1999 Ford Explorer Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year report a wide spread of problems, most often involving the turn signal and multifunction switch, airbag warning lights, and engine stalling. Complaints also describe cruise control switch fires, particularly on vehicles that were parked, and transmission shifting trouble. Many reports come in between roughly 50,000 and 150,000 miles, and some vehicles sat decades-old with unresolved campaign work.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Turn signal switch smokes or burns at steering column

   Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe smoke, and in some cases a visible orange glow, coming from the steering column near the hazard flasher button or turn signal lever, usually while a turn signal is held on. Several say the multifunction switch also made the wipers run at odd times or stop working in cold weather. According to the complaints, dealers replaced the multifunction or turn signal switch, sometimes under warranty and sometimes at the owner's cost. Reported from under 40,000 miles to over 140,000 miles, often while sitting at a turn signal or after extended use.

   What to check: Cycle the turn signals and hazard flashers and watch and smell the steering column area, and ask whether the multifunction switch has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There were smoke from steering column. To be exact, from hazards button on top of steering column behind steering. It happened several times but only few seconds and stop. My garage mechanic changed assembly with turn signal wiper switch and I think fixed it. It is scary since it happened while driving high speed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10308672, filed 2010-02, 102,000 miles

   “I have had several problems w/ the multi function switch. First, my wipers would randomly turn on. The dealership fixed the problem. Next, the wipers would not turn on when it was really cold. The dealership could not replicate or fix the problem. Next, the wipers could not reach full speed. At 35,000 miles, we forced the dealership to replace the mfs under warranty. Finally, at 59,000 miles, white smoke started spewing from the mfs. After calling the dealership, I had the car towed and the mfs replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10003534, filed 2003-01, 59,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light on or airbags not deploying

   • 96 complaints (7%)
   • median 66,423 mi at 6.0 yrs old (30 state mileage)
   • 35 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $400 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2017

   Owners report the airbag warning light staying lit, going out entirely, or the system being diagnosed as faulty, with complaints describing frontal airbags that did not deploy in a collision. Some were told the clock spring or airbag wiring harness was at fault and paid for the repair themselves. Complaints describe dealers calling the condition a non-safety matter or offering only a temporary fix. Reported at a wide spread of mileage, from very low readings to over 150,000 miles.

   What to check: Confirm the airbag light comes on at key-on and then goes out, and ask for any records of clock spring or airbag wiring repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was traveling behind a concrete truck when he slammed on brakes. I hit the truck and the front end of my Explorer was significantly damaged. According to the police officer and several body shop mechanics, the airbag should have deployed. The vehicle is currently at the body shop and the damage appears to be irreparable. The airbag failed to deploy and therefore I was thrown into the steering wheel. The impact was severe because the concrete truck was so large that it did not give into the impact at all.”

   NHTSA complaint #10095630, filed 2004-10, 60,000 miles

   “Our air bag light went totally out and then theirs a beeping sound and when we went to get car inspected, it failed inspection as the airbag light didnt come on when the vehicle is started.”

   NHTSA complaint #10780748, filed 2015-10, 148 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalls and timing chain rattle

   • 71 complaints (5%)
   • median 72,586 mi at 6.4 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,500 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2018

   Complaints describe the engine stalling at stops or shortly after startup, sometimes with the check engine light on, and dealers identifying the idle bypass valve, intake manifold gasket, or timing chain as the cause. Others report a rattle from the front of the engine that comes and goes and gradually gets louder. Several owners say the repair required major engine work or was not covered. Most often reported between about 45,000 and 90,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Listen for a rattle from the front of the engine at around 2,000 to 3,000 rpm, and ask whether the timing chain, tensioners, or idle valve have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The single overhead camshaft (sohc) v6 engine may have as many as four timing chains with associated tensioners and guides. I have been receiving a rattling sound from my engine for years and it use to come and go, but now it has gotten worst. I had notified Ford motors corp., about this problem back on 6-30-10 and didn't get any help on this matter, the person I spoke with told me that my VIN# wasn't covered. I recently found three documents on this problem, with a NHTSA # on each document. Item number #630022, #620173 and article # 02-7-6. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10925918, filed 2016-11, 90,000 miles

   “Dt: the contact stated vehicle stalled. Although the engine died it easily restarted. He took the vehicle to a dealer. The dealer discovered the problem was the intake manifold gasket. There was a special service campaign # 01m112 that concerned the intake manifold gasket and the timing chain. However, due to the vehicle's mileage it was not included in the campaign. No repairs have been made.”

