Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Body & structure reportsComplaints 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.
31
Latest Nov 27, 2006
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 609 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3
What this page shows
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1991 Ford Explorer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 31 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming body or structure
The 25 most recent of 31, in the owner's own words
COPY OF LETTER TO FMC: I OWN A 1991 FORD EXPLORER 4WD XLT [XXX]. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON 11/9/96, FROM CROWN DODGE, VENTURA, CALIFORNIA. THE SELLING DEALER ASSURED ME AT THE TIME THAT NO RECALLS WERE OUTSTANDING ON THIS VEHICLE. ON NOVEMBER 11/22/06, AS I CLOSED THE HATCH ON THIS VEHICLE, THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHES THE RIGHT-SIDE LIFTGATE GAS ASSIST CYLINDER TO THE HATCH TORE AWAY FROM THE HATCH. I HAVE JUST LEARNED THAT A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (NUMBER 95I007000) WAS ISSUED IN OCTOBER 1995 TO REINFORCE THIS BRACKET. THE CAMPAIGN STATED THAT "IF A BRACKET AND GAS ASSIST CYLINDER WERE TO DETACH COMPLETELY FROM THE LIFTGATE AND NO LONGER BEAR AGAINST THE LIFTGATE AS INTENDED, THE REMAINING CYLINDER WOULD NOT HOLD THE LIFTGATE IN AN OPEN POSITION. PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR." THE CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS FOR FORD DEALERS TO REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATED TODAY THEY COULD NOT HONOR THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN. REBECCA (#6048) AT THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE CALL CENTER TOLD ME THE CAMPAIGN HAD EXPIRED, AND COULDN'T OFFER ASSISTANCE. YOUR COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO DATE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THE BRACKET WAS ATTACHED TO THE HATCH BY ONLY TWO SMALL SPOT WELDS, AS IS THE LEFT-SIDE BRACKET. THE FAILURE STILL HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY, ESPECIALLY IF THE LEFT-SIDE BRACKET WERE TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS APPARENTLY NOT REPAIRED UNDER THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE CAMPAIGN NOR OFFERED AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THIS DEFECT REPAIRED. SINCE THE SAFETY HAZARD THAT THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN SOUGHT TO RESOLVE STILL EXISTS ON MY VEHICLE, I REQUEST THAT THE BROKEN BRACKET BE REPAIRED AND THE REMAINING BRACKET REINFORCED AT NO CHARGE TO ME, PER THE INTENT OF THE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. [XXX] *NM UPDATED 07/12/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ID
10174414
Incident
Nov 22, 2006
Mileage
161,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 18, 2005
THE REAR LIFTGATE WAS IN THE UP POSITION AND IT DROPPED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS UNLOADING GROCERIES. THE RIGHT SIDE HINGE BROKE. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN LIFTGATE RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V442000. *AK *SC *JB
NHTSA ID
10115396
Incident
Mar 17, 2005
Mileage
15,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 19, 2004
IN 2001 THE RIGHT SIDE BRACKET ATTACHMENT OF THE REAR LIFTGATE GAS ASSIST CYLINDER CAME OFF FROM THE INSIDE OF THE LIFTGATE OF MY 1991 FORD EXPLORER. THE REMAINING ASSIST CYLINDER DOES NOT HOLD THE LIFTGATE IN AN OPEN POSITION. AS I UNDERSTAND FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NO 95I007000 OVER A MILLION VEHICLES HAD THE BRACKETS REINFORCED, BUT MY EXPLORER WASN'T INCLUDED ALTHOUGH IN MY OPINION IT CLEARLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN. I HAVEN'T PRICED THE REPAIRS.*AK
NHTSA ID
10072879
Incident
Jan 1, 2001
Mileage
198,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seatsOther / unspecified+3 more
BOTH REAR DOOR LATCHS FAILED. CAUSING THE REAR DOOR TO OPEN WHILE DRIVING. DOES NOT SHUT PROPERLY WHEN CLOSED. DT
NHTSA ID
769941
Incident
Nov 15, 2002
Body & structure
Filed Feb 26, 2002
1 injury reported
LIFT GATE OPEN THE HYDROLIC LIFT BRACKET SNAPPED OFF CAUSING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL ON MY SONS HEAD. BRACKET WAS POORLY WELDED. THEY CLAIM THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AROUNG THE TIME THE CAR, BUT IT IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. THE RECALL WAS TO BE REENFORCE THE BRACKETS. THIS IS STILL A SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA ID
9006016
Incident
Jul 1, 1996
Body & structure
Filed Oct 1, 2001
DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS ARE COMING OFF THE HINGES. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTATCED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
NHTSA ID
897131
Incident
Sep 1, 2001
Body & structure
Filed Apr 12, 2001
CRACKS DEVELOPING IN CROSSMEMBER FRAME AROUND RADIUS ARM BUSHINGS ON BOTH SIDES. BUSHINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BEFORE SO THE EXCUSE OF WORN BUSHINGS IS BULL.*AK
NHTSA ID
743967
Incident
Apr 11, 2001
Body & structureEngineSuspension+1 more
Filed Sep 18, 2000
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH FRONT END, UPPER STRUT MOUNTS REPLACED TWICE, STABILIZER AND BUSHINGS REPLACED, AND FRONT END ALIGNMENT, DUE TO FRONT END PROBLEMS THE TIRES WERE ALSO REPLACED, CONSUMER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC
NHTSA ID
554720
Incident
Nov 17, 1999
Body & structure
Filed Aug 31, 2000
SHEET METAL ROOF IS RUSTING BADLY AT THE POINT OF THREE OF FIVE SCREWS WHICH HOLD LUGGAGE RACK TO VEHICLE.
