Problems · by component

2000 Ford Explorer electrical system problems

99 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2000 Ford Explorer cite electrical system, 9% of all 1,078 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
99
9% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
33
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Driving at the correct speed limit swerved to avoid hitting deer that ran out into the road hit a covert had seatbelt on airbags came out before that something hit me in side of my right arm it hit my elbow so hard and fast my arm was flung outwards and upwards which broke out the passenger side window the top of my elbow is broken that gave me a large purple bruise I got 2 pretty good size gashes on my arm also one on the bottom of my forearm and on the back side of my arm. Refer to request 1500509 and Request 1500511.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 25, 2024Electrical system, Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11585274
“The contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon pulling into a gas station, both white and black colored smoke began to emit from the vehicle without warning. Before the contact could fully react, the vehicle soon caught fire. The contact managed to pull away from the gas pumps as a gas attendant brought out fire extinguishers that they both used to exterminate the fire. The fire department arrived at the scene; however, the contact was unsure if a fire report was filed. The contact suffered minor scrapes and bruises as a result of the fire but did not seek medical attention. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained at the gas station. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 223,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 24, 2023Electrical system, EngineFire reportedODI 11534005
“I AM DEEPLY DISGUSTED WITH YOUR SERVICE. I HAD FILED A COMPLAINT ONLINE AND ON THE PHONE ABOUT THE VEHICLE I HAVE SPECIFIED ON THIS ONLINE SYSTEM. THIS WAS DONE BACK IN 2011 AND FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH THE MANUFACTURE AND THE CA STATE DEPT. OF INVESTIGATIONS WITH DMV. I HAD ALSO SENT THE 20 PAGE OR SO COMPLAINT DIRECTLY TO A CA STATE SENATOR. I WAS SOLD A VEHICLE WITH A FIRE RECALL STILL IN EFFECT AND REGISTERED TO THE AUTO DEALER OF AUTO WEST GROUP. THE VEHICLE COME TO FIND OUT HAD WELL OVER 15 SAFETY RELATED RECALLS IN ITS HISOTRY. FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO AQUIRE COPIES OF WHAT I HAD SENT INTO YOUR DEPARTMENT, THE FTC, THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND THE BUREAU OF AUTO REPAIRS. NOW I FIND THAT I AM BEING STONEWALLED AND BEING TOLD THINGS LIKE THEY NO LONGER HAVE ANY RECORDS OF THE PROBLEMS. I NEVER RECEIVED A REPLACMENT VEHICLE AND I WAS IN FACT A VICTIM OF FINANCIAL FRAUD ASSOCIATED WITH THE PURCHASING OF THIS VEHICLE. BANK OF AMERICA AND THE USED VEHICLE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALER. SINCE THIS TIME THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA HAD ENACTED A FEW NEW LEMON LAW PROTECTIONS. I AM CERTAIN THAT MY PAPERWORK AND COMPLAINT WRITE-UPS ASSISTED IN SERVING THE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 5, 2017Electrical system, EngineODI 10970791
“2000 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL STATES ENGINE RUNNING WITHOUT IGNITION KEY COULD START A FIRE. CONSUMER STATES THOUGHT DEALERSHIP REPAIRED RECALL PROBLEMS. VEHICLE EXPLODED SEVEN MINUTES AFTER CONSUMER EXISTS VEHICLE. *SMD”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 13, 2016Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemFire reportedODI 10874080
“BEFORE MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT MY OVER DRIVE WOULD FLASH THEN MY 4WHEEL DRIVE STOPPED WORKING. I HAD THE 4WHEEL DRIVE SWITCH REPLACED AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE UNTIL I WENT TO SACRAMENTO. AFTER TAKING CARE OF MY EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER HAVING THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AND FILLED ON A REGULAR BASIS. WHILE LEAVING SACRAMENTO STOPPED AT A CHEVRON TO FILL UP BEFORE HEADING BACK UP TO TAHOE. AS IM LEAVING THE GAS STATION ALL OF THE SUDDEN THERE'S A LOUD CRUNCH OF METAL SOUND COMING FROM UNDER MY CAR AND IT WONT KICK INTO ANY GEAR. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AND AFTER READING THE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS ABOUT THEIR EXPLODERS DOING THE SME THING I FIGURED I WOULD COMPLAIN. IM TIRED OF BIG COMPANIES SCREWING THE LITTLE PEOPLE OVER WHO PURCHASE THEIR PRODUCTS WHEN THEY ARE PERFECTLY ABLE TO FIX IT. SHAME ON U FORD.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 21, 2015Power train, Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 10717579
“MY VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE WAS DEFECTIVE. THERE WAS A RECALL IN JUNE 13, 2006 FOR MY VEHICLE, I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS DEFECT BY FORD COMPANY. IT IS NOW THAT IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS WAS AN OCCURRING PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 20, 2014Fuel system, gasoline, Electrical systemFire reportedODI 10626746

Showing 6 of 99 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: fuses and circuit breakers

Free remedy

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L ENGINES AND ALL-TIME 4-WHEEL DRIVE (A4WD) POWERTRAINS. THE GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE (GEM) COULD EXPERIENCE A CONDITION REFERRED TO AS "LOCK-UP" IN WHICH THE GEM CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS (E.G., FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, 4X4 SYSTEM, ETC.) COULD NOT BE TURNED ON OR, IN SOME CASES IF THE FUNCTION IS ON, COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF.

Electrical systemReported Mar 7, 2000NHTSA 00V072000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.