1991 Ford Explorer Problems and Recalls (542 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 1991 Ford Explorer is Brakes (19% of 542 owner reports). There are 10 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Brakes — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 542 complaints · 10 recalls

What problems show up on the 1991 Ford Explorer?

103 of 542 filings named Brakes (19% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Transmission / driveline (59 reports).

There are 10 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Tires, Glass / wipers / cameras, Fuel system, Body / frame, Transmission / driveline, Seat belts, and Brakes. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The previous year is not published here. Use the year list to jump around.

What to check before you buy a 1991 Ford Explorer

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 10 campaigns on file below.
  2. Brakes. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm.
  3. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  4. Electrical. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Brakes. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Brakes 103 complaints · 19.0% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 47
  • Fires 61
  • Injuries 35
  • Deaths 3
All Ford Explorer years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) appears in 103 of 542 owner complaints (19.0%) in this vehicle snapshot. Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 103 complaints, 19.0% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 16 crash reports 103 · 19.0% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 59 complaints, 10.9% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 6 crash reports 2 fire reports 59 · 10.9% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 49 complaints, 9.0% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 32 fire reports 49 · 9.0% Engine (ENGINE): 45 complaints, 8.3% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 12 fire reports 45 · 8.3% Tires (TIRES): 42 complaints, 7.8% of reports Tires (TIRES) 8 crash reports 42 · 7.8% Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 29 complaints, 5.4% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 3 fire reports 29 · 5.4% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 27 complaints, 5.0% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 27 · 5.0% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 27 complaints, 5.0% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 7 crash reports 1 fire reports 27 · 5.0% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 26 complaints, 4.8% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 5 fire reports 26 · 4.8% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 461 complaints, 85.1% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 36 crash reports 54 fire reports 461 · 85.1% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 103 19.0% 16 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 59 10.9% 6 crashes · 2 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 49 9.0% 0 crashes · 32 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 45 8.3% 0 crashes · 12 fires
Tires (TIRES) 42 7.8% 8 crashes · 0 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 29 5.4% 0 crashes · 3 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 27 5.0% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 27 5.0% 7 crashes · 1 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 26 4.8% 0 crashes · 5 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 461 85.1% 36 crashes · 54 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jan 1995; the first recall shown was reported in May 1990. 1995-Q1: 22 owner reports 22 1995-Q2: 42 owner reports 42 1995-Q3: 41 owner reports 41 1995-Q4: 19 owner reports 19 1996-Q1: 20 owner reports 20 1996-Q2: 25 owner reports 25 1996-Q3: 18 owner reports 18 1996-Q4: 30 owner reports 30 1997-Q1: 9 owner reports 9 1997-Q2: 10 owner reports 10 1997-Q3: 19 owner reports 19 1997-Q4: 14 owner reports 14 1998-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 1998-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 1998-Q3: 12 owner reports 12 1998-Q4: 9 owner reports 9 1999-Q1: 17 owner reports 17 1999-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 1999-Q3: 18 owner reports 18 1999-Q4: 14 owner reports 14 2000-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2000-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2000-Q3: 32 owner reports 32 2000-Q4: 21 owner reports 21 2001-Q1: 11 owner reports 11 2001-Q2: 13 owner reports 13 2001-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2001-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2002-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2002-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2002-Q3: 10 owner reports 10 2002-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2003-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2003-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2003-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2003-Q4: 11 owner reports 11 2004-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2004-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2004-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2004-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2005-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2005-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2005-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2006-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2006-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2008-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2009-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2015-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports May 1990 Oct 2021 Recall campaign 90V098000 ◆ Recall campaign 90V098000 Recall campaign 91V024000 ◆ Recall campaign 91V024000 Recall campaign 91V025000 ◆ Recall campaign 91V025000 Recall campaign 91V026000 ◆ Recall campaign 91V026000 Recall campaign 91V189000 ◆ Recall campaign 91V189000 Recall campaign 92V113000 ◆ Recall campaign 92V113000 Recall campaign 95I007000 ◆ Recall campaign 95I007000 Recall campaign 96V024001 ◆ Recall campaign 96V024001 Recall campaign 97V235001 ◆ Recall campaign 97V235001 Recall campaign 00T005000 ◆ Recall campaign 00T005000 Investigation PE91058 ● Investigation PE91058 Investigation PE91084 ● Investigation PE91084 Investigation EA91034 ● Investigation EA91034 Investigation PE91127 ● Investigation PE91127 Investigation EA91040 ● Investigation EA91040 Investigation PE92029 ● Investigation PE92029 Investigation PE92084 ● Investigation PE92084 Investigation EA93003 ● Investigation EA93003 Investigation PE94044 ● Investigation PE94044 Investigation PE95001 ● Investigation PE95001 Investigation EA95018 ● Investigation EA95018 Investigation EA97011 ● Investigation EA97011 Investigation RQ97015 ● Investigation RQ97015 Investigation DP98001 ● Investigation DP98001 Investigation RQ99016 ● Investigation RQ99016 Investigation PE99072 ● Investigation PE99072 Investigation EA00012 ● Investigation EA00012
  • Campaign 95I007000 was reported 379 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 96V024001 was reported 363 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 97V235001 was reported 1,066 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 00T005000 was reported 1,907 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
1995-Q1 Owner reports 22
1995-Q2 Owner reports 42
1995-Q3 Owner reports 41
1995-Q4 Owner reports 19
1996-Q1 Owner reports 20
1996-Q2 Owner reports 25
1996-Q3 Owner reports 18
1996-Q4 Owner reports 30
1997-Q1 Owner reports 9
1997-Q2 Owner reports 10
1997-Q3 Owner reports 19
1997-Q4 Owner reports 14
1998-Q1 Owner reports 8
1998-Q2 Owner reports 7
1998-Q3 Owner reports 12
1998-Q4 Owner reports 9
1999-Q1 Owner reports 17
1999-Q2 Owner reports 5
1999-Q3 Owner reports 18
1999-Q4 Owner reports 14
2000-Q1 Owner reports 8
2000-Q2 Owner reports 7
2000-Q3 Owner reports 32
2000-Q4 Owner reports 21
2001-Q1 Owner reports 11
2001-Q2 Owner reports 13
2001-Q3 Owner reports 4
2001-Q4 Owner reports 7
2002-Q1 Owner reports 8
2002-Q2 Owner reports 2
2002-Q3 Owner reports 10
2002-Q4 Owner reports 3
2003-Q1 Owner reports 6
2003-Q2 Owner reports 6
2003-Q3 Owner reports 5
2003-Q4 Owner reports 11
2004-Q1 Owner reports 2
2004-Q2 Owner reports 1
2004-Q3 Owner reports 1
2004-Q4 Owner reports 2
2005-Q1 Owner reports 7
2005-Q2 Owner reports 3
2005-Q3 Owner reports 2
2006-Q3 Owner reports 3
2006-Q4 Owner reports 1
2008-Q1 Owner reports 2
2008-Q3 Owner reports 1
2009-Q2 Owner reports 1
2013-Q3 Owner reports 1
2015-Q2 Owner reports 1
2021-Q4 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 90V098000
Recall campaign 1 91V024000
Recall campaign 1 91V025000
Recall campaign 1 91V026000
Recall campaign 1 91V189000
Recall campaign 1 92V113000
Recall campaign 1 95I007000
Recall campaign 1 96V024001
Recall campaign 1 97V235001
Recall campaign 1 00T005000
Defect investigation 1 PE91058
Defect investigation 1 PE91084
Defect investigation 1 EA91034
Defect investigation 1 PE91127
Defect investigation 1 EA91040
Defect investigation 1 PE92029
Defect investigation 1 PE92084
Defect investigation 1 EA93003
Defect investigation 1 PE94044
Defect investigation 1 PE95001
Defect investigation 1 EA95018
Defect investigation 1 EA97011
Defect investigation 1 RQ97015
Defect investigation 1 DP98001
Defect investigation 1 RQ99016
Defect investigation 1 PE99072
Defect investigation 1 EA00012
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (10)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Tires, Glass / wipers / cameras, Fuel system, Body / frame, Transmission / driveline, Seat belts, and Brakes.

