1999 Ford Explorer Sport: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 93 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is vehicle speed control (12% of complaints); the 1997 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
93
owner complaints
5
fire reports
70,000
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No recall campaigns5 fire reports
Common problems
Computed from 93 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)12% · 11 complaints
Seats12% · 11 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)10% · 9 complaints
Visibility (windshield, wipers, defroster, mirrors)8% · 7 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)8% · 7 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)8% · 7 complaints
“Went to apply break pressure due to another car running stop sign in parking lot. Was going approximately 10 mph. Lost break pressure and could barely stop. Checked break fluid which was completely empty. No break light notice prior to incident indicating low break fluid. Asked ford dealership if my car was serviced due to a recall notice for this defect. Was told my car was not included in recall possible due to being manufacture at a different plant and it involved rear breaks.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2018
“Doors will not open have to climb out of car window on growing problem first passenger side know driver side a lot of embarrassing moments trying to get out of car at work. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2014
“Brake line broke and caused accident. No warning and I've never had an issue with brakes before very frustrated and a scary situation someone could have been killed . *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“Drivers side door lock wont unlock with key or with handle, cant unlock door with pull knob either,it's a death trap if u need to escape in the event of fire or accident, this needs to be addressed by ford asap!!! *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Mar 2012
“I have a 1999 for explorer sport (2 door) and in february of 2011 the door on the passenger side locked and as not been able to be open since then. I called ford motor company about it, thinking that it would be a safety concern if in a wreck and a passenger could open the passenger door. Was told not a safety concern and to get it fix I would have to pay for it. I don't understand how a company can think that a door on a vehicle not opening is not a safety concern. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford explorer sport. The contact was driving approximately 25 mph when a child passenger in the rear of the vehicle pulled on the driver seat to recline herself and the seat reclined backward and fractured. The contact stated that the bolt that held the seta in place fractured. The manufacturer was contacted in regards to NHTSA campaign id number: 03v281000 (seats: front assembly: recliner) but the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.”Owner report · Seats · Jan 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford explorer. The contact stated that the windshield wipers would engage independently and the doors would lock and unlock without engagement. In addition, the interior lights were also defective. The manufacturer was called and advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 00v072000 (electrical system: fuses and circuit breakers). The vehicle was neither diagnosed for the failure or repaired. The failure and current mileage was 84,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2010
“1999 ford explorer sport drivers seat back unlatched itself while driving. Luckily only 20 mph! Rear passenger drivers side seat is folded down forward to hold drivers seat in place, until I can find another used seat. *tr”Owner report · Seats · Jun 2010
“Smoke coming from steering column while driving on freeway,also when signal is activated . This is the fourth time. Have not seen any recalls of this matter. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2009
“My transmission is slipping especially on the highway o/d light flashes on and off. There are many many complaints on google with people who have had the same problem. Some have had the transmission stick leading to crashes. Ford should have a recall and be make to fix these before they kill someone, if they haven't already. Ford is very aware of this issue, and NHTSA needs to hold them accountable and get our vehicles repaired!!! *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
How other years compare
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Is the 1999 Ford Explorer Sport reliable?
NHTSA has 93 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Ford Explorer Sport. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control (12% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Ford Explorer Sport problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,000 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.