Model Year Problem Record

Ford Explorer 1991 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1991 Ford Explorer: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

609Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

8Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

17Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

143Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Brakes147

Tires103

Engine59

Vehicle Speed Control31

Equipment29

Seat Belts28

Fuel and Propulsion System27

Seats17

Unknown Or Other15

Wheels13

Latches, Locks and Linkages12

Steering10

Lighting7

Air Bags3

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Brakes147 complaints

147 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 96V024001.

Tires103 complaints

103 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train75 complaints

75 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 91V189000.

Engine59 complaints

59 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System56 complaints

56 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension34 complaints

34 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure34 complaints

34 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 91V026000, 97V235001.

Visibility33 complaints

33 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 90V098000.

Vehicle Speed Control31 complaints

31 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment29 complaints

29 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts28 complaints

28 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 92V113000.

Fuel and Propulsion System27 complaints

27 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 91V024000, 91V025000.

Seats17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

90V098000Reported May 21, 1990 - 2,500 vehicles potentially affected

Visibility. Recall covering the visibility system, reported to NHTSA on May 21, 1990. The campaign covers an estimated 2,500 vehicles across all affected models.

91V024000Reported February 11, 1991 - 25,000 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on February 11, 1991. The campaign covers an estimated 25,000 vehicles across all affected models.

91V025000Reported February 11, 1991 - 18,000 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on February 11, 1991. The campaign covers an estimated 18,000 vehicles across all affected models.

91V026000Reported February 12, 1991 - 220,000 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on February 12, 1991. The campaign covers an estimated 220,000 vehicles across all affected models.

91V189000Reported November 4, 1991 - 792,000 vehicles potentially affected

Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on November 4, 1991. The campaign covers an estimated 792,000 vehicles across all affected models.

92V113000Reported August 17, 1992 - 565,000 vehicles potentially affected

Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on August 17, 1992. The campaign covers an estimated 565,000 vehicles across all affected models.

96V024001Reported February 5, 1996 - 108,000 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on February 5, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 108,000 vehicles across all affected models.

97V235001Reported December 18, 1997 - 185,000 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on December 18, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 185,000 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP98001Opened January 6, 1998 - Closed February 4, 1998

HEAVY LATERAL VIBRATION. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA00012Opened April 14, 2000 - Closed October 20, 2000

SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA91034Opened July 17, 1991 - Closed April 10, 1992

THROTTLE RELEASE FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA91040Opened October 3, 1991 - Closed August 17, 1992

VACUUM BOOSTR VALVE FAILS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA93003Opened January 15, 1993 - Closed January 6, 1994

THROTTLE STICKING. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA95018Opened June 19, 1995 - Closed April 2, 1996

SEPARATION OF MASTER CYLINDER. Resulted in recall campaign 96V024001.

EA97011Opened May 23, 1997 - Closed January 20, 1998

SUNROOF SHATTERING AND SEPARATION. Resulted in recall campaign 97V235001.

PE91058Opened March 6, 1991 - Closed July 22, 1991

THROTTLE RELEASE FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE91084Opened June 10, 1991 - Closed October 3, 1991

VACUUM BOOSTR VALVE FAILS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE91127Opened September 16, 1991 - Closed November 8, 1991

PARK PAWL BENDING. Resulted in recall campaign 91V189000.

PE92029Opened March 16, 1992 - Closed August 31, 1992

WHL SEPARATION/TORQUE LOSS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE92084Opened October 23, 1992 - Closed February 26, 1993

FRONT SEAT TRACK FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE94044Opened June 10, 1994 - Closed August 31, 1994

ENGINE COOLING FAN CRACKS. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE95001Opened January 3, 1995 - Closed June 19, 1995

BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER/BOOSTER SEPARATION. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE99072Opened November 30, 1999 - Closed April 14, 2000

SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

RQ97015Opened October 29, 1997 - Closed April 1, 1999

PARKING PAWL. Resulted in recall campaign 91V189000.

RQ99016Opened July 29, 1999 - Open

LIFTGATE SUPPORT BRACKET FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 99V310001.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

1995124

199693

199752

199837

199954

2000115

200147

200224

200330

20048

200512

20064

20083

20092

20111

20131

20151

20211

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.