1994 Ford Explorer

1,207 complaints on file, page 1 of 61.

1. Filed Jul 2, 2020Failure Jun 2, 2020Franklin, NCBody, Unknown or other

   I LOOKED UP MY VEHICLE AND IT HAS A RECALL AND I WANT IT FIXED. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 11337134
2. Filed Jul 1, 2018Failure Oct 4, 2017180,000 milesEthel, WVPower train

   PURCHASED VEHICLE TRANSMISSION OUT,CAME WITH REBUILT TRANSMISSION,INSTALLED,LASTED ABOUT 1 YEAR.KEPT BLOWING FRONT SEALS.ALWAYS HEATED UP GOING UPHILL.NEXT TRANSMISSION,SAME STORY.SERVICED REGULAR,WITH FILTER CHANGE.CURRENT TRANSMISSION IN TRANS. SHOP,BURNT UP,NEW CLUTCHES,BANDS,SEALS,YOU NAME IT.IT STILL WILL NOT SHIFT CORRECTY DUE TO SERVO PISTON FAILURE,THAT ALSO NEEDS FIXED.A4LD TRANSMISSION IN TOO SMALL FOR THE EXPLORER VEHICLE.I LIKE THE VEHICLE IN GENERAL,EVEN INSTALLED MANUAL LOCKOUTS TO HELP THIS SIDUATION.THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD GOOD CARE,BUT TO NO AVAIL.I BELIEVE THAT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR PRESENTING THE AMERICAN CONSUMER WITH SUCH BAD DRIVETRAIN SIDUATIION,THAT I AM SURE THAT THEY BOTH KNEW ABOUT,AND JUST DID NOT CARE.IT LEFT ME,A SERVICE CONNECTED DISABLED VETERAN,ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY,MANY TIMES.EVEN ON MY WAY TO THE VA HOSPITAL.REGUARDS

   NHTSA complaint 11104957
3. Filed Aug 23, 2014Failure Aug 19, 2014Norwood, NYExterior lightingCrash1 injured

   HIGH BEAMS ACT AS LOW BEAMS ALL THE TIME, UNLESS YOU PULL THE BRIGHTS TOWARDS YOU AND HOLD WHICH IS ALSO A FATALITY. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10627689
4. Filed Jul 18, 2014Failure May 13, 2013190,000 milesSanford, NCFuel system, GasolineFire1 injured

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, AN ODOR OF GASOLINE FUMES EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED BRONCHIAL HEALTH ISSUES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION AS A RESULT FROM INHALING THE FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

   NHTSA complaint 10614481
5. Filed Nov 10, 2013Failure Apr 10, 199624,000 milesCA, CATires

   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. WHILE I WAS PASSING SLOW TRUCK IN TWO HIGHWAY TRYING TO GET BACK IN THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK ONE OF THE FRONT TIRES EXPLODED I LOST CONTROL OF THE 1994 FORD EXPLORER GOT ON THE DIRT THE CAR WAS AIRBORNE LANDED TURN GOD KNOWS HOW MANY TIMES AND LANDED ON THE SIDE. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10551694
6. Filed Feb 13, 2012Failure Feb 11, 2012Dallas, TXEngine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed controlFire

   MY TENANT'S VEHICLE - A 1994 FORD EXPLORER - SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN MY PROPERTY'S GARAGE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES AND DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS THE CAR ITSELF - LIKELY A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL VALVE ACCORDING TO THEM. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL CONDUCT ITS OWN INVESTIGATION. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10447825
7. Filed Nov 16, 2011Failure Jul 11, 2011171,000 milesLargo, FLEngine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control

   I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRUCK ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE NEXT EVENT I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR AND THE TRUCK ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP IT, THE BRAKES WOULDN'T STOP IT, FINALLY I TURNED THE KEY OFF AND IT SHUT DOWN. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING ON AND OFF SINCE THEN. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, BUT, I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. I CONTACTED FORD SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME IT COULD BE ALOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS, THEY NAMED OFF SOME PARTS AND I REPLACED ALOT OF THEM AND AM STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY DID SAY THEY HAVE HEARD OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS, BUT THEY WERE NOT ALL FOR THE SAME REASONS. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10436124
8. Filed Sep 28, 2011Failure Sep 26, 2011Evansville, INFuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed controlCrash1 killed

