Complaints about the 1995 Ford Explorer peaked in 2000, with 247 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
SUV, gasoline, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Jan 3, 1995 to May 22, 2019.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09V-399 | Oct 13, 2009 | Scds may leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn | Speed control | 4,500,000 | Repair or modification |
| 09E-025 | May 11, 2009 | These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated… | Lighting | 42,540 | Refund or buyback |
| 09E-012 | Apr 7, 2009 | These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated… | Lighting | 16,270 | Refund or buyback |
| 06E-026 | Mar 23, 2006 | Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above | Lighting | 61,944 | Refund or buyback |
| 01X-001 | May 22, 2001 | This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act | Tires | 13,000,000 | Part replacement |
| 00V-402 | Nov 28, 2000 | Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles | Suspension | 810,000 | Part replacement |
| 00T-005 | Aug 21, 2000 | Tire description: firestone wilderness at, size p235/75r15, produced at the decatur, illinois tire plant and all firestone radial atx and radial… | Tires | 14,400,000 | Part replacement |
| 99V-310-001 | Nov 3, 1999 | Vehicle description: on certain sport utility vehicles, the hydraulic lift cylinder bracket welds could fracture | Structure | 470,582 | Repair or modification |
| 95I-007 | Jan 31, 1996 | Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles | Structure | 1,029,380 | Not stated |
| 95V-053 | Mar 15, 1995 | Inner tie rod assemblies were improperly manufactured and can fracture causing shaking or shimmy at low speeds | Steering | 49,300 | Part replacement |
| 95V-052 | 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… | Brakes | 8,100 | Repair or modification |
| 95E-006-002 | Feb 24, 1995 | Passenger side air bag has an inflator body that cracked during forming of the curl that retains the igniter plug in the end of the inflator | Airbags | 8,600 | Part replacement |
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
843 complaints on file, page 1 of 43.
THE STEERING COLUMN AND ALL THE PARTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE WERE AFFECTED WHEN THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE CLAMPS THAT SECURE THE BUSHINGS TO THE STEERING COLUMN BEGAN TO LOOSEN. I EXAMINED THE AREA CAREFULLY AND NOTICED THAT BECAUSE THE BOLTS LOOSENED, THE CLAMPS WERE GIVEN TOO MUCH PLAY. WITHIN A SHORT WHILE, A MONTH OR TWO, THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN AND THE SHIFTER WERE COMPLETELY SECURED BY ONE BROKEN CLAMP THAT HELD ITS PLACE BECAUSE OF THE BUSHINGS AND A LOOSE BOLT. THE OTHER CLAMP WAS ALSO BROKEN BUT WAS LAYING ON THE FLOOR BOARD. IT WASN'T AN EXPENSIVE FIX. I CUSTOMIZED A METAL CLAMP FOR EACH OF THE TWO PLACES THE WENT. THEY ARE THE SAME CLAMPS THE ELECTRICIANS USE TO SECURE CABLES AND WIRES TO THE WALLS AND CEILINGS. I USED THE ONES MADE FROM BRONZE. THEY ARE MORE PLIABLE TO SHAPE FOR AN ALMOST PERFECT FIT. WITH A LITTLE GREASE ABOVE AND BELOW THE BUSHINGS AND ALSO SOME WHERE THE NOW BRONZE CLAMPS HOLD THE BUSHINGS, I BELIEVE THAT THE STEERING COLUMN IS AS SAFE AS CAN BE. ALSO, THE PLASTIC THAT HOLDS THE CABLE THAT IS USED TO ADJUST THE SHIFT INDICATOR NEEDS TO BE MADE OF A DIFFERENT MATERIAL. I'LL GET TO THAT SOON.
