7.3
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$308.00
Average Mileage:
102,651 miles
Total Complaints:
20 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not fixed yet (11 reports)
- not sure (6 reports)
- ford dealer repaired (2 reports)
- replaced door latch and inside handle myself (1 reports)
accessories - interior problem
Helpful Websites About 1998 Ford Explorer driver's door won't unlock
2009May 26
Explorer Sport V6
- Automatic transmission
- 112,000 miles
At first the driver door lock took a few times to open, then it just didn't pop up, and since explorers door lock thing is inside the door you can't manually open the lock, so I was stuck in the drivers seat unless I slid through the passenger seat and over the armrest console which was a major pain. Could not even get inside my car from the outside even when I used the key to turn the lock. Had to take it to a mechanic and spent all day and I think it was like $450 to have it fixed, and now the little square behind my door handle keeps coming undone.
2009Jun 01
Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 109,000 miles
Same as everyone else, driver's side door will not unlock. It's a manual key lock, no remote and the key just won't turn to open. Pressing the door lock/unlock buttons does not work anymore. I'd like to have it fixed but just spent hundreds on much needed brakes and tires. Not too happy that Ford hasn't recalled it since this is such a well known problem and so dangerous if I could not get out of the car in an emergency. I guess the recall is more expensive than a few lawsuits for lost lives.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Sep 12
Explorer XLT 5.0L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 134,116 miles
I hate unlocking my doors and yet the only door needing to be unlocked won't open!!!
2008Oct 21
Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 101,000 miles
Same problem as others with drivers side door not unlocking. After a couple of months , took out fuse # 18 and just don't have my doors locked at all. But note if you do this your drivers seat if (power) will not work, but if I need to adjust it I just put the fuse in.
2008Mar 03
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 145,000 miles
Finally, I have a form to gripe about the many complaints I have about my form...today I'm beefing on how one day out of the blue the driver's side door unlocks only after you attempt to unlock it at least 5 times. I'm just waiting for the day, a police officer spots me trying to get into my own car and attempts to arrest for grand auto theft. Then and only then will I pay to have the problem fixed...hopefully Ford will recall the driver's side door lock.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2005Jun 15
Explorer Sport V6 Sohc
- Automatic transmission
- 42,000 miles
All of a sudden the driver's side door would not unlock. Took it to the Ford dealer to have it replaced which set me back about $300. Which was well worth the door unlocking. Its not easy to crawl over the passenger seat with a skirt on. However, when I got my car back, since they had to replace the entire lock assembly, and they did not re-key the lock, the only way to get into my car is to use the remote. Ford will not fix the problem without charging me. I'm just praying that the remote doesn't break.
2007Aug 02
Explorer 8
- Automatic transmission
- 98,000 miles
I also have the problem with the door handle lock not opening. I had to get the inside door handle repaired because I broke it trying to get the door to unlock. I still do not have the lock fixed. Occasionally it decides to unlock on its own with the remote, but many times I have to crawl through the passenger side to get it unlocked because I am not tall enough to reach from the drivers side back door to unlock the drivers door. My key does not work in the car for some reason and the keyless entry will not work either when it decides not to work. This is really embarrassing and I am always scared someone is going to come up and mug me when I am trying to unlock the drivers door from the passenger side. It is very inconvenient when it is raining. I have read about this complaint on more than one website. What does it take for them to issue a recall and pay for this expensive problem.
2008Jan 12
Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 104,000 miles
Same as the rest. Door wouldn't unlock. Pulled inside handle so hard it broke too. So, if this is happening to you, save some money and fix it before the handle breaks also. I picked up the parts at the local Ford dealer for about $72. The latch was $48 and the handle was $24. I didn't even shop the internet because I wanted to get it over with. The parts guy said he sells a lot of them and always keeps them in stock - which allowed me to fix it in a couple of hours. It was kind of tricky getting all the levers disconnected from the latch, but if you like those puzzle where you try to figure out how two get the two pieces of bent metal apart, you'll love this. The door panel is probably one of the easiest I've ever taken apart. When I replaced the old one I discovered that the latch old latch was catching on itself and wouldn't operate smoothly. I also found a tiny spring in the bottom inside of the door. It's a very complicated mechanism but easily replaced if you have patience and keep track of which levers go where.
