One problem related to steering rack has been reported for the 1999 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
On July 7, 2000, while traveling on ih-10 from san antonio, TX to my home in kerrville, at approximately 70 mph, my Explorer developed an uncontrollable wobble, best described as a tire losing air pressure. The vehicle was taken to ken stoepel Ford inc where several tests were performed, the short rack (part of the power steering) was replaced and then the firestone tires were replaced. The vehicle continues to have a wobble/wander problem at highway speeds and it constantly pulls/drifts to the left. Ken stoepel Ford inc's rationale for first replacing the short rack was that they thought the wobble was caused by an overly sensitive power steering problem. Since July 7 the vehicle has been in the shop five (5) times for the same problem,and each time, all they have checked is the front end alignment. If anything, the problem is just as bad and more constant than the July 7 incident. A Ford field service engineer was dispatched to kerrville on may 30, 2001 and all he checked was the alignment and did not wish to consult with me reference the steering problem. Ken stoepel Ford inc now refuses to perform any additional work on the steering problem even though the problem surfaced within the first year of ownership and the vehicle has more than fifteen (15) months of warranty remaining. They maintain the problem now rests between Ford motor company and me. To this date, Ford motor company is unresponsive to this steering problem which I view as a serious safety defect.