CarModelProblems.com

1994 Ford Explorer Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Tires:tread/belt — runs 6.6× the fleet median for that category across the 390 model-years tracked on this site.
1,207Complaints
7Recalls
109Crashes
82Fires
154Injured
20Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Tires:tread/belt (19.2% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Tires:tread/belt complaints here are 6.6× the median for that category across the 390 model-years tracked on this site.

4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Tires:tread/belt232 · 19.2%RecalledRecall 00T005000 · Recall 01X001000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip154 · 12.8%RecalledRecall 96V024001
Tires135 · 11.2%RecalledRecall 00T005000 · Recall 01X001000
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut82 · 6.8%RecalledRecall 99V310001 · Recall 95I007000
Vehicle Speed Control37 · 3.1%No official action
Power Train:automatic Transmission32 · 2.7%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

TIRES:TREAD/BELT232 · 19.2%
TIRES135 · 11.2%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION32 · 2.7%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE31 · 2.6%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS26 · 2.2%
SUSPENSION26 · 2.2%
SUSPENSION:FRONT22 · 1.8%

Percentages are the share of the 1,207 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 7 campaigns

Tires:tread/belt

NHTSA campaign 00T005000 · 2000 · reported 08/21/2000

IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut

NHTSA campaign 99V310001 · 1999 · reported 11/03/1999

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Tires:tread/belt

NHTSA campaign 01X001000 · 2001 · reported 05/22/2001

SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic

NHTSA campaign 96V024001 · 1996 · reported 02/05/1996

IF A CRACK OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH STUDS FRACTURING. THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VACUUM BOOSTER, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, PREVENTING THE SERVICE BRAKES FROM ACTIVATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Parking Brake:conventional

NHTSA campaign 94V169001 · 1994 · reported 09/07/1994

WHEN THE ABOVE OCCURS, IT CAN RESULT IN PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM INEFFECTIVENESS. THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FREELY, IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT LEFT IN GEAR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices

NHTSA campaign 97V083000 · 1997 · reported 05/05/1997

THE CURRENT CAN OVERHEAT THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND OTHER PLASTIC AND ELASTOMERIC COMPONENTS OF THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN SMOKE OR FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut

NHTSA campaign 95I007000 · 1995 · reported 01/31/1996

IF A BRACKET AND GAS ASSIST CYLINDER WERE TO DETACH COMPLETELY FROM THE LIFTGATE AND NO LONGER BEAR AGAINST THE LIFTGATE AS INTENDED, THE REMAINING ASSIST CYLINDER WOULD NOT HOLD THE LIFTGATE IN AN OPEN POSITION. PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“REAR BRAKES RUST ON THE INSIDE, CAUSING HIGH SPEED LOCK UP. PLEASE DESCRIBE.”NHTSA complaint 983702 — filed 04/29/1996 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
“REAR BRAKES RUST ON THE INSIDE, CAUSING HIGH SPEED LOCK UP. PLEASE DESCRIBE.”NHTSA complaint 983702 — filed 04/29/1996 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
“WHILE DRIVING SUN ROOF SHEARED OFF, BLOWING SMALL PIECES OF GLASS IN THE EMPTY CHILE SAFETY SEATS.”NHTSA complaint 982890 — filed 04/17/1996 · VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

6420024944200414112006942008732010822012122014122020

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1994 Ford Explorer?

Tires:tread/belt issues are the most-reported category, cited in 232 of 1,207 NHTSA complaints (19.2%), followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (154), tires (135), structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support device/strut (82). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1994 Ford Explorer have?

1,207 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 109 involved a crash, 82 involved a fire, and 154 reported injuries. 20 deaths were reported.

Does the 1994 Ford Explorer have any recalls?

Yes — 7 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 00T005000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1994 Ford Explorer's reported problems?

4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.