   NHTSA complaint #10144828, filed 2005-12, 90,000 miles
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Cruise control switch overheats or catches fire

   • 52 complaints (4%)
   • median 120,000 mi at 8.8 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2023

   Owners describe smoke or flames from the area of the brake master cylinder or under the hood, sometimes hours after the vehicle was parked and shut off, with fire departments identifying the cruise control switch as the source. Others report the cruise control simply stopped working, or that a dealer disconnected the system and did not complete the recall remedy. Some complaints reference the speed control recall by campaign number. Reported between roughly 50,000 and 145,000 miles, often with the vehicle parked and off.

   Recall 09V399000Recall 07V336000Recall 99V062001

   What to check: Ask for proof that the speed control deactivation switch recall was completed rather than bypassed, and check whether cruise control still engages.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I received a recall letter from Ford motor company in july 2007 for a defect in the cruise control of my 1999 Ford Explorer. Per the recall instructions I took the vehicle to the local Ford dealer, jones west Ford in reno, nv. Rather than fix the defect, jones west Ford disconnected the recall and said they would call me when the parts came in. Over the next seven months, and despite five calls, two visits to the dealer and two calls to the Ford corporate customer service, Ford has refused to correct the defect.”

   NHTSA complaint #10217958, filed 2008-02, 145,000 miles

   “Wife came home from work sick. Parked in driveway. Noticed smoke coming from under hood. Thought engine overheated. Opened hood and flame shot up from brake master. Fire dept report shows it was cruise control deactivation switch that caught on fire. From what I've learned about this is the cruise control quits working..ours quit working.”

   NHTSA complaint #10150293, filed 2006-02, 127,656 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping, harsh shifting, or no reverse

   • 61 complaints (5%)
   • median 95,000 mi at 8.3 yrs old (31 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2022

   Owners report the transmission revving between gears, hesitating or refusing to move forward, and the overdrive light flashing with the vehicle stuck in a lower gear. Some describe reverse failing entirely, and others were told the valve body gaskets or internal bands needed replacement. Complaints describe quotes for rebuilds and, in some cases, a computer reflash. Reported from around 25,000 miles to over 140,000 miles, sometimes worsening in cold weather.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test reverse and gentle acceleration from a stop, watch for a flashing overdrive light, and ask about any transmission service or reflash history.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There is a problem with the car shifting (it is a automatic) between 2000 and 3000 RPM's. It seems to be getting stuck and revving hard. I was told the valve body gaskets need to be replaced. The car only has 45, 000 miles. I was told that Ford has discovered the fabric filter wasn't working and there is a new metal shield.”

   NHTSA complaint #10010282, filed 2003-03, 45,000 miles

   “My truck began revving for no reason, it only happens below 40 MPH. It doesn't always happen and happens more when it is cold outside. A few weeks back, I couldn't drive forward, I had to back up and then it finally decided to go forward. I just took the truck in and had a number of things checked and replaced. I was told that the transmission is going and it is just a matter of time. I don't understand why Ford is not doing anything about the problems with their transmissions. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10231354, filed 2008-06, 117,000 miles

Buying note. Check the electrical switches in the steering column and the status of the speed control recall before purchase, since those are the most frequently reported problems on this model year. A pre-purchase inspection focused on the transmission, airbag warning light, and engine timing chain noise is worthwhile given the age and typical mileage.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.