2007May 22
(reported on)Explorer Eddie Bauer V6
- Automatic transmission
- 108,000 miles
The lock on my driver's side door started sticking a couple of months ago. It is such a pain in the ass and the key will not unlock it. So far I have been lucky... if you keep pressing the unlock button on the remote transmitter the door will eventually unlock. I wonder how long before it stops working and I have to break down and fix it?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2007Dec 01
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 160,000 miles
At first I had to press the unlock button continuously to be able to enter from the outside. Then it got to the point that it wouldn't unlock from the outside at all. I had to reach through the passenger side to open it. NOW it won't open at all. It is so damn embarrassing to have to crawl through over the console. I have to wait until all the people around me are gone to exit my vehicle.
2007Nov 14
Explorer XLT 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 116,000 miles
It seems that there is a real problem with the drivers side door locking up denying access to the drivers seat. I like the other reports am having trouble with my driver side door. It is now locked and i cannot get in the car at all. It will not unlock no matter what combination of tricks i try. What makes this worse is that the door is in the closed position so you cannot even remove the inner door panel to see what could be causing the problem. I am in agreement with the other Ford Explorer owners that there should be some type of solution to this problem other than $370.00 to a dealership to get this fixed. If nothing else they should inform the owners of the problem and the solution to this problem if they decide to try and fix it. I have a 2001 Ford F250 where i am having trouble with the power locks on it also
2007Oct 08
(reported on)Explorer Limited 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 76,700 miles
I went to town to get Sunday paper. Shut car off. Pushed the Driver side unlock button. All doors except driver door unlocked. Pushed lock button many times (nothing happened). A little panic as I have bad leg and cannot get over the console to get out the passenger side door. Said bad things under my breath. Did not help. Kept hitting lock button, nothing. Then took hold of door handle and pushed button at same time. Oops, it opened. Got home, same thing, can't get out. Blew horn for wife to come out and help, but she's in the shower. Don't hear me. I hit the panic button and then the door lock and door handle. What do you know it opened.
I have an appointment to have it repaired at our local Ford dealer for $200.00 I think Ford should have a recall or at least pay for repair. I have in the past wrote a letter to Ford Motor Company on computer about problem with another Ford car and never even got an answer. Don't really know why I am still driving fords. Fix or repair daily
Good thing car was not on fire or I would not be writing this complaint.
2007Jul 24
(reported on)Explorer XLT 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 119,463 miles
JUST GOT MY TITLE! NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN OUT OF NO WHERE, MY DRIVERS DOOR DECIDES NOT TO UNLOCK. ALL THE OTHER DOORS UNLOCK, THANK GOD! BUT THE DRIVERS DOOR. I TRIED THE KEY, THAT DIDN'T WORK, SO I OPENED THE BACK DOOR AND REACHED UP TO PUSH UNLOCK BUTTON, DIDN'T WORK. WENT ON PASSENGER SIDE & CLIMBED IN, YANKED ON THE DOOR KNOB PRESSING UNLOCK BUTTON. FINALLY I GOT IT OPENED. NOW I CAN'T EVEN OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR FROM THE INSIDE, BECAUSE MY INSIDE HANDLE IS NOT WORKING. I HAVE TO PUT THE WINDOW DOWN TO OPEN THE DOOR. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2007Apr 08
(reported on)Explorer Limited 4.0 V6
- Automatic transmission
- 98,000 miles
I got this vehicle from a family member in Jan. 06. Drove from OK to NC. Noticed the driver's door would not unlock at intermittent times. Also noticed that the key wouldn't turn the lock. Sometimes I would have to hit keyless entry and enter through passenger side door to unlock driver's door from inside by pulling handle. I figured out that if I quickly and repeatedly hit the "unlock" button on wireless key remote that the lock would eventually pop up and unlock. At this time, I noticed that when opening the door from inside, it was increasingly hard to pull handle and open door, basically felt like increased tension. After living with this for about a month, one night after arriving home from work, I pulled on the inner handle to open door, and felt a small "pop", and all tension (normal and otherwise) in the door handle dissipate. The door would not open from the inside any longer.
