2000 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026
2000 · All trims · All engines
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2000 Ford Explorer has 9 documented known issues, with 4 rated critical. The most serious are Firestone/Wilderness AT Tire Tread Separation Causing Blowouts and Rollovers (Recall EA00-023) ($0-$900 repair), 5R55E Automatic Transmission Reverse Loss and Forward Clutch Slipping ($900-$3,000 repair), Cruise Control Deactivation Switch Brake Fluid Leak and Underhood Fire Risk ($0-$250 repair) and Timing Chain Cassette and Guide Failure on 4.0L SOHC V6 ($1,800-$4,500 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $80 to $4,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
EQUIPMENT
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.6L ENGINE AND 6R TRANSMISSION, THE BOLT SECURING THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE FITTINGS AT THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TORQUED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY LOOSEN AND THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES MAY DISENGAGE FROM THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2000 Ford Explorer has 9 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Firestone/Wilderness AT Tire Tread Separation Causing Blowouts and Rollovers (Recall EA00-023), 5R55E Automatic Transmission Reverse Loss and Forward Clutch Slipping, Cruise Control Deactivation Switch Brake Fluid Leak and Underhood Fire Risk. Of these, 4 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2000 Ford Explorer has 9 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 4 issues are rated critical: Firestone/Wilderness AT Tire Tread Separation Causing Blowouts and Rollovers (Recall EA00-023) and 5R55E Automatic Transmission Reverse Loss and Forward Clutch Slipping and Cruise Control Deactivation Switch Brake Fluid Leak and Underhood Fire Risk and Timing Chain Cassette and Guide Failure on 4.0L SOHC V6. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Ford Explorer issues range from $0 to $4,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Firestone/Wilderness AT Tire Tread Separation Causing Blowouts and Rollovers (Recall EA00-023), typically costs $0-$900 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
The 1995-2001 Explorer was factory-fitted with P235/75R15 Firestone Radial ATX, ATX II and Wilderness AT tires that suffered tread-belt separation, especially in hot climates and when underinflated to Ford's low placard pressure. A rear tread separation at highway speed frequentl… Repairs typically run $0-$900. Severity: high.
The 5R55E five-speed automatic (behind the 4.0L before the 5R55W/S arrived for 2002) commonly loses reverse and/or slips in Drive/1st as the low/reverse sprag, reverse clutch pack, and forward clutch wear. A broken tab on the pressure-regulating (EPC) solenoid in the valve body d… Repairs typically run $900-$3,000. Severity: high.
Many Ford vehicles of this era, including the Explorer, were subject to recalls for the speed control deactivation switch mounted on the brake master cylinder. The switch can leak brake fluid internally, overheat, and in some cases cause an underhood fire even when the vehicle is… Repairs typically run $0-$250. Severity: high.
The 4.0L SOHC Cologne V6 is notorious for timing chain guide and cassette failures, especially the rear cassette that is difficult to access with the engine installed. Plastic guide material breaks down over time, causing startup rattle, persistent chain noise, cam timing errors,… Repairs typically run $1,800-$4,500. Severity: high.
On 4.0L Explorers (both the OHV Cologne and the later SOHC V6) P1506 is a common high-idle complaint on higher-mileage trucks. The idle air control valve sits on the throttle body and meters bypass air around the closed throttle plate. Crankcase vapour routed through the PCV syst… Repairs typically run $120-$420. Severity: medium.
The 4.0L SOHC V6 is notorious for lean-bank codes P0171 and P0174 caused by unmetered air leaks rather than a dirty MAF. The plastic upper intake manifold and its rubber O-ring gaskets, plus the heat-degraded PCV elbow/hose near the throttle body, crack and collapse under vacuum,… Repairs typically run $120-$600. Severity: medium.
The 4.0L V6 uses a camshaft synchronizer (a gear-driven cylindrical housing that also drives the oil pump intermediate shaft) with the camshaft position sensor mounted on top. The plastic vane/'flag' on the synchronizer and the sensor's internal magnet wear or come apart, manglin… Repairs typically run $150-$500. Severity: medium.
The Differential Pressure Feedback EGR (DPFE) sensor on the 4.0L/4.6L Explorer has a very high failure rate past ~60k miles. Internal corrosion makes it under-report EGR flow, so the PCM sets P0401 (insufficient EGR flow) and can hold the EGR valve open too long, producing a lean… Repairs typically run $80-$350. Severity: low.
The cable-drive window regulators on the Explorer/Mountaineer/Sport Trac fail as their plastic cable guides crack and the steel lift cable frays or jumps off the drum. The window then binds, drops crooked, or falls down inside the door — the motor often still runs. The front door… Repairs typically run $120-$400. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
