Electrical System Problems of Ford Explorer Sport

Ford Explorer Sport owners have reported 31 problems related to electrical system (under the electrical system category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Ford Explorer Sport based on all problems reported for the Explorer Sport.

1 Electrical System problem of the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 07/17/2021

Suspenion and or traction was and the electrical system didnt work good.

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2 Electrical System problem of the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 02/01/2013

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport. The contact stated that the windshield wipers, the interior lights, and the sound for the door stopped working. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was told that the generic electronic module needed to be replaced but the vehicle was not included in NHTSA recall campaign id number: 00v072000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 155,637 and the current mileage was 158,000.

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3 Electrical System problem of the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 01/01/2013

The Ford Explorer Sport has serious electrical problems. *rear brake light would not turn off and caused my battery to drain. Took it to the shop and they stated this is a known problem with Ford explorers, that the brake light switch that the car has is defective. The mechanic actually stated that they stopped making that kind of brake light switch, so they had to order a new kind of brake light switch. Because the mechanic's statement, this informed me that Ford is aware of the brake light switch that came with the car is defective. *door ajar light sometimes comes on for no reason when all doors are fully closed, and then turns off on it¿s own after a couple days. I called Ford and they stated this sometimes happens and I needed to grease the door latched and clean the rubber lining on the doors. I did all this and it still happens sometimes. I've seen complains about this online too. This is dangerous because now when the door ajar light comes on people may ignore thinking it's the regular glitch, when it could possibly be an open door one day. *power door and power window motor constantly goes out each year. I have had this repaired three times now. This is also dangerous because in an emergency passengers can't exit a window if needed.

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4 Electrical System problem of the 1999 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 03/01/2012

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!!!.

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5 Electrical System problem of the 1999 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 12/23/2011

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 hand and hand has to be kept on the wiper control switch switching it on and off to move the wiper blades. Wipers would come on intermittently while driving. Wipers would act erratically and fail to operate properly 90% of the time. Wipers sometimes would come on after vehicle has warmed up. Wipers can come on anytime while driving. Faulty hood/weak hydraulic arms: the hood cannot safely stay up because the hydraulic arm supports are too weak to hold the weight of the hood. The hood support does not lock into place so that the hood would stay up safely. No safety bar was installed on this vehicle to safely hold up/prop up the hood in case of hydraulic arm/support failure. If the vehicle gets bumped while the hood is up the hood would fall and close shut. Because the hood will not stay up it requires two people when checking under the hood. One person to hold the hood while other is under it. Extreme rust & rust through interior running boards/step both driver and passenger side interior running boards/step up have extreme rust and rusted holes through the frame in many spots. When the driver or passenger side doors are open all rust can be seen. Some rust and rusted holes through the frame in many spots is visible from the exterior even when driver or passenger side doors are closed.

6 Electrical System problem of the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 10/02/2010

Leading up to the event of the fire, occasionally the "door ajar" button would flash during driving, the alarm would randomly go off, and the lights inside the vehicle would flash at random times. This was never a pattern, and the car went periods of time with nothing happening to it. One morning, I opened the car door and found the entire inside to be burned out. The first started in the middle console.

7 Electrical System problem of the 2000 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 06/15/2010

Windshield wipers stop working,power windows not working, dome light not working, fog lights not working and 4 wheel drive and auto not working.

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8 Electrical System problem of the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 04/04/2010

Vehicle caught fire. Vehicle was not running at the time. Vehicle destroyed by fire.

9 Electrical System problem of the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 11/16/2009

I have a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport that the 4x4 control module constantly malfunctions. This is a common problem that is widespread and could cause major accidents by losing control of the vehicle during operation in the winter months on snow/ ice. If you research this you'll find the problem existed from when these were new vehicles and Ford has no resolution to fix this problem other than replace it with another defective part. Ford's diagnostic computer doesn't even recognize there is a failure in the system creating an even larger danger since here's no way to trace the problem when taken in for service. There should be a recall issued immediately. Ford and motorola have designed and installed a defective part that can kill people if not fixed and has probably caused hundreds of accidents already. The Ford part number is 1l54-7h417-ac and the motorola model number is 01mp207c01 and it is described as the 4x4 control module.

10 Electrical System problem of the 2000 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 08/14/2009

Electrical system at steering column: smell of wires getting hot and smoke.

11 Electrical System problem of the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 10/18/2007

Was using the 4 wheel drive in when the engine started smoking and the engine compartment caught on fire, then the cab started burning and then the whole car caught on fire and exploded.