NHTSA complaint 11209182I GOT IN MY CAR A BATTERY LESS THAN 2 WEEKS OLD WAS ALMOST DEAD NOTHING WAS PLUGGED IN OR ON I DROVE GOT ON THE FREEWAY ABOUT 20 MIN ON FREEWAY CAR STOPS WON'T MOVE MAKES REV NOISE EVENTUALLY STARTS LONG ENOUGH TO STOP AGAIN AT BOTTOM OF FREEWAY EXIT STARTS AGAIN GET IN INTO GAS STATION I SIT IN GAS STATION FOR ABOUT 12 HOURS ADD 5 QUARTS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID EVENTUALLY CAR WILL LET ME DRIVE ABOUT TWO BLOCKS BUT COME TO FIND OUT I WAS DRIVING WELL ON FIRE RACE TO GET MY DOG AND I OUT CAR CATCHES COMPLETELY ON FIRE FIRE MAN SAYS IT ELECTRIC UNDER HOOD NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS OTHER THAN THE BATTERY AND THE OD OFF LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF I HAD THE CAR ABOUT A MONTH POLICE REPORT NUMBER1702207 OAKLAND CA POLICE DEPARTMENT
NHTSA complaint 11092061INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEMS AND STALLS WHILE DRIVING
NHTSA complaint 1088822695 FORD EXPLORER PARKED IN CARPORT WITH ENGINE SHUT OFF FOR 5 MIN WHILE CARRIED GROCERIES UP STAIRS - I HAD LEFT DOG IN CRATE TIL FINISHED UNLOADING BUT WHEN I CAME DOWN NOTICED ELECTRICAL SMELL, GOT OUT LOOKED AROUND CAR BUT DID NOT NOTICE ANY BURNING, GOT DOG OUT AND RETURNED IN THREE MINUTES TO FIND KEY NO LONGER UNLOCKED DOOR AND COULD NOT SEE THROUGH WINDOWS - WHEN DOOR WAS OPENED SMOKE BELLOWED OUT, INTERIOR WAS COVERED WITH BLACK SOOT, A HOLE BIGGER THAN A BASKETBALL WAS BURNT OUT OF SEAT AND BACK OF DRIVER'S SEAT WAS PARCHED - HAD I NOT HAD THE WINDOWS COMPLETELY UP IT MOST LIKELY WOULD HAVE TO CONTINUED TO BURN. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10705229TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint 10676819SOME ELECTRICAL COMPONENT UNDER THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT CAUGHT FIRE, CONSUMING THE SEAT PORTION OF THE ASSEMBLY. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10676209TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
NHTSA complaint 10668163MY VEHICLE WILL NOT GO IN REVERSE. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10650767TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SWAY BAR WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LINK ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE OVER A ONE YEAR PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA complaint 10574452DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH IS DEFECTIVE, (SPRING?) IT IS DIFFICULT TO LATCH AND REPEATEDLY UNLATCHES DURING DRIVE TIMES. I WAS TICKETED FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10535670THE VEHICLE DOESN'T SHIFT SINCE ITS MISSING THE TRANSMISSION WIRING HARNESS O/D SENSOR CANT LOCATE A REPLACEMENT PART THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON ALL THE TIME IT USES A LOT OF ANTIFREEZE SPEED CONTROL DON'T WORK FUEL PUMP KEEPS GOING OUT. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10511821THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT FORD'S RECALL PROCESS. I RECENTLY RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE REGARDING A FIRE HAZARD. I HAVE NOT OWNED MY 1995 EXPLORER FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS. WHEN I CALLED THE NUMBER LISTED IN THE RECALL NOTICE I GOT A DEPARTMENT AT FORD - THE MAN SAID THEY CONTRACT OUT THEIR RECALLS TO A THIRD PARTY AND THAT HE COULD NOT HELP ME, NOR COULD HE GIVE ME THEIR NUMBER. HE SAID THE COMPANY GETS OWNER INFORMATION BY USING THE DMV. IF THEY HAD DONE THAT THEY WOULD KNOW I HAVE NOT OWNED THIS VEHICLE IN MANY YEARS. THIS RECALL NOTICE WAS ABOUT A FIRE HAZARD AND OBVIOUSLY WILL NOT GET TO THE PERSON WHO MAY NOW OWN THE VEHICLE, SO IT ISN'T A VERY EFFECTIVE RECALL. THE THIRD PARTY COMPANY WHO IS DOING THIS FOR FORD IS NOT DOING A VERY GOOD JOB ON SOMETHING AS CRITICAL AS A SAFETY RECALL. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10488135SINCE I'VE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS NEVER WORKED. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10475390I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN IT BEGAN TO DOWN SHIFT AROUND 35MPH. EVENTUALLY, AFTER ADDING MORE GAS, IT KICKED INTO GEAR. MY VEHICLE IS AN AUTOMATIC. ONCE IT DOWN SHIFTS, THE OD LIGHT BEGINS FLASHING ON AND OFF. IT HAS NOW BEEN DOING THIS CONSISTENTLY. THE DRIVE IS NOT A SMOOTH DRIVE AND WHEN I AM GOING APPROXIMATELY 50-60MPH OR MORE, THE CAR BEGINS TO SHAKE. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10475384TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
