Model year record

1994 Ford Explorer

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

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

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.