The 2000 Ford Explorer is a SUV that came with a choice of 4.0L 6-cyl and 5.0L 8-cyl engines. At 26 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
|---|---|
| Engines | 4.0L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl |
| Transmissions | Automatic 5-spd, Manual 5-spd, Automatic 4-spd |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 13–16 city / 17–21 highway / 15–18 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $3,700–$4,450 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 494–592 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 9 configurations: Explorer 2WD, Explorer 4WD |
| Age | 26 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls covering the 2000 Ford Explorer. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
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…
Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
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.
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.
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…
Risk: The driver could potentially lose contact with the steering wheel or foot pedals during such an event, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Risk: This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles with steel hoods and certain pickup trucks equipped with sheet molding compound hoods. A wire formed hood striker could be susceptible to fatigue fractures. If the hood striker fractures, the hood could fly open while the vehicle is being driven.
Risk: A hood fly-up while the vehicle is being operated could result in reduced driver visibility.
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.
Risk: Operating the vehicle above the maximum speed rating could lead to a tire failure which at these speeds could result in a crash.
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…
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.
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.
Risk: Inadvertent side air bag deployment could cause personal injury to the seat occupant.
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…
Risk: An inoperative windshield wiper system could affect driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Owners have filed 1,023 complaints about the 2000 Ford Explorer with NHTSA. 107 reports involved a crash and 74 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 113 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Manufacturers have filed 266 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2000 Ford Explorer. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
Ford: certain 1999-2001 model year vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in new york and certain 2001 vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in the state of maine, certi
Safety belt retraction speed. *tt
Front axle leaks fluid from vent tube - vehicles equipped with 4x4 or awd. *tt
Warning indicators-parking aid-reverse sensing system (rss) and forward sensing system (fss)-false activation of warning tone-service tips. *mj update. *tt
Revised procedure for adjusting alignment on all suspensions - new right hand upper control arm design for torsion bar front suspensions. *tt
General power train control module (PCM) programming procedures. *tt
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA opened 4 defect investigations covering the 2000 Ford Explorer.
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 Ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or t
Front seat back recliner attachment
By letter dated august 4, 2003, Ford notified the agency that it is conducting a voluntary safety recall (NHTSA recall no. 03v281) involving certain model year (my) 1998-2001 Ford Explorer / mercury mountaineer 4-door, my 1998-2000 Ford Explorer 2-door and my 2001-2002 Ford Explorer sport and sport trac vehicles equipp
Seat belt webbing
Odi opened pe00-044investigation on november 3, 2000, based on a report regarding the death of the occupant of the right front seat in a 2000 model year Ford Explorer xls involved in a roll-over crash.it is alleged that the webbing of the buckle portion of the seat belt assembly failed during the crash.the occupant was
Seat belt webbing
Odi opened this investigation on november 3, 2000, based on a report regarding the death of the occupant of the right front seat in a 2000 model year Ford Explorer xls involved in a roll-over crash.it is alleged that the webbing of the buckle portion of the seat belt assembly failed during the crash.the occupant was pa
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. As a heavier vehicle, its scrap weight adds to the offer. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 2000 Explorers that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2000 Ford Explorer; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
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