Door Latch Problems of Ford Explorer - part 2

1) 1999 Ford Explorer 2 door (mine) and 2000 Ford Explorer 4 door (my brother's). Both vehicles are operated as normal daily driver vehicles. There was no known event leading to the failure in either vehicle (not operated under harsh conditions/gravel roads, etc. ). 2) both vehicles within a few month period began experiencing problems with the door latch mechanism -- passenger door on my Explorer, and both driver's side doors on my brothers. When locked, the door would not unlock. The power lock cylinder was actuating, but not disengaging the lock. The door could not be unlocked with the key from the outside nor the fob/key chain. Also, the real concern - the door could not be opened from the inside by pulling the door handle (which normally would unlock and open the door). In each of the three doors, a small retracting spring inside the door latch was broken. Had the vehicle been in an accident or some other situation requiring an emergency exit from the vehicle, the occupant sitting by the affected door possibly could not exit the vehicle without moving to another door of the vehicle. 3) I repaired these latches myself, using springs purchased from a local hardware store, as the latches are not available aftermarket in stores such as auto zone or napa (Ford dealer may have them but have not checked). The small spring appears to keep the lock mechanism pulled off unless the lock is engaged, without the spring, the lock would not disengage under normal operation. The only way the door would unlock was to push the unlock button numerous times (sometimes 30 + times) and it would eventually unlock. Removal of the door panel and latch assembly was required to fix the broken spring. We do have at least one of the broken springs (about 1 1/2 inches long).

See all problems of the 1999 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Driver's door lock inoperative, rear door lock inoperative.

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Normal operation; a the drivers door latch failed in the locked position. As a result, the door could not be unlocked or opened by normal means. The door was finally opened after the door panel was removed allowing the latch to be unlocked by reaching a hand inside the door. The failure is a broken spring. The failure resulted in an internal lever interfering with the lock portion of the latch during the unlock attempts. I have not repaired the failure as of this date. I have the failed item (a spring).

See all problems of the 1998 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Each winter since purchasing my 2002 Ford Explorer there have been days when the door would not latch shut and I was forced to wait for the mechanism to thaw or use one hand to keep the door from flying open as I drove. After thawing out the door would latch and I could continue safely. I always thought that this was a problem isolated to my vehicle though after hearing of the recent recall I am certain this is another in a long list of defects I have experienced. In fact on July 30, 2005 west herr Ford of hamburg, NY had to replace both front door lock actuators because the drivers side door would not lock and the passenger side would not open from the outside. I now wonder if the constant freeze / thaw cycle of the water that obviously leaks into the door caused this damage.

See all problems of the 2002 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Drivers side door will not latch or latches poorly during cold weather after opened. Door has swung open while being driven. Has been to the dealer 4 times with no remedy. Dealer has "adjusted door and lubed lock". Dealer offered to replace latch and cable but did not think that would fix the problem.

The front driver side door will not latch when the outside temp is below freezing. I had to warm the truck up for 10 minutes to heat up so the door would close correctly. This is a safety hazard and I think the door latch should be recalled because if the door does not latch correctly someone can be seriously injured.

Rear doors on 2000 Ford Explorer (4-door, 4x4, XLT) fail to open. In January of 2005 the left rear door would not open, either from the inside nor from the outside. This has just happened to the right rear door (December 2005). I have brought it to a Ford dealership ( don jenkins Ford in fuquay varina, nc) for both fixes, and the service writer acknowledged the problem immediately saying that they have seen this/fixed this on numerous Ford Explorers before. This indicates to me that this is a known and repeating problem to Ford. Besides costing me $500 to fix both door latch mechanisms, my greatest concern is that this is a safety defect - my children are not able to get out of the vehicle, and no one can open the door from the outside either in the case of an emergency.

: the contact stated the driver side door was permanently stuck closed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that it was an internal problem that caused the door to stay jammed. No repairs had been made.

The contact stated all four doors were shut and will not open. The two front doors will unlock with the key, but they could not be pulled open. The contact took the vehicle to an auto repair shop for inspection, and the service repairman determined that the linkages on the inside of the doors were worn out and would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted. They offered no free remedy. No repair has been made due to the excessive cost.

Driver door won't unlock. Key won't unlock it can't pull up on pluncher. And inside door handle won't open door. Door is just stuck locked. Have to crawl out window or go out passenger door. What would I do if I had to get out fast. I read on web sites, its a spring that every one is having trouble with. And its the same door. I found out about the door problems from offroadexchange. Com.

The driver's side front door does not unlock properly with both the remote keyless entry or the unlock latch on the inside of the vehicle. Sometimes when this is attempted the door opens. However, the latch is still locked. The vehicle was taken to don's Ford dealership, and they did not offer an explanation. The consumer still plans to take the vehicle to a Ford dealer for repairs. A new latch and actuator was installed. The problem was fixed but the consumer felt that the problem was still inferior and unsafe.

After having parked my car I could not open the door for my child to get out--neither from the inside nor the outside and pull mechanism disappeared in between car door.

The driver side door will not unlock properly, trapping the driver and child in the vehicle. Pressing the 'unlock' button does nothing. So far, the Ford dealer wants around $400 to fix this problem and says it is not a recall item.

See all problems of the 1996 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Drivers side front door lock does not unlock with either the remote keyless entry, the interior lock/unlock button or the key. In order to unlock the door you must press either the remote or the interior unlock button 10 to 15 times. In addition to being very inconvenient, this could cause a serious problem if the driver is not able to exit the vehicle quickly in an emergency.

The left front door would not lock or unlock. The consumer noticed on more than on occasion that the problem would occur. The consumer has contacted the dealer for appointment. Please fill in additional information.

Automatic door locks sometimes work and sometimes does not.

