1991 Ford EXPLORER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
433 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
121,902 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 34 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires:Tread/Belt is the most frequently named component, appearing in 49 of 433 complaints (11.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 85 | 19.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 26 | 6.0% |
| Steering behavior | 17 | 3.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 15 | 3.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 2.5% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 1.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 49 |
| Tires | 44 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 35 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder | 17 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 15 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 15 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 13 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 |
Tires:Tread/Belt: 49; Tires: 44; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 35; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder: 17; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 15; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 15; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 13; Vehicle Speed Control: 12
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 12 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 12
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 399 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 124 |
| 1996 | 60 |
| 2000 | 115 |
| 2001 | 47 |
| 2002 | 24 |
| 2003 | 30 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 12 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
1995: 124; 1996: 60; 2000: 115; 2001: 47; 2002: 24; 2003: 30; 2004: 8; 2005: 12; 2006: 4; 2008: 3; 2009: 2; 2011: 1; 2013: 1; 2015: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Tires:Tread/Belt leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 85 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 26 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10049517 · 2003-12-10 (December 10, 2003)
I BOUGHT A 1991 FORD EXPLORER 1 1/2 YEARS AGO FROM A NEIGHBOR WHO SAID HE WAS TIRED OF PUTTING BRAKES ON IT. SINCE HE HAD JUST DONE IT AGAIN, I DIDN'T EXPECT ANY TROUBLE FOR A WHILE. 17,000 MILES LATER, ALL BRAKE PADS, CALIPERS ETC., NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. IT IS AVERAGING 20,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC SAID THIS MODEL WAS "BAD FOR PUSHING THE PADS OFF THE SHOES." WHILE PAYING MY BILL, I NOTICED ANOTHER SIMILAR VEHICLE ON THE RACK GETTING THE SAME THING DONE. IS THIS AN EPIDEMIC OR AM I JUST UNLUCKY? I HAVE CONTACTED FORD C…
Owner-reported narrative. 160,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049517 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050895 · 2003-12-21 (December 21, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AFTER HEARING A STRANGE DRAGGING NOISE MY LEFT WHEEL CAME OFF AFTER RETREIVING THE TIRE I NOTICED THE ROTOR BRAKE CHAMBER WAS STILL BOLTED TIGHTLY TO THE WHEEL SOME BEARINGS LOOKED LIKE THEY HAD FALLEN OUT THE BRAKE LINE WAS SNAPPED THE SUSPENTION AROUND THE WHEEL WAS BROKEN I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BY MY TRIPLE AAA TOWING COMPANY RENTED A CAR AND USED THE INTERNET TO INVESTIGATE AND MAKE THIS REPORT BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE AN MANUFACTURES DEFAULT I ALSO TOOK PICTURES AND HAVE NOT WORKED ON THE VEHICLE I AM WAAITING YOUR RESPO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10050895 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010411 · 2003-03-13 (March 13, 2003)
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 154,233 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010411 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044439 · 2003-10-22 (October 22, 2003)
WHEN DRIVING 4-WHEEL DRIVE ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAUSED STEERING WHEEL TO PULL EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT. HAD TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. DRIVER SHIFTED INTO REVERSE TO DISENGAGE 4-WHEEL DRIVE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044439 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 472213 · 1995-10-19 (October 19, 1995)
NOISY POWER STEERING. *TW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 472213 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007047 · 2001-05-31 (May 31, 2001)
FUEL TANK-VAPOR VENT VALVE CARRIER WELD FAILED. DEALER FAILED TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY FOUND FUEL LEAK, REPLACED FUEL TANK AT MY EXPENSE. I RECENTLY LEARNED OF RECALL NO. 91V025000. FORD STATES THAT THIS IS ADVISORY BULLETIN ONLY AND NOT A RECALL, AND IN ANY CASE, DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. I ORDERED MY VEHICLE IN MAY 1990 AND TOOK DELIVERY IN SEPTEMBER 1990. I BELIEVE THAT MY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN RECALL, AND THAT DEALER THE SHOULD HAVE DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM CONSIDERING RECALL BULLETIN. *JB *NLM …
Owner-reported narrative. 79,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007047 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10046613 · 2003-11-07 (November 7, 2003)
AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10046613 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10012376 · 2003-04-07 (April 7, 2003)
ERRORS WERE MADE IN THE INSTALLATION OF THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. MR. *AK. THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE REPAIRS WERE MADE, CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10012376 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044955 · 2003-10-29 (October 29, 2003)
ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS INSIDE THE DASHBOARD IGNITED, AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 141,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044955 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042162 · 2003-10-02 (October 2, 2003)
GENERATOR FAILED PREMATURELY, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042162 at NHTSA ↗