1994 Ford Explorer
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1986 | 3 |
| 1987 | 3 |
| 1988 | 4 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 12 |
| 1991 | 609 |
| 1992 | 633 |
| 1993 | 939 |
| 1994 | 1207 |
| 1995 | 843 |
| 1996 | 1450 |
| 1997 | 1731 |
| 1998 | 1959 |
| 1999 | 1348 |
| 2000 | 952 |
| 2001 | 375 |
| 2002 | 3293 |
| 2003 | 1131 |
| 2004 | 1304 |
| 2005 | 497 |
| 2006 | 630 |
| 2007 | 208 |
| 2008 | 147 |
| 2009 | 33 |
| 2010 | 115 |
| 2011 | 1192 |
| 2012 | 820 |
| 2013 | 2222 |
| 2014 | 1669 |
| 2015 | 1748 |
| 2016 | 2424 |
| 2017 | 1656 |
| 2018 | 706 |
| 2019 | 281 |
| 2020 | 1155 |
| 2021 | 393 |
| 2022 | 242 |
| 2023 | 99 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 87 |
| 2026 | 16 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
16% of complaints: tires — 199 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATH12% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 150 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED THREE TIMES, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT. *SKD
NHTSA ODI report, 19950112
10% of complaints: tires — 118 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20131110
7% of complaints: structure — 81 distinct reports on file.
FIRE INJURY3% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 35 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHSAFETY TIMELINE
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.
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 W
Campaign 94V169001 — check if this car was fixed
BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER/BOOSTER SEPARATION
SEPARATION OF MASTER CYLINDER
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THE
Remedy: FORD DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS.
Campaign 95I007000 — check if this car was fixed
WHEEL LOCKUP WITH ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
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 CA
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.
Campaign 96V024001 — check if this car was fixed
BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
DRIVER DOOR ELECTRICAL FIRE
SUNROOF SHATTERING AND SEPARATION
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 ADJACEN
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IN-LINE 10 AMP FUSE IN THE POSITIVE BATTERY FEED TO THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH ASSEMBLY.
Campaign 97V083000 — check if this car was fixed
HEAVY LATERAL VIBRATION
HEATER BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRE
BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRES
BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRES
LIFTGATE SUPPORT BRACKET FAILURE
SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET WELDS COULD FRACTURE.
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.
Campaign 99V310001 — check if this car was fixed
SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE
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 TIR
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.
Campaign 00T005000 — check if this car was fixed
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 WILDERN
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.
Campaign 01X001000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1994 Ford Explorer — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for tires issues (199 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (150 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for tires issues (118 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 94V169001 (parking brake) has been completed.
- Verify recall 95I007000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V024001 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 97V083000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V310001 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00T005000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01X001000 (tires) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1994 Ford Explorer reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1994 Ford Explorer is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1994 Ford Explorer?
The most-reported component is tires:tread/belt, accounting for 16% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1994 Ford Explorer have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.