Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
1999 Ford Explorer eddie bauer edition... We had gone out to dinner and when leaving the parking space it sounded as if we ran over a glass bottle. My husband looked around the vehicle and could not find anything. I got in the drivers seat and it felt as if the emergency brake was on (was not) and was very hard to move. We returned to the parking space, turned off the vehicle getting ready to call aaa for services. We both heard a "release" sound. He turned on the vehicle, backed up and we drove home very carefully. The next morning the vehicle was at the dealership to look into this mystery. The brakes were fine; however, they found the following to repair: *seals to brakes *rear axle pinion seal *both lower ball joints on the front end I was told the front right tire ball joints were completely worn down and the tire was just wobbly held on by the lug bolts. …
Hi,I'm not sure if this is the correct site for me to be writing but I bought a 1999 Ford Explorer from a dealer in new boston on or around 7/23/2010 it had 113,027 miles on it, I was told it was fully inspected with no issues and they put a safety inspection sticker on it. On 8/13/2010 I droped said Ford off at auto fair Ford in manchester, n.h. To have the vehicle checked out with appr. 113850 miles on it and they found multiple safety failures and violations such as bad bad ball joints, emergency brake was inoperable, brake line leaks and worn brakes that could not have past inspection amoung other safety inspection issues. It ended up costing me about $2700.00for mostly safety repairs.how can a safety inspector issue a safety sticker with these problems? Do I have any kind of recourse and if so to whom or to what agency could I contact? Thank you for any and all help [redacted]
I own a 1999 Explorer with 60000 miles on it. I have been told that the front upper ball joints were bad, and had to be replaced with the control arm since it was one unit. Why were sealed ball joints that were part of the control arm being used, unless it was to raise the frequency and cost of repairs at the expense of public safety . A ball joint failure at any speed could potentially have grave consequences. Consumer had vehicles routinely go well over 100,000 miles with non sealed ball joints, and had no problems. This warrants further investigation, especially since consumer became aware that his problem is by no means an isolated case. Had been told that the local dealer was doing a lot of those, and that they were aware there was a problem with them.
I was told by alderman Ford that the ball joints on my Ford Explorer were in a failure condition at 53000 miles--"unsafe to drive". This car has had normal driving use. I was told that Ford's choice of "sealed ball joints" was the reason for the failure-prone ball joints, and that this is "normal". Are all explorere users in this endangered position? If so, is a recall necessary? Is there a way you can check how many owners have had to replace these bad joints? My 91 Explorer went 135000 miles without ball joint problems. Ball joint failure at speed is dangerous. Thank you for your help.
Consumer stated there have been numerous problems with the drive train, consumer began hearing an odd n oise in August 2000, and in April 2001, at that time dealer could not duplicate the problem, the dealership however did replace the driveshaft assembly, and the joint assembly spindle-arm, several months later the outer tie-rod ends were replaced, lower steering shaft which was leaking power steering fluid, the power steering pump and the rack and pinion, also parking brake does not release, and the cruise control cable was replaced, the check engine light illuminated.
When roads were wet vehicle started to fishtail. Consumer had an accident while driving 65-70mph in rain. Vehicle started to fishtail, spun 180' went down an embankment then hit a tree. Consumer could not control vehicle. Vehicle was totalled. On December 15, 2000 consumer had a similar accident, road was wet, hit a patch of slushy snow, vehicle went into tailspin, and rolled over, damage was around $ 4500. Tires were Firestone wilderness, p235/70r16.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. While driving 20 MPH or greater, the contact heard a rattling noise when driving over bumps in the road. He took the vehicle to the Ford dealer and was informed that his ball joints needed to be replaced. The failure caused the front tires on the vehicle to begin cupping. The contact was advised by the dealer not to drive the vehicle until the ball joints were replaced. The current and failure mileages were 114,000.
I was on the moterway {uk} towing a caravan I was doing 45/50 MPH truck past me by and made us sway I gained control and then the car&caravan started bouncing. Caravan parted from the car and then we flipped over on to the passinger side and then rolled onto the roof across 3 lanes.
Transmission started slipping. Neutral is actually reverse over drive is neutral 2nd is od 1st is 2nd past 1st is 1st gear. When I move power lamp to off my headlights turn off. All of this haopened when I turned my vehicle on or when I was driving.
Vehicle was involved in a side collision at 30mph. The point of impact was between the front and rear doors on the passenger's side. Upon impact, vehicle rolled over 40 feet, resulting in minor injuries. Manufacturer will be notified.
Suspension complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 1999 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 65 complaints about the suspension of the 1999 Ford Explorer, 5% of the model year's 1,348 complaints. The component named most often is front (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Ford Explorer suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 1999 Ford Explorer, though it has 9 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Ford Explorer suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 114,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.