1994 Ford Explorer

◆ Worse than typical
1994 Ford Explorer
BUILT 2026-08-02

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Explorer Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1994 highlighted. 1984: 1 complaints 1984 1985: 1 complaints 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 4 complaints 1989: 1 complaints 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 609 complaints 1992: 633 complaints 1993: 939 complaints 1994: 1207 complaints 1994 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1450 complaints 1996 1997: 1731 complaints 1998: 1959 complaints 1999: 1348 complaints 2000: 952 complaints 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3293 complaints 2002 2003: 1131 complaints 2004: 1304 complaints 2005: 497 complaints 2006: 630 complaints 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 147 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2011: 1192 complaints 2012: 820 complaints 2013: 2222 complaints 2014: 1669 complaints 2014 2015: 1748 complaints 2016: 2424 complaints 2017: 1656 complaints 2018: 706 complaints 2019: 281 complaints 2020: 1155 complaints 2020 2021: 393 complaints 2022: 242 complaints 2023: 99 complaints 2024: 19 complaints 2025: 87 complaints 2026: 16 complaints 2026
1994: 1207 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19851
19863
19873
19884
19891
199012
1991609
1992633
1993939
19941207
1995843
19961450
19971731
19981959
19991348
2000952
2001375
20023293
20031131
20041304
2005497
2006630
2007208
2008147
200933
2010115
20111192
2012820
20132222
20141669
20151748
20162424
20171656
2018706
2019281
20201155
2021393
2022242
202399
202419
202587
202616

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

TIRES 16%

16% of complaints: tires — 199 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 12%

12% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 150 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED THREE TIMES, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT. *SKD

NHTSA ODI report, 19950112

TIRES 10%

10% of complaints: tires — 118 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show 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

STRUCTURE 7%

7% of complaints: structure — 81 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3%

3% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 35 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH

SAFETY TIMELINE

1994 — complaint volume: 1207
R 19941216 — parking brake

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

I 19950103 — PE (closed 19950619)

BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER/BOOSTER SEPARATION

I 19950619 — EA (closed 19960402)

SEPARATION OF MASTER CYLINDER

R 19951025 — structure

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

I 19960228 — PE (closed 19960724)

WHEEL LOCKUP WITH ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM

R 19960322 — service brakes, hydraulic

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

I 19960724 — EA (closed 19991029)

BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION

I 19961122 — PE (closed 19970515)

DRIVER DOOR ELECTRICAL FIRE

I 19970523 — EA (closed 19980120)

SUNROOF SHATTERING AND SEPARATION

R 19970604 — visibility

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

I 19980106 — DP (closed 19980204)

HEAVY LATERAL VIBRATION

I 19980904 — DP (closed 19980911)

HEATER BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRE

I 19980904 — PE (closed 19990115)

BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRES

I 19990115 — EA (closed 20000418)

BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRES

I 19990729 — RQ (open)

LIFTGATE SUPPORT BRACKET FAILURE

I 19991130 — PE (closed 20000414)

SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE

R 20000103 — structure

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

I 20000414 — EA (closed 20001020)

SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE

R 20000826 — tires

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

R 20010604 — tires

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

▲ 2009 ▲ 2025 ▲ 2023

WORST YEARS

■ 2002 ■ 2016 ■ 2013

See all years ranked →

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.