1999 Ford Explorer Acceleration Problems

Which parts fail

• Accelerator pedal
  37
• Cruise control
  16
• Linkages
  6
• Cables
  2

Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  13%
• 25k–50k
  38%
• 50k–75k
  925%
• 75k–100k
  514%
• 100k–150k
  1439%
• 150k+
  411%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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. …

Dt*: the contact stated on two separate occasions the vehicle has suddenly accelerated. The first incident was in feb 2000 and the second was May 26, 2006. On both occasions this occurred while pulling into a parking space at 3mph. The first time the vehicle hit the side of a building that was about 15 feet away causing property damage. The second time the vehicle hit a tree that was about 15-20 feet away. Even though brake pressure was applied the vehicle would not stop. The police were alerted for the first incident and a report was filed. The dealership has not been alerted. A previous complaint was filed with the NHTSA regarding the first incident. One year later, the NHTSA called the contact to see if the failure had occurred a second time. The contact is filing another complaint to alert the NHTSA the defect has occurred again. Updated 06/15/06 -

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle had to constantly shift the vehicle for it to be operated properly. The contact stated that the anti lock brake warning indicator and 4 wheel drive warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the vehicle speed control deactivation switch failed. The vehicle was not repaired. Prior to these failures, the brakes, transmission, and oil were changed. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. While driving 75 MPH, the hood opened and cracked the front windshield. The contact pulled the vehicle over and tied the hood down. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact also stated that, while driving, the speed control would engage or not engage without warning. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. While driving 35 MPH the vehicle began to smoke. The engine turned completely off and the vehicle burst into flames. The fire started under the hood. The vehicle was towed to the repair shop. At the time of the incident he was driving to the dealer to have the vehicle repaired for NHTSA recall # 03V280000 (vehicle speed control). The current and failure mileages were 99,000.

My dad gave me his 1999 Ford Explorer last year and it was running fine until we were awaken because the truck was on fire. We called 911 and the police and fire came out and the fire was put out before anything but the truck was damaged and according to the insurance company the truck is totaled. We never got a recall notice and I wanted to find out if Ford is liable in any way? Thanks

Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. On August 17, 2007, while the vehicle was parked, it caught fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact received NHTSA recall notice number 07V336000 (vehicle speed control) on August 27, 2007. The insurance company has an incident report. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 120,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the he was pulling into a parking space when the vehicle caught on fire. The vehicle was investigated through the contact's insurance company and it was discovered that the fire originated from the cruise control wiring. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 140,000.

Wife came home from work sick. Parked in driveway. Noticed smoke coming from under hood. Thought engine overheated. Opened hood and flame shot up from brake master. Fire dept report shows it was cruise control deactivation switch that caught on fire. From what I've learned about this is the cruise control quits working..ours quit working.

Related recalls

Acceleration complaints in other Explorer years