7.6
pretty badTypical Repair Cost:
$4.00
Average Mileage:
121,550 miles
Total Complaints:
9 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (6 reports)
- lubed linkage in door (1 reports)
- pb penatrating lubricant or carb cleaner (careful-overspray) (1 reports)
- sprayed silicone lubricant in door latch...temporarily help (1 reports)
accessories - exterior problem
Helpful Websites About 2000 Ford Explorer driver's door won't unlock
2008Apr 01
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 78,000 miles
I started having a problem with my 2000 Explorer rear door not opening with the remote. I had to use my key. Then the rear passenger door started having the same problem, then the front passenger door, then the left rear door and finally the drivers door. This moves around and so far I have been lucky in that at least one door would open. My car key stopped working in both the drivers door and passenger door but at least it still works in the back door.
They act like there is just not enough power to push the latches up all the way. I tried spraying a ton of lubricant into all of the latches but that did not work. I thought that perhaps the battery was weak so I replaced the battery. This did not change a thing. At this point, I do not know what to do. There is no way in hell that I am going to pay $350 per door to have Ford fix this problem.
The last time I took my vehicle to Ford it was to repair a problem with my air bag light staying on. They told me that I needed to replace the air bag cable system and that was $980 plus labor. I later found out the real problem when I was cleaning my car and found a piece of electricians tape under the drivers seat. I pulled the long piece of tape out and the wires they were wrapped around were bare and had been shorting out on the seat rails. This tape was applied by Ford when I had the car in for a cable replacement on a Ford recall. I re taped the line, the light went out and I have never had this problem again. I saved the $1000 plus that they wanted to charge me.
At 76,000 miles I had both the front and rear timing chain tensioners go out, the timing belts wiped out all of the chain guides, one of the many timing belts jumping a tooth, bent two valves and burnt the rest. Ford quoted me over $4000 and they were not sure if it needed a valve job or not. I had all of the belts, tensioners, guides and a full valve job done for $3,200 and now have 117,000 miles on it. This was such a common problem that my mechanic had to search the entire USA for parts. Dealerships and aftermarket suppliers were all out of parts.
I have always been a Ford supporter and I have owned more than a few over the years. This is my last Ford. They have recalls if it affects 100,000 cars but they do not address it when it is only 10,000 to 20,000 for piddly little problems like not being able to get in or out of your car. And you wonder why the American Auto industry is in such trouble? Bail them out? There should be a bail out fund for the car owners that have problems the manufacturers refuse to address.
2008Nov 05
Explorer XLT 4.0L Sohc
- Automatic transmission
- 122,600 miles
Emailed Ford.JustAnswer.com for help. Suggestion was to spray door latch where switch is located to unstick the switch. Worked for 1 day and problem returned. Using keyfob to unlock doors results in all doors unlocking properly except the drivers door. Pressing keyfob repeatedly approximately 10 times will finally trigger the unlock feature to work. Next step will be to remove the drivers door switches and replace. Unfortunately, none of the Ford Explorer repair guides I have (Haynes #36024) list how to do this procedure.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2006Nov 26
Explorer XLT 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 275,000 miles
I have had two Explorer's 96/2000. Have had a similar issue with the other, and also the new one (2000). I see that some of you have talked about fixing for #350 which is ridiculous. I simply sprayed some lubricant such as PB blaster or other such penetrating lubricants into the door jam and this seems to work for a while. I think, with my vehicles, that this is caused over age. Sometimes it opens, sometimes it doesn't. Normally now I have to use the key combined with the keyless. I will spray some more as I haven't done so in a year and let it go at that. The vehicle has 275000 miles so I figure if that's the worst problem I have it'll be fine.
2008Aug 12
Explorer XLT 4.0L Sohc
- Automatic transmission
- 120,900 miles
Problem has gotten progressively worse. Have to open rear door and reach inside to open drivers door using inside door handle.
