1999 Ford Explorer Sport Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 15%of 93 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,750miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Ford Explorer Sport, 15% of the 93 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,750 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We were forced to take this vehicle from hansel Ford in santa rosa when they felt we wouldn't be able to afford the 2004 Ford f-150 we purchased they had sold my trade in hadn't made a deal with company for contract came a few day before first payment due and repoed it since we have had car nightmares the seat on driver side broke just regular time it does a lot of jerking and sputtering the light work when they want to etc..... Please get me a decent vehicle for after.”
NHTSA complaint #10135796, filed 2005-09, 95,265 miles“When it is hot outside, the car will not start. It just cranks and cranks,but, will not turn over.....as if it was out of gas when it is not. There are many tricks to getting this thing to start though. If the windows are rolled up all of the way, and it has not been driven before noon, it wont start. If I drive it in the morning when it is cool outside, it will almost always start later in the day. If I don't drive it until the afternoon, and the windows have been left down and it is parked in the shade, it will almost always start. This problem has become a nightmare. …”
NHTSA complaint #10235583, filed 2008-07, 102,000 miles“While driving, smoke started coming from the steering column inside vehicle. Contacted Ford to see if part of recall to speed sensor switch. Ford motor co. States vehicle not part of recall, did not recommend anything. No response to steering column smoking or smelling of burning electrical wires.”
NHTSA complaint #10158262, filed 2006-05, 201,000 miles“Vehicle fails to start on occasion. The engine will turn over, but will not catch. After waiting for several hours or a day, the vehicle will once again start. Sometimes, after letting the engine turn over many, many time, the engine will catch. This seems to happen mostly when the weather is hot. First incident was on july 14, 2004 only a few weeks after we bought the explorer.”
NHTSA complaint #10086187, filed 2004-08, 65,900 miles“Recall 00v072000 concerning electronic functions. Windshield wipers were inoperative. Also, interior lights, and the 4x4 control worked intermittently. Dealer was notified. Dealer informed the consumer that this vehicle was not covered under the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10097775, filed 2004-10, 30,000 milesElectrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 1999 Ford Explorer Sport
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsTires
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Ford Explorer Sport
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology