where it goes under a street, it caught my vehicle on the drivers side and I started rolling. I rolled 3 or 4 times and finally landed right side up. My roof was caved in and resting on the top of my head, shoulder and neck. However, none of my airbags deployed ( see pictures), even though I hit the irrigation ditch head-on. Vehicle can be inspected if needed. The vehicle is totaled as they had to cut the doors off to extract me. I have left head, shoulder, neck, abdomen and leg soft tissue damage since I kept slamming in to the steering wheel with no protection since my air bags did not deploy. I did have my seatbelt on.
2021-05-13Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11416516
CrashFireInjuryDeath
JUST FOLLOWING. INSTRUCTIONS FOR RECALL ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL

Ford Explorer Complaints by Year

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2000 Ford Explorer?

Owners named Transmission / driveline most often — 110 of 802 reports (14%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2000 Ford Explorer?

NHTSA lists 14 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Tires, Electrical, Airbags, Transmission / driveline, Cruise / speed control, and Lights. 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 2000 Ford Explorer?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped. 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