1999 Ford Explorer Sport Recalls

No recalls on record Updated July 2026

No NHTSA recalls on record for the 1999 Ford Explorer Sport. That means NHTSA has no open safety campaign for this vehicle — it does not guarantee the absence of problems. Owners have filed 127 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seats. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Complaints by component

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
11
1crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
10
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
5
4fires2injuries2deaths
AIR BAGS
4
1crashes2injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
4
SEATS
4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
4
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
3
INTERIOR LIGHTING
3
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
3
Total complaints127

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Went to apply break pressure due to another car running stop sign in parking lot. Was going approximately 10 mph. Lost break pressure and could barely stop. Checked break fluid which was completely empty. No break light notice prior to incident indicating low break fluid. Asked ford dealership if…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2018-09-07

“Doors will not open have to climb out of car window on growing problem first passenger side know driver side a lot of embarrassing moments trying to get out of car at work. *tr”

STRUCTURE · reported 2014-10-15

“Brake line broke and caused accident. No warning and I've never had an issue with brakes before very frustrated and a scary situation someone could have been killed . *tr”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2014-01-28

“Was driving around the city when I reach into my pocket to get my phone and hear a loud thump coming from the seat and the next thing I notice is the seat reclining all the way back. I was able to bring it back up by folding the exterior passenger seat to provide some sort of support. When I…”

SEATS · reported 2013-01-01

“Drivers side door lock wont unlock with key or with handle, cant unlock door with pull knob either,it's a death trap if u need to escape in the event of fire or accident, this needs to be addressed by ford asap!!! *tr”

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES · reported 2012-03-01

“Drivers side door lock wont unlock with key or with handle, cant unlock door with pull knob either,it's a death trap if u need to escape in the event of fire or accident, this needs to be addressed by ford asap!!! *tr”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2012-03-01

“Front windshield wiper failure:front windshield wipers fail to work consistently. Wipers come on even though it is set to the off position. Sometimes wipers do not come on when they are turned to the on position. In order for wipers to work consistently they would have to be manually engage with…”

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS · reported 2011-12-23

“Front windshield wiper failure:front windshield wipers fail to work consistently. Wipers come on even though it is set to the off position. Sometimes wipers do not come on when they are turned to the on position. In order for wipers to work consistently they would have to be manually engage with…”

VISIBILITY · reported 2011-12-23

Defect investigations

Investigation DP05005 Opened 2005-09-22 · closed 2006-01-04

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR…

Investigation DP05005 Opened 2005-09-22 · closed 2006-01-04

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR…

Investigation DP05005 Opened 2005-09-22 · closed 2006-01-04

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1999 Ford Explorer Sport as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.