9th May 2003, 15:35

I have the same problem with the Check Engine light and the O/D light flashing. For those of you who've experienced this problem, what type of things have been diagnosed by Ford or your mechanics?

25th Jul 2003, 11:20

1999 Explorer (Exploder) XLS.

What a joke. I have had this truck for 10 months, 14,000 miles. I'll just list the problems; there are too many to try and write sentences for.

1. Transmission replaced.

2. Vacuum leak.

3. Air bag sensor module replaced.

4. Front wheel bearings replaced.

5. Wiper motor replaced.

6. Fuel pump replaced.

7. Catalytic converter replaced.

8. Door locks replaced (couldn't get into my own truck!).

9. Windshield washer fluid leak.

10. No coolant in the thing when I bought it.

11. Console replaced.

12. Front brakes/rotors replaced (was told they were just replaced prior to purchase).

It looks great and rides great, that is the 3 out of 7 days a week it's working.

If one person doesn't buy this truck after reading this I will be content. If no one ever buys another one of these trucks, I will be thrilled.

3rd Jan 2004, 11:32

I too have the same vehicle and the problems are awful. I have had the brakes repaired 4 times. Called Ford they said that this was usual wear for brakes. They only wanted $1000.00 each time to fix them. I am now in the market for a new truck and I promise I will never buy Ford again.

Does anyone have problems with the washer motor, mine hasn't worked for about 3 years???

Also the new tires I got after the recall make so much noise that I can't really talk to people in the truck without saying "what?" a couple of times. Karen.

6th Aug 2004, 17:41

Hi. I was thinking about buying a used Ford Sport model. I have changed my mind. Thanks a million for this site. Just a note to add. I was a Ford Parts and Service person, and this was BEFORE they used only the machine to diagnose problems. The problem I see now in dealerships is this. They rely on a machine to tell them and diagnose a problem instead of knowing about vehicles or how they work. They hook up a little wire to another wire in your car and turn on a switch. The trouble codes appear and they say that is the problem. I disagree with that. I had a Ford truck and it had a short in it. I was charged 75.00 to hook it up to the Ford computer. I insisted that no... the machine will not find a short, you have to go look. The short will only tell you codes that are not right. Sure enough. about 15 codes appeared on this computer and I was told that the computer is never wrong. I found the short myself. Too technical for me anymore. I am used to the olden days where you actually found out what was wrong and did not rely on a computer. Where are those cars anymore by the way? Oh yeah... they are prior to 1978 before unleaded fuels.

16th Oct 2004, 01:20

I also have a 99 explorer and the transmission has gone out the rear wiper motor has been replaced, the rear brakes have been replaced once, the front brakes twice, the internal brake system (fluid, lines, master cylinder), the spare tire was missing when I bought it. Any suggestions on whether I should bother getting the transmission fixed?

30th Mar 2005, 09:26

I have a 1999 Ford Explorer Sport 4x2 with a manual transmission and 130,000 miles on it. I have had no problems. None. I replaced the front brakes at 85,000 miles and the rears at 120,000 miles. (The exceptional brake wear is due to the way that I drive, I push the clutch in and coast up to a stoplight). This is my second Explorer Sport and I had the same good luck with the other one. How many miles are on the Explorers that the owners are complaining about reliability issues? Were they purchased new or used? For the people that complain about bad transmissions, have you ever had the trans flushed??

My truck is maintained by meticulous Ford Master Technician. All of the fluids, trans, radiator, brakes, rear end, engine oil, power steering etc. are changed regularly. It's called maintenance, try it your car will last longer.

13th May 2005, 10:02

I have a 99' Explorer Sport with 118,000 miles.

The clutch went out twice, and just recently the master cylinder went out as well. The rear wiper works intermittently and it shakes over 60mph. I like the car though, it has been pretty reliable since I got it at 107,000 miles (my brother had the car since new.) Its got a lot of room and is reliable as far as I've experienced.

26th Sep 2005, 08:27

I would just like to add my comment. I purchased a '99 Ford Explorer Sport back in 2002, it was used, and I absolutely love my vehicle. Although there were a few small things like the brights not working and the rear win shield wiper not working it is my first standard and I enjoy it. I really have not had too many problems. I believe the wheel bearings need replacing on my front axle, but overall I have had a good experience with this vehicle. I'm sorry we haven't all had good experiences, but I thought it would be nice to hear from someone who has not had problems, watch it go downhill from here, joking. Well, if I should begin to have problems I will post again, but for now, 126,300 miles and going strong.

28th Oct 2008, 16:44

I own a 1999 Ford Explorer XL. It is my second Ford Explorer... I have absolutely been a die hard Explorer fan since I had my first one.

My first Explorer was a 91 and it was a manual trans.. I drove that Explorer until it dropped, and let me say I was less than caring to it. I was young and very rarely checked my oil much less changed it. Never replaced my plugs or wires. And that Explorer took a beating and just kept ticking.

Now I own a 1999 Ford Explorer. I have had it for 3 years. It has had the O/D off light flashing on it since I've owned it. It likes to kick on at about 65 miles an hour, but I just ignored it, thinking it's a Ford not all the gadgets will work right, but I was sure it would keep running like my last one.

I have changed the oil every 3 months, and had my plugs and wires changed.

I have only put 35,000 miles on it in 3 years... which I think is good. And lo and behold the other night I was driving 70 MPH on the highway and my Explorer just died!!! Guess what the mechanic says??? You need a new motor!!! So now I need a new motor and I know a new transfer case is coming because they ALWAYS go out on Explorers... when my dealer was looking for this one for me he found 9 different Explorers before this one... guess what was wrong with the other 9? The transfer case was either out or going out on EVERY one! So I am 1/2 and 1/2 on Explorers, but needless to say I am definitely giving a different company a try with my next SUV.