2008Mar 01
Explorer XLT 3.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 106,000 miles
My driver and passenger door locks lock and unlock pretty much whenever they feel like it. Sometimes I can't even get the locks open with a key, and am forced to open the back door and reach through to the front seat and open the door from the inside.
PLEASE report the problem to Ford at 1-800-392-3673 and the National Highway Safety folks at 1-888-327-4236. The more they hear about it, the more likely Ford will have to add this problem to the recall list, as it poses a definite safety hazard.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Feb 29
Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 88,000 miles
My driver's side door is not opening every time. I have to go thru the passenger side door to open the door and get in the Explorer fairly often. What is worse is that about 6 months ago the back seat door on the driver's side quit opening from the inside. After a couple of weeks, it quit opening from the outside as well. So, we have no way to open that door. The hatchback door on the back of the Explorer also doesn't open from time to time. It has not completely stopped working, but you never know if you will be able to open it. I will never, ever, buy another union made piece of crap again.
2007Nov 20
Explorer XLT
- Automatic transmission
- 93,448 miles
Get in the car and head to work, park, pull handle to get out and no problems. Go back to the car to get something out, hit remote unlock on key fob and pull the driver's door handle -- nothing happens. I figure I got the seat belt caught in the door and it's jammed so I open from the inside with success but surprised to find nothing jammed in the door plus I notice the driver's door looks locked even though it's open. Sure enough the driver's door doesn't unlock with remote, keypad nor key. At least I can reach across and get it open by pulling the inside handle. The really annoying part is I Googled the problem and it's very common! Even more annoying is the cost to fix it -- some folks report $350!!! Since it looks like I'll be layed off right before Christmas do I really want to spend that much to get it fixed? I have to take it in for the latest recall so I wonder if they'll through in the handle repair for free too? RIGHT . . . that'll happen.
2007Sep 25
(reported on)Explorer Limited AWD 5.0L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 130,000 miles
My vehicle is a 2000 Explorer Limited 5L V8 AWD 130,000 miles. Driver's door will not unlock by any method except manual lever on inside of driver door.
Door cannot be opened via wireless key remote, inside unlock buttons, pulling up on lock knob at driver side window, key in outside keyhole or keyless entry pad on outside of drivers door. Having to reach in from back seat and pull manual lever on inside of driver door is a pretty lame feature for a vehicle of this caliber.
Update from Jun 8, 2009: I fixed my drivers door problem. If yours act the same as mine the solution was simple.
Mine acted like it wanted to unlock, but the button would not pop-up on the drivers door. The unlock button on the door would click like it wanted to pop-up, but could not. Could not unlock/open door by any method except the inside handle.
Solution:
Remove inside door panel (easy, couple of screws at the door handle and then carefully pry/pull if off at the clip points)
After looking it over, seeing how things related to each other in side the door, pondering how I would be able to get my hands in side the door to replace the solenoid that seem to control the action electronically…
I lubed the linkage at the key lock location from inside the door with some WD-40.
Lock started working immediately.
Put door back together and has worked great for a week now.
Bob
We have partnered with JustAnswer to offer online auto repair help and advice from expert professional automotive technicians. You describe your accessories - exterior problem or ask your question and they try to help you figure it out. The fee is typically $9 to $15, but you can offer to pay more for really tough questions. You will usually receive an answer in 10 minutes or less, and you do not have to pay anything unless you accept the answer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jul 22
Explorer Eddie Bauer
After reading all the posts I feel lucky that I have a 6 year old boy who loves hopping in the hatch to run across the seats and open my driver door from the inside. Usually kids don't get to stomp all over leather car seats. I can see this fix is going to cost me but it was worth reading all the other posts since I got hysterical at the stories and the absurdity of this problem. Who knew an Explorer would be able to humiliate so many. Wait. Don't answer that.
Leanne P.
Seattle, WA, USA
SEND A COMMENT »