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1995 Ford Explorer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1995 Ford Explorer do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 609.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 97 of 843 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Tires. Review the 205 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

84 crash reports32 fire reports69 injury reports

Tires complaints

205 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2009
Tires

TURNED IN FOUR RECALLED TIRES TO FIRESTONE STORE IN SLC UTAH NEVER RECEIVED ANY REIMBURSEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264503

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2006
Tires

CONSUMER FIRESTONE 500 TIRE EXPLODED. *TS THE TIRE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE SEPTEMBER 2006. WHEN THE CONSUMER ORIGINALLY NOTICE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TIRE HE CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO CONTACT AN AUTHORIZED FIRESTONE DEALER. THE FIRESTONE …

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CONSUMER FIRESTONE 500 TIRE EXPLODED. *TS THE TIRE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE SEPTEMBER 2006. WHEN THE CONSUMER ORIGINALLY NOTICE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TIRE HE CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO CONTACT AN AUTHORIZED FIRESTONE DEALER. THE FIRESTONE DEALER SAID THERE NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A GOODYEAR DEALER WHO SAID THAT THE TIRE WAS OBVIOUSLY SEPARATING. THE CONSUMER HAD THE TIRES REPLACED WITH ANOTHER BRAND. FIRESTONE REQUESTED THAT THE DEFECTIVE TIRE BE RETURNED TO THE BUT THE TIRE DEALER HAD ALREADY DISPOSED OF THEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10174309

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2006
Tires

I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM BRIDGESTONE FIRESTONE IN SEPTEMBER 2006 AND REPLIED THAT I HAD PAID DOWNTOWN FIRESTONE IN MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN ROUGHLY $300 IN 2003 TO REPLACE FOUR OF MY TIRES BUT THE SPARE WAS NOT CHANGED. I HAVE SINCE E-MAILED TWICE DURING THE PAST TWO MONTHS AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171561

155,000 miles · Oct 12, 2006
Tires

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE P23575R15 COOPER DISCOVERY ATR TIRES WERE LOSING AIR. THIS OCCURRED IN ALL FOUR TIRES. THE TIRES HAD BEEN CHECKED FOR HOLES AND CRACKS AND NONE WERE FOUND. THE TIRES MUST BE FILLED 3 TO 4 TIMES PER WEEK. THE TIRES WERE KEPT AT 35 POUNDS.

NHTSA ODI #10170693

102,000 miles · Sep 1, 2004
Tires

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. AS A RESULT, MATERIAL OF THE TIRE WENT UNDER THE VEHICLE AND DAMAGED PART OF THE REAR WHEEL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10090166

179,000 miles · Jun 16, 2004
Tires

WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED FOR A TRIP CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES HAD BUBBLES ON THE TREAD ON BOTH FRONT TIRES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10079341

30,000 miles · Jul 25, 2003
Tires

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE GOODYEAR WRANGLER RTF TIRE MODEL # P235/75R15. THE TIRES HAD CRACKS AND BUBBLES ON THE SIDE WALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY REPLACED THE TIRES. *NLM THESE WERE REPLACEMENT TIRES FOR THE RECALLED FIRESTONE TIRES. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10025131

90,500 miles · May 17, 2003
Tires

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEED, PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE ( FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX P235/75R15 ) HAD FULL TREAD SEPARATION FROM TIRE. WAS ABLE TO SLOW AND PULL OFF OF THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY ONLY TO FIND DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT REAR OF MY '95 FORD EXPLORER. TREAD PIECE HAD COME OFF THE TIRE AND UP HITTING THE LOWER POR…

