NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2000 Ford Explorer. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
I WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WAITING FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO SLOW DOWN TO TURN, AND THE TRUCK JUST TAKES OFF ON ITS OWN. I TRIED PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT AS SOON AS IT TOOK OFF I WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. AFTER MY TRUCK WAS HIT BY THE VEHICLE IT TOOK OFF AGAIN OUT OF CONTROL ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS TRYING TO PRESS THE BRAKE. LUCKILY THE TRUCK DIED ON ITS OWN BEFORE HITTING ANYTHING ELSE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE FIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE FIRE WAS NOT CAUSED BY ANY MANUFACTURER DESIGN DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
MY VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE WAS A RECALL IN JUNE 13, 2006 FOR MY VEHICLE, I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS DEFECT BY FORD COMPANY. IT IS NOW THAT IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS WAS AN OCCURRING PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. *TR
NOTICED A STEEL PIN APPROXIMATELY 1.25" LONG BY 5/32' DIAMETER ON THE FLOOR BELOW THE STEERING COLUMN. THEN NOTICED ABSENCE OF TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER DETENT. IN OTHER WORDS, THE TRANSMISSION COULD BE SHIFTED FROM PARK TO LOW AND BACK AGAIN WITHOUT PULLING THE LEVER FORWARD. THE PIN IS SPLINED AT ONE END. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 90 MPH ERRONEOUSLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE AND THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. AS THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE TO EXIT THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A GAP BETWEEN MY LIFTGATE WINDOW AND MY LIFTGATE WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARCKING SPACE. I FOUND THAT THE POST PULLED OUT OF THE PASSANGER SIDE OF LIFTGATE WINDOW HINGE LEAVING A SMOOTH HOLE IN HINGE AND METAL IN GROVES OF POST. HAD NO OPTIONS BUT TO LEAVE WINDOW ATTACHED BY ONLY THE DRIVER SIDE HINGE AND THE LATCH AT THE BOTTOM OF WINDOW. DID NOT HAVE PROPER TOOLS TO REMOVE FOR SAFER DRIVING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE POLICE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE CONTACTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 179,000.
WHILE BACKING UP INTO MY DRIVEWAY, THE TRANSMISSION MADE A LOAD NOISE. THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING. THE VEHICLE CAN NOT GO INTO REVERSE. I BARELY GOT THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY MOVING IT FORWARD WHEN ANOTHER LOAD NOISE OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING. SOME OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THAT THE REVERSE BAND IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILS CAUSING THIS CONDITION. THROUGH READING ON YOUR OWN WEBSITE, THERE ARE OTHER 2000 FORD EXPLORER OWNERS (EXPLODER AS FORD MECHANICS CALL THEM!!!!) WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE WILL NEED THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE FIRST TIME, IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
SPARKPLUG SUPER-HEATED AND MELTED LONGITUDINALLY DESTROYING THE OUTERMOST SPARKPLUG THREADS (7 THROUGH THE SEATING SURFACE OF THE SPARK PLUG). INNER MOST THREADS, THE ONES DEEPEST INTO THE HEAD WERE NOT DAMAGED. A SECOND PLUG WAS INSTALLED ALONG WITH A NEW SPARK PLUG WIRE AND WITHIN 20 MILES, THE SPARKPLUG WAS AGAIN MELTED BEYOND SALVAGE AND THE NEW WIRE BURNED UP. DUE TO THE DESTRUCTION OF THE SPARKPLUG, IT WAS ABLE TO BE REMOVED WITHOUT TOOLS AS THERE WERE NO THREADS REMAINING IN THE CYLINDER HEAD. FORTUNATELY THE FIRE DAMAGE (LIKELY FROM THE SPARK OF THE PLUG) WAS LIMITED ONLY TO DAMAGING THE SPARKPLUG AND THE SPARK PLUG WIRE LABLED #3. