Most common 1999 Ford Explorer Sport problems
Share of the 93 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Explorer Sport complaints by model year
Best Explorer Sport years: 2005, 2004, 1997. Years to avoid: 2001, 2002, 1998, 1999. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1999 Ford Explorer Sport:
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On September 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 Ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or…
What 1999 Ford Explorer Sport owners say
Seats
This bolt was replaced on my vehicle in jan 2004 as part of the recall. The new bolt that was installed fractured creating a very serious crash risk. Ford says they will only replace once. Auto recall date: aug 05, 2003 vehicle component: seats:front assembly:recliner estimated vehicles affected: 1552880 model affected 1999 Ford Explorer 1999 Ford Explorer defect summary: 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. …
Was driving around the city when I reach into my pocket to get my phone and hear a loud thump coming from the seat and the next thing I notice is the seat reclining all the way back. I was able to bring it back up by folding the exterior passenger seat to provide some sort of support. When I arrived home I tried inspecting what the issue was and saw a large fracture right next to the reclining mechanism. This is potentially a hazard that can one day cause a severe accident. I was lucky enough to have been driving slow but if I were to be in the freeway then it might have been something more serious. This large fracture seems to derive from a poorly designed seat that weak metal of some sort.
Electrical system
When it is hot outside, the car will not start. It just cranks and cranks,but, will not turn over.....as if it was out of gas when it is not. There are many tricks to getting this thing to start though. If the windows are rolled up all of the way, and it has not been driven before noon, it wont start. If I drive it in the morning when it is cool outside, it will almost always start later in the day. If I don't drive it until the afternoon, and the windows have been left down and it is parked in the shade, it will almost always start. This problem has become a nightmare. I have had it in the shop 2 different times and they have yet to figure out what is causing this to happen. They have replaced relay switch's and fuel filter, but has not helped. I have noticed the "theft light" blinks rapidly when it wont start, even though I have no theft device activated in the vehicle!!! …
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer Sport. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH in rainy weather conditions and the windshield wipers failed to operate during activation. The windshield wipers would operate whenever the windshield washer control device was engaged. Also, the windshield wipers operated when manually turning the control lever. On numerous occasions, the windshield wipers activated while in the off mode. In addition, the hood support arm would not remain in an upward position. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76,500. Updated 02/22/12 the consumer stated the wipers would activate, when the defroster was on. Updated 03/01/12
Speed control & acceleration
I was driving down the highway when I noticed a loss of power and the check engine light started flashing and the entire vehicle started shaking. I pulled over and exited the vehicle. I called the repair shop and they came and towed it back to their shop. The repair man told me that a fire started under the hood. It required extensive repair. Upon further examination he told me that he believed it started with the speed control deactivation switch. I was talking to my boss about a week after that and he informed me that the 1998 explorers had a recall for that exact problem. I feel that you should investigate the 1999 Explorer sports for the same thing.
On 2/14/03, I woke up screaming that I smell smoke. My fiance jumped up, and we screamed for everyone to get out- because the house was on fire. The house burned down with me breaking both ankles and my 2 oldest children dying. For two years I never knew what happened. The cause was left undetermined. There were so many holes into what happened that night. Everything was investigated, even the stove. Nothing leads to the fire, except for the 1999 Ford explore truck that was parked in the garage. No one inspected the truck because they knew nothing about the cruise control switch recall. I feel that had we known about the Ford cruise control switch, we wouldn't have parked the car in the garage. These vehicles need to be thoroughly looked into, because the place of origin was in the area of the garage.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Ford Explorer Sport a good car?
Based on 93 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Explorer Sport rates use caution: 1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Explorer Sport at the same age. It is one of the Explorer Sport years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Ford Explorer Sport?
The seats — 14 complaints, 15% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front assembly › recliner. Next are the electrical system (14) and speed control & acceleration (11).
How many recalls does the 1999 Ford Explorer Sport have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1999 Ford Explorer Sport. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Explorer Sport?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005, 2004 and 1997. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001, 2002, 1998 and 1999. See the full Ford Explorer Sport years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Ford Explorer Sport problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 70,000 miles; 19% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.