Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46
I bought a 2000 Ford Explorer Sport with 80,000 miles on in back in March 07'. Since then the following have stopped working:
Moon-roof, CD Player, Auto Door Locks, Windshield Wipers (front), the rear window (very back) leaks like a sieve when it rains, the check engine light is on and now the truck won't stay running after you start it. It now has 100,000 on it.
The transmission seems fine, but it guzzles gas like no tomorrow. Wish I'd gotten something else instead.
How about an old-fashioned tune up?
It sounds like an abused vehicle. You should see why the check engine light is on -- it could be why it's guzzling gas. The Explorer Sport generally gets 20 mpg in mixed driving, and up to 25 mpg on the highway, or even better at 55 mph, so that isn't exactly a "gas guzzler". I haven't had any of the problems you've had, and have virtually the same miles.
I have a 99 Explorer Sport 4x4 with the V6 SOHC. I had my first transmission and radiator service done last year at just over 110,000. I'm currently at 129K and have not had any transmission problems.
The first year I had it it went in for 5 warranty recalls or "unofficial" adjustments/replacements. My rear wiper worked as I drove it off the lot just one time and hasn't worked since.
I love my truck, minus the crappy gas mileage and the annoying weird noise its made from the beginning (I don't hear it so much with the window rolled up!). It really has been a good truck. Not too big, not too small and is the last of the series to have a solid steel truck frame before the insurance companies whined, so I feel safe in it.
Enjoy it if you have a good one and for those of you who have the lemons... foreign auto makers have their own lemons too.
I bought my 1999 Ford Explorer XLT 4.0L 4WD brand new in August of 1999. I also purchased the 6 year/100,000 Extended Warranty. In the first 6 years under that warranty I have had the upper ball joint on the drivers side (control arm replaced) fuel pump (it was losing pressure overnight and causing hard starting), tie rods, serpentine belt tensioner, stabilizer link pins, etc. replaced. The P255/70R16 tires were replaced in August of 2001 as part of the recall, and the replacement tires are still on the vehicle 80,000 miles later.
The rear wiper regardless of the brand only wipes 1/2 the window. The upper 25% of the rear window defroster does not work. The side step rail bars are rusted to hell.
The main issue is the door actuators. The drivers side was replaced around February of 2006 and then the passenger side was replaced in June of 2006. Ford only warranties these parts for 12 months or 12,000 miles. The module in the overhead console which shows the outside temperature & direction also just went bad.
The door actuators have failed once again. The drivers side front door also needs a door handle. It's getting frustrating. The vehicle is reliable. But if it wasn't for the extended warranty back then I would have spent thousands repairing it. As it is, I have to spend money again 18-24 months later on door actuators and a serpentine belt tensioner which has failed for a 2nd time in 24+ months.
Before you all think the vehicle is abused, think again. I am a former auto service writer & former assistant auto service manager. I take care of my vehicles.
But why all the same issues over & over---door actuators failing every 2 years, bad serpentine belt tensioners, worthless rear wipers, and for some of you worthless transmissions. My trans has been shifting kind of funny between 35-45 MPH & sometimes at 48 MPH for years. Ford could not find anything even with a trans fluid flush.
This vehicle is now 8 1/2 years old with 103,700 on the odometer. I know it could be worse. But to spend $600, $700, $800 every 2 years on the same issues even when repaired by Ford & 2 other facilities is a joke. Oh yea the dash bulb where the oil pressure gauge is at burned out years ago.
Bought my 1999 Ford Explorer Sport 4X4 in the fall of 1998 brand new (120 miles).
While under warranty I had:
The rear wiper replaced although it think it was my fault. Wiper was frosted/caked in snow and I turned it on anyhow, it jumped away from the window and only serviced a small portion of the window thereafter. After it was replaced, no further problems.
Car failed to hold idle and would stall when not continuous fed gas. Annoying to be without my truck while repaired, but fixed under warranty and not a problem again.
Had a leak in back cargo bay driver window; turned out to be a kink in the drainage hose from the sunroof, never a problem again. Driver side window motor replaced.
Tire recall was great, got new tires with 35,000 miles on my Explorer. Didn't have to buy tires until 90K miles when I had to replace tire rods as well.
Now knocking on 100K miles and my ABS light went on, hopefully it's just a sensor. So there were some bugs when I first got the car, but they were covered by warranty.
Out of pocket expense for the next 60K miles was very limited. Have to say I'm happy with how the little SUV is holding up.
I bought a 99 explorer sport used and had 100ks on it and it drove thru a winter road that was melted and drove thru lakes 2 feet high in wateron ice to get home and mud 2/3 feet deep and the 4x4 did its job... but it was an awesome trip that I will never attempt again... but after that it was like the blues brothers car... once it did its job it started falling apart with the tranny slipping on reverse and the rear wipers work once in a blue moon and the idle sticks when its cold and other than that...it's an awesome off road vehicle... too many gadgets on them nowadayz requiring sophisticated diagnostics to repair them.. I also have a 2004 Super crew and is a brute off road, but too many electronic problems on it and almost every year I spend 2-3 grand to keep it on the road, but its worth it for the purpose I use it for... winter road driving and off road 99% of the time... so I still like the Fords, but it's a machine with moving parts and almost anything that's mechanical will break, but wish they would do more tests for off roading and extreme temperatures up North and road conditions than they can call if Ford tough... over all they are good vehicles, but costly to own. that's my two cents worth... well spent more than that.