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP ABNORMALLY ONCE IN THIRD GEAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VALVE BODY SEPARATOR PLATE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO CRASH INTO A SECOND VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND EMITTED METAL, GLASS, AND FIBERGLASS FRAGMENTS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SHOULDER, FACE, MOUTH, LEFT ARM, AND BREAST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/01/2015*LJ UPDATED 9/20/2017*CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A MOMENT OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION. WHEN THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND AT 20 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN UP TO 60 MPH. SMOKE WAS ALSO COMING FROM THE BRAKES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PLACED IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO SLOW IT DOWN AND TURN IT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 01/24/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS SINCE REMOVED THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO UNIT THAT ATTACHED TO THE THROTTLE BODY UNIT. UPDATED 01/25/12
THE CAR WAS PURCHASED USED IN MARCH, 2011. THE BRAKE PROBLEM STARTED A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER BUT WAS HARDLY NOTICEABLE AND THEN OVERNIGHT THEY WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. I HAD THEM CHECKED AT PEP BOYS TO VERIFY THAT THEY NEEDED REPLACING AND THEY SAID YES, IMMEDIATELY. I DID NOT HAVE AAA AT THE TIME AND COULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR THE 50 PLUS MILES WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, SO THE REPAIRS WERE DONE AT MY HOME. I HAVE A COPY OF THE PEP BOYS RECEIPT FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE BRAKES, AND ONE BRAKE PLATE THAT NEEDED REPLACING. I ALSO HAVE PICTURES OF HOW POOR THE CONDITION OF THE BRAKES WERE IN, AND I WAS SOLD THE CAR THIS WAY. ALSO, THE CAR DOORS DO NOT LOCK, AND THE DEALER SAID THEY HAD REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WITH A NEW MOTOR FOR THE LOCKS, BUT THE DOOR STILL DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE RECEIPTS FOR ADDITIONAL PARTS THAT PEP BOYS USED TO FIX THE PASSENGER, FRONT DOOR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING HER VEHICLE SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THEN VEHICLE ENGULFED INTO FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT HAVE NOT FOLLOWED UP WITH THE CONTACT REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE BEING INSPECTED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE TIRE MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT AXLE WAS FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,000.
WE HAVE A 2000 FORD EXPLORER BOUGHT NEW FROM HOLMAN FORD. THE REAR METAL BRAKE LINE THAT IS MOUNTED ON THE REAR AXLE, CONNECTING BOTH REAR BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON RTE 42 IN NEW JERSEY. THE SUV WAS SLOWED DOWN BY DRIVING ON THE MEDIAN STRIP OF THE HIGHWAY. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED AT THE HEIGHT OF MORNING RUSH HOUR. UPON INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE LINE, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE LINE "RUSTED" THROUGH, LETTING BRAKE FLUID TO RAPIDLY SPRAY OUT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE BRAKE LINE IS MOUNTED TO THE REAR AXLE BY METAL CLIPS ATTACHED TO THE REAR AXLE. AT THE CENTER OF THE REAR AXLE, THE BRAKE LINE FAILED, WHERE IT IS FASTENED TO THE CLIP. THE BRAKE LINE IS MOUNTED THIS WAY BY FORD. AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS TO BUY A NEW OEM BRAKE LINE FROM FORD, FORD INFORMED ME THAT THE PART WAS DISCONTINUED. AND FOR HOLMAN FORD, I WILL NEVER BY A CAR OR ANYTHING FROM THIS DEALERSHIP!! THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