   INVESTIGATION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE TRAFFIC COLLISION REVEALED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ON 1994 FORD EXPLORER (UNKNOWN MILES) MAY BECOME STUCK IN THE "FULL OPEN THROTTLE" POSITION. CONDITION OCCURS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM WEARS A SLIT IN THE RUBBER SOUND/HEAT INSLUATION ON THE FLOOR BOARD. AFTER THAT OCCURS, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS FULLY DEPRESSED, THE ARM CAN BECOME STUCK IN THE RUBBER. CONDITION WAS DISCOVERED DURING INVESTIGATION OF A FATAL CRASH. AFTER THE CONDITION WAS DISCOVERED, IT COULD BE EASILY AND REPEATEDLY REPLICATED. NOTE: FATALITY OCCURRED WHEN THE DRIVER, FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, EXITED THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS STILL IN MOTION AT UNKNOWN SPEED. DRIVER DIED UPON IMPACT WITH ROAD. VEHICLE CONTINUED OFF ROAD AND CAME TO REST, MOSTLY UNDAMAGED, IN A FIELD WELL OFF ROAD SURFACE. *TT

   NHTSA complaint 10427754
9. Filed Jan 29, 2011Failure Jan 26, 2011286,000 milesSAN Antonio, TXBody, Tires, Vehicle speed controlFire

   WHILE DRIVING I TURNED ON AIR CONDITIONER AND IMMEDIATELY LIGHT SMOKE BEGAN OUT OF AIR CONDITIONING VENTS AND THEN THE NEXT MOMENT THE SMOKE WAS EXTREMELY HEAVY OUT OF THE VENTS AND THEN VISIBLE FIRE UNDERNEATH FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITED, 10 MINUTES LATER IT WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *LN

   NHTSA complaint 10379515
10. Filed Jan 5, 2011Failure Jan 5, 2011185,876 milesRobins, IAElectrical systemFire

    1994 FORD EXPLORER HAD SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE AIR-CONDITIONER VENTS INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, SLIGHT AT FIRST, THEN SO HEAVY THAT FORWARD VISIBILITY WAS OBSCURED. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, A SMALL FIRE WAS SEEN BURNING THE PLASTIC EVAPORATOR COVER WHERE THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR ASSEMBLY IS MOUNTED IN THE EVAPORATOR COVER. SOME SNOW THROWN ON THE FIRE PUT IT OUT. THE BLOWER MOTOR APPEARS TO BE SHORTED OR MAYBE JAMMED FROM ROTATING, CAUSING THE RESISTOR TO GET HOTTER THAN NORMAL, IGNITING THE PLASTIC COVER. MAYBE LEAVES OR OTHER FLAMMABLE DEBRIS CONTACTED THE RESISTOR, BUT I CAN'T TELL AS THE FLAMES BURNED UP ANYTHING IN THE AREA AROUND THE RESISTOR ASSEMBLY. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOP, IN SPITE OF VERY LIMITED VISIBILITY IN THE HEAVY SMOKE. I WAS ON A SLOW SPEED, LOW TRAFFIC CITY STREET. THE RESULTS WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE IF THE FIRE OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE BLOWER MOTOR WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION WHEN I REMOVE AND REPLACE IT TO TRY AND GET THE AIR SYSTEM WORKING FOR HEAT AT LEAST. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10374872
11. Filed May 25, 2010Failure Mar 23, 2010ELK River, MNExterior lighting

    LIGHT CONTROL SWITCH HEATS UP SO HOT THAT WIRES AND PLUG IN MELT,BURN AND CRACK CAUSING LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE THAT COULD GO UNKNOWN CAUSING A CRASH OR FIRE. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10332098
12. Filed Apr 1, 2010Failure Mar 25, 2010200,000 milesScotts Mills, OREngine and engine coolingFire

