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Electrical systemPart report

1999 Ford Explorer Electrical system Problems

Complaints
92about this part
Share
7%of 1,348 total for the year
Median mileage
75,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 92 complaints about the electrical system of the 1999 Ford Explorer, 7% of the 1,348 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 17 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I need to know what causes the electric to go haywire. The overhead lamp clicks on and off the driver door lock doesn't work completely. The driver window does not work correctly. Some of my gauges will decide not to work sometimes and then other times we'll be fine. My radio clock does not work. All happens the same whether I'm driving or not whether I'm parked with the engine running or not. I can't figure out anything it's causing this”

NHTSA complaint #11385724, filed 2020-12, 210,000 miles

“Started driving down the street and noticed heavy smoke coming from hazord switch, stopped to check once truck was turned off smoke stopped started truck up again and went on my way sevrel miles from home smoke started again, could not lose any more time so I kept on going watching for any fire or sparks. …”

NHTSA complaint #10777956, filed 2015-09, 65,247 miles

“The electrical on my vehicle is bad. My radio lights flash, none of my doors open from te inside and only roll down windows from diver switcth; gas gayge only reads empry although I j ust put 30 dollars in the tank.”

NHTSA complaint #10870925, filed 2016-05, 280,000 miles

“I drive in the afternoon to the store. Then I park my car in the store parking. 30 minutes before I arrived, heard in the store, that are looking for the owner of a Ford Explorer. When I came, my car was in fire. The firefighters arrives and finish the fire. The car lost in all the parts.”

NHTSA complaint #10228965, filed 2008-05, 75,000 miles

“Experiencing windshield wiper problem.....wipers turn on without activating the switch, and sometimes I can't turn them on when its raining......a safety problem. A march 2000 recall #00v072000 did not include my VIN # therefore Ford will not pay for the repair. New multifunction switch installed by dealer at my expense. Recall should be expanded to include more vehicles.”

NHTSA complaint #10141728, filed 2005-11, 40,100 miles

Related recalls

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026921%
20252322%
2024210%
20231413%
20223914%
20214811%
202018815%
2019207%
2018588%
2017946%
20161295%
2015935%
20141006%
20131637%
2012648%
2011958%
20101210%
200926%
20083826%
20072512%
2006396%
2005367%
2004554%
2003545%
20021484%
2001298%
2000788%
1999927%
19981146%
1997805%
1996473%
1995557%
1994756%
1993455%
1992457%
1991529%

Other parts of the 1999 Ford Explorer

Tires
370 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
217 complaints
Vehicle speed control
148 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
115 complaints
Engine cooling
100 complaints
Air bags
97 complaints
Brakes
69 complaints
Seats
68 complaints
Suspension
65 complaints
Body and structure
47 complaints
Exterior lighting
46 complaints
Steering
38 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1999 Ford Explorer

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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