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WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEED, PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE ( FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX P235/75R15 ) HAD FULL TREAD SEPARATION FROM TIRE. WAS ABLE TO SLOW AND PULL OFF OF THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY ONLY TO FIND DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT REAR OF MY '95 FORD EXPLORER. TREAD PIECE HAD COME OFF THE TIRE AND UP HITTING THE LOWER PORTION OF THE FENDER BENDING IT UPWARD TOWARD THE SUPPORTS FOR IT AND THEN HITTING THE PASSENGER REAR TAIL LIGHT COMPLETELY BREAKING IT ENOUGH TO NEED FULL REPLACEMENT. AFTER HITTING THE LIGHT, IT CAME DOWN AND HIT THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR WINDOW AND LEAVING MULTIPLE BLACK TIRE/RUBBER MARKS DOWN THE DOOR TILL IT HIT THE RUNNING BOARD ON THE SIDE.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10018851

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2002
Tires

BOUGHT VEHICLE FROM MY PARENTS. TIRES WERE NEW TIRES DUE TO FORD/FIRESTONE RECALL. A SECOND TIRE IS NOW EXHIBITING A BELT SHIFT CONDITION. SYMPTOM IS A SPEED RELATED TIRE NOISE SIMILAR TO A FLAT SPOT ON THE TIRE BUT NO VIBRATION OR BUMP IS FELT. FIRST REPLACEMENT PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE BY DEALER. SECOND FAILURE TO BE LOOK…

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BOUGHT VEHICLE FROM MY PARENTS. TIRES WERE NEW TIRES DUE TO FORD/FIRESTONE RECALL. A SECOND TIRE IS NOW EXHIBITING A BELT SHIFT CONDITION. SYMPTOM IS A SPEED RELATED TIRE NOISE SIMILAR TO A FLAT SPOT ON THE TIRE BUT NO VIBRATION OR BUMP IS FELT. FIRST REPLACEMENT PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE BY DEALER. SECOND FAILURE TO BE LOOKED AT BY GOODYEAR RETAILER DUE TO DISTANCE TO FORD DEALER. GOODYEAR RETAILER HAS ADVISED OF A PRORATED CHARGE DUE TO WEAR ON TIRES. MR

NHTSA ODI #767956

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2002
TiresInjury

WHILE TRAVELING CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLL OVER. BOTH PASSENGER SIDE FIRESTONE TIRES HAD BLOWN. CONSUMERS WIFE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER HEAD AND BACK. *JG

NHTSA ODI #564983

Official recalls

5

09V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Oct 13, 2009

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy: 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 ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

00V402000 · Suspension

Nov 28, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A FRONT SWAY BAR LINK CAN FRACTURE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS.

99V310001 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut

Nov 3, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET WELDS COULD FRACTURE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

95V052000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

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 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: STOPPING DISTANCES COULD BE LONGER THAN INTENDED RESULTING IN INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE BRAKE TUBES.

95V053000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

Mar 15, 1995

THE INNER TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND CAN FRACTURE CAUSING SHAKING OR SHIMMY AT LOW SPEEDS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INNER TIE RODS AND REPLACE THE SUSPECT TIE RODS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

6

EA02011 · Safety Belt Assembly Failure

Opened Jul 2, 2002 · Closed May 21, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

ODI RECEIVED 18 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND FORD IDENTIFIED ANOTHER FOUR REPORTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS INDICATE INABILITY TO LATCH THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAUSED BY A BROKEN LATCH RELEASE SPRING.NONE OF THESE 22 REPORTS RESULTED IN ANY INJURIES OR CRASHES.NO COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS.FORD CONDUCTED LIFE-CYCLE TESTING ON 6 FIELD SAMPLE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.THE RESULTS OF THAT TESTING DEMONSTRATED THAT THE TESTED BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES COULD BE EXPECTED TO OPERATE PROPERLY BEYOND THE EXPECTED LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.BASED ON THE LIMITED NUMBER OF REPORTS AND COMPLAINTS RECEIVED, AND A DECLINING COMPLAINT TREND, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXIST DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

PE02007 · Safety Belt Assembly

Opened Jan 23, 2002 · Closed Jul 2, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

No summary supplied.