  1. Recall campaign 00T005000

    Tires

    Report date
    Component:
    Tires (TIRES)
    Consequence:
    IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
    Remedy:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 90V098000

    Glass / wipers / cameras

    Report date
    Component:
    Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)
    Consequence:
    SUNROOF COULD DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE BEING DRIVEN,CREATING A RISK TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES OR PEOPLE IN THE VICINITY, OR TO VEHICLEOCCUPANTS IF THE GLASS SHOULD FALL INTO THE CABIN.
    Remedy:
    INSTALL REVISED SUNROOF HINGES THAT WILL ADEQUATELY RETAIN SUNROOF ASSEMBLY.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 91V024000

    Fuel system

    Report date
    Component:
    Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
    Consequence:
    THIS PENETRATION OF THE FUEL TANK CAUSES VAPORS TO ESCAPEAND POSSIBLY FUEL TO SPILL, WHICH COULD CATCH FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF ANIGNITION SOURCE.
    Remedy:
    RELOCATE THE HEAT SHIELD; INSPECT AND REPLACE DAMAGED FUEL FUEL TANKS.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 91V025000

    Fuel system

    Report date
    Component:
    Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
    Consequence:
    THE ESCAPED VAPOR OR LEAKED FUEL COULD CAUSE A FIRE INTHE PRESENCE OF A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
    Remedy:
    FUEL TANK WILL BE REMOVED AND INSPECTED FOR WELD INTEGRITY. FUEL TANKS WITH INADEQUATE WELDS WILL BE REPLACED.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Recall campaign 91V026000

    Body / frame

    Report date
    Component:
    Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
    Consequence:
    UNDER EXTREME CONDITIONS, BUMPER COULD SEPARATE FROM THEVEHICLE WHEN USING A BUMPER MOUNTED TRAILER HITCH BALL.
    Remedy:
    INSTALL TWO BRACKETS TO REINFORCE THE BUMPER.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Recall campaign 91V189000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    Consequence:
    DRIVER MAY BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS SAFELY ENGAGED IN PARKWHEN THE GEAR IS NOT TRULY ENGAGED. THIS CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE JUMPING OUT OFGEAR UNINTENTIONALLY, VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHEN PARKED ON A SLOPED SURFACE, ANDINADVERTENT MOTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS CANRESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
    Remedy:
    REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW PARK PAWL.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Recall campaign 92V113000

    Seat belts

    Report date
    Component:
    Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
    Consequence:
    AN INSUFFICIENTLY LATCHED OR UNLATCHED SAFETY BELTINCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO SEAT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT. IF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT UNLATCH, IT WILL NOT ALLOW THEOCCUPANT TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.
    Remedy:
    FORD WILL REPLACE THE RIGID MOUNTED SAFETY BELT BUCKLES WITH END RELEASE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES DESIGNED TO PREVENT LATCH PROBLEMS.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  8. Recall campaign 95I007000

    Body / frame

    Report date
    Component:
    Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    FORD DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  9. Recall campaign 96V024001

    Brakes

    Report date
    Component:
    Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  10. Recall campaign 97V235001

    Body / frame

    Report date
    Component:
    Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
    Consequence:
    UNEXPECTED SEPARATION OF THE SUNROOF GLASS PANEL COULD POSSIBLY DISTRACT THE DRIVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
    Remedy:
    OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN INSTRUCTION BOOKLET WHICH THOROUGHLY OUTLINES, WITH ILLUSTRATIONS, THE PROPER PROCEDURES FOR THE REMOVAL, STORAGE, AND REINSTALLATION OF THE SUNROOF'S GLASS PANEL. A WARNING LABEL FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE SUNROOF'S LATCH KNOB WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED TO THE OWNERS.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 7 of 542 complaints · page 1 of 22
2021-12-20Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
NHTSA ODI 11444373
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The component that malfunctioned was the abs sensor. It is not available for inspection. I was driving going around 45 in traffic and the drivers side rear brake locked up and spun me out of control and caused me to collide with another vehicle. I only lightly pressed the brakes and it happened suddenly and unexpectedly. It was not inspected before it was towed after the accident. There were no warning lamps.
2015-05-07SEAT BELTS
NHTSA ODI 10715094
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH WITH ANOTHER PASSENGER, THE SEAT BELTS DISENGAGED AND CAUSED THE PASSENGER SEAT TO OVERTURN BETWEEN THE SEATS. THE PASSENGER WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
2013-07-05Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 10523299
CrashFireInjuryDeath
ON JUNE 4TH MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE DRIVING EAST BOUND ON 62ND AND OVER-HILL IN LOS ANGELES CA. SHORTLY AFTER 12:00PM. WHEN SUDDENLY THE FORD EXPLORER WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE ORDERED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A RECALL. DUE TO INVESTIGATION ON MY OWN I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL NUMBER. IT IS 96S35. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER WITH FORD HOWEVER I JUST RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THEM REFUSING TO ASSIST ME. MY DAUGHTER AND I COULD HAVE BEEN BURNED ALIVE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU COULD ASSIST ME. THE VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN DESTROYED. I ONLY HAVE IN MY POSSESSION THE PICTURE, AND A FIRE REPORT. *TR
2009-04-30Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 10267328
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH ON A DRIVEWAY INCLINE, THE ENGINE IDLED EXCESSIVELY HIGH AND THE VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT DETECTED SMOKE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND MASSIVE FLAMES ERUPTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND HAS NOT BEEN TOWED AWAY FROM THE SCENE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HER HANDS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.
2008-09-08Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 10241375
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1991 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. SHE MANAGED TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER AND LEFT TO CALL FOR HELP. UPON RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE, IT WAS CONSUMED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE OVER 100,000.
2008-03-27Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10222473
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD EXPLORER. AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL, THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART FOR THE REPAIR; HOWEVER, THE RECALL STATED THAT THEY WERE AVAILABLE. THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD ARRIVE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 81,000.
2008-02-26Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10219189
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND THEY CLAIMED TO REPAIR IT, BUT ACTUALLY DID NOT. THE VEHICLE FAILED AND WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE POSSESSION OF ANOTHER MECHANIC. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE GREATER THAN 100,000. UPDATED 03/11/08. *LJ

Ford Explorer Complaints by Year

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 1991 Ford Explorer?

Owners named Brakes most often — 103 of 542 reports (19%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 1991 Ford Explorer?

NHTSA lists 10 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Tires, Glass / wipers / cameras, Fuel system, Body / frame, Transmission / driveline, Seat belts, and Brakes. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 1991 Ford Explorer?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources