2000 Ford Explorer Vehicle Speed Control Problems
Owners have filed 113 complaints with NHTSA about vehicle speed control problems on the 2000 Ford Explorer, 12% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 84,635 miles. The words owners use most often: “cruise control” (32% of reports).
- 113vehicle speed control complaints
- 84,635median miles at failure
- 13mention a crash
- 8mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 65%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Cruise control: mentioned in 36 of 113 complaints (32%)
- Deactivation switch: mentioned in 8 of 113 complaints (7%)
- Applied brakes: mentioned in 7 of 113 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do vehicle speed control problems happen?
Based on 41 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 113 complaints, 13 mention a crash, 15 a fire, 8 an injury.
Ford Explorer vehicle speed control complaints by model year
| Model year | Vehicle Speed Control complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Explorer | 2 | 5% | — |
| 2025 Explorer | 7 | 7% | 14,177 |
| 2023 Explorer | 2 | 2% | 44,100 |
| 2022 Explorer | 6 | 2% | 9,980 |
| 2021 Explorer | 15 | 3% | 8,800 |
| 2020 Explorer | 29 | 2% | 11,081 |
| 2019 Explorer | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2018 Explorer | 10 | 1% | 22,000 |
| 2017 Explorer | 21 | 1% | 29,589 |
| 2016 Explorer | 76 | 3% | 7,820 |
| 2015 Explorer | 16 | 1% | 79,600 |
| 2014 Explorer | 29 | 2% | 30,200 |
| 2013 Explorer | 38 | 2% | 49,000 |
| 2012 Explorer | 17 | 2% | 36,666 |
| 2011 Explorer | 18 | 2% | 53,000 |
| 2010 Explorer | 14 | 12% | 9,800 |
| 2009 Explorer | 5 | 15% | 46,250 |
| 2008 Explorer | 7 | 5% | 117,316 |
| 2007 Explorer | 13 | 6% | 72,600 |
| 2006 Explorer | 28 | 4% | 42,000 |
| 2005 Explorer | 44 | 9% | 54,000 |
| 2004 Explorer | 76 | 6% | 73,500 |
| 2003 Explorer | 37 | 3% | 51,090 |
| 2002 Explorer | 152 | 5% | 65,000 |
| 2001 Explorer | 36 | 10% | 87,508 |
| 2000 Explorer | 113 | 12% | 84,635 |
| 1999 Explorer | 148 | 11% | 99,500 |
| 1998 Explorer | 281 | 14% | 112,500 |
| 1997 Explorer | 202 | 12% | 100,000 |
| 1996 Explorer | 148 | 10% | 134,500 |
| 1995 Explorer | 81 | 10% | 137,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Vehicle speed control
Problem: 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.
Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Fix: 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.
Vehicle speed control
Problem: 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.
Risk: This could result in an underhood fire.
Fix: 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.
Vehicle speed control:cables
Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
No incidents. However, cruise control and rear window wiper are both inoperable.
Vehicle is stuck in 4-wheel low animal going to 4 wheel high or auto i
The vehicle is subject to sudden unexplained acceleration while both in motion and stationary.
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2000 Ford Explorers have vehicle speed control problems?
No. NHTSA has 113 owner complaints about vehicle speed control for the 2000 Ford Explorer (12% of the 952 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2000 Ford Explorer vehicle speed control?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list vehicle speed control. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do vehicle speed control problems start?
The median reported mileage is 84,635 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about vehicle speed control problems on the 2000 Ford Explorer?
The most frequent phrase is “cruise control”, in 36 of 113 complaints, followed by “deactivation switch” (8).
Other 2000 Ford Explorer problems
See all 2000 Ford Explorer problems or vehicle speed control problems across all Explorer years.