My 1999 XLT has 154K miles (I've owned it for approximately 100K). Miles have been primarily highway, so it's done reasonably well for gas mileage. However, I am also frustrated by major problems with this vehicle! I've replaced the serpentine belt, plugs/wires, and brake rotors. I chalk that up to routine maintenance on a vehicle with this many miles. I've also had to replace the rear differential (it went out at 100K). A year later, the transmission went. Now the check engine and O/D lights are on (possibly due to a faulty wiring harness) and it stalls while driving down the highway under normal driving conditions! The rear wiper has never worked since the day I drove it home. I'd love to buy another Explorer but it would make about as much sense as building an igloo in Texas. And yes, I faithfully change my oil and perform routine maintenance on my vehicle!!
I had a 1999 Ford Explorer Sport. Loved it, put on 85k's, had nothing happen to it. It was just a great car.
I just got a 1994 Sport. It has over 164ks and runs like a top.
I have owned Fords all my life and would buy a Ford again. Thank you Ford; keep up the good work.
"22nd May 2008, 23:47.
My 1999 XLT has 154K miles (I've owned it for approximately 100K). However, I am also frustrated by major problems with this vehicle! I've replaced the serpentine belt, plugs/wires, and brake rotors. I chalk that up to routine maintenance on a vehicle with this many miles. I've also had to replace the rear differential (it went out at 100K). A year later, the transmission went. Now the check engine and O/D lights are on (possibly due to a faulty wiring harness) and it stalls while driving down the highway under normal driving conditions! The rear wiper has never worked since the day I drove it home. And yes, I faithfully change my oil and perform routine maintenance on my vehicle!!"
But, did you check the differential fluid every 12,000 miles, and change the differential fluid every 60,000 miles? Did you check it at all? Did you change the transmission fluid and filter every 30,000 miles? Did you check the transfer case fluid every 12,000 miles, and change the fluid every 30,000 miles? If not, that is why you burned out the rear end, and your O/D light was flashing.
I agree, serpentine belt, brake rotors, plugs, and wires are simply routine maintenance and not a repair.
The check engine light and stalling is probably due to an oxygen sensor or mass air flow sensor. The check engine light is on because it's telling you that you need to check the OBDII and find out why it's stalling.
The rear wiper didn't work because water got into the shaft and corroded it and ruined the motor. It helps to spray a little WD-40 on the shaft to keep it from corroding.
Older vehicles require some care and maintenance. You got 100,000 miles out of this vehicle, which sounds like a success story to me.
I bought my 1999 Ford Explorer Sport (88,700 miles) in 2005. Honestly, I've been blessed not to have had any of the problems that some of the stories that I've read on here! I did have the ball joints replaced because it ruined my tires and the back wiper doesn't completely wipe the whole window. Also my CD player went out as well so I went to a junk yard found a premium ford radio and plays like new. I must admit that I'm slightly nervous reading these stories...LOL. If my transmissions goes out... so will the truck. I'll just get a new one.
I'm hoping to buy a 1999 Ford Explorer Sport tomorrow.. but all these stories are scaring me.. ha!
I also have a 1999 Ford Explorer XLT. The transmission slips at about 25 to 30 mph. The OD light also flashes constantly.
The automatic locks work sometimes and sometimes they don't.
The back windshield wiper gets caught constantly.
When the OD light is flashing the transmission works better. Can anyone tell me if this means that I will have to replace the transmission? I'm afraid!!
"26th Jan 2009, 17:04.
I also have a 1999 Ford Explorer XLT. The transmission slips at about 25 to 30 mph. The OD light also flashes constantly.
The automatic locks work sometimes and sometimes they don't.
The back windshield wiper gets caught constantly.
When the OD light is flashing the transmission works better. Can anyone tell me if this means that I will have to replace the transmission? I'm afraid!!"
Maybe not. The first thing you should try is to have the transmission fluid and filter changed. This is not the same as a flush. Do NOT get a flush! Changing the fluid and filter is cheap, and could solve the problem. As long as they have to remove the pan to change the filter, they can also check the module that engages the overdrive, which could be another relatively inexpensive problem. That might save you the several thousand dollars to rebuild the transmission.
One note; make sure that whoever looks at the transmission refills it with the correct type transmission fluid. There are five different kinds of Mercon, and you must use the right one. If nothing else, you can extend the life of the transmission by being gentle with it.
The transmission just went out in 1999 Ford Explorer Limited. It made it 204,865 miles before it went out. The tie rods are wearing out, the front hub on the passenger side is going out. The overdrive light went off and on for over 25,000 miles. I took it three different places and they couldn't fix it. The rear wiper worked properly for the first two weeks that I had it. Then never again. I am tired of the recalls and all of the problems. I have taken very good care of my Explorer. I did all of the maintenance as told too. I am not sticking anymore money into my Explorer. I loved my Explorer. I am going to miss it. I wish all the rest of you Explorer owners the best of luck with yours.