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Model year record

1994 Ford Explorer recalls & problems

The 1994 Ford Explorer has 4 safety recalls and 1,207 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is tires (385 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints1,207filed by owners
Crashes · fires109 · 82reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths154 · 20reported in complaints

Safety recalls

StructureNov 3, 1999

Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Support device/strut

Recall 99V310001470,582 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET WELDS COULD FRACTURE.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
VisibilityMay 5, 1997

Rearview mirrors/devices

Recall 97V083000610,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
A SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITION CAN OCCUR IN THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH CIRCUIT BOARD AS A RESULT OF A SEPARATED PART OF THE CONTACT ASSEMBLY BRIDGING THE SWITCH POSITIVE BATTERY PAD AND ADJACENT CHASSIS GROUND PAD.
Risk
THE CURRENT CAN OVERHEAT THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND OTHER PLASTIC AND ELASTOMERIC COMPONENTS OF THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN SMOKE OR FIRE.
Fix
DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IN-LINE 10 AMP FUSE IN THE POSITIVE BATTERY FEED TO THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH ASSEMBLY.
Service brakes, hydraulicFeb 5, 1996

Power assist › Hydraulic

Recall 96V024001108,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
THE STUDS WHICH ATTACH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AFTER BEING OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATION.
Risk
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.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.
Parking brakeSep 7, 1994

Conventional

Recall 94V169001835,791 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL SELF-ADJUST PAWL DOES NOT LINE UP PROPERLY WITH THE SELF-ADJUST RACHET CAUSING THE PAWL TO SLIP OVER ONE OR MORE TEETH IN THE RACHET.
Risk
WHEN THE ABOVE OCCURS, IT CAN RESULT IN PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM INEFFECTIVENESS. THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FREELY, IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT LEFT IN GEAR.
Fix
A WEDGE WILL BE INSTALLED WHICH WILL SERVE TO LOCK THE PARKING BRAKE SELF-ADJUST MECHANISM PAWL INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RACHET. ALSO, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO RELEASE AND REAPPLY THE PARKING BRAKE WHENEVER TOOTH SKIP OCCURS AND WILL BE REMINDED TO ALWAYS TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1994 Ford Explorer 4-DR 4x4

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Explorer 2WD

18mpg combined
City / highway16 / 20 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Explorer 4WD

17mpg combined
City / highway15 / 20 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Explorer 2WD

16mpg combined
City / highway14 / 19 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Explorer 4WD

15mpg combined
City / highway14 / 18 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
TiresTread/belt; Sidewall3854518694,200 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components2782902088,500 mi
StructureBody › Hatchback/liftgate › Support device/strut; Body › Door1610720170,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission9180688,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine89014090,000 mi
Electrical systemIgnition; Wiring861303122,000 mi
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system; Power window devices and controls75028676,500 mi
SuspensionFront; Front › Control arm7310268,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cables56115490,000 mi
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Mechanical › Carrier/rack33040—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Delivery › Fuel pump2933386,000 mi
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Gear box (other than rack and pinion)26303—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations