Model year record

1994 Ford Explorer

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,531 owner complaints on file.

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

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V310001

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

Component
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
470,582
Reported to NHTSA
1999-11-03
Owners notified
2000-01-03

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET WELDS COULD FRACTURE.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

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 94V169001

Parking brake: conventional

Component
Parking brake: conventional
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
835,791
Reported to NHTSA
1994-09-07
Owners notified
1994-12-16

Defect description

THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL SELF-ADJUST PAWL DOES NOT LINE UP PROPERLY WITH THE SELF-ADJUST RACHET CAUSING THE PAWL TO SLIP OVER ONE OR MORE TEETH IN THE RACHET.

Safety risk

WHEN THE ABOVE OCCURS, IT CAN RESULT IN PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM INEFFECTIVENESS. THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FREELY, IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT LEFT IN GEAR.

Manufacturer remedy

A WEDGE WILL BE INSTALLED WHICH WILL SERVE TO LOCK THE PARKING BRAKE SELF-ADJUST MECHANISM PAWL INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RACHET. ALSO, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO RELEASE AND REAPPLY THE PARKING BRAKE WHENEVER TOOTH SKIP OCCURS AND WILL BE REMINDED TO ALWAYS TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Tires: tread/belt23279,600 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip15488,500 mi
Tires13524,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut82—
Vehicle speed control3790,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission3221,782 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline31—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components26500 mi
Suspension2688,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2299 mi
Suspension: front22—
Electrical system21124,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2188,500 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system21—
Electrical system: ignition20114,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc18—
Structure: body: door17—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner16114,000 mi
Unknown or other15—
Seats1384,900 mi
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments13—
Parking brake: conventional1278,000 mi
Power train12180,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission12—
Electrical system: wiring1193,375 mi
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack11—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum11100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder11—
Structure: body: tailgate11—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1175,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1088,500 mi
Air bags: frontal9120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control988,500 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid9—
Tires: sidewall9108,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal957,103 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices9—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood890,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling8171,000 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments888,000 mi
Wheels8500 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash7114,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline7—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly7—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch7—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift7—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments7—
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire794,200 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock6—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch6—
Parking brake6—
Seats: front assembly: recliner6165,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock6—
Service brakes, hydraulic699 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar6—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly6—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery5—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe5—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump586,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system575,000 mi
Power train: axle hubs5—
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)575,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper588,500 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)5—
Suspension: front: control arm5—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core5—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs5—
Electrical system: ignition: module4—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers4114,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)4—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly4—
Seat belts: front: retractor4—
Steering499,999 mi
Structure: body4170,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate4—
Structure: body: hood4—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing442,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables457,103 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control4110,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor4—
Visibility: glass, side/rear4—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior478,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch3—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system3—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.3—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch3—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery3—
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch3—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch3—
Power train: axle assembly3—
Power train: driveline: universal joint3—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic3—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system3—
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm3—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint3—
Suspension: rear37,300 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element3—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior361,000 mi
Air bags2104,000 mi
Child seat297,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module2129,980 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system286,000 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift2—
Exterior lighting2—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap2—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter2—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft2—
Power train: clutch assembly2—
Power train: driveline: differential unit2—
Seat belts: rear/other2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum2—
Steering: linkages2—
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint2—
Suspension: front: shock absorber2—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar2—
Suspension: rear: springs2—
Tires: bead2—
Vehicle speed control: linkages2—
Visibility: windshield2—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2101,000 mi
Wheels: rim2—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1129,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1—
Equipment1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage180,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting1—
Fuel system, other1—
Fuel system, other: delivery1130,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Interior lighting1—
Latches/locks/linkages1—
Parking brake: conventional: air1—
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical1—
Parking brake: indicator light1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Seat belts1—
Seat belts: front1120,000 mi
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Service brakes, air: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, air: supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1120,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1—
Suspension: front: hub1—
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: motor1—

The 1993 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1995 model has about 1.5 times 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.