1999 Ford Explorer Body & Structure Problems

Your driver's side door keeps opening while you're driving, even though you closed and locked it before starting. This is a serious safety hazard that needs immediate attention. The fix will likely involve inspecting and adjusting the door latch mechanism or replacing the door latch assembly.

Your car's doors are very hard to open from the outside, which could make it difficult to get someone out in an emergency or accident. The hood latch has the same problem and is also hard to operate.

DOORS WILL NOT OPEN HAVE TO CLIMB OUT OF CAR WINDOW ON GROWING PROBLEM FIRST PASSENGER SIDE KNOW DRIVER SIDE A LOT OF EMBARRASSING MOMENTS TRYING TO GET OUT OF CAR AT WORK. *TR

I HAVE A 1999 FOR EXPLORER SPORT (2 DOOR) AND IN FEBRUARY OF 2011 THE DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE LOCKED AND AS NOT BEEN ABLE TO BE OPEN SINCE THEN. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ABOUT IT, THINKING THAT IT WOULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN IF IN A WRECK AND A PASSENGER COULD OPEN THE PASSENGER DOOR. WAS TOLD NOT A SAFETY CONCERN AND TO GET IT FIX I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A COMPANY CAN THINK THAT A DOOR ON A VEHICLE NOT OPENING IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. UPDATED 01/13/11*LJ UPDATED 04/01/11

I DRIVE A 1999 FORD EXPLORER AND COMING HOME FROM WORK LAST NIGHT THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE FIREWALL SHEARED OFF. MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS LEFT DANGLING AND I COULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY MORE. COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS HAD I BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE. IT APPEARS LIKE THREE LITTLE RIVETS HOLD THE BRACKET TO THE FIREWALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH WINDOW EXPLODED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT SOMEONE HAD BROKEN THE WINDOW AND CONTACTED THE POLICE. THE POLICE ADVISED THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE BREAKAGE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 189,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT REMAIN OPEN IN A FIXATED POSITION. IF THE HOOD COLLAPSES ONTO A PERSON, HE OR SHE COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS THE FRONT HOOD LIFT CYLINDER. SHE HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000. UPDATED 4/23/09 *CN UPDATED 04/28/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR MECHANISM WOULD LOCK, BUT WOULD FAIL TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. IN ADDITION, THE PLASTIC CLIP HANGING DOWN WOULD SLIP OUT OF POSITION. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE FAILURE MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. FORD STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS FAILURE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROD THAT IS USED TO KEEP THE HOOD LIFTED IS TOO SMALL. THE ROD DOES NOT KEEP THE HOOD PROPPED UP AND CAUSES IT TO CLOSE. THE HOOD HAS NEVER FALLEN ON HIM, BUT HE HAS HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE CONTACT'S RESPONSIBILITY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

1999 EXPLORER HOOD DOES NOT STAY OPEN WHEN LIFTED. *TS THE GAS LIFT SUPPORTS FAILED AND CAUSED THE HOOD TO COME CRASHING DOWN ON THE CONSUMER'S HEAD. THE HOOD CAUSED A GASH AND SWELLING ON THE CONSUMER'S FOREHEAD. *NM

1999 EXPLORER HOOD DOES NOT REMAIN OPEN DUE TO SUDDEN GAS LIFT SUPPORT FAILURE. *TS THE HOOD CAME CRASHING DOWN ON THE CONSUMER'S HEAD RESULTING IN A GASH AND SWELLING ON HER FORHEAD. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HATCHBACK LIFT GATE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE BALL JOINT ON THE BRACKET CRACKED AND BROKE DUE TO RUST. THE ENTIRE LIFT GATE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT HAS NOT BEEN MADE. UPDATED 03/17/06. *JB

DT: VEHICLE'S METAL SPORT RUNNING BOARDS RUSTED IN TWO YEARS. THE OWNER FELT THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE OWNER NEEDED THE RUNNING BOARDS TO HELP HER GET IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND A BODY SHOP. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. CONSUMER CHECKED ON HAVING FIBERGLASS RUNNING BOARDS PLACED ON HER VEHICLE. THE METAL RUNNING BOARDS WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLE WHEN PURCHASED. THE CONSUMER WANTS FORD TO REIMBURSE HER FOR THE NEW FIBERGLASS RUNNING BOARDS. *AK *JB

1999 FORD EXPLORER GRAB BAR OVER THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT FELL OFF ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO PRESSURE APPLIED TO IT. *MR FOR SEVEN WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE TO CONSUMER HAD BEEN INSTRUCTED TO USE THE GRAB BAR TO GET IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF AN ANKLE INJURY. THE CONSUMER SAID THAT AT NO TIME DURING THOSE SEVEN WEEKS DID THE BAR FEEL LOOSE OR UNSTABLE. *NM

