1999 Ford Explorer visibility problems
216 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the visibility on the 1999 Ford Explorer — 16% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford explorer. The contact stated that the windshield wipers would sporadically operate without activation and when activated, would not operate at all. The failure progressed until the wipers were completely inoperable. The contact's personal mechanic inspected vehicle…”
filed Jun 13, 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph the windshield wipers began to operate involuntarily two or three times. During the failures, smoke would begin to rise from the top of the steering column. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer…”
filed May 9, 2011
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair. *tt
04189 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 13, 2004Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair. *tt
041514 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 9, 2004Inoperative electric rear window defroster (heated backlite) grid lines, integral antenna concerns. *tt
031501 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 12, 2004
Visibility problems in other Explorer years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Explorer | 2 | 9% |
| 2025 Explorer | 3 | 3% |
| 2023 Explorer | 5 | 5% |
| 2022 Explorer | 10 | 4% |
| 2021 Explorer | 15 | 4% |
| 2020 Explorer | 13 | 1% |
| 2019 Explorer | 4 | 1% |
| 2018 Explorer | 11 | 2% |
| 2017 Explorer | 31 | 2% |
| 2016 Explorer | 36 | 1% |
| 2015 Explorer | 20 | 1% |
| 2014 Explorer | 27 | 2% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1999 Ford Explorer
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.