PE00039 · Front Suspension Stabilizer Bar Link

Opened Sep 20, 2000 · Closed Nov 30, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

There is no summary currently available

PE99068 · Accelerator Pedal

Opened Nov 1, 1999 · Closed Mar 9, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

There is no summary currently available

RQ99016 · Liftgate Support Bracket Failure

Opened Jul 29, 1999 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Structure

SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER 1995, FOR 1991-1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THOSE BRACKET THAT WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE OR DETACHED.THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN OCTOBER 1996. SINCE NOVEMBER 1996, ODI HAS RECEIVED 51 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LIFTGATE FAILURES CAUSED BY THE BRACKET SEPARATION, OF WHICH 19 REPORTED THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE OCCUPANT CAUSING 12 INJURIES.ONE COMPLAINT WAS ON 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, THREE COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1993 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, AND 47 COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 95V-164.FORD AND MAZDA ARE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER RECALL NUMBER 99V-310.001/.002.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure

SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER 1995, FOR 1991-1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THOSE BRACKET THAT WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE OR DETACHED.THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN OCTOBER 1996. SINCE NOVEMBER 1996, ODI HAS RECEIVED 51 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LIFTGATE FAILURES CAUSED BY THE BRACKET SEPARATION, OF WHICH 19 REPORTED THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE OCCUPANT CAUSING 12 INJURIES.ONE COMPLAINT WAS ON 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, THREE COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1993 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, AND 47 COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 95V-164.FORD AND MAZDA ARE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER RECALL NUMBER 99V-310.001/.002.

Structure

SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER 1995, FOR 1991-1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THOSE BRACKET THAT WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE OR DETACHED.THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN OCTOBER 1996. SINCE NOVEMBER 1996, ODI HAS RECEIVED 51 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LIFTGATE FAILURES CAUSED BY THE BRACKET SEPARATION, OF WHICH 19 REPORTED THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE OCCUPANT CAUSING 12 INJURIES.ONE COMPLAINT WAS ON 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, THREE COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1993 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, AND 47 COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 95V-164.FORD AND MAZDA ARE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER RECALL NUMBER 99V-310.001/.002.

PE97010 · Electrical Fire In Center Console

Opened Mar 13, 1997 · Closed Sep 4, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

THIS INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT CONSOLE FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MOST OFTEN OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE LAMP OUTAGE MODULE (LOM), WHICH IS PART OF THE MESSAGE CENTER, WERE TOWING A TRAILER AND WHICH HAD BEEN MODIFIED BY ADDING AN AFTERMARKET TRAILER WIRING HARNESS INTO THE VEHICLE'S TAILLIGHT CIRCUITS.THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES NEVER AND MORE THAN OTHER TRAILER LIGHT BULB TO ONE CIRCUIT HOWEVER TRAILERS FREQUENTLY CONTAIN SEVERAL BULBS.THE RESULTING EXCESS CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE LOM COULD CAUSE IT TO OVERHEAT RESULTING IN A FIRE.PROPER AFTERMARKET INSTALLATION OF TRAILER WIRING REQUIRES THE USE OF A BYPASS MODULE, WHICH OBTAINS POWER FOR THE TRAILER LIGHTS DIRECTLY FROM THE BATTERY RATHER THAN FROM THE VEHICLE'S TAIL LIGHT AND STOP LAMP CIRCUITS, OR THE USE OF THE MANUFACTURER'S WIRING HARNESS.IN A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 2, 1997, FORD NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT INTENDS TO TAKE ACTION TO PRECLUDE FURTHER INCIDENTS INCLUDING ISSUING A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO ITS DEALERS, NOTIFYING TRAILER RENTAL ASSOCIATIONS AND AGENCIES WHERE KNOWN, AND ADVISING OWNERS BY LETTER OF THE PROPER METHOD FOR CONNECTION OF TRAILER TOW WIRING ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE WAS NO DEFECT TREND IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IDENTIFIED AS A RESULT OF THIS INVESTIGATION, AND FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT WARRANTED TO CONTINUE THE INVESTIGATION.

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