THE 2000 FORD EXPLORER SUV BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AS THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED. AFTER PULLING OVER AND TURNING THE IGNITION OFF, WE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. UNDERNEATH THE CAR, FLAMES WERE DRIPPING DOWN FROM THE TRANSMISSION. WE USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES ON THE GROUND, AND ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE HOOD. AFTER THE HOOD WAS OPENED, LARGE FLAMES WERE OBSERVED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS USED UNTIL EMPTY AND HAD LITTLE IMPACT. THE CAR BEGAN TO BURN QUICKLY AND THE FLAMES SPREAD FROM FRONT TO BACK. THE EMERGENCY SERVICES ARRIVED, EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND COLLECTED WITNESS STATEMENTS. NO ONE WAS HURT IN THE INCIDENT AND THE FRAME WAS TOWED VIA AAA TO A NEARBY AUTOMOTIVE SHOP. *KB
VEHICLE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIREWALL WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE AND PARTIALLY MELTED SHORTING OUT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHILE VEHICLE WAS WAS UNDER STEADY LOAD (3500 RPM) FOR LESS THAN 5 MINUTES PULLING OUT A STUMP. FIRE WAS UNDER HOOD AND WAS EXTINGUISHED WITHIN SECONDS WITH WATER. ENGINE RUNS BUT DASH WARNING LIGHTS PERIODICALLY APPEAR: ENGINE, ABS BRAKES, GAS CAP, ETC. *TR
OVER THIS PAST WEEKEND THE UPPER SUPPORT PIN (RIGHT SIDE) OF THE LIFTGATE STRUT BROKE OFF AND THE LIFTGATE FELL RIGHT ON MY HEAD . YES IT HURT, AS THE THING IS QUITE HEAVY. IT APPEARS THAT THE PIN WAS JUST RUSTING AWAY, AND THE ONE ON THE LEFT SIDE DOESN'T LOOK HEALTHY EITHER. THE STRANGE PART IS THERE IS NO RUST ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE LIFTGATE AND NO OTHER RUST ISSUES WITH THE REST OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
ON MONDAY MY FUTURE SON-IN-LAW WAS DRIVING MY FORD EXPLORER AND EXPERIENCED THE CRUISE CONTROL REFUSING TO DISENGAGE WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH. HE TRIED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL BY BRAKING AND BY TURNING IT OFF. NEITHER WORKED. HE TRIED TO SHIFT IT INTO NEUTRAL ONLY TO HAVE THE ENGINE REV TO HIGH RPM, SO HE PUT IT BACK IN GEAR AND FORCED TO CAR TO STOP USING THE BRAKES FIGHTING THE ENGINE. PROBABLY RUINING THE BRAKES IN THE PROCESS. I RECENTLY HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICED AS RELATING TO A RECALL CONCERNING THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE SWITCH WAS NOT REPLACED AFTER A VISUAL INSPECTION. *TR
THIS IS TO REPORT A FIRE IN A 2000 FORD EXPLORER: ON FRIDAY, 25 NOV 11, 5 ADULTS (MY HUSBAND, 2 SONS, DAUGHTER-IN LAW, AND MYSELF) AND 2 DOGS, LEFT BETHLEHEM PA FOR OUR FAMILY CHRISTMAS TRIP IN OUR 2000 FORD EXPLORER, PULLING A UTILITY TRAILER. THE INTENT OF THE TRIP WAS TO START AT A CHRISTMAS TREE FARM, CUT DOWN 3 CHRISTMAS TREES, HAUL THEM IN THE TRAILER AND CONTINUE WITH SEVERAL OTHER CHRISTMAS RELATED TRADITIONAL STOPS. MY HUSBAND, DROVE APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES NORTH TO BISSELS CHRISTMAS TREE HILL IN LEHIGHTON, PA. HE DID NOT USE CRUISE CONTROL BECAUSE WE WERE PULLING THE TRAILER. THE TRIP WAS FINE WITH ABSOLUTELY NO INDICATIONS THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. IT ALSO HAD NOT HAD ANY SERVICE DONE TO IT RECENTLY (A QUESTION FREQUENTLY ASKED TO US). HE PARKED THE VEHICLE ALONG AN EMBANKMENT AT THE TREE FARM AND WE ALL WERE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF GETTING OUT OF THE CAR WITH THE DOGS WHEN SOMEONE NEARBY YELLED TO US THAT OUR CAR WAS ON FIRE. SHE REPEATED IT AS WE LOOKED TO SEE WHO SHE WAS ADDRESSING. WE LOOKED AT OUR CAR AND SAW THAT UNDER IT, FIRE BALLS WERE HITTING THE GROUND FROM WHAT APPEARED TO BE THE CENTER OF THE ENGINE. MY HUSBAND ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE HOOD AND SMOKE WAS IMMEDIATELY POURING OUT OF THE ENGINE. WE ALL QUICKLY GOT AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. MY ONE SON IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 AND MY OTHER SON RAN NEARBY TO TRY AND FIND A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE SMOKE QUICKLY TURNED INTO A FULL BLOWN FIRE. THE COMPLETE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, ALONG WITH THE EMBANKMENT NEARBY, WAS ABLAZE. THE MAHONING VALLEY POLICE CAME, THEN THE FIRE CAPTAINS, THEN 2 FULL FIRE TRUCKS FROM LEHIGHTON AND MAHONING VALLEY FIRE DEPARTMENTS. THEY QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED EVERYTHING, ALONG WITH THE VEHICLE WE LOST MY PURSE, JACKETS, AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS VALUABLES THAT WERE ON THE FLOOR OF THE FRONT SEAT AND IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE WOULD EMIT FROM THE STEERING COLUMN INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,603.