Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon pulling into a gas station, both white and black colored smoke began to emit from the vehicle without warning. Before the contact could fully react, the vehicle soon caught fire. The contact managed to pull away from the gas pumps as a gas attendant brought out fire extinguishers that they both used to exterminate the fire. The fire department arrived at the scene; however, the contact was unsure if a fire report was filed. The contact suffered minor scrapes and bruises as a result of the fire but did not seek medical attention. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained at the gas station. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 223,000.
Driving at the correct speed limit swerved to avoid hitting deer that ran out into the road hit a covert had seatbelt on airbags came out before that something hit me in side of my right arm it hit my elbow so hard and fast my arm was flung outwards and upwards which broke out the passenger side window the top of my elbow is broken that gave me a large purple bruise I got 2 pretty good size gashes on my arm also one on the bottom of my forearm and on the back side of my arm. Refer to request 1500509 and Request 1500511.
I am deeply disgusted with your service. I had filed a complaint online and on the phone about the vehicle I have specified on this online system. This was done back in 2011 and followed through with the manufacture and the ca state dept. Of investigations with dmv. I had also sent the 20 page or so complaint directly to a ca state senator. I was sold a vehicle with a fire recall still in effect and registered to the auto dealer of auto west group. The vehicle come to find out had well over 15 safety related recalls in its hisotry. For a number of years I have been trying to aquire copies of what I had sent into your department, the ftc, the state of california and the bureau of auto repairs. Now I find that I am being stonewalled and being told things like they no longer have any records of the problems. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. The windshield wiper fuse intermittently failed. She replaced the fuse at least four times within two months. The car was parked in front her home when she heard the vehicle alarm going off. She was unable to shut the alarm off with the keyless entry. She found there was smoke coming from the vents of the vehicle. The vents began to melt and she then noticed flames. The fire department was called however she was able to put the fire out before they arrived. The dealer advised her vehicle was not under recall however she found several complaints online pertaining to possible fires and one recall pertaining to the failure of the windshield wiper motor (see NHTSA campaign id number: 00V072000) her vehicle identification number was not included in any of the recalls. No repairs had been made to the vehicle to date. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked with the engine off when she engaged the headlight switch to shut off the headlights. The knob had become abnormally hot and fell to the floor when engaged. She then observed a chemical coming from the knob casing and black smoke began emitting from under the dashboard near the steering column. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked near a gasoline fuel line and the vehicle then exploded. The stereo was blown out into the street and glass exploded in several different directions. A second vehicle that was parked nearby was also damaged. The fire department was called and a fire report was available. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufactured was not contacted in regards to the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.
Before my transmission went out my over drive would flash then my 4wheel drive stopped working. I had the 4wheel drive switch replaced and everything was fine until I went to sacramento. After taking care of my eddie bauer Explorer having the transmission flushed and filled on a regular basis. While leaving sacramento stopped at a chevron to fill up before heading back up to tahoe. As im leaving the gas station all of the sudden there's a loud crunch of metal sound coming from under my car and it wont kick into any gear. Had to have it towed and after reading the thousands of complaints from other owners about their exploders doing the sme thing I figured I would complain. Im tired of big companies screwing the little people over who purchase their products when they are perfectly able to fix it. Shame on u Ford.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. The contacts wife noticed smoke rising from the rearview mirror after she started the vehicle. She shut the vehicle off, but the headlights remained illuminated. The dealer stated that an electrical short in the wire caused the failure and they made the repair. The contact stated that since the repair, the headlights would no longer illuminate automatically. The dealer stated this could cause a fire. The consumer stated a recall was performed on the cruise control 2 weeks prior to this incident. The failure mileage was 92,865 and current mileage was 93,000. Updated 01/02/08. Updated 12/12/07
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. While driving at speeds of 70 MPH, smoke began pouring from under the hood. As the contact was moving the vehicle off the roadway, the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department arrived and advised the fire was so severe that they were unable to determine the exact cause of the failure. The fire chief ruled the fire as mechanical. The contact stated the vehicle was previously repaired under an unknown recall campaign in order to prevent a vehicle fire. The dealer advised the contact that they were not liable for the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The current and failure mileages were 125,000.
Dt*: the contact stated a fire erupted in the engine compartment. The fire was first observed on the passenger side of the vehicle near the alternator and wiring harness. Shortly before the fire started the vehicle made a grinding noise. The vehicle has not been inspected by a fire investigator however the contact believes the fire was electrical. The vehicle is currently at the dealership although they are unable to determine what component was involved in the fire. The cruise control on the vehicle was seldom used therefore; the contact is unaware if it works. The insurance company was alerted and a claim was filed.
I came home from dropping my son off at his school social. I heard some sparking noise. Unplugged my cell phone charger. I didn't know what it was at first. 1 minute later I saw smoke and flames coming from my hood. I jumped out the car and called fire department. Guys from the neighborhood put fire out. It started around the brake master cylinder. The cord that attaches to it. Later found out it is control deactivation switch. I'm trying to see who's responsible for repairing the vehicle. Wasn't informed about recall.
Related recalls
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.
Electrical complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2000 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 78 complaints about the electrical system of the 2000 Ford Explorer, 8% of the model year's 952 complaints. The component named most often is wiring › fuses and circuit breakers (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Ford Explorer electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-072 (fuses and circuit breakers, Mar 7, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Ford Explorer electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 26 fires and 3 injuries to electrical system 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.