Model year record

1992 Ford Explorer

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 850 owner complaints on file.

Ford Explorer, 1991–1994 generation
Pictured: the 1991–1994 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V235001

Structure: body: roof and pillars

Component
Structure: body: roof and pillars
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
185,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-12-18
Owners notified
1998-03-02

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INSTALLED SUNROOF. THE SUNROOF GLASS PANEL ASSEMBLY CAN SEPARATE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING DUE TO INCORRECT HINGE ENGAGEMENT. THIS WAS CAUSED BY IMPROPER SUNROOF INSTALLATION OF THE GLASS PANEL.

Safety risk

UNEXPECTED SEPARATION OF THE SUNROOF GLASS PANEL COULD POSSIBLY DISTRACT THE DRIVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN INSTRUCTION BOOKLET WHICH THOROUGHLY OUTLINES, WITH ILLUSTRATIONS, THE PROPER PROCEDURES FOR THE REMOVAL, STORAGE, AND REINSTALLATION OF THE SUNROOF'S GLASS PANEL. A WARNING LABEL FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE SUNROOF'S LATCH KNOB WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED TO THE OWNERS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V083000

Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices

Component
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
610,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-05-05
Owners notified
1997-06-04

Defect description

A SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITION CAN OCCUR IN THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH CIRCUIT BOARD AS A RESULT OF A SEPARATED PART OF THE CONTACT ASSEMBLY BRIDGING THE SWITCH POSITIVE BATTERY PAD AND ADJACENT CHASSIS GROUND PAD.

Safety risk

THE CURRENT CAN OVERHEAT THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND OTHER PLASTIC AND ELASTOMERIC COMPONENTS OF THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN SMOKE OR FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IN-LINE 10 AMP FUSE IN THE POSITIVE BATTERY FEED TO THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V024001

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
108,000
Reported to NHTSA
1996-02-05
Owners notified
1996-03-22

Defect description

THE STUDS WHICH ATTACH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AFTER BEING OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATION.

Safety risk

IF A CRACK OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH STUDS FRACTURING. THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VACUUM BOOSTER, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, PREVENTING THE SERVICE BRAKES FROM ACTIVATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V164001

Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut

Component
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
364,784
Reported to NHTSA
1995-08-25
Owners notified
1995-08-30

Defect description

THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDERS ARE ATTACHED TO BRACKETS THAT ARE WELDED TO THE LIFTGATE. THE BRACKET WELDS CAN FRACTURE.

Safety risk

WITH A BROKEN BRACKET WELD, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE LIFTGATE BRACKET TO GRADUALLY BEND INWARD ALLOWING THE LIFT CYLINDERBALL STUD TO DISENGAGE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Tires: tread/belt71125,508 mi
Tires62—
Power train: automatic transmission41153,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip41—
Engine and engine cooling: engine38103,000 mi
Suspension: front34130,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline21—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut20—
Power train: manual transmission19—
Suspension19—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor18—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly18—
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack17—
Structure: body: door17—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components15—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder15—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly14120,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system12—
Seats1170,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner10—
Vehicle speed control10—
Electrical system: ignition: switch962,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads9—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings9—
Electrical system8105,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash880,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper8—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly7—
Electrical system: starter assembly6—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner6—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)6—
Structure6250,000 mi
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire664,500 mi
Electrical system: ignition5—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood5—
Seat belts5170,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage5—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar5—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system5—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments5—
Structure: frame and members5—
Unknown or other5—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery4—
Engine4444,980 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system4—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe4—
Fuel system, gasoline4162,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system430 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift4—
Power train: axle hubs4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum4—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices4125,000 mi
Wheels4126,135 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers3—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan3—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch3—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly380,000 mi
Power train3444,980 mi
Power train: clutch assembly3—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft3—
Seat belts: front: retractor3—
Service brakes, hydraulic394,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings3—
Structure: body3145,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate3—
Structure: body: tailgate3—
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments3—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar3—
Tires: sidewall321,400 mi
Visibility: windshield3—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables2—
Electrical system: starter assembly: solenoid2—
Engine and engine cooling2—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2—
Latches/locks/linkages2—
Parking brake: conventional2—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch2—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft2—
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light2—
Steering2130,000 mi
Steering: linkages2—
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm2—
Suspension: front: hub2150,000 mi
Suspension: rear: shock absorber2—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control2111,130 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element2—
Visibility: glass, side/rear2—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior298,000 mi
Wheels: hubcap/cover2—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2—
Air bags: frontal1—
Electrical system: wiring1100,000 mi
Electronic stability control: automatic (ASC)1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1103,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1—
Power train: axle assembly1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1—
Power train: driveline1—
Power train: driveline: universal joint1—
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly1—
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)1—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper1—
Service brakes, air: supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1220,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Steering: gear box: shaft sector1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: body: hood1—
Structure: body: roof and pillars1—
Suspension: front: control arm1—
Suspension: front: shock absorber1—
Suspension: front: springs: leaf spring assembly1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer1—
Wheels: hub1—
Wheels: rim1—

The 1991 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1993 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

RQ99016LIFTGATE SUPPORT BRACKET FAILURE

Structure

Other Ford Explorer model years

All Ford Explorer recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.