I HAVE A 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT WITH A STEP BAR THAT HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OF THE FIRST YEAR OF PURCHASE. AFTER THE WINTER OF 2000 THE BARS HAS BEEN RUSTING MORE AND MORE THERE IS NOTHING THAT I CAN DO AS A CONSUMER. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE IT UNDER MY WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY CONSIDER THAT WEAR AND TEAR. THIS MATTER NEEDS TO BE ATTENDED TO AS A SAFETY ISSUE. STEPPING ON A RUSTY BAR THAT WILL GIVE ANY TIME SOON CAN NOT BE GOOD FOR ANYONE WITH LITTLE KIDS.*AK

THE FACTORY HOOD SHOCKS ARE TOO SMALL AND CANNOT HOLD THE WEIGHT OF THE HOOD. THIS RESULTED IN THE HOOD SLAMMING SHUT WITHOUT WARNING. *AK THE HOOD WOULD STAY UP FOR FIVE MINUTES. *SC *JB

CONSUMER STATES IF THE ARM REST IS TIPPED UPWARD TO GET INTO THE STORAGE AREA, HOT /COLD DRINKS WILL SPILL INTO THE REAR PASSENGER AREA. *AK *MR

WHILE PASSENGER WAS GETTING INSIDE OF VEHICLE BY PULLING ON THE UPPER HANDLE GRIP THE HANDLE SNAPPED, CAUSING THE PASSENGER TO FALL TO THE GROUND.*AK

ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO, AFTER PARKING MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER (VIN [XXX], PURCHASED FROM HALL FORD, NEWPORT NEWS, VA ON DECEMBER 16, 1998), I ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED THE KEYS BETWEEN THE DRIVERS SEAT AND CENTER CONSOLE. THERE IS ADEQUATE ROOM TO SLIP ONES HAND BETWEEN THE TWO, SO I DID SO IN ORDER TO RETRIEVE THE KEYS. AS I WAS PULLING MY HAND BACK UP, I FOUND THAT THE HORIZONTAL PIECE OF PLASTIC ABOUT HALF WAY DOWN THE SIDE OF THE CONSOLE WAS RAZOR-SHARP, AND HAD CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF INJURY TO MY RIGHT HAND (PHOTO AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST). IN ADDITION TO THE PHYSICAL DISFIGUREMENT, I WAS IN PAIN FOR SEVERAL DAYS, AND HAD TO USE ANTIBIOTICS TO BEAT BACK A RESULTING SECONDARY INFECTION FROM THE WOUND.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I PURCHASED A 1999 FORD EXPLORER VIN #[XXX] FROM A WASHINGTON STATE FORD DEALERSHIP IN SEPTEMBER 2002. THE VEHICLE HAD 54,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME, I HAVE PUT 7,000 MILES ON IT. THE REAR LIFTGATE BEGAN TO MAKE A CLUNKING/POPPING NOISE RECENTLY, AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO CLOSE. I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER, PORT ANGELES FORD LINCOLN MERCURY, AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE SHEET METAL WHERE THE HINGES ARE MOUNTED IS TEARING AWAY FROM THE STRUCTURE AND THAT IT IS NOT A COVERED ITEM (I DID PURCHASE THE FORD WARRANTY PLAN), AND THAT I WILL NEED TO GO TO A BODY SHOP AND HAVE NEW STEEL PLATES WELDED IN PLACE AT MY EXPENSE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS IS MY RESPONSIBILITY, THE STEEL THAT WAS USED WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT USING THIS LIFTGATE, AND I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT FORD IS LIABLE FOR THIS. CAN YOU HELP ME TO CONFIRM THIS? I AM UNABLE TO USE THE LIFTGATE AT THIS TIME AS THE FORD DEALER SAYS THE LIFTGATE COULD FALL OFF, POSSIBLY INJURING SOMEONE. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE BUMPER COLLAPSED WHEN IT WAS HIT. *JB

THE REAR LIFT GATE DOOR IS FALLING OFF OF THE HINGES.*JB

LIFTGATE LOOSE, IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PH. *AK

CONSUMER HAD LIFTED TAILGATE. WHILE CONSUMER WAS STANDING UNDERNEATH TAILGATE IT FELL DOWN, HITTING CONSUMER ON THE HEAD. BOTH HYDRAULIC HINGES WERE LEAKING OIL. VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY DEALER.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE UNIT RATTLES WHEN IN MOTION, DEALER REPLACED REPLACED THE RIVET IN THE DOOR REGULATOR. *SLC

THE PRESSURIZED LIFT RODS WHICH HOLD THE HOOD UP FAILED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FIRST TIME THE HOOD FELL AND PINNED MY FINGERS UNDER THE CLOSED HOOD. I FEEL THE COOLER AIR TEMPERATURE (45 DEGREES) CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE. IT HASN'T OCCURED DURING THE WARMER TIMES OF THE YEAR.*AK

THE METAL IS CRACKING AROUND THE HINGE LOCATED ON THE REAR HATCH DOOR. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB *TT

THE VEHICLE IS SETTING HIGH OFF THE GROUND CAUSING WIND TO GET UNDER BEATHER AND CAUSE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND CRASH CAN OCCUR. *YD

THE VEHICLE IS SETTING HIGH OFF THE GROUND CAUSING WIND TO GET UNDER VEHICLE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND A CRASH CAN OCCUR. *YD

REAR TIRE STRUCK THE TOYOTA'S FRONT BUMPER AND ROLLED THE EXPLORER OVER. THE SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED. THE FORCE IN THE ROLLOVER CRASH SHOULD HAVE ACTIVATED THE SIDE AIRBAGS.