NHTSA ID
729705
Body & structure
Filed May 29, 2000
THE QUESTIONNAIRE DOES NOT FIT MY COMPLAINT. THE DOOR HANDLE ON THE FRONT LEFT AND REAR RIGHT HAVE BROKEN. THIS MAKES IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO CLOSE THE DOORS TIGHTLY. I HAVE LOOKED INTO SEVERAL OTHER FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME INSIDE DOOR PANELS AND THEY ALSO HAVE AT LEAST ONE OF THE HANDLES BROKEN. I FEEL THIS MUST BE A DEFECT IN DESIGN SINCE IT SEEMS TO HAVE OCCURED IN SEVERAL VEHICLES. I HAVE NOT LOOKED INTO ONE LIKE MINE YET AND NOT FOUND AT LEAST ONE HANDLE BROKEN. I E-MAILED TO FORD INQUIRING INTO RATHER THERE HAD BEEN AN RECALL ON THE INSIDE DOOR PANELS AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY REPLY. ALSO THE FRONT RIGHT PANNEL HAS A CRACK IN IT. *AK
NHTSA ID
723311
Body & structure
Filed Apr 26, 2000
THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR ROCKER PANELS ARE RUSTED THROUGH. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMOUNGST FORD EXPLORER'S (1991-1994). MANY AUTO BODY SHOPS HAVE CONFIMED THAT THIS CRONIC PROBLEM IS A A RESULT OF POOR DESIGN OF NOT ADDING DRAIN HOLES IN THE REAR PROPORTION OF THE ROCKER PANELS. THOUGH THIS MATTER IS NOT A SAFTEY FACTOR IT IS VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR. *AK
NHTSA ID
721973
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Jan 10, 2000
DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE. CHILD SAFETY LOCKS ARE NOT ON. THE PROBLEM BECAME INCREASINGLY WORSE OVER TIME, ONE DOOR AND THEN THE OTHER. THE ENTIRE HANDLE EVENTUALLY BROKE FROM HAVING TO BE PULLED ON SO HARD.
NHTSA ID
717183
Body & structure
Filed Nov 9, 1999
DRIVER'S AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE DOORS DID NOT SHUT ALL THE WAY. OWNER HAD TRUCK CHECKED BY AN AUTO BODY SHOP. MECHANIC STATED THAT TRUCK WAS MOST LIKELY IN A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ID
852742
Incident
Jul 27, 1999
Body & structure
Filed Aug 4, 1999
I WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY TRANSITION WHEN THE HOOD FLEW OPEN AND HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE HOOD DID NOT DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE HOOD, WINDSHIELD, WIPERS AND PLATE BETWEEN THE WINDSHIED AND HOOD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA ID
709603
Incident
Jul 26, 1999
Body & structure
Filed Aug 3, 1999
THERE ARE HUGE CORROSION HOLES UNDER BOTH REAR DOORS. I NOTICED THE SAME CORROSION PROBLEM ON ALL 1991-1993 FORD EXPLORERS DRIVEN AROUND.
NHTSA ID
709549
Incident
May 15, 1999
Body & structureHeating & air conditioningVisibility
Filed Feb 23, 1999
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ID
703645
Incident
Aug 11, 1998
Body & structure
Filed Jan 26, 1999
EXCESSIVE PAINT PEELING FROM TOP AND HOOD. *AK
NHTSA ID
702629
Body & structure
Filed May 7, 1998
PAINT IS PEELING FROM VEHICLE AND FORD OFFICIALLY CLAIMS TO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM OF OF TSB 91-18-1.
NHTSA ID
781636
Body & structure
Filed Apr 13, 1998
PAINT ON THE ROOF IS COMING OFF.
NHTSA ID
534211
Body & structure
Filed Dec 11, 1997
ARM REST SUPPORT FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. *AK
NHTSA ID
526317
Incident
Sep 1, 1994
Body & structure
Filed Aug 11, 1997
VEHICLE'S STRUCTURAL COMPONENT IS RUSTED. *AK
NHTSA ID
815248
Incident
Aug 5, 1997
Body & structure
Filed Jul 8, 1997
PANEL ON REAR SIDE DOORS RUSTED.
NHTSA ID
519212
Body & structure
Filed Dec 9, 1996
THE REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN, TOOK TO DEALER, CAN'T FIND PROBLEM; THIS HAPPENED A YEAR AGO . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
NHTSA ID
806046
Body & structure
Filed Jul 11, 1996
RIGHT/REAR INSIDE DOOR HANDLES CRACKED AT ATTACTACHMENT TO DOOR, UNABLE TO CLOSE DOOR. *AK
NHTSA ID
506153
Incident
Jul 1, 1995
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.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own