NHTSA lists 15 safety recalls and 1,078 owner complaints for the 2000 Ford Explorer. Most complaints involve tires (228) and power train (147). The EPA rates it 15–18 mpg combined.
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Explorer model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1,468 |
| 1997 | 1,789 |
| 1998 | 2,099 |
| 1999 | 1,465 |
| 2000 | 1,078 |
| 2001 | 730 |
| 2002 | 3,613 |
| 2003 | 1,313 |
| 2004 | 1,408 |
| 2005 | 568 |
| 2006 | 635 |
| 2007 | 208 |
| 2008 | 148 |
| 2009 | 33 |
| 2010 | 115 |
| 2011 | 1,197 |
| 2012 | 830 |
| 2013 | 2,237 |
| 2014 | 1,684 |
| 2015 | 1,814 |
| 2016 | 2,464 |
| 2017 | 1,713 |
| 2018 | 733 |
| 2019 | 302 |
| 2020 | 1,247 |
| 2021 | 452 |
| 2022 | 271 |
| 2023 | 113 |
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2025 | 107 |
| 2026 | 44 |
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FOR EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH DEFINITY DAKOTA A/T TIRES, SIZE: P235/75 R15 A/T (NA). WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER TIRE BEGAN TO SHRED. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NO VISIBLE INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED; HOWEVER, A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,346 AND THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,870. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
“BIG CONCERN WITH MY POWER TRAIN. THE BACK OF THE CAR HAS A LOUD WHIRRING NOISE WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND CLICKS LOUDLY WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN. GOING A FASTER SPEED SEEMS TO SOUND BETTER BUT ITS PRETTY SCARY.THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. THERE ALSO IS A SENSOR THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND I DON'T KNOW ITS NAME.. THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHECKED OUT AND RENDERED PASSABLE BUT I FEAR THAT I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STOP SOMETIMES.IT FEELS UNSTABLE. I AM ELDERLY AND NEED A STABLE CAR TO DRIVE.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L, 4.0E-R · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| Explorer 2WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L, 4.0E-R · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Explorer 2WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L, SOHC · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Explorer 4WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L, 4.0S-4 SOHC · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Explorer 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L, 0.0004 · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Explorer 2WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L, 5.0E-R · Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Explorer 2WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L, FLEX-FUEL · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Explorer 4WD Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.0 L, 0.0005 · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 18 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Explorer 4WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L, 0.0004 · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
15 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 1,078 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are tires (228), power train (147), vehicle speed control (128). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2000 Ford Explorer at 15–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (9 versions rated).