12 Electrical System problem of the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 06/17/2007

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport. The contact stated that in mid June 2007, an explosion was heard and she discovered that her vehicle was engulfed in flames. She called the local fire department and they extinguished the fire. The entire vehicle caught fire except for parts of the hood. The paint melted off the side of the house. Pictures were taken of the vehicle. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 138,000.

13 Electrical System problem of the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 08/15/2006

This is not an emergency problem or safety issue but it should still be investigated. I own a 1998 Ford explorer and the lights on the radio panel no longer work. So I called to have them fixed well they cant be fixed you have to purchase a new radio at $500. 00. Well I was not going to do that just so the clock and radio station setting would work. As I was investigating weather this could be fixed or not I met 4 other people who have the same problem each of them also having to purchase a $500. 00 radio so the lights would work. Then I started calling Ford dealerships and found that everyone I have called has taken dozens of phone calls on the light problem with the radios. Now I would say at $500. 00 a radio to have this fixed Ford would be making quite a provite over something that sounds like a minor problem. To me it isn't a minor problem if every vehichle that has these radios has a light problem. To me and several other people I have spoke to feel this should be Fords expense to fix this not the consumer. If it was just my radio that would be different but for dozens and dozens of radios to be this way is a big problem.

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14 Electrical System problem of the 1999 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 05/16/2006

While driving, smoke started coming from the steering column inside vehicle. Contacted Ford to see if part of recall to speed sensor switch. Ford motor CO. States vehicle not part of recall, did not recommend anything. No response to steering column smoking or smelling of burning electrical wires.

15 Electrical System problem of the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 12/01/2005

I am the primary driver of my niece's 1998 Ford Explorer Sport. One afternoon I drove the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport to the supermarket, and pharmacy. The 1998 Ford Explorer Sport was running fine, all the gauges were in the middle, no smoke, no smells, no problems. . After arriving home I parked the Ford 1998 Explorer Sport in my driveway, approximately 2 feet from the garage door, and approximately 4 feet from the entrance to my house. The vehicle was parked, shut off and sitting in the driveway with no problems. During the next hour, I begin to hang christmas decorations on my front door, and I was in & out of the house. The 1998 Ford Explorer Sport was still fine in the driveway. Approximately 1 hour after I finished my decorating, I began to smell something like rubber burning. I checked my stove, and electrical outlets, and everything appeared to be fine. I figure the burning smell was coming from my neighbor's house. They had workers there drilling and making repairs. So I then continue to do my chores. Approximately 15 minutes later I went to look out my front door, and I saw dark smoke pouring out the hood of the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport. I panicked, closed the door, grabbed the phone, ran out to the backyard, and call 911. I was to afraid to go out the front door, and also afraid to stay in the house, thinking the house and garage would also catch fire. Thank god, the fire department arrived swiftly, and extinguished the fire. The fire was contained to the vehicle only, the firemen at the scene examine the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport, and determined the fire originated under the hood, the cause appeared to be electrical.

16 Electrical System problem of the 1997 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 07/29/2005

I owned a 1997 Ford explorer. On July 29, 2005 my truck was in my yard and caught on fire. I was not home at the time. My insurance paid a portion of the loan I still had on the vehicle. Ford motor has not recalled 1997 explorers but have 1998. The fire report issued claims it was an electrical fire. My vehicle was a total loss.

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17 Electrical System problem of the 1999 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 07/03/2005

We were forced to take this vehicle from hansel Ford in santa rosa when they felt we wouldn't be able to afford the 2004 Ford f-150 we purchased they had sold my trade in hadn't made a deal with company for contract came a few day before first payment due and repoed it since we have had car nightmares the seat on driver side broke just regular time it does a lot of jerking and sputtering the light work when they want to etc. . . . . Please get me a decent vehicle for after.

18 Electrical System problem of the 2000 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 06/10/2005

When using the turn signal, smoke comes from the steering column.

19 Electrical System problem of the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 04/16/2005

I have a 1998 Ford Explorer Sports that caught on fire while the engine was off and parked in my garage. I parked the car at around 7:00 pm and around after 10:00 pm heard a loud explotion in the garage. My family was already in bed and I was watching tv. When I open the access door to the garage the front part of the explorer was in flames. We called 911 and the fire department came and put out the fire, but the car is ruined. My second car is damaged and my garage is also damaged. No one was hurt because we got out of the house on time.

20 Electrical System problem of the 2003 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 02/23/2005

I bought my Ford exp. Sport trac in 2005 with a few miles on it. I soon found out that it had a few problems with it's interior lighting. Then it was the door looks, then it was the radio going on and off by itself. Then the windows went up and down on there own. Now the ac comes on and off while in the off position. As of today know one knows what as gotten into my truck and when I adjust my steering wheel done the turning lights dont work and I have even received a ticket for it.

21 Electrical System problem of the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 02/15/2005

After adjusting steering wheal up and down the harness was broken due to short harness under dash I didn't notice it until the electrical sys failed.

22 Electrical System problem of the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 01/08/2005

Ford explorer 2002 caught fire while parked.

23 Electrical System problem of the 1999 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 03/04/2004

Recall 00v072000 concerning electronic functions. Windshield wipers were inoperative. Also, interior lights, and the 4x4 control worked intermittently. Dealer was notified. Dealer informed the consumer that this vehicle was not covered under the recall.

24 Electrical System problem of the 2000 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 01/30/2004

I started my Ford Explorer Sport on January 30 for a few minutes to warm it up, before I drove to work. I ran back into the house for aprox 4 minutes, when I came back out the front of the explorer was in flames, it totally burned before the fire dept could get there taking our barn with it.

25 Electrical System problem of the 1999 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 06/26/2003

I was driving down the street and the engine just died, I have a stick so I kept it in second then it started and I kept going this is the third time this has happened since I bought the truck new. My other problem is sometimes the windshield wipers will flick back and forth once or twice and stop and they are off this has happened about ten time since I bought the truck ,the next thing is during hot weather when you start the truck the door ajar light stays on for three or four minutes after you start to drive even though the doors are closed that is not so bad but the dome light stays on to .

26 Electrical System problem of the 1999 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 06/01/2003

@ 50,000 miles radiator went out and we replaced w/ new radiator/ heads in the motor had to be replaced / electrical problems / re-built transmission put in / driver's seat recliner failure .

27 Electrical System problem of the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 01/01/2003

I own a 1998 Ford explorer. It only has 23,000 miles on it. I have had nothing but trouble with it. The most recent problems are I hear a loud noise in the motor area when I use the air conditioner, I also cannot get the driver window down unless I mess with it along time, I have had to replace the hood brackets 2 times, and they need replaced again. The back windshield wiper dont clean the window well enough and it gets stuck, so I have to get out and fix it. I also keep getting the 'door ajar' light on at times when the doors are all closed. I think there are some electrical problems with my explorer. I dont have the warranty anymore so they want me to pay for everything because they said all Ford companies are independent. If anything happens to me or my family we'll see how independent they are. I think all explorers need to be re-checked. They were made too hasty or something.

28 Electrical System problem of the 2000 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 08/18/2002

Vehicle fire. About 3 years ago my garage burned down. It was determined that the hot spot ,the point where the fire started was where my 2000 explorer was sitting. It has the same switch that the vehicles that have been recalled have!.

29 Electrical System problem of the 1998 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 03/01/2001

The lights went out on the radio display for my explorer. The unit still played however you couldn't see what track, the volume, or what radio station it was currently on. I thought this would be a simple fuse fix but was told that the whole radio had to be replaced for a cost of $600. Lucky me I have the premium stereo so it costs more. I have spoken with people who all have the 98 Explorer Sport and this issue was the same for every single person.

30 Electrical System problem of the 2000 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 01/28/2000

Timing tensioner was recalled. Tensioner damaged my timing chain, which damaged my engine. Turn signal switch never worked properly after 31,000 mi, dash lights and guages failed to work consistently or at all beginning 25,000 mi, rear window wiper never wiped properly, heater switch began failing at 36,000 mi. Last delimma was catalyic converter going out at 60,000 mi. Also, after replacement of tensioner, oil change had been done at same time. 10 miles after leaving dealership, gasket fell off and lost all oil pressure while engine was on. I asked dealership (courtesy Ford, pouslbo wa) to check for damage, they said "no, it's fine, don't worry. " end result, due to engine damage from recalled tensioner+ timing chain, Ford agreed to terminate lease early. I will never purchase a Ford again. Terrible customer service. I contacted the national customer service hotline many times attempting to resolve these matters, never got a call back as promised. Dealership never followed up on my complaints and concerns.

31 Electrical System problem of the 1997 Ford Explorer Sport

Failure Date: 01/01/1901

Consumer states that there is a sensor that is causing vehicle to heat up, causing vehicle to not be able to restart. The camshaft was replaced. The radio goes off at anytime, the consumer has difficulty shutting the radio off manually.


Other Common Electrical System related problems of Ford Explorer Sport


Explorer Sport Service Bulletins
Explorer Sport Defect Investigations