Electrical complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I bought my Ford exp.Sport trac in 2005 with a few miles on it. I soon found out that it had a few problems with it's interior lighting. Then it was the door looks, then it was the radio going on and off by itself. Then the windows went up and down on there own. Now the ac comes on and off while in the off position. As of today know one knows what as gotten into my truck and when I adjust my steering wheel done the turning lights dont work and I have even received a ticket for it.
The Ford Explorer Sport has serious electrical problems. *rear brake light would not turn off and caused my battery to drain. Took it to the shop and they stated this is a known problem with Ford explorers, that the brake light switch that the car has is defective. The mechanic actually stated that they stopped making that kind of brake light switch, so they had to order a new kind of brake light switch. Because the mechanic's statement, this informed me that Ford is aware of the brake light switch that came with the car is defective. *door ajar light sometimes comes on for no reason when all doors are fully closed, and then turns off on it's own after a couple days. I called Ford and they stated this sometimes happens and I needed to grease the door latched and clean the rubber lining on the doors. I did all this and it still happens sometimes. …
Leading up to the event of the fire, occasionally the "door ajar" button would flash during driving, the alarm would randomly go off, and the lights inside the vehicle would flash at random times. This was never a pattern, and the car went periods of time with nothing happening to it. One morning, I opened the car door and found the entire inside to be burned out. The first started in the middle console.
Brake lights and turn signals stopped working. Problem traced to tilt steering and multi-function switch wiring harness. Broken retainer clip allows wires to be pulled from connector breaking connection for brake light and turn signal. Once tilt steering is engaged connection is broken and wires do not stay connected and loss of brake lights and turn signal is the result. This could lead to accident, injury and or loss of life due to poor design. The brake light problem had eluded me until I did a google search on the internet which resulted in hundreds, if not thousands, of people all experiencing the same problem. Calling the Ford dealer and providing the part number (e6db14489da) on the connector proved futile in having them even identify the part yet I was able to find the part on the internet just be a google search. …
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport. The contact stated that in mid June 2007, an explosion was heard and she discovered that her vehicle was engulfed in flames. She called the local fire department and they extinguished the fire. The entire vehicle caught fire except for parts of the hood. The paint melted off the side of the house. Pictures were taken of the vehicle. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 138,000.
My Ford exporer Sport with approximately 30,000 miles on it was parked outside of my apartment when it caught on fire by itself around 4:00 a.m. Fire marshall stated that fire started on the engine/ battery area. I have his written report. SUV was totalled by insurance company. I contacted Ford in writing, but they did not feel responsible for the deffective vehicle. They did not replace the vehicle nor reimbursed me for any out-of-pocket expenses.
I started my Ford Explorer Sport on January 30 for a few minutes to warm it up, before I drove to work. I ran back into the house for aprox 4 minutes, when I came back out the front of the Explorer was in flames, it totally burned before the fire dept could get there taking our barn with it.
Have had numerous problems with my Explorer. Have had 2 transmission valve body replaced, air intake control valve replaced, faulty witing for the laft tail light replace, ignition switch replaced, air bag contacts replaced, turn signal arm and cotrols replaced.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Explorer Sport years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (18), 1999 (14), 2000 (12), 2001 (9) and 2002 (8) model years. Electrical complaints make up 15% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Ford Explorer Sport electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for any Ford Explorer Sport model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Ford Explorer Sport electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles; 23% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the wiring › front underhood (8 mentions), followed by the wiring (6).
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.