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF WHEN SHE ENGAGED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH TO SHUT OFF THE HEADLIGHTS. THE KNOB HAD BECOME ABNORMALLY HOT AND FELL TO THE FLOOR WHEN ENGAGED. SHE THEN OBSERVED A CHEMICAL COMING FROM THE KNOB CASING AND BLACK SMOKE BEGAN EMITTING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED NEAR A GASOLINE FUEL LINE AND THE VEHICLE THEN EXPLODED. THE STEREO WAS BLOWN OUT INTO THE STREET AND GLASS EXPLODED IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. A SECOND VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED NEARBY WAS ALSO DAMAGED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND A FIRE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURED WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE RESIDENCE DRIVEWAY, AND CAUGHT FIRE. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WHICH ORIGINATED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FLAMES MELTED THE SIDING OF THE HOUSE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE COULD POSSIBLY BE RELATED TO THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WOULD ACTIVATE WITHOUT ENGAGEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN WITH THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL ENGAGED WHEN WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH COULD POTENTIALLY BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS HE OPENED THE REAR DOOR OF THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THE TOP HINGE WAS SEVERELY FRACTURED FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER OR MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH HE ENGAGED THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. HE ENGAGED THE BRAKES A SECOND TIME AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES. HE SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR IN ORDER TO AVOID A CRASH. HE STATED THAT USING THE SHIFTER SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN IN TIME FOR THE OTHER VEHICLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS DAMAGED BY RUST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 78,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE REAR LIFT-GATE WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE METAL HINGES WERE CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO CLOSE THE LIFT-GATE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO REOPEN IT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
2000 FORD EXPLORER 4.0L SOHC. O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL, WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PRESSED. WHEN I STARTED TO ASCEND THE NEXT HILL I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED SINCE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT TO 4TH (OVERDRIVE) AND I HAD TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ALMOST TO THE FLOOR TO GET THE POWER TO GET UP THE HILL. BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE TO REPLACE MY 1999 FORD ZX2 WHICH RAN GREAT MINUS THE FACT THE SUB-FRAME HAD COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT BETWEEN THE DRIVER SEAT AND THE REAR STRUT MOUNT. I'M SURE YOU WILL GET COMPLAINTS WHEN THOSE START BREAKING IN HALF ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