THE PLASTIC TRIM AROUND THE HEAD LINER WAS LOOSE.*JB

THE PLASTIC TRIM AROUND THE HEAD LINER WAS LOOSE.*JB

CLOSING OF REAR HATCH DIFFICULT. PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED SINCE FIRST PURCHASED BUT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO CLOSE. HATCH REQUIRES SEVERAL HARD SLAMMING ATTEMPTS TO CLOSE. AT TIMES THE HATCH BECOMES AJAR, ONLY AFTER CLOSING THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR(INTERIOR AIR PRESSURE FORCES HATCH AJAR). DEALER HAS EVALUATED PROBLEM AS A BENT FRAME AT RIGHT HINGE AND A NON-WARRANTED ITEM. ANNETTE MCCALL, THE LOCAL FORD FACTORY SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, HAS LOOKED OVER THE REAR HATCH AND AGREES WITH THE DEALERS' ASSESSMENT. THEY TEND TO THINK THE DEFECT WAS CAUSED BY BACKING INTO SOMETHING WITH THE HATCH OPEN OR THE HATCH BEEN FORCED UPWARD. I DISAGREE, I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A CUMULATIVE PROBLEM WHICH IS A RESULT OF AN IMPROPERLY INSTALL REAR HATCH.*AK

CONSOLE HAD TO BE FIXED *YH

THE BACK DOORS DO NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. *MJS

CONSUMER WENT TO OPEN DRIVER'S SIDE LIFTGATE, AND IT HAS TORN THROUGH THE METAL. THEN, ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE IT BEGAN TO DO THE SAME THING. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

FRONT BUMPER IS MADE WITH FLIMSY PLASTIC. *SLC

FRONT BUMPER IS MADE WITH FLIMSY PLASTIC. *SLC

DEFECTIVE STRIKER PLATE WHICH WAS USED TO HOLD THE DOOR IN EVENT OF A CRASH, SPUN AROUND, CAUSING DOOR NOT TO CLOSE PROPERLY. IN EVENT OF A CRASH DOOR MAY FLY OPEN. MANUFACTURER SAID THAT STRIKER PLATE WAS SUPPOSE TO STAY IN PLACE WHEN THE DOOR WAS SHUT. *AK

SOON AFTER PURCHASE PAINT PROBLEM REVEALED MULTIPLE BUBBLES THROUGH OUT THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR. SUV WAS THEN TAKEN TO DEALER/BODY SHOP WERE OTHER PROBLEMS WERE CREATED TO THE COSMETICS OF THE CAR. IT TOOK ABOUT A YEAR TO ATTEMPT TO CORRECT PROBLEMS THAT WERE CREATED. THE SUV'S DOORS WERE TAKEN OFF WHICH THEN CREATED A WIND NOISE TO THE DRIVERS SIDE THAT CAN'T BE CORRECTED. THE DOORS WERE REPLACED MISALIGNED AND WHEN COMPLAINTS WERE MADE WITH HIGHER MANAGEMENT THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT I WAS TO PICKY WITH THEIR WORK. I AM VERY DISATSIFIED WITH HOW THEY HANDLE THIS VEH. DEFECT. *AK

HOOD IS HARD TO OPEN. YH

HATCH BACK IS HARD TO OPEN. YH

REAR FRONT WIND GUARD BROKE. YH

DOOR HANDLE INSIDE REPLACED, LATCH WOULD NOT UNLOCK. *MJS

DOOR BEZEL WILL NOT STAY ON, PANEL PEELING. *MJS

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH A FIRE STARTED IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER SAFELY AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

REAR BUMPERS ON THIS SERIES IS SO HIGH ABOVE GRADE THAT THEY ARE INEFFECTIVE. A SIMPLE BUMPER TAP FROM A NORMAL SEDAN AS IN PARALLEL PARKING, IS SUFFICIENT TO DO THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS DAMAGE SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THE RAISED BUMPER. MY COMMENT: REQUIRING BUMPER STANDARDS LIKE "5 MPH" IS IRRELEVANT IF BUMPERS DO NOT MATCH. THE FORD EX... SERIES BUMPER HEIGHT IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF NON-STANDARD, UNNECESARILY BURDENSOME, DESIGN CHANGE. *AK

THE VEHICLE IS DESIGN FOR THE DOORS TO LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHEN IN MOTION BUT ON TWO OCCASION TWO PASSENGER HAD THEY'RE ARMS PINCHED BY THE LOCK. NLM

WATER IS COMING FROM THE CHASSIS. WATER LEAKS INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. *AK

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN, DUE TO FAILURE OF THE POWER DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY.

REAR HATCH ASSEMBLY WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY.

REAR DOOR HANDLE STICKS.

MOLDING UNDER REAR LIGHT CRACKED. NLM