Complaints
1,737
Crashes
143
Fires
54
Injuries
141
Fatalities
4
Recalls
0
Worst 1999 Ford Explorer Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1212 complaints
Tire Defects
Avg mileage:114,939 mi
Crash-related:30
Fires:2
#2166 complaints
Tires:Tread/Belt
Avg mileage:69,074 mi
Crash-related:16
#3106 complaints
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Avg mileage:42,000 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1999 Ford Explorer.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tire Defects | 212 | 30 | 2 | 114,939 mi | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 166 | 16 | — | 69,074 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer | 106 | 1 | — | 42,000 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 92 | 10 | 8 | 234,806 mi | |
| Airbags | 63 | 13 | 1 | 111,458 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 61 | — | 1 | 101,476 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 55 | — | — | 36,862 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 43 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 37 | — | 10 | 106,412 mi | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 37 | 2 | — | 66,874 mi | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 37 | 2 | — | 79,816 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 33 | 9 | — | 100,754 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 32 | 5 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 29 | 2 | — | 84,688 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 24 | 18 | — | 75,567 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch | 24 | — | 1 | 91,670 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 23 | 1 | — | 74,394 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 22 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 16 | — | 5 | 82,429 mi | |
| Tires:Sidewall | 16 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 16 | — | 3 | 56,200 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 15 | 2 | 1 | 103,784 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 14 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wiring & Fuses | 13 | — | — | 68,973 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 13 | — | 3 | 83,145 mi | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 13 | — | — | 131,286 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 13 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 10 | — | — | 28,102 mi | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 10 | — | — | 68,000 mi |
Tire Defects
212
complaints
Crashes
30
Fires
2
Avg Miles
114,939
Tires:Tread/Belt
166
complaints
Crashes
16
Fires
—
Avg Miles
69,074
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
106
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
42,000
Unintended Acceleration
92
complaints
Crashes
10
Fires
8
Avg Miles
234,806
Airbags
63
complaints
Crashes
13
Fires
1
Avg Miles
111,458
Automatic Transmission
61
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
101,476
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
55
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
36,862
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
43
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
37
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
10
Avg Miles
106,412
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
37
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
66,874
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
37
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
79,816
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
33
complaints
Crashes
9
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,754
Suspension Failures
32
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
29
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
84,688
Air Bags:Frontal
24
complaints
Crashes
18
Fires
—
Avg Miles
75,567
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Switch
24
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
91,670
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
23
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
74,394
Suspension:Front
22
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
5
Avg Miles
82,429
Tires:Sidewall
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
56,200
Steering Defects
15
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
103,784
Transmission / Drivetrain
14
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wiring & Fuses
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
68,973
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
83,145
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
131,286
Structure:Body:Door
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
28,102
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
68,000
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1999 Ford Explorer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Explorer Years
1999 Ford Explorer — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1999 Ford Explorer reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 1999 Ford Explorer has 1,737 NHTSA complaints, 143 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Tire Defects with 212 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1999 Ford Explorer?
Top reported problems: Tire Defects (212 complaints, avg 114,939 mi); Tires:Tread/Belt (166 complaints, avg 69,074 mi); Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer (106 complaints, avg 42,000 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1999 Ford Explorer?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 96,305 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1999 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA complaints for the 1999 Ford Explorer include 143 crash-related reports, 54 fire reports, 141 injuries, and 4 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1999 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1999 Ford Explorer as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1999 Ford Explorer?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1999 Ford Explorer
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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