2000 Ford Explorer Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 90about this part
- Share
- 9%of 952 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,700miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 90 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2000 Ford Explorer, 9% of the 952 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,700 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 10 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The 2000 Ford Explorer SUV began to slow down as the engine rpms increased. After pulling over and turning the ignition off, we noticed smoke coming from the hood. Underneath the car, flames were dripping down from the transmission. We used a fire extinguisher to extinguish the flames on the ground, and attempted to open the hood. After the hood was opened, large flames were observed in the engine compartment. The fire extinguisher was used until empty and had little impact. The car began to burn quickly and the flames spread from front to back. …”
NHTSA complaint #10413364, filed 2011-07, 202,000 miles“My Ford Explorer caught on fire. All I saw was cloud of smoke. Then people started yelling and blowing their horn at me, the unbelievable, that my car was on fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10336226, filed 2010-06, 78,000 miles“2000 Explorer xlt with approximately 55000 miles. Taken to dealer to be served c for stalling and failure to restart with high temperature. Dealer reported that engine hds coolant and oil mixing and will have to be replaced, $3500 cost. When I objected, dealer then stated that the lower intake manifold gasket failed, and that the engine will need to be torn down to fix , 2,000. . I objected again, and dealer decided to replace gasket, flush oil, coolant systems, and return to the road , $1100. …”
NHTSA complaint #10186439, filed 2007-03, 54,000 miles“On 20 mar 2005 while driving my 2000 Ford Explorer the check engine light came on. I pulled to the side to check the problems, everything seemed normal except it was idling rough. I called the dealer the next day to bring it in. I brought it to the Ford dealer on 21 mar 2005. I was told that afternoon, that it was the cylinder head gasket. I called the dealer on 22 mar to check and see when I could pick it up and was told that it would not be ready because they found the cylinder head had a crack. …”
NHTSA complaint #10116021, filed 2005-03, 75,000 miles“08-14-02 (39685 miles) - replaced idle air control valve - $215.87 03-14-03 (46676 miles) - replaced control arm and ball joints- $770.82 I feel that the above mentioned repairs that were made to my 3 year old vehicle are a result of poor craftsmanship and quality when the vehicle was made, and that these current problems are evidence of infant mortality . The Ford motor company has refused to accept any financial responsibility and did nothing more than receive my complaint.”
NHTSA complaint #10010648, filed 2003-03, 46,650 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10026389May 16, 2008Ford: certain 1999-2001 model year vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in new york and certain 2001 vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in the state of maine, certified for…
- 10011150Aug 9, 2004Rattle noise from primary chain drive area 2000-3000 rpm - 4.0l sohc engine.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 | 10 | 2% |
| 2020 | 21 | 2% |
| 2019 | 6 | 2% |
| 2018 | 29 | 4% |
| 2017 | 77 | 5% |
| 2016 | 114 | 5% |
| 2015 | 66 | 4% |
| 2014 | 67 | 4% |
| 2013 | 67 | 3% |
| 2012 | 14 | 2% |
| 2011 | 21 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 10 | 5% |
| 2006 | 164 | 26% |
| 2005 | 29 | 6% |
| 2004 | 71 | 5% |
| 2003 | 69 | 6% |
| 2002 | 163 | 5% |
| 2001 | 39 | 10% |
| 2000 | 90 | 9% |
| 1999 | 100 | 7% |
| 1998 | 189 | 10% |
| 1997 | 198 | 11% |
| 1996 | 81 | 6% |
| 1995 | 45 | 5% |
| 1994 | 74 | 6% |
| 1993 | 55 | 6% |
| 1992 | 64 | 10% |
| 1991 | 52 | 9% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2000 Ford Explorer
217 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
133 complaintsVehicle speed control
113 complaintsElectrical system
78 complaintsBrakes
64 complaintsAir bags
62 complaintsSuspension
62 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
46 complaintsSteering
40 complaintsSeats
39 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
29 complaintsBody and structure
29 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2000 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