RoadVitals

1994 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.
1,207
Latest Jul 2, 2020
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.
7
Latest May 22, 2001
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.
13
1 currently open
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.
193
154 injuries, 20 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 1,207 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Ford Explorer, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, brakes and body & structure categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 13 NHTSA investigations name it; and 86 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

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

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

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.gov
01X001000

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

May 22, 2001
13,000,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.
The risk: SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 01B77View on NHTSA.gov
00T005000

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

Aug 21, 2000
14,400,000 units potentially affected
The defect: TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION PRESSURES, HIGH SPEED, AND IN HOT WEATHER, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD.
The risk: IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
99V310001

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

Nov 3, 1999
470,582 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET WELDS COULD FRACTURE.
The risk: WITH A BROKEN BRACKET WELD, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE LIFTGATE BRACKET TO GRADUALLY BEND INWARD ALLOWING THE LIFT CYLINDER BALL STUD TO DISENGAGE, UNEXPECTEDLY ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL FROM AN OPEN POSITION.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL LIFTGATE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS. DEPENDING UPON THE CONDITION OF THE LIFTGATE SHEET METAL IN THE AREA OF THE BRACKET, DEALERS MAY ALSO INSTALL A LARGER REINFORCEMENT.
FORD MOTOR COMPANYManufacturer number 99S34View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

RQ99016OpenRecall Query

LIFTGATE SUPPORT BRACKET FAILURE

Opened Jul 29, 1999

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.

STRUCTURELed to recall 99V310001
EA00012ClosedEngineering Analysis

SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE

Opened Apr 14, 2000
Closed Oct 20, 2000

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURE
PE99072ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE

Opened Nov 30, 1999
Closed Apr 14, 2000

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.

STRUCTURE
EA99004ClosedEngineering Analysis

BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRES

Opened Jan 15, 1999
Closed Apr 18, 2000

BASED ON THE RELATIVELY LOW FAILURE FREQUENCY MEASURED OVER AN EXTENDED EXPOSURE TIME AND THE FACT THAT THE GREAT MAJOITY OF INCIDENTS ARE CONFINED WITHIN THE BLOWER HOUSING, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 1,207
Body & structure
Filed Jul 2, 2020

I LOOKED UP MY VEHICLE AND IT HAS A RECALL AND I WANT IT FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ID
11337134
Incident
Jun 2, 2020
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 1, 2018

PURCHASED VEHICLE TRANSMISSION OUT,CAME WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSION,INSTALLED,LASTED ABOUT 1 YEAR.KEPT BLOWING FRONT SEALS.ALWAYS HEATED UP GOING UPHILL.NEXT TRANSMISSION,SAME STORY.SERVICED REGULAR,WITH FILTER CHANGE.CURRENT TRANSMISSION IN TRANS. SHOP,BURNT UP,NEW CLUTCHES,BANDS,SEALS,YOU NAME IT.IT STILL WILL NOT SHIFT CORRECTY DUE TO SERVO PISTON FAILURE,THAT ALSO NEEDS FIXED.A4LD TRANSMISSION IN TOO SMALL FOR THE EXPLORER VEHICLE.I LIKE THE VEHICLE IN GENERAL,EVEN INSTALLED MANUAL LOCKOUTS TO HELP THIS SIDUATION.THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD GOOD CARE,BUT TO NO AVAIL.I BELIEVE THAT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR PRESENTING THE AMERICAN CONSUMER WITH SUCH BAD DRIVETRAIN SIDUATIION,THAT I AM SURE THAT THEY BOTH KNEW ABOUT,AND JUST DID NOT CARE.IT LEFT ME,A SERVICE CONNECTED DISABLED VETERAN,ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY,MANY TIMES.EVEN ON MY WAY TO THE VA HOSPITAL.REGUARDS

NHTSA ID
11104957
Incident
Oct 4, 2017
Mileage
180,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 23, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

HIGH BEAMS ACT AS LOW BEAMS ALL THE TIME, UNLESS YOU PULL THE BRIGHTS TOWARDS YOU AND HOLD WHICH IS ALSO A FATALITY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10627689
Incident
Aug 19, 2014
Fuel system
Filed Jul 18, 2014
Fire reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, AN ODOR OF GASOLINE FUMES EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED BRONCHIAL HEALTH ISSUES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION AS A RESULT FROM INHALING THE FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10614481
Incident
May 13, 2013
Mileage
190,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 10, 2013

