The Lemon Index2000 Ford Explorer.
The 2000 Ford Explorer is about average by owner complaints: 555 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 113, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about tires, it has 15 recalls, and it gets 15 to 16 mpg combined. The best Ford Explorer year is 2008.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 952 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Explorer year. 2000 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 45K to 105K miles on the car (326 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 46K–113K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 59K–106K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 42K–97K miles
Recalls 15
- speed control 2009
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…
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- lights 2009
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.
Show all 15 recalls
- speed control 2007
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.
- fuel system, gasoline 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- speed control 2003
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 AC…
- seats 2003
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.
- body structure 2003
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.
- tires 2001
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT.
- transmission & drivetrain 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 3.27 OR 3.55 AXLE RATION.
- tires 2000
TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15.
- seat belts 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.
- airbags 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4-DOOR SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SIDE AIR BAGS.
- electrical 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L ENGINES AND ALL-TIME 4-WHEEL DRIVE (A4WD) POWERTRAINS.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 257 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Squawk noise from the clutch on take off
- Whine noise from the rear axle during various drive modes at highway speeds
- Information regarding clutch squawk noise on take off
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedSpark plug ejection from cylinder head2005–2006
- ClosedFront seat back recliner attachment2003
- ClosedSeat belt webbing2001–2002
- ClosedSeat belt webbing2000–2001
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $4000–4300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Consumer had been putting air into rear left tire many times even though there isn't a tread separation, but is something that concerned the tires.
2000 Ford Explorer owner · NHTSA complaint 867049
More owner reports
Tire blew out on 6-month old vehicle--highway driving, nearly caused collision and ruined tire.
NHTSA complaint 727003
While driving at 65 mph passenger's front tire blew out. This caused the driver to lose control of vehicle and hit a guard rail. Driver sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital.
NHTSA complaint 10044580
Quick answers
Is the 2000 Ford Explorer reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.1× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 113; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Explorer year by this measure since 2010 is 2024.
What are the most common 2000 Ford Explorer problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (37%), transmission & drivetrain (12%) and suspension (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2000 Ford Explorer have?
15 safety recalls (latest: speed control). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Ford Explorer get?
15 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2000 Ford Explorer problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 45,600 and 105,200 miles. The middle report was at 77,400 miles, from 326 complaints.
Does the 2000 Ford Explorer have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2000 Ford Explorer cost in fuel a year?
About $4000 to $4300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2000 Ford Explorer have?
4.0L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
What Ford Explorer year is better than the 2000?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2018 and 2010.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works