Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1999 Ford Explorer, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Tires370
- Visibility216
- Vehicle speed control148
- Power train115
- Engine and engine cooling100
- Air bags97
- Electrical system92
- Seats68
- Suspension65
- Service brakes, hydraulic64
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 125 injuries and 4 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 71 1999 Explorer vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 61 people died inside them, and 38 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1999 Ford Explorer failed the safety check 2.01% of the time — 14% more often than the average 1999 passenger car (1.76%). Median odometer at inspection: 156,220 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
47 cars built in 1999 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 178 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In New Zealand
47 1999 cars are on the New Zealand register; 9% arrived as used imports, 91% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 8 variants: combined 13.2–16.5 L/100 km (about 14–18 mpg US), CO₂ 304–380 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 14.9 | 11.2 | 13.2 |
| Explorer · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 15.6 | 11.4 | 13.7 |
| Explorer 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 16.3 | 12.6 | 14.6 |
| Explorer SOHC · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 16.7 | 12.5 | 14.8 |
| Explorer SOHC 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 17.1 | 13.1 | 15.3 |
| Explorer 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 17.7 | 13.1 | 15.6 |
| Explorer · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 18.6 | 13.3 | 16.2 |
| Explorer 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 18.8 | 13.6 | 16.5 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
11 Transport Canada recalls for the 1999 Ford Explorer.
| 2019420 21 Aug 2019 | Other Issue: This recall is for aftermarket replacement rear window glass produced by Vitro Automotriz. Certain rear window glass may not have been properly tempere… |
| 2009292 14 Oct 2009 | Other On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The condition may occur ei… |
| 2007258 7 Aug 2007 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn, potentially resulting in an underhood fire. The failure mode appears t… |
| 2006079 18 Apr 2006 | Seats And Restraints On certain Explorer, Explorer Sport and Explorer Sport Trac vehicles, the upper bolt on the driver's high back seat that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to… |
| 2003189 11 Aug 2003 | Other On certain Explorer, Explorer Sport and Explorer Sport Tract vehicles, the speed control cable strand cover could impact the conduit end fitting during speed co… |
| 2003190 11 Aug 2003 | Seats And Restraints On certain Explorer, Explorer Sport and Explorer Sport Trac vehicles, the upper bolt on the driver's high back seat that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to… |
| 2001003 12 Jan 2001 | Powertrain On certain vehicles, the Powertrain Control Module may allow the vehicle to exceed the design intent top speed. At these extreme speeds. the vehicle may be cap… |
| 2000078 21 Mar 2000 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the generic electronic module (GEM) may experience a condition referred to as "lock-up" in which the GEM controlled functions (front windsh… |
| 1999133 30 Jun 1999 | Structure On certain vehicles, the secondary hood latch may corrode at the latch pivot and stick in the open position. If this occurs and the primary hood latch is eithe… |
| 1999102 26 May 1999 | Brakes On certain vehicles, the right front brake line attachment to the ABS hydraulic control unit (HCU) may separate from the HCU. This may be due to an incorrect se… |
| 1999061 15 Apr 1999 | Engine On certain vehicles, the speed control cable may interfere with the speed control servo pulley and not allow the throttle to return to idle when disengaging the… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, PASSENGER VEHICLES, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MOTOR HOMES CHASSIS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HIGH BACK SEATS, THE UPPER BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HIGH BACK SEAT, THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME, COULD FRACTURE. IF THE BOLT FRACTURES AND DOES NOT JAM IN THE SEAT BACK FRAME, THE SEAT BACK MAY RECLINE UNTIL IT MAKES CONTACT WITH AN OBJECT BEHIND THE SEAT, SUCH AS THE SECOND ROW SEAT CUSHION.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL AND 4.0L SOHC ENGINES, IF THE STRAND COVER ON THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE BECOMES FLARED AT THE END, THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE MAY BIND WHEN THE SPEED CONTROL IS ACTIVATED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 3.27 OR 3.55 AXLE RATION. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAVE A POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE THAT COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO EXCEED THE DESIGN INTENT TOP SPEED. AT THESE EXTREME SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE COULD BE CAPABLE OF EXCEEDING THE SPEED RATING OF THE TIRE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L ENGINES AND ALL-TIME 4-WHEEL DRIVE (A4WD) POWERTRAINS. THE GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE (GEM) COULD EXPERIENCE A CONDITION REFERRED TO AS "LOCK-UP" IN WHICH THE GEM CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS (E.G., FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, 4X4 SYSTEM, ETC.) COULD NOT BE TURNED ON OR, IN SOME CASES IF THE FUNCTION IS ON, COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH MAY CORRODE AT THE LATCH PIVOT AND STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE TO THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (HCU) CONNECTION COULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE LINE TO LEAK WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1997-1999 RHD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MAY 29, 1996 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEERS EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L OHV/SOHC OR 5.0L ENGINES OR 1998-1999 RANGERS EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L, 3.0L FFV/EFI OR 4.0L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM JANUARY 5, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1998-1999 MUSTANGS EQUIPPED WITH 3.8L, 4.6L 2-VALVE OR 4-VALVE ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; 1999 F250/F350/F450/F550 (OVER 8,500 LBS.) TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999; AND 1999 F-53 STRIPPED CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L OR 6.8L ENGINES AND CRUISE CONTROL BUILT FROM MARCH 2, 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999. A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAN INTERFERE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO PULLEY AND NOT ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE WHEN DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 1999 Ford Explorer: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 637928 | ON SOME VEHICLES, THE ELECTRONIC AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL (EATC) BLOWS COLD AIR FROM THE FLOOR DUCTS ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BEFORE 9/30/2000 ONLY. *TT |
| 637922 | SOME VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 9/15/2001 MAY EXHIBIT LOW LINE PRESSURE READINGS WHILE IN DRIVE, NO 2ND GEAR, NO 3RD GEAR, NO ENGINE BRAKING IN MANUAL 1ST AND SLIPPING SHIFTS AND / OR DELAYED ENGAGEMENTS. *TT |
| 637920 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0 SOHC (SINGLE OVER-HEAD CAM) ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A PRIMARY TIMING CHAIN RATTLE NOISE. *TT |
| 637803 | CONCERNS WITH BRAKE VIBRATION, ROUGHNESS AND / OR GRINDING NOISE, AND EXCESSIVE BRAKE ROTOR CORROSION. *TT |
| 637755 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NO 1-2 UPSHIFT, NO 2-3 UPSHIFT, A NO ENGINE BRAKING CONDITION IN MANUAL 1 OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0732 (GEAR 2 INCORRECT RATIO) OR P0733 (GEAR 3 INCORRECT RATIO). *TT |
| 636326 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SQUEAK, SNAP, RATTLE, OR CLUNK IN THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER BUMPS. *TT |
| 636235 | EXPERIENCING A CLICKING / POPPING NOISE FROM THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN AREA WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. *TT |
| 636137 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT REPEAT SERVICE FOR AIR BAG LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B1994 (DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG CIRCUIT RESISTANCE HIGH) AND / OR B1998 (PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CIRCUIT RESISTANCE HIGH). *TT |
| 636065 | INFORMATION REGARDING DISCHARGED BATTERY CHARGING SERVICE TIPS AND GUIDELINES. *TT |
| 636056 | CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH 4X4 OR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MAY HAVE A FLUID LEAK FROM THE FRONT AXLE VENT TUBE. *TT |
| 636013 | INFORMATION ON DIAGNOSING ENGINE RATTLE NOISE FROM PRIMARY CHAIN DRIVE AREA BETWEEN 2000-3000 RPM ON COLD ENGINE OPERATION ONLY. *TT |
| 635998 | LOW LINE PRESSURE READING AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE (WOT), SLIPPING SHIFTS AND / OR DELAYED ENGAGEMENTS WITH POSSIBLE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0732, P0733, P1762 SET ON VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 12/1/2001. *TT |
| 630636 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0L SOHC ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0300 (RANDOM MISFIRE) OR P0301. *TT |
| 630605 | SOME VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE APRIL 23, 2001 MAY EXHIBIT A HARD START/LONG CRANK AFTER SITTING FOR AN HOUR OR MORE DUE TO FUEL SYSTEM CONTAMINATION. *TT |
| 630576 | CONCERNS WITH SPARK KNOCK NOISE OR CHAIN RATTLE NOISE BETWEEN 2000-3000 RPM, DURING COLD ENGINE OPERATION ONLY. *TT |
| 630515 | ENGINE OIL SYSTEM PRIMING PROCEDURES, SERVICE TIPS FOR REPORTS OF PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. *TT |
| 630442 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A HARD START/LONG CRANK CONDITION AFTER SITTING FOR AN HOUR OR MORE. *TT |
| 630418 | CONCERNS WITH REAR WIPERS THAT DO NOT SUFFICIENTLY CLEAN THE BACK GLASS. *TT |
| 630105 | SOME VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE APRIL 23, 2001 MAY EXHIBIT A HARD START/LONG CRANK AFTER SITTING FOR AN HOUR OR MORE. *TT |
| 630097 | INFORMATION REGARDING MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATING WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0300/P0301.*YH |
| 630022 | SOME VEHICLES INCLUDING 1997 THROUGH 1999 EXPLORER SPORT TRAC EQUIPPED WITH A 4.0L SOHC ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A START-UP NOISE FROM THE LEFT FRONT OF THE ENGINE. *TT |
| 630018 | INFORMATION ON VEHICLES EXHIBITNG FUEL LINE DAMAGE DUE TO PINCHING/SQUEEZING OF THE FUEL RETURN LINE. *TT |
| 630001 | SOME ENGINE ASSEMBLIES WITH ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS REPAIRED IN-VEHILE HAVE BEEN FOUND TO LEAK COOLANT AND/OR OIL FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET AREA. *TT |
| 628153 | OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM SUPPLEMENT 7 REVISED INFORMATION - REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF WILDERNESS AT TIRES. *TT |
| 627927 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT VACUUM OR AIR LEAKS IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND / OR ENGINE SYSTEM CAUSING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0171 AND OR P0174. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
FRONT SEAT BACK RECLINER ATTACHMENT
SEAT BELT WEBBING
AIRBAG SYSTEM'S LIGHT DYSFUNCTIONAL
WINDSHIELD WIPER MALFUNCTION
VEHICLE HESITATION/STALLING
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation