2000 Ford EXPLORER SPORT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
71 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
66,556 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 model year. Data snapshot: . 42 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 71 complaints (15.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 16.9% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 8.5% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 5.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 11 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Seats | 5 |
| Tires | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 4 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 11; Electrical System: 9; Seats: 5; Tires: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 14 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 4
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 29 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 13 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 13 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2001: 6; 2002: 3; 2003: 13; 2004: 5; 2005: 13; 2006: 3; 2007: 9; 2008: 6; 2009: 4; 2010: 3; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 12 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002292 · 2003-01-07 (January 7, 2003)
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION OR WITHOUT INADVERTENT MOVEMENT, WITH SEATS OCCUPIED, ALL 4 SEAT BELTS WOULD TIGHTEN. CONSUMER HAS TO UNFASTEN BELT BUCKLE TO RELEASE HOLD. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIX PROBLEM, CAUSE THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE IT. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002292 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003148 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
TIMING TENSIONER WAS RECALLED. TENSIONER DAMAGED MY TIMING CHAIN, WHICH DAMAGED MY ENGINE. TURN SIGNAL SWITCH NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AFTER 31,000 MI, DASH LIGHTS AND GUAGES FAILED TO WORK CONSISTENTLY OR AT ALL BEGINNING 25,000 MI, REAR WINDOW WIPER NEVER WIPED PROPERLY, HEATER SWITCH BEGAN FAILING AT 36,000 MI. LAST DELIMMA WAS CATALYIC CONVERTER GOING OUT AT 60,000 MI. ALSO, AFTER REPLACEMENT OF TENSIONER, OIL CHANGE HAD BEEN DONE AT SAME TIME. 10 MILES AFTER LEAVING DEALERSHIP, GASKET FELL OFF AND LOST ALL OIL PRESSURE WHILE ENGINE WAS O…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003148 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004939 · 2003-01-30 (January 30, 2003)
UPON ENTERING MY VEHICLE, SITTING IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT, AND RESTINNG MY BACK AGAINST THE SEAT WHILE IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION, THE BACK OF THE SEAT COLLAPSED.THIS ALL OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE BEING STARTED AND ENGAGED IN ANY GEAR, WHICH IS PROBABLY THE ONLY REASON THE INCIDENT DID NOT RESULT IN A SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENT. DUE TO THE COLLAPSE OF THE SEAT, I DID SUSTAIN A BACK INJURY/STRAIN.
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004939 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005295 · 2003-02-04 (February 4, 2003)
HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY EXPLORER. HAVE HAD 2 TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY REPLACED, AIR INTAKE CONTROL VALVE REPLACED, FAULTY WITING FOR THE LAFT TAIL LIGHT REPLACE, IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, AIR BAG CONTACTS REPLACED, TURN SIGNAL ARM AND COTROLS REPLACED.
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005295 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006047 · 2003-01-07 (January 7, 2003)
NAR 1/29/2003. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONSTANTLY STAYED ON. THERE HAS BEEN FOUR ATTEMPTED REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006047 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018402 · 2003-05-08 (May 8, 2003)
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT ON MY 2000 FORD EXPLORER BROKE AND WOULD NOT STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018402 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019262 · 2003-05-25 (May 25, 2003)
I HAVE A 2000 FORD EXPLORER SPORT WITH 24,040 MILES ON IT. I AM SCHEDULED FOR A THIRD BREAK JOB ON THIS SUV. I PERSONALLY THINK IT IS CRAZY THAT A VEHICLE WITH THAT LOW OF MILEAGE HAS THIS MANY PROBLEMS. I AM TAKING THE CAR TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC TO HOPEFULLY REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE OTHER TWO SERVICES WERE PERFORMED BY FORD DEALERSHIPS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019262 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023224 · 2003-06-17 (June 17, 2003)
DEALER HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE AFTER OIL PRESSURE DROPPED OUT WITHOUT WARNING. ENGINE LOCKED UP BEFORE I COULD TRAVEL 1/4 MILE TO GET OFF ROAD. FORD MOTOR COMPANY OFFERED NO HELP SINCE ENGINE HAD 39000 MILES, 3000 MILES OVER WARRANTY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023224 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V394000 · Structure:Body:Hood:Hinge And Attachments
Reported: 2000-11-28 (November 28, 2000)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH STEEL HOODS AND CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SHEET MOLDING COMPOUND HOODS. A WIRE FORMED HOOD STRIKER COULD BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE FRACTURES. IF THE HOOD STRIKER FRACTURES, THE HOOD COULD FLY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.
Consequence: A HOOD FLY-UP WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED COULD RESULT IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD STRIKER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