FaultScore

1991 Ford Explorer acceleration problems

31 of the 764 complaints about the 1991 Ford Explorer are about the throttle and cruise control — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 100,000 miles.

F

31

Complaints

9

Crashes

1

Fires

3

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Vehicle Speed Control 20 64.5%
Cruise Control 6 19.4%
Accelerator Pedal 4 12.9%
Linkages 1 3.2%

Acceleration & Cruise Control across every Ford Explorer year

1991 31 1.7%
1992 15 0.8%
1993 38 2.1%
1994 56 3.1%
1995 84 4.6%
1996 155 8.5%
1997 213 11.7%
1998 287 15.8%
1999 153 8.4%
2000 117 6.4%
2001 36 2.0%
2002 157 8.7%
2003 37 2.0%
2004 76 4.2%
2005 44 2.4%
2006 28 1.5%
2007 13 0.7%
2010 14 0.8%
2011 19 1.0%
2012 17 0.9%
2013 38 2.1%
2014 29 1.6%
2015 16 0.9%
2016 76 4.2%
2017 22 1.2%
2020 29 1.6%
2021 14 0.8%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Fayetteville, NC

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10222473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Ellington, MO

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10219189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,284 miles Edgewood, WA Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

MY WIFE [XXX] WAS DRIVING MY 1991 FORD EXPLORER TO SEE HER SON ON 2-2-04( AND NEVER USES CRUISE CONTROL)WHEN ON HWY 161 HEADING NORTH THE CRUISE CONTROL TOOK OVER AND MADE THE THROTTLE STICK WIDE OPEN, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD AND VEHICLE WENT UP TO ABOUT 70 BEFORE SHE FINALLY TURNED OFF KEY, THE BRAKES WERE SMOKING FROM ABOUT 1 MILE OF FIGHTING TO STOP THE THING, SHE FINALLY STOPPED AFTER HITTING A TRUCK IN FRONT OF BLACKSTONE COLLISION, WHOSE OWNER DEMANDED SHE REMOVE IT DUE TO BLOCKING DRIVEWAY, (2) SALESMEN FROM JET CHEV SAW THE WHOLE THING AND SINCE THE OTHER DRIVERS VEHICLE WAS NOT BADLY DAMAGED HE WANTED TO LEAVE, THE SALESMAN STARTED THE FORD EXPLORER AND IT WAS STILL FLOORED HE WAS ABLE TO MOVE IT AND PARKED IT, HE ALSO UNSTUCK THE THROTTLE THEREBY DESTROYING EVIDENCE,MY INSURANCE CO. WAS GOING TO GO AFTER FORD BUT DIDN'T , SO WE WERE CANCELLED AND NOW I PAY TWICE AS MUCH DUE TO FORD DEFECTS THEY NEED TO OWN UP TO THIS. VEH ID [XXX] MY WIFE HAD TO GO TO HOSPITAL FOR 2 CRACKED ANKLES DUE TO THIS AS X RAYS WERE TAKEN WITHIN 4 HRS OF WRECK (SHE HAD BOTH FEET ON BRAKE PEDAL TRYING TO STOP IT.) I AM GOING TO ALSO REPORT ANOTHER INCIDENT FROM THIS SAME VEHICLE, MFG DEFECT. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #10114817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 208,000 miles Houston, TX Fire

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

ON DEC 23, 2004, MY 1991 FORD EXPLORER CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE HAD 208,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAD BEEN PROFESSIONALY SERVICED A WEEK PRIOR TO THE FIRE. WHILE I WAS DRIVING, I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. I LOOKED IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR & SAW SOME WHITE SMOKE BEHIND ME. WITHIN SECONDS THE ENGINE DIED. BY THE TIME I GOT IT PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER, SMOKE WAS STREAMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE BURNED THROUGH THE FIREWALL AND CAUGHT THE INTERIOR ON FIRE VERY QUICKLY.

NHTSA complaint #10114537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Burke, VA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS GOING HOME AND I NOTICED THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING. FROM 10 MPH TO 45, 50, 60 AND I COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE THE ONLY THING THAT I COULD DO AT THE TIME WAS TO PLACE THE GEAR ON NEUTRAL.

