Ford Explorer Sport Door Lock & Latch Problems

Door Lock & Latch complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Doors › Latch
  30
• Hood › Latch
  3
• Trunk lid › Lock
  1
• Hatchback/liftgate › Lock
  1
• Tailgate › Latch
  1

Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  516%
• 25k–50k
  310%
• 50k–75k
  826%
• 75k–100k
  929%
• 100k–150k
  516%
• 150k+
  13%

What owners report

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport. The contact stated that both rear interior child locks failed in the locked position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The dealer stated this was a normal occurrence. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000.

Rear door glass hatch hinges came off.this was my wifes vehicle driven very little until she passed away 2009.then it was driven even less. Back hatch glass was never used as far as I know. She always used the metal door. I drove it to grocery store,put groceries in back using large door. When I got home I just grabbed glass hatch handle by mistake,it came off in my hand.both hinges were broken. I don't know for how long,the latch was all that kept it in place.when the latch opened it exploded outward ,resulting in badly damaged paint and both rear defroster wires to be torn off glass.luckily it was me and not my wife,could have been a lot worse.lift cylinders were so strong I could not put it back in place,had to yell for neighbors for help!had it repaired local Ford dealer.told me about recall for models except Sport.no recall for it.$150.50(not including paint) for repairs & 10 days …

2001 Ford Explorer Sport: door suddenly stopped unlocking with the key. I have since discovered hundreds of other Explorer owners with the same story. I feel this is a safety issue because I transport my 10 month old daughter in this car, and I can't afford to be locked out without warning during the winter.

At just under 40,000 miles,the driver's door latch began to fail, causing the door to either not close completely without vigorous slamming, or failed to open from the inside. Dealer has replaced the latch.

We were forced to take this vehicle from hansel Ford in santa rosa when they felt we wouldn't be able to afford the 2004 Ford f-150 we purchased they had sold my trade in hadn't made a deal with company for contract came a few day before first payment due and repoed it since we have had car nightmares the seat on driver side broke just regular time it does a lot of jerking and sputtering the light work when they want to etc..... Please get me a decent vehicle for after.

The factory pressurized cylinders that hold the hood open have failed. I have narrowly averted injury when the hood came falling down. I feel that this is a safety issue and a possible design defect. I plan to replace them, but I am concerned that the manufacturer's replacement could be similarly unsafe.

In 2007, my 1998 Ford Explorer driver door lock stopped working. It really didn't bother me all that much until one day by accident the door locked and would not come open. I had to push with all my force and pull up on the interior door handle at the same time. Finally it came open but the door handle broke. Now it was to the point of disgust. Didn't have the money to fix it so we waited until we did. In 2008, I took my Explorer to the local dealership. I was quoted $197 for everything, installation, parts, and labor. But when I came to pay the bill I was informed it was going to be about $100 if not more when completed. So my aunts boyfriend, who does auto body work, fixed it. It was working fine, we still had to jiggle to lock from the outside to get the locks to unlock. And then about a week ago, I was getting out and the door handle broke again. This time the handle is stuck. …

Drivers side door, of my 1998 Ford Explorer, could not be opened (from inside or outside door handles). Attempted to have door latch assembly replaced, as broken spring was found protruding from door latch assembly area <drivers side>. Dealership incorrectly replaced inside door handle and now drivers side door cannot be locked (but can now be opened or closed). Due to door latch assembly problems with canadian Ford vehicles, I fear we now have a serious security & safety issue with our 1998 Ford Explorer. Dealership refuses to repair unless we basically agree to replace all internal parts of door <including seat belt?>. The estimated repair cost (parts & labor) is in excess of $500.