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1991 Ford ExplorerProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 609 owner complaints about the 1991 Ford Explorer, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 8 safety recalls.

59
CarFlaw IndexSolid year30% below the Explorer median · #20 of 34 years by complaints
Safety recalls8Free fix at dealersOwner complaints609149 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage145kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 20, 2021. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1991 Ford Explorer has problems

609 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic11817
Tires10219
Power train699
Engine and engine cooling5215
Electrical system5232
Suspension331
Visibility323
Structure313
Vehicle speed control309
15 other systems14929

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

8 recalls

1991 Ford Explorer recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Body: roof and pillars

Recall 97V-235 · Dec 18, 1997 · 185,000 vehicles

Risk. UNEXPECTED SEPARATION OF THE SUNROOF GLASS PANEL COULD POSSIBLY DISTRACT THE DRIVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front: buckle assembly

Recall 92V-113 · Aug 17, 1992 · 565,000 vehicles

Risk. AN INSUFFICIENTLY LATCHED OR UNLATCHED SAFETY BELTINCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO SEAT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 91V-189 · Nov 4, 1991 · 792,000 vehicles

Risk. DRIVER MAY BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS SAFELY ENGAGED IN PARKWHEN THE GEAR IS NOT TRULY ENGAGED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 4 more recalls
–no report yet

Body: bumpers

Recall 91V-026 · Feb 12, 1991 · 220,000 vehicles

Risk. UNDER EXTREME CONDITIONS, BUMPER COULD SEPARATE FROM THEVEHICLE WHEN USING A BUMPER MOUNTED TRAILER HITCH BALL.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Storage: tank assembly

Recall 91V-025 · Feb 11, 1991 · 18,000 vehicles

Risk. THE ESCAPED VAPOR OR LEAKED FUEL COULD CAUSE A FIRE INTHE PRESENCE OF A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Storage: tank assembly

Recall 91V-024 · Feb 11, 1991 · 25,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS PENETRATION OF THE FUEL TANK CAUSES VAPORS TO ESCAPEAND POSSIBLY FUEL TO SPILL, WHICH COULD CATCH FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF ANIGNITION SOURCE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

Recall 90V-098 · May 21, 1990 · 2,500 vehicles

Risk. SUNROOF COULD DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE BEING DRIVEN,CREATING A RISK TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES OR PEOPLE IN THE VICINITY, OR TO VEHICLEOCCUPANTS IF THE GLASS…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1991 vs. every other Explorer year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Explorer median. How we score

'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1991 Ford Explorer safety ratings

1991 Ford Explorer 4-DR. 4x4 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
17 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1991 Ford Explorer, and the recalls they led to.

  1. HEAVY LATERAL VIBRATIONDP98001 · closed Feb 4, 1998
    No recall
  2. SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLEEA00012 · closed Oct 20, 2000
    No recall
  3. THROTTLE RELEASE FAILUREEA91034 · closed Apr 10, 1992
    No recall
  4. VACUUM BOOSTR VALVE FAILSEA91040 · closed Aug 17, 1992
    No recall
  5. THROTTLE STICKINGEA93003 · closed Jan 6, 1994
    No recall
  6. SEPARATION OF MASTER CYLINDEREA95018 · closed Apr 2, 1996
    Led to recall 96V-024
  7. SUNROOF SHATTERING AND SEPARATIONEA97011 · closed Jan 20, 1998
    Led to recall 97V-235
  8. THROTTLE RELEASE FAILUREPE91058 · closed Jul 22, 1991
    No recall
  9. VACUUM BOOSTR VALVE FAILSPE91084 · closed Oct 3, 1991
    No recall
  10. PARK PAWL BENDINGPE91127 · closed Nov 8, 1991
    Led to recall 91V-189
  11. WHL SEPARATION/TORQUE LOSSPE92029 · closed Aug 31, 1992
    No recall
  12. FRONT SEAT TRACK FAILUREPE92084 · closed Feb 26, 1993
    No recall
  13. ENGINE COOLING FAN CRACKSPE94044 · closed Aug 31, 1994
    No recall
  14. BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER/BOOSTER SEPARATIONPE95001 · closed Jun 19, 1995
    No recall
  15. SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLEPE99072 · closed Apr 14, 2000
    No recall
  16. PARKING PAWLRQ97015 · closed Apr 1, 1999
    Led to recall 91V-189
  17. LIFTGATE SUPPORT BRACKET FAILURERQ99016 · still open
    Led to recall 99V-310
In owners' words

What Explorer owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, THEN THE FRONT MAIN SEAL. IT HASN'T BEEN TWO MONTHS AND THEN MY HEATER CORE WENT OUT AND AT THE SAME TIME MY HEATER FAN. ALSO, BEFORE THE FRONT MAIN SEAL WENT OUT THE ROTORS WENT BAD AND I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS HAS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN A YEARS TIME.…
Complaint 10106282 · Jan 13, 2005
VEHICLE IS A 1991 FORD EXPLORER XLT EDDIE BAUER EDITION, 4X4 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSAXLE, 4.0L V6. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH REAR-WHEEL ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. BOTH REAR WHEELS PERFORM UNCOMMANDED FULL LOCKUP AFTER MEDIUM APPLICATION OF BRAKE PEDAL. CONDITION PERSISTS EVEN WHEN PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IS…
Complaint 10082713 · Jul 26, 2004 · 130,000 miles
I BOUGHT A 1991 FORD EXPLORER 1 1/2 YEARS AGO FROM A NEIGHBOR WHO SAID HE WAS TIRED OF PUTTING BRAKES ON IT. SINCE HE HAD JUST DONE IT AGAIN, I DIDN'T EXPECT ANY TROUBLE FOR A WHILE. 17,000 MILES LATER, ALL BRAKE PADS, CALIPERS ETC., NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. IT IS AVERAGING 20,000 MILES ON THIS…
Complaint 10049517 · Dec 10, 2003 · 160,300 miles

Own a 1991 Explorer?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.