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, DARK SMOKE BEGAN EMITTING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF WHICH IMMEDIATELY BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10323374
13. Filed Feb 11, 2010Failure Jan 7, 2010150,000 milesGuerneville, CAElectrical systemFire

    WHILE DRIVING, THE SUV CAUGHT FIRE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMED BY FLAMES IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES. ALTHOUGH MANY MAKES AND MODELS OF FORDS HAVE BEEN RECALLED ( FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL - POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD), THE 1994 FORD EXPLORER HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10308714
14. Filed Oct 15, 2009Failure Oct 13, 2009175,000 milesSalamanta, NYEngine and engine coolingFire

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE FIRE INSPECTOR WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 175,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10288536
15. Filed Oct 14, 2009Failure Oct 6, 2009Phoenix, AZVehicle speed controlCrash

    THE GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AT A HIGHER THAN NORMAL SPEED IN AN APARTMENT PARKING LOT, WHICH CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO RUN INTO THE APARTMENT BUILDING AND CAUSED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE AND FRONT END DAMAGE TO THE EXPLORER. IT IS INOPERABLE AT THIS TIME DUE TO THIS INCIDENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS MADE AND INSURANCE COMPANY NOTIFIED. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10287417
16. Filed Oct 12, 2009Failure Sep 28, 1999150,000 milesLanesville, INService brakes, Hydraulic

    I DRIVE A 1994 FORD EXPLORER 4X4. MY COMPLAINT IS WITH THE FRONT BRAKES. WHEN THE INNER BRAKE PADS WEAR TO A CERTAIN POINT, THEY FALL OUT OF THE CHANNELS THAT THEY SLIDE IN CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, ALL THAT IS LEFT TO STOP THE VEHICLE IS THE PISTON OF THE BRAKE CALIPER. THERE IS NO WEAR INDICATOR TO WARN THE DRIVER THAT DISC PADS ARE WORN OUT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10287088
17. Filed Jun 15, 2009Failure Jun 10, 2009Pittsburgh, PAManifold/header/muffler/tail pipe, Suspension

    MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS IS AND I HAVE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH IT . I NEED ROCKER PANELS , 3 BALL JOINTS AND A NEW MUFFLER. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10273856
18. Filed Mar 3, 2009Failure Feb 28, 2009170,000 milesLOS Angeles, CABody1 injured

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE BRACKETS FRACTURED AND THE GLASS FELL OUT AND STRUCK HER ON THE HEAD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V310001 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $200 FOR THE REPAIR. CURRENTLY, THE WINDOW CAN NO LONGER BE OPENED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 170,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10260565
19. Filed Feb 25, 2009Failure May 24, 2006Rehoboth, MATread/beltCrash3 injured1 killed

    RECALLED FIRESTONE ATX AND WILDERNESS TIRES. **NAR** *NJ THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH WHEN THE LEFT REAR TIRE SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC TREAD BELT SEPARATION. THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND SUBSEQUENTLY ROLLED WHICH CAUSED A FATAL HEAD INJURY TO A RESTRAINED 12 YEAR OLD OCCUPANT. IT WAS ALSO STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRES WERE ALSO DEFECTIVE AND THEY TOO SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM VEHICLES. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10260108
20. Filed Jul 9, 2008Failure Jul 8, 2008Mead, WATires

    WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE HAD COMPLETE TREAD-SEPARATION, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE, AND FLATTENING THE REAR LEFT TIRE. ALTHOUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE HAD COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION, IT REMAINS INFLATED. THE DEFECTIVE TIRE, AS WELL AS ALL TIRES ON THE VEHICLE, HAD PLENTY OF TREAD LEFT, PASSING BOTH THE PENNY AND QUARTER TEST, WERE PROPERLY INFLATED, AND SHOW NO CRACKING OR WEARING. ALL THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AT THE SAME TIME AND ARE TOYO RADIAL OPEN COUNTRY P235/75R15. A STEVENS COUNTY POLICE OFFICER WITNESSED THE TREAD SEPARATION AND STOPPED TO HELP. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10233642