Ford / Explorer Sport / 1999
1999 Ford Explorer Sport problems
Owners have filed 127 complaints about the 1999 Ford Explorer Sport with NHTSA. Seats account for 11.8% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of electrical system at 11%.
Complaints127
Crashes7
Fires5
Injuries9
Deaths2
What owners report breaking
Seats 11.8% · 15
Electrical system 11.0% · 14
Vehicle speed control 8.7% · 11
Air bags 7.9% · 10
Engine and engine cooling 7.9% · 10
Power train 7.1% · 9
Visibility 7.1% · 9
Structure 5.5% · 7
Severity
Of those complaints, 7 describe a crash, 5 describe a fire, 9 report an injury and 2 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 5 model years of the Ford Explorer Sport in this data, 1999 draws comparatively few complaints; 2001 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 3 in the last three years against 12 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 71,900 miles.
In owners' own words
Recall repairs cannot be performed unless the reclining seat handle can be fixed. Although the initial recall problem caused the handle to be bent, the dealer wants the consumer to pay for it. Consumer feels he is being given the run around to get the vehicle fixed. Manufacturer has been notified. Seats · reported at 80,000 miles
My driver's seat made a loud "pop" and proceeded to recline. The plastic shield later fell off the reclining mechanism, revealing that the frame for the seat had failed at the weld and buckled. The seat will not sit upright. Seats · reported at 70,000 miles
1999 Ford Explorer Sport drivers seat back unlatched itself while driving. Luckily only 20 mph! Rear passenger drivers side seat is folded down forward to hold drivers seat in place, until I can find another used seat. Seats · reported at 95,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…