2000 FORD EXPLORER,TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP,LOCK UP IN OVERDRIVE,PLACE IN REVERSE CAR LURCHES FORWARD.THE O/D OFF LIGHT FLASHES ENGINE RPMS ARE VERY HIGH.THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT KEEP HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS 4.0 ENGINE AND THE 5R55E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO MY FAMILY AND TO THE PUBLIC YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT TYPE OF REACTION WILL COME OUT OF THIS TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS 100,000 MILES ON IT. TAKEN TO AAMCO THEY QUOTED $2300.00 FOR REPAIRS. MY WARRANT COMPANYCOMPLETE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SERVIVES (C.A.R.S)WILL ONLY PAY FOR A SALVAGE YARD TRANSMISSION.THESE TRANSMISSION WERE ONLY MADE FRO A SHORT TIME. ANY TRANSMISSION FROM A SALVAGE YARD WILL HAVE THE OPERATING PROBLEMS. WHILE AT AAMCO A CUSTOMER BROUGHT HIS 1999 EXPLORER IN HIS TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT BY AAMCO FEB OF THIS YEAR.IT IS STUCK IN OVERDRIVE AND WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. WARRANTY COMPANY SENT A USED TRANSMISSION TO THE AAMCO SHOP AT 4210 RED BLUFF ROAD PASADENA TEXAS,IT WAS INSTALLED,TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO OVERDRIVE AND SET A COMPUTER CODE OF TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE ALONG WITH SOLENOID FAILURE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS TURNED LOOSE A VERY UNSAFE TO THE PUBLIC THEY MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND MADE TO REPAIR THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION. *TR
2000 FORD EXPLORER [XXX] XLT 4 DR 4X4 OHV "X" VIN 4.0 OHV ENGINE. 2 RE-BUILT 5R55E TRANSMISSIONS. BOTH TIMES PO-741 CODES TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH SYSTEM STUCK OFF. HAD TO START IN LOW AND SHIFT TO DRIVE TO MOVE THRU GEARS. NO REVERSE UNLESS YOU GUN ENGINE THEN SLOWLY MOVES IN REVERSE SOMETIMES. RE-BUILT AT 113K AND AGAIN AT 195,000 MILES. SOMETIMES NO GEAR WHEN DRIVING. HAVE TO SWITCH OVERDRIVE OFF TO GAIN TRACTION. TRANS FINALLY QUIT AGAIN. DANGEROUS CONDITION. FORD DEALERS TELL ME NOTHING EXTRAORDINARY. HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SO MUCH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH ALL THE SUVS AND SEDANS I'VE OWNED. I BELIEVE A SAFETY RE-CALL IS IN ORDER. IT IS NO COINCIDENCE THAT RETAIL SHOPS REFER TO THE FORD EXPLORER AS THE FORD "EXPLODER". *TR
PURCHASED USED 2000 FORD EXPLORER IN 2007. LIFT GATE IN REAR HAS BEEN USED ON A REGULAR BASIS SINCE PURCHASE AND THIS PAST WEEKEND WHEN OPENING THERE WAS A LOUD BANG WITH THE LIFT GATE COMING DOWN ONTO MY BACK. THANKFULLY IT WASN'T MY WIFE OR CHILD THAT HAD OPENED IT AS THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURED. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS STRUT HAD BROKE AS IT WAS HANGING THERE BUT AFTER CLOSER INSPECTION THE LIFT GATE BALL MOUNT HAD SNAPPED OFF. THERE IS SURFACE RUST ON THE OUTER PART OF THE BALL MOUNT AND CLIP THAT KEEPS THE STRUT ON THE MOUNT BUT THE BALL MOUNT WHERE IT SNAPPED IS CLEAN. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS FAILURE IS REAR LIFT GATE WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY AND BECAUSE IT CAN'T CLOSE THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON AND GET VERY HOT. I REMOVED THE FRONT LIGHT BUT COULDN'T GET THE TOP OFF OF THE REAR INTERIOR LIGHT SO I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE WITH MANY EXPLORERS. PROBLEM IS NO PART CAN BE PURCHASED AS THIS MOUNT IS WELDED ONTO THE BODY AT THE FACTORY. TWO SOLUTIONS ARE THAT FORD FIXES IT AT A COST TO THE CONSUMER OR THE CONSUMER JURY RIGS IT WITH DRILLING OUT HOLES IN THE STRUT AND FASHIONING A MEANS OF ATTACHMENT USING BOLTS AND SCREWS THAT CAN AND DO LOOSEN UP AND NEED TO BE TIGHTENED FREQUENTLY. A SEARCH ALSO SHOWS THAT FORD HAS HAD PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH LIFT GATE PARTS AND FAILURES ON OTHER YEARS OF EXPLORERS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH, SMOKE BEGAN POURING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AS THE CONTACT WAS MOVING THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND ADVISED THE FIRE WAS SO SEVERE THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FIRE CHIEF RULED THE FIRE AS MECHANICAL. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER AN UNKNOWN RECALL CAMPAIGN IN ORDER TO PREVENT A VEHICLE FIRE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.
