Most common 1999 Ford Explorer problems
Share of the 1,348 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Explorer complaints by model year
Best Explorer years: 2024, 2023, 2019. Years to avoid: 2016, 2017, 2020, 2013, 2015. Compare all years →
1999 Ford Explorer recalls (9)
Vehicle speed control
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 Mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair…
Vehicle speed control
On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch May, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected…
Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver seat upper bolt with a metal spacer and bolt. In addition, seats with tubular back frames will have the fully threaded lower recliner bolt replaced with a partially threaded bolt.
Vehicle speed control › Cables
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control and 4.0l sohc engines, if the strand cover on the speed control cable becomes flared at the end, the speed control cable May bind when the speed control is activated.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the speed control cable and, if necessary, replace it. Owner notification began August 29, 2003. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with the 3.27 or 3.55 axle ration. The subject vehicles have a powertrain control module that could allow the vehicle to exceed the design intent top speed. At these extreme speeds, the vehicle could be capable of exceeding the speed rating of the tire.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module.
Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles equipped with 4.0l engines and all-time 4-wheel drive (a4wd) powertrains. The generic electronic module (gem) could experience a condition referred to as "lock-up" in which the gem controlled electronic functions (e.g., front windshield wipers, interior lights, 4x4 system, etc.) could…
Remedy: Dealers will install a resistor in the gem circuit.
Show 3 more recalls
Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The secondary hood latch May corrode at the latch pivot and stick in the open position.
Remedy: Dealers will install a secondary hood latch with components that are coated prior to assembly for improved latch pivot corrosion protection.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The right front brake line to the hydraulic control unit (hcu) connection could separate causing the line to leak when the brake pedal is applied.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the flare nut on the brake line.
Vehicle speed control
Vehicle description: certain 1997-1999 rhd explorer equipped with 4.0l ohv/sohc engines and cruise control built from May 29, 1996 through March 4, 1999; 1998-1999 explorer/mountaineers equipped with 4.0l ohv/sohc or 5.0l engines or 1998-1999 rangers equipped with 2.5l, 3.0l ffv/efi or 4.0l engines and cruise control built from…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the cruise control cables. At the present time, the replacement cables are not available. Customers are being advised not to use the cruise control system until a replacement can be made.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 6 possible defects involving the 1999 Ford Explorer:
Airbag system's light dysfunctional
There is no summary currently available
Vehicle hesitation/stalling
There is no summary currently available
Windshield wiper malfunction
There is no summary currently available
Front seat back recliner attachment
By letter dated August 4, 2003, Ford notified the agency that it is conducting a voluntary safety recall (NHTSA recall no. 03V281) involving certain model year (my) 1998-2001 Ford explorer / Mercury mountaineer 4-door, my 1998-2000 Ford explorer 2-door and my 2001-2002 Ford explorer sport and sport trac vehicles equipped with high back seats.complaints allege that the driver's seat back reclined without warning.a…
Seat belt webbing
Odi opened pe00-044investigation on November 3, 2000, based on a report regarding the death of the occupant of the right front seat in a 2000 model year Ford explorer xls involved in a roll-over crash.it is alleged that the webbing of the buckle portion of the seat belt assembly failed during the crash.the occupant was partially ejected from the vehicle, thereby sustaining fatal injuries.this investigation has been…
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 owners say
Wheels & tires all 376 →
Was driving under 20mph on my way home about 5 minutes away no warning no sounds nothing warned us that our tire was going to fall off the drivers side while driving with other vehicles on the road behind us and in passing us all 5 studs that hold the lugnuts on so tire stays on but all 5 studs broke and tire just fell off thank god no one got hurt. Just caused a anxiety attack I was scared that bad and that's bad enough. Plus had to have it towed costing $60.00 less than 5 mins. Away to get it home now it's sitting on a Jack with scotches and now I have to hope I can get help with getting my son to elementary school. My only car not now.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer equipped with good year wrangler tires, tire size 235-75-r15. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the rear passenger's side tire exploded due to tread separation. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and entered into oncoming traffic, crashing into a concrete barrier. The contact suffered injuries to the wrist, lower back, and neck. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The current and failure mileage of the vehicle was 180,000. The dot number was not available. The failure mileage of the tire was not available.
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 211 →
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH the windshield wipers began to operate involuntarily two or three times. During the failures, smoke would begin to rise from the top of the steering column. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the dealer would only diagnose the failure at the owner's expense. The failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. When the contact opened the rear hatch, the glass suddenly exploded everywhere. There were pieces of glass that were eight inches in diameter. The glass shattered with such great force that some of the pieces struck and cracked the front windshield. The contact sustained powder burns to the face and shoulders, as well as small cuts. She has not taken the vehicle to a dealer or a mechanic, but the insurance company stated that they were familiar with this type of failure. The contact believes that a recall should be issued. The current and failure mileages were 143,077.
Speed control & acceleration all 148 →
Gas pedal bracket fell off the firewall of the vehicle.jamming up under the brake pedal almost caused and accident. I got the vehicle stopped by using the Emergency brake did a temporary repair to get my vehicle to a shop to see about having repair done. After the vehicle was at the shop and repair was done the garage had informed me of the pour weld condition from the the gas pedal bracket was installed. Said repair was in deed done by the shop with all new weld being done and adjusted. After looking online for gas pedal problems for these vehicles Ford needs to have a nationwide recall to repair or replace these before someone gets serious injury or even death from a accident
I was at work on Friday afternoon, 5/16 and received a voicemail at 3:50 pm from the fire marshall stating my 1999 Ford Explorer xlt burned in my driveway and was totaled. I had not driven the Explorer since approximately 7 pm the night before and had taken my other car to work. The Explorer was just sitting in the driveway, outside the garage and started burning. A neighbor 2 houses over smelled the smoke and saw the flames and called the fire department. The fire marshall stated he had seen this type of fire before due to the Ford cruise control recall problems, based on the burn pattern. I was not the original owner and bought it about 8 years ago and have never received any kind of recall notice. …
1999 Ford Explorer engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 21 / 18 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
| 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 17 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Ford Explorer a good car?
Based on 1,348 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 Explorer rates use caution: 1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the Explorer at the same age. It is one of the Explorer 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?
The wheels & tires — 376 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year, most often about tread/belt. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (211) and speed control & acceleration (148).
How many recalls does the 1999 Ford Explorer have?
There are 9 recalls for the 1999 Ford Explorer, the most recent from October 13, 2009 (vehicle speed control). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Explorer?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2024, 2023 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2016, 2017, 2020, 2013 and 2015. See the full Ford Explorer years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Ford Explorer problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 82,000 miles; 17% 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.