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1995 Ford Explorer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1995 Ford Explorer do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 609.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 97 of 843 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Tires. Review the 205 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

84 crash reports32 fire reports69 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

45 reports
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187,000 miles · May 11, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED, AND WHILE HE WAS IN HIS HOUSE HE HEARD A NOISE AND WITHIN SECONDS THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THE FIRE REPORT WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED, AND WHILE HE WAS IN HIS HOUSE HE HEARD A NOISE AND WITHIN SECONDS THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THE FIRE REPORT WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILES WERE 187,000.

NHTSA ODI #10399997

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSuspension

CONSUMER'S CONCERN OVER THE HANDLING BY FORD MOTOR COMPANIES OF THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH RECALL.*MR ONE NOV 11, 2003 THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING AND THE CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER FUNCTIONED. THE DEALER QUOTED THE CONSUMER $5000 TO FIX THE…

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CONSUMER'S CONCERN OVER THE HANDLING BY FORD MOTOR COMPANIES OF THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH RECALL.*MR ONE NOV 11, 2003 THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING AND THE CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER FUNCTIONED. THE DEALER QUOTED THE CONSUMER $5000 TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DECLINED THE REPAIR, PURCHASED THE PART HIMSELF AND REPLACED IT HIMSELF. THE CONSUMER RECENTLY HEARD ABOUT THE RECALL AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF HE COULD RECOVER THE MONEY HE SPENT TO REPLACE THE FAULTY PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED STALL DURING ACCELERATION, EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR, PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10138798

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

PEP BOY PART FAILURE.*MR WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, CONSUMER LOSS COMPLETE POWER. THE TENSION PULLEY HAD DISINTEGRATED. THIS WAS THE SAME TENSION PULLEY WHICH WAS INSTALLED BY PEP BOYS 7 MONTHS PRIOR TO FAILURE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10133474

91,000 miles · Aug 4, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

1995 FORD EXPLORER STALLS WITHOUT WARING AT ANY GIVEN TIME,WHETHER AT IDLE OR DURING ACCELERATION. HAS BEEN CHECKED OUT BY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE NO PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN FOUND.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10030790

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

THERE WOULD BE A KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE AND THIS CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE WHILE DRIVING. THE SPEED COULD VARY FOR THE KNOCKING BUT WHEN VEHICLE IS OVER 40MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE. HAVE TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND INDICATED NO RECALLS. WOULD NOT REPAIR VEHICLE FOR FREE. TS

NHTSA ODI #8021581

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE STALLED AT 35 MPH WHILE SLOWING DOWN. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8012807

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE CONSUMER HEARD A POP AND SAW SMOKE IN THE REAR, PULLED VEHICLE OVER AND FIRE ENGULFED FROM UNDER HOOD, POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE. *JG

NHTSA ODI #563987

Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

I RETAINED THE OLD PART FOR YOUR INSPECTION. I ALSO HAVE PHOTOS OF THE PART I EMAIL YOU. WHEN THIS NON-SERVICABLE PART BROKE, RAW EXHAUST BLEW THROUGH THE FIREWALL AND GASSED US OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THERE IS A POTENTIAL CARBON MONOXIDE HAZARD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #756790

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VEHICLE LOSES POWER, CONSUMER STATES ITS LIKE SHE TAKES HER FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND BY THE TIME SHE PULLS OVER, THE VEHICLE RUNS LIKE NORMAL, NOONE CAN DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #894627

Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

SAFETY DEFECT. ENGINE STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES AFTER STARTING IN HOT WEATHER. STALLED IN MOVING TRAFFIC. SAME PROBLEM PREVIOUS SUMMER. JUL 31, 2001 DEALERSHIP REPLACED VALVE ASSEMBLY-IDLE AIR CONTROL, VALUE ASY-THROTTLE AIR BY-PASS FOR $230. PREVIOUSLY PAID $590 FOR SAME SYMPTOM AND NOT FIXED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #749975

Official recalls

5

09V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Oct 13, 2009

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

00V402000 · Suspension

Nov 28, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A FRONT SWAY BAR LINK CAN FRACTURE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS.

99V310001 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut

Nov 3, 1999

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

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

95V052000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Mar 15, 1995

IN SOME OF THE VEHICLES, BRAKE TUBES WERE MISROUTED BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT AND RESULTS IN EXCEEDING THE ALLOWABLE STOPPING DISTANCES AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." IN ADDITION, SEALS WITHIN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD BE ABRADED BY THIS CONDITION OVER TIME RESULTING IN AN INTERNAL LEAK AND A FURTHER REDUCTION IN BRAKE PERFORMANCE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: STOPPING DISTANCES COULD BE LONGER THAN INTENDED RESULTING IN INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE BRAKE TUBES.