While driving, the windshield wiper failed. The driver's side door locked on it's on. The consumer was unable to unlock it from the outside. The driver has to go through the passenger's door to get inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a garage for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the power train control module needed to be replaced. Please provide further details.

Door locks freeze at temp. Below 30 deg. F. This occurs on both front doors. This prevents the latch from closing completely. The passenger door has opened when the truck made a rt. Hand turn. This has been an onging issue. The truck was taken in last year for this issue. The door striker was adjuseted,. The dealer will not cover this under warrenty because it is no longer covered.

Driver door won't open on my 1998 eddie baur Explorer. Door lock stuck shut. . . Safety issue!.

Inner door locking mechanism failed due to a small spring breaking. The result is that the door effected (drivers door in this case) will not open from the inside or outside. Thus, trapping a person in the event that an exit must be made quickly. A replacement part has been purchased and I am in the process of replacing the damaged piece. The damaged piece will be available.

Driver's side door lock and latch no longer work and prevent door from opening. This creates a very hazardous situation for driver who now cannot exit vehicle reliably in the event of an accident or fire. Driver's side door is effectively permanently locked and driver must enter/exit via passenger side door. Door lock no longer resounds to remote keyless entry, outside key, nor inside door handle. Only after repeated attempts to pull on tapered door knob while repeatedly pressing internal electric door unlock button will driver's door sometimes become unlocked and then the door can be opened. None of the other doors to the vehicle (4 door plus rear hatch) have similar problem. This problem has been reported previously to through NHTSA by numerous other Ford Explorer owners, yet apparently no recall has yet been issued for this problem. Car was taken to the vista Ford dealer on November 28, 2004 for a safety check and warranty repair of bolt in driver's seat. Dealer initially estimated $230 for repair, but after inspection they demanded $500+ (including parts and labor). Repair not performed. Vehicle remains in hazardous condition.

Two weeks ago I went to get out of my SUV and the door would not open. I finally got it to work after pulling on the handle and pushing lock/unlock about 20 times. This happens daily.

I have two 1997 Ford Explorers (an XLT and an eddie bauer) both vehicles have numerous problems with door latches and power locks. Occupants have been unable to exit the vehicles on several occasions due to inoperable handles and/or locks. I believe someone could become trapped in one of these vehicles in the event of an accident.

See all problems of the 1997 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The locking mechanism automatically locked, and unlocked by itself. The key worked intermittently. Sometimes when the consumer was inside the vehicle she could not get out or she got out, but could not get in. Keys do not work on drivers side door. The consumer broke the door latch trying to get out of the vehicle.

Rear passenger doors will not open from the inside. Vehicle is equipped with the child safety locks which may be the cause of defect.

Consumer experienced problems with the rear upper window locking and unlocking for no reason while driving. Consumer has four children and was scare d something will happen to the children. Vehicle was inspected at two different dealership 4 times, and could not duplicate or correct the problem.

October 2001, I purchased a new 2002 Ford Explorer from don reid Ford maitland, florida. I experienced one problem after the other with my windows and doors. First, the back half door came open and refused to close. The dealer repaired it. Next, the replacement refused to work; the dealer ordered the part and repaired it. Next, the entire back window, crashed to the ground. I placed the dragging part in the back of my truck and stopped at greenway Ford. Greenway refused the repair and sent me where I purchased it. Don reid kept the truck a few days and repaired it. Next, screws on the passenger side door came out, that door wouldn't close. Fed up with repeated trips to don reid I had my husband fix it, the door came loose again. I'm at the limit on what I'll endure from a vehicle I'm paying nearly $500. 00/mo for. It's not worth the pain I am experiencing. I almost died on August 26, 5:30 to 6:00 pm, when the locked driver's door suddenly swung open and closed on my arm. I was leaning on the armrest. The seat belt kept me from being thrown. I nearly ran off the road. My arm hurt and started to swell. The door refused to latch. I held the heavy door shut with my swollen arm and controled the truck with the other. I crawled 35 minutes to orlando. My hand was numb and I was scared to death. I pulled over to rest my numb arm. I pulled into winn dixie's parking lot and a customer, reversed into the back of my truck, adding to it's damages. Still holding the door, I made it home. Don reid, whom I had previously called, had closed. My arm hurts more than it did yesterday. Fortunately, some of the swelling went down. My adjuster asked me to keep the truck. He's making towing arrangements. I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow for stronger meds. As a graduate I cannot afford time off. The door cannot close or lock. My husband has to leave work early to collect our daughters from school. Enough is enough!.

The left driver's side door's lock broke. Once inside the vehicle passenger could not get out of the vehicle. The door had to be opened from the outside.

I can't open my driver's side door of my Ford Explorer from either the outside of inside. The power locks don't open and the door should still open from the inside even if it is locked and it doesn't. This is a huge safety issue. Ford said it will cost me $130. 00 just to look at the door. I am going to my own mechanic to see if he can fix this problem. Until then I can't drive the car because it is unsafe.

Consumer noticed rear doors will not open from the inside, even if the child proof locks are off. Consumer will contact manufacturer.

Driver's side door will not open. The door will not reliably unlock. Power lock actuator works fine. Broken spring inside of latch mechnism.

Driver and passenger side door locks will not lock or unlock. Rear window would be rolled down so that driver can enter and exit from the vehicle. Consumer drove the vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic informed the consumer that this vehicle was not on recall.

The consumer could not unlock the front driver's side doors, from the inside or the outside of the vehicle. The consumer contacted the dealership and they indicated that this was not a safety issue.

Drivers side door does not unlock nor open from inside. Possible safty hazard if must exit vehicle in emergency.

Doors have a safety issue in which they cannot be locked because they can only be unlocked from the inside. The keys nor the remote can unlock the doors from the outside. Dealership indicated that the doors were frozen, and it was not their problem.