The contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the doors on her vehicle latch and unlatch intermittently. The vehicle has not yet been taken to the dealer. The failure mileage was 105,000 and current mileage was 106,000.

- Greenbay, WI, USA

2000 Ford Explorer problems with door locking mechanism. Customer states that it began with the rear doors not unlocking, hatch door will now not unlock. Customer thinks doors will stop opening. The consumer has tried oiling the mechanisms, but that still didn't work. Updated 10/03/07.

- New Castle, VA, USA

: the contact stated the rear driver side door handle had to be lifted up higher than normal to open the door from the inside. The door was inoperable from the outside. An independent repair shop determined the door handle needed to be replaced.

- Broken Bow, OK, USA

: the contact stated on three separate occasions the door locks failed to open. The first was the passenger's side rear passenger door followed by the rear driver's side and now the front driver door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer each time and the latch assemblies were replaced. Updated 10/25/2006 - the technician told the consumer that this was a know problem with this model/year vehicle and that the problem is caused by a defect in the door latches. One of the pieces is made of a type of plastic which is not strong enough.

- Fuquay Varina, NC, USA

Driver's door lock inoperative, rear door lock inoperative.

- Apollo Beach, FL, USA

Rear doors on 2000 Ford Explorer (4-door, 4X4, XLT) fail to open. In January of 2005 the left rear door would not open, either from the inside nor from the outside. This has just happened to the right rear door (December 2005). I have brought it to a Ford dealership ( don jenkins Ford in fuquay varina, nc) for both fixes, and the service writer acknowledged the problem immediately saying that they have seen this/fixed this on numerous Ford Explorer before. This indicates to me that this is a known and repeating problem to Ford. Besides costing me $500 to fix both door latch mechanisms, my greatest concern is that this is a safety defect - my children are not able to get out of the vehicle, and no one can open the door from the outside either in the case of an emergency.

- Fuquay Varina, NC, USA

The driver's side front door does not unlock properly with both the remote keyless entry or the unlock latch on the inside of the vehicle. Sometimes when this is attempted the door opens. However, the latch is still locked. The vehicle was taken to don's Ford dealership, and they did not offer an explanation. The consumer still plans to take the vehicle to a Ford dealer for repairs. A new latch and actuator was installed. The problem was fixed but the consumer felt that the problem was still inferior and unsafe.

- Utica, NY, USA

While driving, the windshield wiper failed. The driver's side door locked on it's on. The consumer was unable to unlock it from the outside. The driver has to go through the passenger's door to get inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a garage for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the power train control module needed to be replaced.

- Grass Valley, CA, USA

For approximately two weeks prior to December 5th, 2004, the heat element in my 2000 Ford Explorer driver seat would become painfully hot under the left leg near the torso to the point where it needed to be manually turned off each time. It was turned off as it became painful, and we were concerned we would become burned and would the seat catch on fire. My other concern for this is someone, such as a diabetic, with neuropathy wouldn't feel the intensity of the heat and become burned. 2) approx 2 weeks after the initial event the seat light will come on but no heat is produced. Why did it take 2 weeks for the element (assumed) to burn out? 3) the car is scheduled to go to an independant mechanic as I do not trust Ford to do the right thing. The dealer is not concerned that my driver airbag light goes on and off at will for days or weeks at a time. They recalled the 98 and 99 models for a tensioner pulley problem and issued a service bulletin for the '00 but the dealer wants to charge $500 for the repair......most defects I took in for warranty repair remain unfixed, (mostly electrical in nature) including a rear wiper that rarely goes on, radio stations and clock display that occasionally can be seen and a rear passenger door handle that after 5 attempts (Ford went against their engineer recommendations to do a recall) will unlock with power lock but the unsuspecting or in a hurry will just about rip a hand off to get it open.

- Batavia, IL, USA

Consumer noticed rear doors will not open from the inside, even if the child proof locks are off. Consumer will contact manufacturer.

- La Selva Beach, CA, USA

Door locks failed. Consumer was concerned that in case of an emergency occupants will be trapped.

- Pickens, SC, USA

Both rear doors will not open from the inside, even if the child proof locks are off.

- Watsonville, CA, USA

Excessive force had to be applied to open doors although the automatic door lock was in the unlock position.

- Fall River, MA, USA

The vehicles doors remained locked when the engine was turned off.

- Abilene, KS, USA

Defective latch on rear stowage compartment causing the compartment door to continually open.

- El Segundo, CA, USA

When traveling on the highway at 70 mph 4- wheel drive kicked in, causing transmission to downshift, resulting in sudden acceleration. Consumer has contacted dealer. Dealer has attempted to repair problem after each of the 4 incidents by replacing harness, computer, electronic controls, and transfer case. New problem has since developed--electrical malfunction when using auto door lock feature.

- Hempstead, NY, USA