MY FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT ON FIRE. ALL I SAW WAS CLOUD OF SMOKE. THEN PEOPLE STARTED YELLING AND BLOWING THEIR HORN AT ME, THE UNBELIEVABLE, THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. *TR
VEHICLES TRANSMISSION SLIPS CAUSING LOSS OF POWER TO GEARING. UNSAFE CONDITIONS EXISTS WHILE TRYING TO USE POWER TO AVOID ACCIDENTS. WHEN VEHICLE KEY IS SWITCHED OFF THEN ON AGAIN, TRANSMISSION RESETS UNTIL NEXT EVENT OF POWER LOSS. *TR
MY TRANSMISSION ON MY 2000 FORD EXPLORER XLT OVER DRIVE O/D LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH ON AND OFF. I ONLY HAVE 169,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT STARTED TO JERK AND SLIP OUT OF GEAR. NOW IT ONLY LET ME DRIVE ONLY IN ONE GEAR. I'VE CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIPS AND SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE SO MANY FORD EXPLORER OWNERS UP TO THE 2002 MODEL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR TRUCK AND THEY THE SAME RESPONSE WHEN CALL FORD DEALERSHIPS. THIS THE WEBSITE WITH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/TRANSMISSION/O_D_LIGHT_IS_BLINKING.SHTML. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO ADDRESSED BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF ON COMING TRAFFIC AND CAN'T MOVE BECAUSE OF THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WANT ALLOW THEM TOO. THEY WILL BE IN AN ACCIDENT OR CAUSE ONE. *TR
I HAVE A 2000 FORD EXPLORER, 4-DOOR. THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR ACTUATOR MECHANISM HAS FAILED. THE LEFT FRONT DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM HAS FAILED. ALSO, LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. 1) CAN NOT OPEN RIGHT FRONT DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH KEY-FOB OR WITH THE KEY! I REPLACED A RIVOT THAT HOLDS THE LOCKING ACTUATOR WITH A BOLT (RIGHT SIDE FRONT DOOR). 2)I CAN NOT OPEN LEFT FRONT DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH KEY-FOB OR WITH THE KEY! . I REPLACED THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE OPENING LEVER. THIS WORKED UNTIL THE LATCHING MECHANISM INSIDE THE DOOR FAILED. I CURRENTLY HAVE TO TAKE THE DOOR APART AND TRY TO FIX THIS BECAUSE MY WIFE AND KIDS USE THIS VEHICLE. 3) ON THE LEFT REAR DOOR, THE DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. I CURRENTLY HAVE TO TAKE THE DOOR APART AND TRY TO FIX THIS BECAUSE MY WIFE AND KIDS USE THIS VEHICLE. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT ON THE RIGHT SIDE, ANYONE IN THE LEFT REAR SEAT CAN NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE LEFT REAR DOOR. WE LEASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2000 THEN BOUGHT IT IN 2003. AS OF THIS WRITING, THIS VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 80000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. FORD REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS. MANY MESSAGE BOARDS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH 2000 FORD EXPLORERS. UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE TO RESORT TO USING THE REMEDIES ON VARIOUS MESSAGE BOARDS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU *TR
MY FORD FOCUS 2000 HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS UP SO THAT I CAN PUT MY CAR KEY IN... BUT IT WILL NOT TURN. I WAS LEFT STRANDED AT A GAS STATION AT NIGHT, IF THAT ISN'T DANGEROUS THAN I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS. I PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT BUDGE. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY FIXED THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER BUT COST ALOT OF MONEY AND FROM WHAT I READ ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND EVEN WHEN FIXED IT STILL HAPPENING TO PEOPLE! WE NEED HELP, NO PERSON SHOULD BE LEFT STRANDED LIKE I WAS IT WAS SCARY TO SAY THE LEAST. *TR
2000 FORD EXPLORER XLS. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 25 MILES PER HOUR. VEHICLE RUNNING PROPERLY AND SMOOTHLY. SMOKE BEGAN BELLOWING FROM UNDER HOOD. STOPPED VEHICLE TO OPEN HOOD TO DISCOVER ENGINE FIRE. VEHICLE HAS REGULAR MAINTENANCE WITH FULL DIAGNOSTIC LESS THAN A WEAK BEFORE HAND WITH NO ISSUES. VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF CURRENT RECALLS. BAFFLED AS TO THE START OF FIRE. MAINLY BURNED THE MAIN ENGINE ELECTRICAL HARNESS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. SHE STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER, AND REAR DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK SHE HAD TO CLIMB THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. UPDATED 3/4/2010 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT AND REAR DOORS CONTINUE TO JAM. UPDATED 06/17/10*JB
SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE MAKING LEFT TURN ONTO CITY STREET FROM FREEWAY EXIT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER STARTING THE IGNITION, THE "AIR BAG" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 147,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
2000 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM WHICH SEEMS TO BE RAPID ON THE FORD EXPLORER LINE IN SEVERAL YEARS. THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO FAIL AT AN EARLY OR LATE INTO OWNERSHIP. I TALKED TO DEALER IN MY AREA AND THERE COMMENTS WHERE. DON'T TELL TRANSMISSION O/D LIGHT BLINKING AND TRANNY SLIPS, THE MINUTE I JUST SAID LIGHT COMES ON! THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS WHEN DRIVING IT JUST GIVES OUT WITHOUT WARNING AND SLIPS WHEN ACCELERATING. I'M SURE IF YOU GET A SERVICE RELATED TRANSMISSION PROBLEM FOR THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE YOU WILL FIND FORD HAS AND IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. BUT IT GOES BACK TO MONEY! I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND IT JUST SLIPPED AND HAD TO PUNCH IT TO LEAVE INTERSECTION. *TR
2000 FORD EXPLORER HAS A DELAY IN SHIFTING ON TRANSMISSION, O/D OFF LIGHT FLASHING AND CAR WINDS OUT IN BETWEEN GEARS... VERY COSTLY SO FAR AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!!!!!!!! *CN
I HAVE A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. SEVERAL YEARS AGO I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH I UNDERSTAND IS VERY COMMON IN FORD VEHICLES. NOW JUST A FEW YEARS LATER I'M HAVING TRANSMISSION ISSUES AGAIN. THE CAR IS JOLTING AHEAD WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP. AND ALSO NOT WANT TO GET INTO THE NEXT GEAR PROPERLY. I AM NOW TOLD THAT I HAVE TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY. IT SEEMS THESE VEHICLES HAVE WAY TOO MANY TRANSMISSION ISSUES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FUSE INTERMITTENTLY FAILED. SHE REPLACED THE FUSE AT LEAST FOUR TIMES WITHIN TWO MONTHS. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN FRONT HER HOME WHEN SHE HEARD THE VEHICLE ALARM GOING OFF. SHE WAS UNABLE TO SHUT THE ALARM OFF WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY. SHE FOUND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENTS OF THE VEHICLE. THE VENTS BEGAN TO MELT AND SHE THEN NOTICED FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED HOWEVER SHE WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BEFORE THEY ARRIVED. THE DEALER ADVISED HER VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL HOWEVER SHE FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE PERTAINING TO POSSIBLE FIRES AND ONE RECALL PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR (SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 00V072000) HER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OF THE RECALLS. NO REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE TO THE VEHICLE TO DATE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 125,149. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
ON AUGUST 28, 2009 I WAS DRIVING WITH MY HUSBAND AND TWO CHILDREN UNDER AGE 2 ON THE MASSACHUSETTS TURNPIKE WHEN OUR 2000 FORD EXPLORER SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR WITH THE BRAKES AND WAS FORCED TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO FINALLY GET THE CAR TO STOP. I WAS USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AT THE TIME AND HAD IT SET JUST UNDER 70 MPH. MY CAR AT ONE POINT WAS GOING ALMOST 90 AS WE TRIED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WHILE MY FOOT WAS ALL THE WAY ON THE BRAKE. WE WERE LUCKY TO HAVE SURVIVED THIS INCIDENT. A LOCAL GARAGE SAID THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL MUST HAVE STUCK AND THEY HAVE DISCONNECTED THE WIRES BUT NOW LEAVE US WITH DAMAGE TO THE CAR WE ARE STILL TRYING TO DIAGNOSE. *TR
2000 FORD EXPLORER HAS O/D LIGHT BLINKING. ROUGH SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND. BARELY IS ABLE TO GET INTO PARK WHICH LEAVES THE VEHICLE ABLE TO ROLL AWAY. (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). *TR
TOTAL BATTERY DRAIN WITHIN 48 HOURS OF CHARGE....ALTERNATOR CHECKS OK....BATTERY CHECKS OK....REGULATOR CHECKS OK... *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026