176 complaints reported

1999 Ford Explorer Visibility

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
176
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Sep 2011 Fire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEGAN TO OPERATE INVOLUNTARILY TWO OR THREE TIMES. DURING THE FAILURES, SMOKE WOULD BEGIN TO RISE FROM THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE DEALER WOULD ONLY DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Apr 2011
Jun 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD SPORADICALLY OPERATE WITHOUT ACTIVATION AND WHEN ACTIVATED, WOULD NOT OPERATE AT ALL. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED UNTIL THE WIPERS WERE COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT'S PERSONAL MECHANIC INSPECTED VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING HAD FAILED AND WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2011
Mar 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH IN INTENSE RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS, POWER LOCKS AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE WINDSHIELD MOTOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2002
Jul 2009 Injury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE REAR HATCH, THE GLASS SUDDENLY EXPLODED EVERYWHERE. THERE WERE PIECES OF GLASS THAT WERE EIGHT INCHES IN DIAMETER. THE GLASS SHATTERED WITH SUCH GREAT FORCE THAT SOME OF THE PIECES STRUCK AND CRACKED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED POWDER BURNS TO THE FACE AND SHOULDERS, AS WELL AS SMALL CUTS. SHE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR A MECHANIC, BUT THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THEY WERE FAMILIAR WITH THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 143,077.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2009
Jun 2009

WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD NOT BE TURNED ON. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Feb 2009
Dec 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1999 FORD EXPLORER. HIS REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER STOPPED WORKING AND HIS FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE GEM MODULE AND THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS; HOWEVER, IT HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A FORD DEALER. THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW WHEN HE WILL HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2008
May 2008

WINDSHIELD CRACKING AND STATIONARY WINDOW BACK PASSENGER WINDOW BREAKING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2008
May 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE REAR GLASS SUDDENLY SHATTERED INTO PIECES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,726. UPDATED 06/02/08 *BF UPDATED 06/02/08 *TR UPDATED 06/03/08

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Mar 2008
Jan 2008

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL START ON THEIR OWN. WHEN IT HAPPENS, THEY WILL CONTINUE INTERMITTENTLY UNTIL I TURN THE WIPERS ON HIGH THEN TURN THEM BACK OFF. IT IS EXTREMELY INTERMITTENT, SOMETIMES GOING MONTHS BEFORE IT WILL DO IT. HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT A YEAR. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2007
Dec 2006

THE REAR WINDOW WIPER ON MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER FAILS TO WORK. I'VE REPLACED THE MOTOR, AND THERE IS POWER TO THE MOTOR ITSELF. IF I TURN THE WIPER ON AND GET OUT AND FORCE THE WIPER UP, IT WILL BEGIN TO WORK. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS NOT AN OPTION WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND IT BEGINS TO RAIN. WITH THE WIPER NOT WORKING, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT THE BACK. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2006
Nov 2005

BLEND DOOR ON THE HEAT AND AC BROKEN, CANNOT WARM UP INTERIOR OF VEHICLE TO DEFROST WINDOWS, IT JUST BLOWS COLD AIR(MAYBE OUTSIDE AIR). HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Mar 2005
Oct 2005

DT: CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE PLASTIC VENT INSIDE THE HEATER CONTROL ASSEMBLY BROKE. THIS PLASTIC VENT REGULATES WHERE THE AIR WILL CIRCULATE THROUGH OUT THE VEHICLE. ALSO, IT CONTROLS THE DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM. DURING THE WINTER MONTHS IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO SEE WITHOUT THE WINDSHIELD BEING DEFROSTED. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED WHY THE COMPONENT BROKE. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND NOT DO ANYTHING. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. *AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Oct 2005
Dec 2004 Crash

THE WINDSHIELD IN MY 1999 FORD EXPLORER CAME LOOSE. ALTHOUGH IT DID NOT COME COMPLETELY OUT, IT WOULD NOT HAVE REMAINED INTACT IN A MINOR ACCIDENT. I HADS TO HAVE IT REPLACED. *AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Nov 2004
May 2004

THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHERE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ENGAGE WITHOUT BEING PROMPTED TO DO SO AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: May 2004
May 2004

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE REAR WINDOW BROKE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT A NEW WINDOW WOULD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Jan 2004

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHICH WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Nov 2003

SIDE VIEW MIRROR FILM IS WARPED CAUSING IT HARD TO SEE OUT OF SIDE VIEW MIRROR EQUIPMENT.*MR CONSUMER COULD NO LONGER USE THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS. SHE HAD TO RESULT TO LOOKING BEHIND HER AND DIDN'T FEEL SAFE DOING THIS. ONE GUY SHE SPOKE WITH AT A FORD BODY SHOP HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS EXPLORER. CONSUMER THOUGHT THE REPAIR WOULD BE APPROX. $200. DOLLARS BUT HE INFORMED HER IT WOULD BE MORE LIKE $250. DOLLARS. CONSUMER NOTED SHE WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS BUT FEEL SHE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *PH

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Oct 2003

REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH/MOTOR FAILED FROM TIME TO TIME.*AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jul 2003
Sep 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, MAKING IT HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO SEE DURING RAINY WEATHER. *AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Sep 2003
Aug 2003

WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WORK. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Apr 2000
Jul 2003

CONSUMER STATES THAT REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER OPERATED POORLY AFTER A PART WAS REPLACED.*AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Jun 2003

AFTER TALKING TO SEVERAL PEOPLE, AND DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH A COMMON PROBLEM IS WITH THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. ON MORE THAN ONE OCASSION, THE MOTORS STOPPED WORKING, WORK INCORRECTLY, OR WORK ONE MINUTE AND FAIL TO FUNCTION THE NEXT. THIS LEADS TO THE LACK OF VISIBILITY TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE SOME SAFETY CONCERNS.*AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jun 2003
May 2003

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES WHICH OBSTRUCTED THE DRIVERS VIEW. *NLM

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
May 2003

THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED TWICE WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. THE MOTOR STARTED WORKING INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN COMPLETELY FAILED.*JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Jan 2003
Sep 2002

WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WENT OUT CAUSING LOW VISABILITY. PH

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 1999 FORD EXPLORER, Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Incident: Oct 2002

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 1999 Ford Explorer has 176 Visibility complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.