TIRES:TREAD/BELT
1991 Ford Explorer
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 609 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Ford Explorer, most frequently naming the brakes, tires & wheels and engine categories. 11 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 17 NHTSA investigations name it; and 63 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2000 | 9 | 471 |
| Dec 2000 | 5 | 476 |
| Jan 2001 | 6 | 482 |
| Feb 2001 | 5 | 487 |
| Mar 2001 | 4 | 491 |
| Apr 2001 | 4 | 495 |
| May 2001 | 4 | 499 |
| Jun 2001 | 6 | 505 |
| Jul 2001 | 2 | 507 |
| Aug 2001 | 3 | 510 |
| Sep 2001 | 4 | 514 |
| Oct 2001 | 2 | 516 |
| Nov 2001 | 5 | 521 |
| Dec 2001 | 1 | 522 |
| Jan 2002 | 3 | 525 |
| Feb 2002 | 6 | 531 |
| Jun 2002 | 2 | 533 |
| Jul 2002 | 7 | 540 |
| Aug 2002 | 2 | 542 |
| Sep 2002 | 1 | 543 |
| Oct 2002 | 1 | 544 |
| Nov 2002 | 1 | 545 |
| Dec 2002 | 1 | 546 |
| Jan 2003 | 2 | 548 |
| Feb 2003 | 3 | 551 |
| Mar 2003 | 2 | 553 |
| Apr 2003 | 4 | 557 |
| May 2003 | 1 | 558 |
| Jun 2003 | 1 | 559 |
| Jul 2003 | 1 | 560 |
| Aug 2003 | 1 | 561 |
| Sep 2003 | 3 | 564 |
| Oct 2003 | 5 | 569 |
| Nov 2003 | 3 | 572 |
| Dec 2003 | 4 | 576 |
| Feb 2004 | 1 | 577 |
| Mar 2004 | 2 | 579 |
| Apr 2004 | 1 | 580 |
| May 2004 | 1 | 581 |
| Jul 2004 | 1 | 582 |
| Oct 2004 | 1 | 583 |
| Dec 2004 | 1 | 584 |
| Jan 2005 | 1 | 585 |
| Feb 2005 | 2 | 587 |
| Mar 2005 | 4 | 591 |
| Apr 2005 | 3 | 594 |
| Jul 2005 | 1 | 595 |
| Aug 2005 | 1 | 596 |
| Aug 2006 | 2 | 598 |
| Sep 2006 | 1 | 599 |
| Nov 2006 | 1 | 600 |
| Feb 2008 | 1 | 601 |
| Mar 2008 | 1 | 602 |
| Sep 2008 | 1 | 603 |
| Apr 2009 | 1 | 604 |
| Oct 2009 | 1 | 605 |
| Oct 2011 | 1 | 606 |
| Jul 2013 | 1 | 607 |
| May 2015 | 1 | 608 |
| Dec 2021 | 1 | 609 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Brakes12418.4%
- Tires & wheels11016.3%
- Engine537.9%
- Transmission517.6%
- Electrical466.8%
- Interior & seats355.2%
- Suspension345.1%
- Visibility324.8%
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
11 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govTIRES:TREAD/BELT
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
LIFTGATE SUPPORT BRACKET FAILURE
SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER 1995, FOR 1991-1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THOSE BRACKET THAT WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE OR DETACHED.THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN OCTOBER 1996. SINCE NOVEMBER 1996, ODI HAS RECEIVED 51 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LIFTGATE FAILURES CAUSED BY THE BRACKET SEPARATION, OF WHICH 19 REPORTED THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE OCCUPANT CAUSING 12 INJURIES.ONE COMPLAINT WAS ON 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, THREE COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1993 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, AND 47 COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 95V-164.FORD AND MAZDA ARE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER RECALL NUMBER 99V-310.001/.002.
SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE
There is no summary currently available
SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE
FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE 1991 MODEL YEAR PRODUCTION UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF THE 1994 MODEL YEAR PRODUCTION, FORD USED A GALVANIZED STEEL CABLE TO LIFT AND HOLD IN STORED POSITION, THE EXPLORER SPARE TIRE.ON MAY 19, 1994, BASED ON THE RESULTS OF FORD DURABILITY TESTING , FORD CHANGED TO A 4.00MM STAINLESS STEEL CABLE.THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 100 INCIDENTS IN WHICH THE ORIGINAL GALVANIZED STEEL CABLE FAILED ALLOWING THE SPARE TIRE TO DROP FROM ITS REAR STORAGE WELL.ONE OF THESE INCIDENTS CAUSED A FOLLOWING VEHICLE TO BE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND ON SIX OTHER OCCASIONS THE WHEEL MADE CONTACT WITH FOLLOWING VEHICLES, RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE.
HEAVY LATERAL VIBRATION
NHTSA WAS PETITIONED TO COMMENCE A DEFECT INVESTIGATION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ON JANUARY 6, 1998.THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT EARLY MODEL FORD EXPLORER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES DEVELOP HEAVY LATERAL VIBRATIONS AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH AND WHEN ENCOUNTERING BUMPS AT LOW SPEEDS.THE PETITION FURTHER ALLEGES THAT THESE VIBRATIONS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.THE ANALYSIS OF THE PETITION IS PRESENTED IN THE ATTACHED NOTICE WHICH IS PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The component that malfunctioned was the abs sensor. It is not available for inspection. I was driving going around 45 in traffic and the drivers side rear brake locked up and spun me out of control and caused me to collide with another vehicle. I only lightly pressed the brakes and it happened suddenly and unexpectedly. It was not inspected before it was towed after the accident. There were no warning lamps.
- NHTSA ID
- 11444373
- Incident
- Dec 16, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH WITH ANOTHER PASSENGER, THE SEAT BELTS DISENGAGED AND CAUSED THE PASSENGER SEAT TO OVERTURN BETWEEN THE SEATS. THE PASSENGER WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10715094
- Incident
- May 7, 2015
- Mileage
- 91,000 mi
ON JUNE 4TH MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE DRIVING EAST BOUND ON 62ND AND OVER-HILL IN LOS ANGELES CA. SHORTLY AFTER 12:00PM. WHEN SUDDENLY THE FORD EXPLORER WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE ORDERED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A RECALL. DUE TO INVESTIGATION ON MY OWN I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL NUMBER. IT IS 96S35. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER WITH FORD HOWEVER I JUST RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THEM REFUSING TO ASSIST ME. MY DAUGHTER AND I COULD HAVE BEEN BURNED ALIVE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU COULD ASSIST ME. THE VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN DESTROYED. I ONLY HAVE IN MY POSSESSION THE PICTURE, AND A FIRE REPORT. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10523299
- Incident
- Jun 4, 2010
- Mileage
- 15,000 mi
I PURCHASED TWO MICHELIN LTX MS2 235/75R15 TIRES FROM TIRE RACK.COM, E732381. THEY WERE DELIVERED SEPTEMBER 15, 2011 WITH AN INCORRECTLY COMPLETED OMB CONTROL NO. 2127-0050 TIRE REGISTRATION CARD. THE CARD LISTED THE BRAND AS BF GOODRICH AND THE TIRE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS AS BETJMX912711. THE TIRES I RECEIVED ARE MICHELIN B3DDDVOX2511 ACCORDING TO THE TIRE SIDEWALLS. I CONTACTED TIRE RACK'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY ADVISED THAT THERE SYSTEM SHOWED THAT I WAS SENT MICHELIN B3DDDVOX2511 TIRES AND THAT IT WAS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECTLY COMPLETE THE TIRE REGISTRATION CARD. DOES THIS COMPLY WITH DOT REGULATIONS REGARDING TIRE RETAILER'S CONDUCT REGARDING TIRE RECALL REGISTRATION? *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10432381
- Incident
- Sep 15, 2011
UNIROYAL TIRE SIDE WALL CRACKS LT 235 75R15 - NO FAILURE - JUST CRACK. ALL 4 OF MY TIRES HAD A SIDE WALL CRACK THE ENTIRE DIAMETER OF THE TIRE ABOUT 3 INCHES DOWN ON THE SIDE WALL . I NOTICED THE CRACK ON THE INSIDE AS WELL SO IT APPEARS THE TIRES HAD SOME ISSUE. I HAD NEVER APPLIED TIRE FOAM CLEANER(ARMOR ALL TIREFOAM PRIOR ) BUT ONE TIME THIS LAST WEEK I DID APPLY SOME AND FOUND THE CRACK. LOOKING UNDER THE 1991 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 I DID SEE THE SAME ISSUE ON THE INSIDE OF A FRONT TIRE AS WELL...I NEVER APPLIED ANY ARMOR ALL TYPE CLEANER ON THE INSIDE EITHER. UNIROYAL FACTORY PHONE SUPPORT BLAMED ME OF APPLYING TIRE CLEANER WHICH RUINS TIRES AND SO DID THE WALMART TIRE STORE STAFF . I NEVER APPLIED ANYTHING AS THIS IS AN OLDER VEHICLE WHICH AND NO PR OR SHOW APPEAL. WALMART REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES ON 10-25-09 BUT THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS NOT 35 PSI ITS WAS AROUND 43 ACCORDING TO MY GAGE..THE TIRES ARE RATED FOR 50PSI. WALMART CHARGED THE PROBLEM TO MY WARRANTY AND THEN WANTED TO CHARGE AGAIN FOR A NEW WARRANTY. THIS WAS A TIRE FACTORY PROBLEM AS BOTH SIDE OF THE TIRES HAD A CRACK NOT A FIELD ROAD HAZARD ISSUE. KINGMAN AZ HAS TEMP RANGES FROM 110 IN JULY TO 9 DEGREES IN WINTER...THIS MAY BE FACTOR. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10289739
- Incident
- Oct 25, 2009
- Mileage
- 2,000 mi
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH ON A DRIVEWAY INCLINE, THE ENGINE IDLED EXCESSIVELY HIGH AND THE VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT DETECTED SMOKE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND MASSIVE FLAMES ERUPTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND HAS NOT BEEN TOWED AWAY FROM THE SCENE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HER HANDS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 10267328
- Incident
- Apr 28, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1991 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. SHE MANAGED TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER AND LEFT TO CALL FOR HELP. UPON RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE, IT WAS CONSUMED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE OVER 100,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10241375
- Incident
- Sep 3, 2008
- Mileage
- 100,000 mi
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL, THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART FOR THE REPAIR; HOWEVER, THE RECALL STATED THAT THEY WERE AVAILABLE. THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD ARRIVE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 81,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10222473
- Incident
- Aug 7, 2007
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
SUSPENSION:REAR
VARIOUS NOISE ISSUES FROM THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS WHILE DRIVING. *TT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND A 4.0L OHV ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A NOISE / VIBRATION, NO DRIVE, UNUSUAL NOISE DURING CRANKING OR A NO CRANK CONDITION. *TT
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
TIRES
OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM SUPPLEMENT 7 REVISED INFORMATION - REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF WILDERNESS AT TIRES. *TT
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT HEATER CORE LEAKS. *SLC
INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
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 |
| 1991Viewing | 609 | 11 | 17 | 68.5 |
| 1990 | 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.