1999 Ford Explorer Sport Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 8%of 93 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 59,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the body and structure of the 1999 Ford Explorer Sport, 8% of the 93 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 59,500 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.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10082728, filed 2004-07, 64,000 miles“Front windshield wiper failure:front windshield wipers fail to work consistently. Wipers come on even though it is set to the off position. Sometimes wipers do not come on when they are turned to the on position. In order for wipers to work consistently they would have to be manually engage with hand and hand has to be kept on the wiper control switch switching it on and off to move the wiper blades. Wipers would come on intermittently while driving. Wipers would act erratically and fail to operate properly 90% of the time. Wipers sometimes would come on after vehicle has warmed up. …”
NHTSA complaint #10442752, filed 2012-01, 75,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10435247, filed 2011-11“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10150723, filed 2006-02, 55,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10644812, filed 2014-10Body and structure: other model years
Other parts of the 1999 Ford Explorer Sport
14 complaintsSeats
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 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 30, 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