FRONT SEAT TRACK FAILURE
Opened Oct 23, 1992
Closed Feb 26, 1993
There is no summary currently available
SEATS
1990 Ford Explorer
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
12
Latest Dec 3, 2003
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
Overview
Our database contains 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Ford Explorer, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and fuel system categories. 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 6 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 1995 | 1 | 1 |
| Jun 1995 | 1 | 2 |
| Oct 1996 | 1 | 3 |
| Jan 1998 | 1 | 4 |
| Oct 1998 | 1 | 5 |
| Jan 1999 | 1 | 6 |
| Aug 2000 | 2 | 8 |
| Jan 2001 | 1 | 9 |
| Jul 2002 | 2 | 11 |
| Dec 2003 | 1 | 12 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Brakes218.2%
- Engine218.2%
- Fuel system218.2%
- Tires & wheels218.2%
- Transmission218.2%
- Visibility19.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
No recalls in our database for this model year
That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
WHL SEPARATION/TORQUE LOSS
Opened Mar 16, 1992
Closed Aug 31, 1992
There is no summary currently available
SUSPENSION
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
Engine
Filed Dec 3, 2003
WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT 20 MPH VEHICLE STALLED/ LOST POWER. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND MANAGED TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 10049974
- Incident
- Nov 27, 2003
- Mileage
- 58,410 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 10, 2002
FUEL GAUGE NO LONGER WORKS,. CONSUMER CANNOT TELL THE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEFT IN TANK.*AK
- NHTSA ID
- 8013632
- Incident
- Jul 8, 2002
Visibility
Filed Jul 10, 2002
WHILE DRIVING 58 MPH OPENED SUN ROOF, IT DISCONNECTED AND FELL OFF.*AK
- NHTSA ID
- 8013631
- Incident
- Jul 1, 2002
Brakes
Filed Jan 4, 2001
Crash reported
PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY & APPLIED BRAKES, PEDAL LOCKED IN ONE SPOT. VEHICLE WAS FREE ROLLING & HIT A GARAGE DOOR. TOWED VEHICLE TO DEALER & MECHANIC RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR BRAKES & FOUND NOTHING. PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN SINCE HAVING ENGINE WORK DONE. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 877466
- Incident
- Nov 16, 2000
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 9, 2000
Crash reported
I HAD THREE TIRES LOSE THE ENTIRE CENTER TREAD ON MY PREVIOUS VEHICLE (90 FORD EXPLORER) WHILE TRAVELING AROUNG 70MPH. ALL THREE WERE WITHIN A MONTH OF EACH OTHER. THE FIRST TIRE THAT WENT CAUSED DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE BODY THAT WAS REPORTED TO MY INSURANCE.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
- NHTSA ID
- 727319
- Incident
- Jul 1, 1998
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 3, 2000
FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX TIRES P23575R15 ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 90 EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 70MPH THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND NOTICED THAT REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TREAD HAD SEPARATED ,THROUGH REAR VIEW MIRROR, CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *AK DOT#W2HL 1PM. *SLC
- NHTSA ID
- 866697
- Incident
- Jul 16, 2000
Filed Jan 25, 1999
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 702575
- Incident
- Nov 1, 1998
Fuel system
Filed Oct 7, 1998
CONNECTING PIPES ON THE GAS TANK ARE FORMED FROM SEAMED STEAL PIPE, AND THE SEAM IS SEALED DUE TO BAD MANUFACTURING. THE SEAM BENDS OVER AND EVENTUALLY RUSTS AWAY, AND ALLOWS GAS TO LEAK TO GROUND. DEALER CONTACTED AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 827851
- Incident
- Sep 12, 1998
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
01197
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0L OHV ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE NOISE WHICH MAY BE PERCEIVED BY THE CUSTOMER AS A PISTON / ONNECTING ROD BEARING KNOCK. *TT
6896
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE NOISE WHICH MAY BE PERCEIVED BY THE CUSTOMER AS A PISTON / CONNECTING ROD BEARING KNOCK. *TT
13118
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE NOISE WHICH MAY BE PERCEIVED BY THE CUSTOMER AS A PISTON / CONNECTING ROD BEARING KNOCK. *TT
BC5225961001
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A VIBRATION DURING WIDE OPEN THROTTLE ACCELERATION OR WHILE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. REVISED FRONT DRIVESHAFT. *TT
BC1350950906
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
HIGH ALTITUDE TRANSMISSION AVAILABLE. *TW
95153
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
TEMPERATURE GAUGE - FLUCTUATING AND /OR INACCURATE HIGH READINGS. *SD
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2026 | 24 | 11 | 0 | 55.9 |
| 2025 | 92 | 19 | 0 | 60.8 |
| 2024 | 19 | 10 | 0 | 60.0 |
| 2023 | 103 | 15 | 0 | 61.6 |
| 2022 | 255 | 24 | 2 | 69.1 |
| 2021 | 409 | 26 | 2 | 66.8 |
| 2020 | 1,187 | 33 | 3 | 67.6 |
| 2019 | 289 | 6 | 1 | 61.2 |
| 2018 | 717 | 7 | 2 | 66.0 |
| 2017 | 1,672 | 14 | 2 | 65.6 |
| 2016 | 2,439 | 15 | 2 | 61.3 |
| 2015 | 1,768 | 9 | 5 | 67.2 |
| 2014 | 1,672 | 7 | 4 | 62.5 |
| 2013 | 2,228 | 12 | 6 | 64.3 |
| 2012 | 822 | 7 | 4 | 61.5 |
| 2011 | 1,195 | 8 | 4 | 63.1 |
| 2010 | 115 | 2 | 1 | 55.3 |
| 2009 | 33 | 1 | 0 | 45.6 |
| 2008 | 148 | 3 | 1 | 52.2 |
| 2007 | 208 | 3 | 1 | 52.1 |
| 2006 | 630 | 4 | 0 | 47.1 |
| 2005 | 497 | 3 | 2 | 54.7 |
| 2004 | 1,304 | 4 | 4 | 59.5 |
| 2003 | 1,131 | 7 | 3 | 60.0 |
| 2002 | 3,294 | 10 | 7 | 62.5 |
| 2001 | 375 | 12 | 2 | 65.6 |
| 2000 | 952 | 15 | 4 | 66.1 |
| 1999 | 1,348 | 15 | 6 | 65.4 |
| 1998 | 1,959 | 14 | 8 | 67.4 |
| 1997 | 1,731 | 12 | 6 | 66.6 |
| 1996 | 1,450 | 11 | 3 | 66.9 |
| 1995 | 843 | 12 | 6 | 66.2 |
| 1994 | 1,207 | 7 | 13 | 68.2 |
| 1993 | 939 | 9 | 14 | 68.0 |
| 1992 | 633 | 7 | 14 | 67.7 |
| 1991 | 609 | 11 | 17 | 68.5 |
| 1990Viewing | 12 | 0 | 2 | 47.9 |
| 1989 | 1 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1988 | 4 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1987 | 3 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1986 | 3 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1985 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1984 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1977 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.