1995 Ford Explorer: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 1048 complaints
1048
Total Complaints
125,000mi
Median Mileage
Tread/Belt
Top Issue
107
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
91,000
25th Percentile
125,000
Median Mileage
159,370
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Tread/Belt
110
Tires
102
Automatic Transmission
77
Vehicle Speed Control
49
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
43
Gasoline
33
Buckle Assembly
31
Suspension
26
Accelerator Pedal
25
Frontal
23
Severity Assessment
107
Crashes
39
Fires
144
Injuries
9
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"TIE ROD END HAS NO NUT TO HOLD ROD IN SECURE POSITION. TT"
"EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE FAILS TO STAY ENGAGED. *SKD"
"LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE, CAUSING WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO FALL OFF. *AK"
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Tread/Belt
110 complaints
Median: 102,000 mi
Automatic Transmission
77 complaints
25th: 67,967 mi
Median: 91,655 mi
75th: 115,827 mi
Vehicle Speed Control
49 complaints
25th: 128,946 mi
Median: 147,643 mi
75th: 187,500 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 148
TX: 76
NY: 72
FL: 61
PA: 55
VA: 42
OH: 41
NJ: 40
NC: 38
GA: 29
Who Files Complaints?
31.1%
Original Owners
68.9%
Second+ Owners
Ford Explorer — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 764 | 70 |
| 1992 | 848 | 54 |
| 1993 | 1151 | 98 |
| 1994 | 1531 | 124 |
| 1996 | 1818 | 248 |
| 1997 | 2149 | 180 |
| 1998 | 2374 | 219 |
| 1999 | 1737 | 143 |
| 2000 | 1203 | 115 |
| 2001 | 500 | 82 |
| 2002 | 4095 | 178 |
| 2003 | 1368 | 70 |
| 2004 | 1647 | 69 |
| 2005 | 604 | 30 |
| 2006 | 788 | 18 |
| 2007 | 271 | 14 |
| 2008 | 215 | 8 |
| 2009 | 49 | 8 |
| 2010 | 155 | 13 |
| 2011 | 1481 | 48 |
| 2012 | 1013 | 14 |
| 2013 | 2757 | 61 |
| 2014 | 2011 | 48 |
| 2015 | 2138 | 52 |
| 2016 | 2940 | 56 |
| 2017 | 1927 | 53 |
| 2018 | 819 | 23 |
| 2019 | 306 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1544 | 50 |
| 2021 | 492 | 21 |
| 2022 | 308 | 25 |
| 2023 | 126 | 11 |
| 2024 | 21 | 0 |
| 2025 | 111 | 11 |
Active Recalls (12)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Headlights
Campaign 09E025000 | 11/05/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Vehicle Speed Control
Campaign 09V399000 | 13/10/2009
A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
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
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 09E012000 | 07/04/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E026000 | 23/03/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Suspension
Campaign 00V402000 | 28/11/2000
VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS.
Tread/Belt
Campaign 00T005000 | 21/08/2000
IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
Frontal
Campaign 95E006002 | 24/02/1995
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT INFLATE PROPERLY RESULTING IN REDUCED OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. IF THE IGNITER END CAP SEPARATES IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, HOT GASES CAN BE RELEASED AND IGNITE FLAMMABLE MATERIAL OR CAUSE BURN INJURIES.
DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE.
Support Device/Strut
Campaign 99V310001 | 03/11/1999
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.
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.
Tread/Belt
Campaign 01X001000 | 22/05/2001
SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
Tie Rod Assembly
Campaign 95V053000 | 15/03/1995
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.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INNER TIE RODS AND REPLACE THE SUSPECT TIE RODS.
Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Campaign 95V052000 | 15/03/1995
CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: STOPPING DISTANCES COULD BE LONGER THAN INTENDED RESULTING IN INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE BRAKE TUBES.
Support Device/Strut
Campaign 95I007000 | 31/01/1996
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.
FORD DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS.
Extend Your Tire Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Check tire pressure monthly — underinflation is the #1 tire killer
- Rotate tires every 5,000-7,500 miles
- Get an alignment check annually
- Inspect for uneven wear patterns which indicate alignment or suspension issues
- Replace tires when tread reaches 4/32 inch — don't wait for 2/32
Compare Ford Explorer
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28