I took vehicle to Ford Dealer, and they said the "inner door latch" was broken and it was a common problem. They replaced inner door latch (parts inside of door panel), and the door lever on inside of vehicle. Parts and labor came to $350. A real pain in the you know what. I chalked it up to being an 8 year old vehicle with almost over 95,000 miles, and I knew the previous driver (relative of mine) was not the kindest to her vehicles. I was disappointed I had a repair bill after approx. 1 month of owning vehicle, and would have been even madder had I just put a down payment on this vehicle and was paying the bank a monthly payment.
As far a the locks not turning with the key. Mine work fine in mild weather. But, when it gets very cold out, I find that I had to push the key very firmly straight into the lock, wiggle to find the sweet spot, and it will turn. It is a factory key, not a replacement, so teeth on key are exact to specs. I've heard that a spray-type graphite applied to the locking mechanism will help free up the key lock.
2007Mar 07
(reported on)Explorer LX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 111,750 miles
These problems with doors not unlocking is a pain ass
ford should recall all SUVS. I am not only one this problem .
2007Feb 18
(reported on)Explorer V-8
- Automatic transmission
- 85,000 miles
This is really an embarrassment whenever my wife or I go somewhere "Alone." I have to walk aroung the vehicle and enter through the passenger side door to reach across and unlock the driver's side door, just so that I can walk back around and get in! Our neighborhood ísn't one we'd trust to leave the vehicle unlocked, either (if you know what I mean). The driver's side rear door is the same, only it won't lock when you use the remote button. Shouldn't this be a recall?
2007Feb 04
(reported on)Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 98,000 miles
I have the same problem with my doors. To make matters worse, my child safety locks are stuck on, and now my rear passenger side door won't unlock. So I can't access it from the outside either!!! A very aggravating situation!!
2006Dec 07
(reported on)Explorer XLT 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
The driver's lock won't pop up (either from the automatic lock buttons inside the vehicle, or from the keyless entry on the outside of the driver door). AND to make matters worse, neither the driver's or passenger's keyholes will let the key turn properly, so I can't even MANUALLY unlock the doors from the outside. So, basically, every time I want to get entry into my vehicle, I have to:
1. Use my key in the pushbutton/keyhole on the rear hatch/door/window in order to pop up the passenger side lock,
2. Open the passenger door, reach across to insert the key in the ignition switch and turn the electrical system on, so I can reach even farther across to open the driver's window, and
3. Go back around to the driver door to alternately go back and forth tapping the unlock button and flicking the door handle until the combination of procedures finally releases the driver's door lock!!!
I've had other vehicles that had OCCASIONAL lock issues, but they were due simply to moisture getting into the keyhole or something like that. I can say with confidence that this issue does goes much deeper -- I am convinced (since having my gripe corroborated with more than a couple of other Ford owners with the same issue) it stems from a defect in either design and/or workmanship of the entire lock linkage system.
2006Dec 03
(reported on)Explorer V8 5.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 76,000 miles
The drivers side lock will only unlock occasionally. Most times I must pull up on the lock and hit the lock unlock switch multiple times before the door unlocks. It won't even open using the key from outside. I must go into the passenger side and open the drivers window the go to the drivers side and do the lock/unlock routine. I had the solenoid replaced but that wasn't the problem. What to do next?
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Mar 18
Explorer XLT 4.0L
Driver side door lock will not work with key or remote. This very very inconvenient, I AM HANDICAPPED AND HAVE TO ASK A GOOD SAMARITAN TO CRAWL OVER CONSOLE, while I control my dog. I agree with those who wonder why there is no recall. Repair shop says he does alot of these repairs, costs about $200 to $400 to fix. I can't afford to get fixed.
zander
Littleton, Colorado, USA
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