NHTSA complaint 10470395VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND ENGINE HAD BEEN OFF FOR 30 MINUTES. DRIVER WAS SITTING IN VEHICLE MAKING PHONE CALLS WHEN HE SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW FLAMING WIRE UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT. DRIVER ESCAPED UNHARMED AND WAS ABLE TO REMOVE SOME CONTENTS BUT VEHICLE WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAME WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, DESTROYING VEHICLE ENTIRELY, MELTING PAVEMENT, BURNING NEARBY GRASS AND TREES, AND MELTING BUMPER AND PAINT ON A NEARBY PARKED VEHICLE. FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10468967I AM WIRTING BECAUSE THERE ARE SEVERAL RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE HOWERVER I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALLS ARE VIN SPECIFIC. MEANING THAT EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIANCEING THE SAME PROBLEMS OF CARS THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED OF THE SAME MAKE MODEL AND MODEL YEAR THE MANUFACTURE IS NOT REQUIRED TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITTH THAT BECAUSE IT PLACES THE PUBLIC AT RISK. IN MY CASE I HAVE A 1995 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE TIE RODS, SWAY BAR LINKS, AND BRAKES. ALL ISSUES THAT ARE SAFTEY RELATED. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME CAR THAT HAVE THE EXCAT ISSUES. OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM IS SYSTEMIC AND PLACES THE PUBLIC AT RISK AS THIS WAS ONE OF THE BEST SELLING MODELS OF THAT YEAR. I AM ASKING THAT YOU ISSUE A RECALL ALL VEHICLES OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL FOR THAT YEAR. THIS WOULD ALLEVIATE THE SAFTEY RISK CASUED BY THE DEFECT. I BELIEVE THAT YOUR OFFICE AND THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO ADRESS THE ISSUE AND ACT IN THE PUBLICS INTEREST. PLEASE CONTACT ME. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10448641I HAVE A 1995 FORD EXPLORER AND THE DEALER REFUSES TO HONOR SOME OF THE RECALLS THAT HAVE BEEN ORDERED FOR MY VEHICLE THE RECALLS ARE LISTED BELOW RECALL DATE: MAR 15, 1995 MODEL AFFECTED: 1995 FORD EXPLORER SUMMARY: THE INNER TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND CAN FRACTURE CAUSING SHAKING OR SHIMMY AT LOW SPEEDS. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INNER TIE RODS AND REPLACE THE SUSPECT TIE RODS. POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED: 49300 RECALL DATE: MAR 15, 1995 MODEL AFFECTED: 1995 FORD EXPLORER SUMMARY: 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. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE BRAKE TUBES. POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED: 8100 RECALL DATE: JAN 31, 1996 MODEL AFFECTED: 1995 FORD EXPLORER SUMMARY: 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 CAMPAIGN WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS OF THE REAR LIFTGATE GAS ASSIST CYLINDERS WHICH COULD PULL AWAY FROM THE INSIDE OF THE LIFTGATE. REMEDY: FORD DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS. POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED: 1029380 RECALL DATE: NOV 28, 2000 MODEL AFFECTED: 1995 FORD EXPLORER SUMMARY: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A FRONT SWAY BAR LINK CAN FRACTURE. DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS. POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED: 810,000. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10444749PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM PRIVATE SELLER. I ASKED THE SELLER WHY THE O/D LIGHT OFF WAS FLASHING ON THE DASH. HE SAID HE HAD NO EXPERIENCE WITH ENGINES AND HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS FOR. THE NEXT DAY, I WAS CHECKING ALL FLUIDS AND LEVELS. ANYWAY, I LOOK IN THE TRANSMISSION FILLING AREA AND NOTICED THE LEVEL WAS WAAAYYY PAST FULL (ABOVE CROSSBAR AREA); I SEE THAT THERE IS ONLY MILKY-PINK LIKE SUBSTANCE IN IT. FROM ALL THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE ALREADY, I THINK THE PINK SUBSTANCE IS A MIXTURE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ANTI-FREEZE. I HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE (OR THE MONEY) TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT, BUT I DO KNOW THAT ANTI-FREEZE IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AREA(S). MY GUESS IS THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY AN INTERNAL FAILURE IN THE RADIATOR COOLING LINE. I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE TRANSMISSIONS BECAUSE THEY KNOW IT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. PLEASE, IS THERE ANYONE THAT HAS ALREADY STARTED A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT ON FORD BECAUSE OF THIS MATTER? KNOWING THAT THEY ARE SELLING (OR SOLD) A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS.THIS HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURER ISSUE! THE CONSUMER SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE. *TT
NHTSA complaint 10444582DRIVING IN LIGHT CITY TRAFFIC, "OVERDRIVE" INDICATOR LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING ON AND OFF A FEW SECONDS AFTER PULLING AWAY FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, ENGINE RACED AND WOULDN'T UPSHIFT, THEN IT JUST COASTED TO A STOP, AND WOULDN'T GO ANYMORE. WE HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE FLATBEDDED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND FOUND TRANSMISSION NEEDED A COMPLETE REBUILD, WHICH COST ABOUT $3,800. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10442017Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall; the 60 most recent are listed.