What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2000 Ford Explorer

Typical pattern

20.7% of complaints about the 2000 Ford Explorer came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2000 vehicle — around the middle of the 213 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 3.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is tires (168 complaints), typically at 11 mo or about 62,500 miles.

Complaints
1,002
Median age at failure
3.8 yr
Median mileage
78,458 n=387
Crash / fire / tow
20.5% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Tires
168 reports · 62,500 mi
11 mo
15.5%
Power train
131 reports · 80,000 mi
4.3 yr
9.2%
Speed control
96 reports · 84,635 mi
7.9 yr
29.2%
Engine cooling
81 reports · 58,400 mi
4.0 yr
13.6%
Electrical system
74 reports · 92,865 mi
5.4 yr
36.5%
Air bags
63 reports · 62,000 mi
3.8 yr
46%
Suspension
55 reports · 57,000 mi
2.0 yr
21.8%
Service brakes, hydraulic
51 reports · 60,034 mi
3.7 yr
17.6%
Visibility
40 reports · 70,600 mi
3.9 yr
0%
Seats
37 reports · 60,535 mi
4.0 yr
27%
Steering
37 reports · 89,000 mi
4.2 yr
37.8%
Latches / locks
26 reports · 97,200 mi
8.0 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

09V399000 2009-10-13
Speed control

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.

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

09E025000 2009-05-11
Exterior lighting:headlights

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

09E012000 2009-04-07
Exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

07V336000 2007-08-03
Speed control

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.

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

06E056000 2006-06-13
Fuel system

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

06E026000 2006-03-23
Exterior lighting

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

03V280000 2003-08-05
Vehicle speed control:cables

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.

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.

03V281000 2003-08-05
Seats:front assembly:recliner

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.

THE DRIVER COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OR FOOT PEDALS DURING SUCH AN EVENT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

03V094000 2003-03-07
Structure

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.

THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.

01X001000 2001-05-22
Tires:tread/belt

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRE

SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

In owners’ own words

Speed control mileage not reported 0 mo in service
ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD STICK WHEN APPLYING FUEL. THIS PROBLEM ONLY HAPPENS AFTER STOPPING FOR A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK. *AK
Speed control mileage not reported 6 mo in service crash / fire / tow
WHILE SON WAS DRIVING, HE PUT VEHICLE INTO OVERDRIVE BEFORE PASSING AN INTERSECTION. WHEN HE TOOK FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR TO STEP ON THE BRAKES, VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK
Speed control mileage not reported 8 mo in service
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 *ML
Suspension mileage not reported 1 mo in service
WHILE TURNING RIGHT / LEFT THE VEHICLE VIBRATES IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER SAYS IT'S NORMAL. ALSO, WHILE TEST DRIVING VEHICLE DEALER CLAIMED IT ACTED LIKE THE CLUTCHES IN THE POSITION UNIT WERE GRABBING. SO THEY ADDED A FRICTION MODIFIER TO REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND TRANSFER CASE. PROBLEM SOMEWHAT DIMINISHED, BUT NOT ENTIRELY SOLVED. *AK

Other Explorer model years

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