Problems · by component
2000 Ford Explorer latches/locks/linkages problems
30 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2000 Ford Explorer cite latches/locks/linkages, 3% of all 1,078 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
30
3% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
What owners say about the latches/locks/linkages
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, she noticed that the hood was shuddering. The contact veered to the side of the road and manually pushed the hood down several times however, the hood failed to close completely and would not latch securely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact continued to drive at a slower speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was being diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V164000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR INTERIOR CHILD LOCKS FAILED IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THIS WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.”
“I HAVE A 2000 FORD EXPLORER, 4-DOOR. THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR ACTUATOR MECHANISM HAS FAILED. THE LEFT FRONT DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM HAS FAILED. ALSO, LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. 1) CAN NOT OPEN RIGHT FRONT DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH KEY-FOB OR WITH THE KEY! I REPLACED A RIVOT THAT HOLDS THE LOCKING ACTUATOR WITH A BOLT (RIGHT SIDE FRONT DOOR). 2)I CAN NOT OPEN LEFT FRONT DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH KEY-FOB OR WITH THE KEY! . I REPLACED THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE OPENING LEVER. THIS WORKED UNTIL THE LATCHING MECHANISM INSIDE THE DOOR FAILED. I CURRENTLY HAVE TO TAKE THE DOOR APART AND TRY TO FIX THIS BECAUSE MY WIFE AND KIDS USE THIS VEHICLE. 3) ON THE LEFT REAR DOOR, THE DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. I CURRENTLY HAVE TO TAKE THE DOOR APART AND TRY TO FIX THIS BECAUSE MY WIFE AND KIDS USE THIS VEHICLE. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT ON THE RIGHT SIDE, ANYONE IN THE LEFT REAR SEAT CAN NOT EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THE LEFT REAR DOOR. WE LEASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2000 THEN BOUGHT IT IN 2003. AS OF THIS WRITING, THIS VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 80000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. FORD REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS. MANY…”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE DOOR LOCKS CONTINUED TO FAIL AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILES WERE NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/15/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE LOCKS HAVE FAILED ONE-BY-ONE. THE PASSENGER REAR AND DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR LOCKS COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE TRUNK LOCK ALSO STICKS. UPDATED 09/02/10”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. SHE STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER, AND REAR DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK SHE HAD TO CLIMB THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. UPDATED 3/4/2010 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT AND REAR DOORS CONTINUE TO JAM. UPDATED 06/17/10*JB”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM WITHIN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. HE ASSUMED THAT THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. HE FOUND SEVERAL CONSUMERS ONLINE WHO WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS FAILURE AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 108,000. UPDATED 06/23/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO GET THE DOORS TO WORK. UPDATED 06/23/09.*JB”
Showing 6 of 30 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.