• October 13, 2009Speed control

  Speed control deactivation switch/overheats

  NHTSA campaign 09V-399 · 4,500,000 vehicles potentially affected · Vehicle speed control

  The defect: 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.

  The risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.

  The remedy: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 27, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.

• August 3, 2007Speed control

  Speed control deactivation switch

  NHTSA campaign 07V-336 · 3,600,000 vehicles potentially affected · Vehicle speed control

  The defect: On certain pickup trucks, passenger vehicles, sport utility vehicles, and motor homes chassis, the speed control deactivation switch may, under certain conditions, leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.

  The risk: This could result in an underhood fire.

  The remedy: Dealers will install a fused wiring harness. Owners of the passenger cars included in this campaign will be instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected as an interim repair. As soon as repair parts are available (expected october 2007), owners will be instructed to return to the dealers for installation of a fused wiring harness. The recall began on august 13, 2007, and mailing completed by september 19, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-888-222-2751.

• August 5, 2003Seats

  Ford/high back seats

  NHTSA campaign 03V-281 · 1,552,880 vehicles potentially affected · Seats

  The defect: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with high back seats, the upper bolt on the driver's side high back seat, that attaches the seat recliner mechanism to the seat back frame, could fracture. If the bolt fractures and does not jam in the seat back frame, the seat back may recline until it makes contact with an object behind the seat, such as the second row seat cushion.

  The risk: The driver could potentially lose contact with the steering wheel or foot pedals during such an event, increasing the risk of a crash.

  The remedy: Dealers will replace the driver seat upper bolt with a metal spacer and bolt. In addition, seats with tubular back frames will have the fully threaded lower recliner bolt replaced with a partially threaded bolt. Owner notification began on august 29, 2003. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

• August 5, 2003Speed control

  Ford/speed control cable

  NHTSA campaign 03V-280 · 448,005 vehicles potentially affected · Vehicle speed control

  The defect: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control and 4.0l sohc engines, if the strand cover on the speed control cable becomes flared at the end, the speed control cable may bind when the speed control is activated.

  The risk: The throttle return spring force may not be sufficient to overcome the binding condition when the speed control is disengaged. Braking function would be maintained though stopping distances may be increased.

  The remedy: Dealers will inspect the speed control cable and, if necessary, replace it. Owner notification began august 29, 2003. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

• March 7, 2003Body and structure

  Southern comfort/running boards

  NHTSA campaign 03V-094 · 3,674 vehicles potentially affected · Structure

  The defect: Certain pickup truck, van, and mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, inc. These units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.

  The risk: This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.

  The remedy: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. Owner notification began march 7, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact southern comfort at 1-800-745-6096.

• November 28, 2000Power train

  Ford/powertrain control module

  NHTSA campaign 00V-395 · 100,500 vehicles potentially affected · Power train

  The defect: Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with the 3.27 or 3.55 axle ration. The subject vehicles have a powertrain control module that could allow the vehicle to exceed the design intent top speed. At these extreme speeds, the vehicle could be capable of exceeding the speed rating of the tire.

  The risk: Operating the vehicle above the maximum speed rating could lead to a tire failure which at these speeds could result in a crash.

  The remedy: Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module.

• August 18, 2000Seat belts

  Ford/FMVSS 209/trw seat belt buckles

  NHTSA campaign 00V-228-001 · 144,435 vehicles potentially affected · Seat belts

  The defect: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and mini vans equipped with trw seat belt buckle assemblies. The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."

  The risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.

  The remedy: Dealers will inspect the date code on certain seat belt buckles of your vehicle and replace all seat belt buckles that fall within the suspect date code range. Owner notification began october 26, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

• July 5, 2000Air bags

  Ford/side air bags

  NHTSA campaign 00V-179 · 2,300 vehicles potentially affected · Air bags

  The defect: Vehicle description: 4-door sport utility vehicles equipped with side air bags. The subject vehicles have a revised level side crash sensor that could deploy the side air bag if the ignition key is in the "run" position and the seatbelt webbing is forcibly extracted from a locked retractor with a jerking motion.

  The risk: Inadvertent side air bag deployment could cause personal injury to the seat occupant.

  The remedy: Dealers will replace the side crash sensors with a revised design that will reduce the likelihood of an unexpected side air bag deployment.

• March 7, 2000Electrical system

  Ford/electronic functions

  NHTSA campaign 00V-072 · 208,903 vehicles potentially affected · Electrical system

  The defect: 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.

  The risk: An inoperative windshield wiper system could affect driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

  The remedy: Dealers will install a resistor in the gem circuit.

Check by VIN

A campaign rarely covers every Explorer built in 2000. Enter your 17-character VIN to find the recall campaigns filed for your make, model and model year. The VIN is on the driver’s side of the dashboard (visible through the windshield), on the door-jamb label, and on your registration and insurance documents.

Vehicle identification number Find my recalls

Is a recall still open on your vehicle? Only NHTSA’s official VIN check can say whether a campaign applies to your exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been done.

Copy VIN and open NHTSA.gov

Your VIN is decoded with NHTSA’s public vPIC service to identify the make, model and year. It is not stored and is not added to any page address.

Other Ford Explorer model years

• 2026 14
• 2025 20
• 2023 15
• 2022 24
• 2021 26
• 2020 33
• 2019 6
• 2018 7
• 2017 13
• 2016 14
• 2015 8
• 2014 6
• 2013 11
• 2012 5
• 2011 6
• 2010 1
• 2008 1
• 2007 1
• 2006 1
• 2003 2
• 2002 5

Common questions

Does the 2000 Ford Explorer have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 9 campaigns for the 2000 Ford Explorer: 09V-399 (Speed control deactivation switch/overheats); 07V-336 (Speed control deactivation switch); 03V-281 (Ford/high back seats); 03V-280 (Ford/speed control cable); and 5 more.

How do I know if my 2000 Ford Explorer has an open recall?

Enter your VIN in NHTSA’s recall lookup. Most campaigns cover only part of a model year’s production, and the lookup also shows whether the repair has already been done on your vehicle.

Will the dealer charge to fix the 2000 Ford Explorer?

No. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge by Ford dealers. Quote the NHTSA campaign number when you book.