1999 Ford Explorer Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 33about this part
- Share
- 2%of 1,348 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 109,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 1999 Ford Explorer, 2% of the 1,348 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 109,000 miles. 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.
“The driver side door lock has stopped working. The door will not lock at all at this point. I hope to god that no one steals my car! One occasion it decided to work and if I didn't have keyless entry, my kids would have been locked in the car with the car running. I have not attempted to have it fix. This is a huge problem, along with all the other problems that I am having.”
NHTSA complaint #10229152, filed 2008-05, 109,000 miles“I have a Ford Explorer sport 1999, the door locks won't unlock with the keys (both side doors, the hatch works fine) or the keypad, when they lock after starting, the drivers door won't unlock with the handle or the unlock button. It does however if you hit the unlock button, pushing the unlock button several times while pulling up on the lock - which is hard to get a hold of, or the handle (for now) I believe this is a safety issue. If I happened to get in an accident, the door would not open if needed.”
NHTSA complaint #10226087, filed 2008-04, 78,000 miles“The passenger door lock stopped popping up on the first press of the unlock button on the door. This began almost 2 years ago. It required multiple presses on the unlock button to get the door to unlock. The problem has now occurred on the driver' s side door. Only this time it required many more depresses to unlock. I have to physically pull the handle and pull up on the door lock knob to force it to open if it will open. My fear now is if I am in an accident or the truck catches on fire I may not be able to unlock either door.”
NHTSA complaint #10191140, filed 2007-05, 100,000 miles“I am having problems with my 1999 Ford Explorer drivers side door. It worked fine up until a few months ago. It stopped unlocking with the remote then it eventually stopped unlocking with the key. I have to now reach through my passenger door to open my drivers door. I am afraid of getting into an accident and the only way to get rescued is for someone to open my drivers door to get me out. If it is locked, and it normally is because it locks automatically when start to drive, no one would be able to get me out. This is a very serious problem if this were to happen. …”
NHTSA complaint #10220963, filed 2008-03, 154,000 miles“After having parked my car I could not open the door for my child to get out--neither from the inside nor the outside and pull mechanism disappeared in between car door.”
NHTSA complaint #10115981, filed 2005-03, 141,000 milesRelated recalls
- 99V164000Jun 29, 1999Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The secondary hood latch may corrode at the latch pivot and stick in the open position.Covers: Ford Explorer 1998–1999, Mercury Mountaineer 1998–1999
Latches, locks and linkages: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% |
| 2020 | 7 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 2 | 0% |
| 2017 | 5 | 0% |
| 2016 | 5 | 0% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 3 | 0% |
| 2013 | 16 | 1% |
| 2011 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2005 | 10 | 2% |
| 2004 | 23 | 2% |
| 2003 | 17 | 2% |
| 2002 | 50 | 2% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 29 | 3% |
| 1999 | 33 | 2% |
| 1998 | 65 | 3% |
| 1997 | 32 | 2% |
| 1996 | 34 | 2% |
| 1995 | 11 | 1% |
| 1994 | 23 | 2% |
| 1993 | 13 | 1% |
| 1992 | 4 | 1% |
| 1991 | 12 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1999 Ford Explorer
370 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
217 complaintsVehicle speed control
148 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
115 complaintsEngine cooling
100 complaintsAir bags
97 complaintsElectrical system
92 complaintsBrakes
69 complaintsSeats
68 complaintsSuspension
65 complaintsBody and structure
47 complaintsExterior lighting
46 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Ford Explorer
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