APRIL, 1996 I, MY EX WIFE, AND MY DAUGHTER WERE COMING BACK FROM PALMDALE, LA COUNTY, TRAVELING EAST ON 138 HIGHWAY BACK TO ONTARIO, SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, WHERE I USED TO RESIDE. WHILE I WAS PASSING SLOW TRUCK IN TWO HIGHWAY TRYING TO GET BACK IN THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK ONE OF THE FRONT TIRES EXPLODED I LOST CONTROL OF THE 1994 FORD EXPLORER GOT ON THE DIRT THE CAR WAS AIRBORNE LANDED TURN GOD KNOWS HOW MANY TIMES AND LANDED ON THE SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10551694
Incident
Apr 10, 1996
Mileage
24,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Feb 13, 2012
Fire reported

MY TENANT'S VEHICLE - A 1994 FORD EXPLORER - SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN MY PROPERTY'S GARAGE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES AND DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS THE CAR ITSELF - LIKELY A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL VALVE ACCORDING TO THEM. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL CONDUCT ITS OWN INVESTIGATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10447825
Incident
Feb 11, 2012
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Nov 16, 2011

I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRUCK ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE NEXT EVENT I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR AND THE TRUCK ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IT, THE BRAKES WOULDN'T STOP IT, FINALLY I TURNED THE KEY OFF AND IT SHUT DOWN. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING ON AND OFF SINCE THEN. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, BUT, I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I CONTACTED FORD SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME IT COULD BE ALOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS, THEY NAMED OFF SOME PARTS AND I REPLACED ALOT OF THEM AND AM STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY DID SAY THEY HAVE HEARD OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS, BUT THEY WERE NOT ALL FOR THE SAME REASONS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10436124
Incident
Jul 11, 2011
Mileage
171,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Sep 28, 2011
Crash reported1 death reported

INVESTIGATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC COLLISION REVEALED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ON 1994 FORD EXPLORER (UNKNOWN MILES) MAY BECOME STUCK IN THE "FULL OPEN THROTTLE" POSITION. CONDITION OCCURS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM WEARS A SLIT IN THE RUBBER SOUND/HEAT INSLUATION ON THE FLOOR BOARD. AFTER THAT OCCURS, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS FULLY DEPRESSED, THE ARM CAN BECOME STUCK IN THE RUBBER. CONDITION WAS DISCOVERED DURING INVESTIGATION OF A FATAL CRASH. AFTER THE CONDITION WAS DISCOVERED, IT COULD BE EASILY AND REPEATEDLY REPLICATED. NOTE: FATALITY OCCURRED WHEN THE DRIVER, FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, EXITED THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS STILL IN MOTION AT UNKNOWN SPEED. DRIVER DIED UPON IMPACT WITH ROAD. VEHICLE CONTINUED OFF ROAD AND CAME TO REST, MOSTLY UNDAMAGED, IN A FIELD WELL OFF ROAD SURFACE. *TT

NHTSA ID
10427754
Incident
Sep 26, 2011

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

03181

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT

03148

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT

16735

SUSPENSION:REAR

VARIOUS NOISE ISSUES FROM THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS WHILE DRIVING. *TT

02142

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

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

01B77

TIRES

OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM SUPPLEMENT 7 REVISED INFORMATION - REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF WILDERNESS AT TIRES. *TT

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

Ford Explorer by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027010—
20262411055.9
20259219060.8
20241910060.0
202310315061.6
202225524269.1
202140926266.8
20201,18733367.6
20192896161.2
20187177266.0
20171,67214265.6
20162,43915261.3
20151,7689567.2
20141,6727462.5
20132,22812664.3
20128227461.5
20111,1958463.1
20101152155.3
2009331045.6
20081483152.2
20072083152.1
20066304047.1
20054973254.7
20041,3044459.5
20031,1317360.0
20023,29410762.5
200137512265.6
200095215466.1
19991,34815665.4
19981,95914867.4
19971,73112666.6
19961,45011366.9
199584312666.2
1994Viewing1,20771368.2
199393991468.0
199263371467.7
1991609111768.5
1990120247.9
1989101—
1988401—
1987301—
1986301—
1985100—
1984100—
1977200—

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.