95V053000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

Mar 15, 1995

THE INNER TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND CAN FRACTURE CAUSING SHAKING OR SHIMMY AT LOW SPEEDS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE WHEEL ON THE SIDE WITH THE BROKEN TIE ROD TO TUCK INWARD OR OUTWARD AND SLIDE RESULTING IN AN INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INNER TIE RODS AND REPLACE THE SUSPECT TIE RODS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

6

EA02011 · Safety Belt Assembly Failure

Opened Jul 2, 2002 · Closed May 21, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

ODI RECEIVED 18 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND FORD IDENTIFIED ANOTHER FOUR REPORTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS INDICATE INABILITY TO LATCH THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAUSED BY A BROKEN LATCH RELEASE SPRING.NONE OF THESE 22 REPORTS RESULTED IN ANY INJURIES OR CRASHES.NO COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS.FORD CONDUCTED LIFE-CYCLE TESTING ON 6 FIELD SAMPLE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.THE RESULTS OF THAT TESTING DEMONSTRATED THAT THE TESTED BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES COULD BE EXPECTED TO OPERATE PROPERLY BEYOND THE EXPECTED LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.BASED ON THE LIMITED NUMBER OF REPORTS AND COMPLAINTS RECEIVED, AND A DECLINING COMPLAINT TREND, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXIST DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

PE02007 · Safety Belt Assembly

Opened Jan 23, 2002 · Closed Jul 2, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

No summary supplied.

PE00039 · Front Suspension Stabilizer Bar Link

Opened Sep 20, 2000 · Closed Nov 30, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

There is no summary currently available

PE99068 · Accelerator Pedal

Opened Nov 1, 1999 · Closed Mar 9, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

There is no summary currently available

RQ99016 · Liftgate Support Bracket Failure

Opened Jul 29, 1999 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Structure

SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER 1995, FOR 1991-1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THOSE BRACKET THAT WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE OR DETACHED.THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN OCTOBER 1996. SINCE NOVEMBER 1996, ODI HAS RECEIVED 51 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LIFTGATE FAILURES CAUSED BY THE BRACKET SEPARATION, OF WHICH 19 REPORTED THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE OCCUPANT CAUSING 12 INJURIES.ONE COMPLAINT WAS ON 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, THREE COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1993 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, AND 47 COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 95V-164.FORD AND MAZDA ARE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER RECALL NUMBER 99V-310.001/.002.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure

SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER 1995, FOR 1991-1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THOSE BRACKET THAT WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE OR DETACHED.THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN OCTOBER 1996. SINCE NOVEMBER 1996, ODI HAS RECEIVED 51 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LIFTGATE FAILURES CAUSED BY THE BRACKET SEPARATION, OF WHICH 19 REPORTED THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE OCCUPANT CAUSING 12 INJURIES.ONE COMPLAINT WAS ON 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, THREE COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1993 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, AND 47 COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 95V-164.FORD AND MAZDA ARE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER RECALL NUMBER 99V-310.001/.002.

Structure

SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER 1995, FOR 1991-1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THOSE BRACKET THAT WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE OR DETACHED.THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN OCTOBER 1996. SINCE NOVEMBER 1996, ODI HAS RECEIVED 51 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LIFTGATE FAILURES CAUSED BY THE BRACKET SEPARATION, OF WHICH 19 REPORTED THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE OCCUPANT CAUSING 12 INJURIES.ONE COMPLAINT WAS ON 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, THREE COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1993 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, AND 47 COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 95V-164.FORD AND MAZDA ARE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER RECALL NUMBER 99V-310.001/.002.

PE97010 · Electrical Fire In Center Console

Opened Mar 13, 1997 · Closed Sep 4, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

THIS INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT CONSOLE FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MOST OFTEN OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE LAMP OUTAGE MODULE (LOM), WHICH IS PART OF THE MESSAGE CENTER, WERE TOWING A TRAILER AND WHICH HAD BEEN MODIFIED BY ADDING AN AFTERMARKET TRAILER WIRING HARNESS INTO THE VEHICLE'S TAILLIGHT CIRCUITS.THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES NEVER AND MORE THAN OTHER TRAILER LIGHT BULB TO ONE CIRCUIT HOWEVER TRAILERS FREQUENTLY CONTAIN SEVERAL BULBS.THE RESULTING EXCESS CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE LOM COULD CAUSE IT TO OVERHEAT RESULTING IN A FIRE.PROPER AFTERMARKET INSTALLATION OF TRAILER WIRING REQUIRES THE USE OF A BYPASS MODULE, WHICH OBTAINS POWER FOR THE TRAILER LIGHTS DIRECTLY FROM THE BATTERY RATHER THAN FROM THE VEHICLE'S TAIL LIGHT AND STOP LAMP CIRCUITS, OR THE USE OF THE MANUFACTURER'S WIRING HARNESS.IN A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 2, 1997, FORD NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT INTENDS TO TAKE ACTION TO PRECLUDE FURTHER INCIDENTS INCLUDING ISSUING A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO ITS DEALERS, NOTIFYING TRAILER RENTAL ASSOCIATIONS AND AGENCIES WHERE KNOWN, AND ADVISING OWNERS BY LETTER OF THE PROPER METHOD FOR CONNECTION OF TRAILER TOW WIRING ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE WAS NO DEFECT TREND IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IDENTIFIED AS A RESULT OF THIS INVESTIGATION, AND FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT WARRANTED TO CONTINUE THE INVESTIGATION.

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