NHTSA complaint #10008467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Austin, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CONSUMER STATES ACCELERATOR STICKS TO THE FLOOR CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION, THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE IS TO SLIP THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL AND PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A REMEDY. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #785282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Midland, OH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICL ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK AFTER THE PEDAL WAS RELEASED. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #849263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Salina, KS

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

WHILE DRIVING GAS PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. DRIVER PRESSED THE BRAKES BUT DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE FROM REVVING. DRIVER HAD TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE TO STOP VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #848782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Peroia, IL Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING THE THROTTLE REMAINED IN THE OPEN POSITION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE, RESULTING IN A COLLISION/INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #836185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Naperville, IL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

ENGINE REEVED PAST 6000 RPMS AND COULD NOT GET IT TO RELEASE UNTL VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #705582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fowlerville, MI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SPEED CONTROL SURGES DURING WET ROAD CONDITIONS.

NHTSA complaint #704709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Farmington Hill, MI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND ENGINE STARTED TO RACE REAL HIGH, CONSUMER HAD TO CUT OFF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #834814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kanas City, MO Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AFTER THE CONSUMER WAS PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKES VERY HARD BECAUSE THE ABS BRAKES LOCKED UP. THE CONSUMER NOTICED LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE TIRES, AND THE CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE AND GOT OUT, THE VEHICLE WAS ROLLING DOWN THE STREET. CONSUMER HAD TO JUMP INTO THE VEHICLE AND PULL UP THE EMERENCY PARKING BRAKE,AND THE THE REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP. THEY ARE'NT SUPPOSE TO LOCK UP.

NHTSA complaint #830652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boerne, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SUDDEN ACCELERATION.

NHTSA complaint #517018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairmont, WV

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

THE RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE WHEN PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT CONTROL. TURNED THE IGNITION OFF TO STOP BECAUSE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE ALONE DID NOT WORK. THE IAC WAS REPLACED BECAUSE THE IAC WAS STICKING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #812312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sant Barbara, CA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN PARK VEHICLE WENT BACKWARDS IN HIGH SPEED AND CRASHED, THE WHEELS TURNING AND ENGINE ROARING.THE IGNITION COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF.

NHTSA complaint #811768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Northridge, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

SPRING UNDERNEATH ACCELERATOR PEDAL FRACTURED DURING ACCELERATION, CAUSING SPLINTERED END TO CATCH IN CARPETING, HOLDING PEDAL IN DOWN POSITION/UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION.

NHTSA complaint #510737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Plano, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN ENTERING THE FREEWAY VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT APPLYING GAS PEDAL, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES NOTHING HAPPENED, PUT EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND TURNED CAR OFF TO STOP IT.

NHTSA complaint #805227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oakland, CA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE OUT OF OFFICE GARAGE, GAS PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, THE ENGINE WAS RACING, VEHICLE TOOK OFF, TRIED TO STOP VEHICLE BY APPLYING BRAKES, VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO A BUILDING, SMASHING THE FRONT OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #800677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oakland, CA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE OUT OF OFFICE GARAGE, GAS PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, THE ENGINE WAS RACING, VEHICLE TOOK OFF, TRIED TO STOP VEHICLE BY APPLYING BRAKES, VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO A BUILDING, SMASHING THE FRONT OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #800677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rossford, OH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN FORCE IS NOT APPLIED TO THE GAS PEDAL, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #987022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glendale, AZ

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

ACCELERATOR PEDAL SPRING BROKE.

NHTSA complaint #504847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Arnold, PA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE SURGED WHEN SHIFTING GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #478508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Marietta, GA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK AND WOULD NOT RETURN POSSIBLY DUE TO THE POSITION OF THE FLOOR MAT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA complaint #970749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bethpage, NY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

ROUGH IDLE.

NHTSA complaint #966736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alhambra, CA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THROTTLE STUCK, ENGINE WAS AT HIGH IDLE LED TO AN ACCIDENT. TT

NHTSA complaint #965345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brandon, FL Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING START TO ACCELERATE AND TRY TO STOP THE ABS ANTI-LOCK BRAKE COULD NOT STOP THE CAR HIT A WALL AND BROKE MY BACK. TT

NHTSA complaint #964071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kalamazoo, MI

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ACCELERATOR PEDAL STAYS IN THROTTLE POSITION CAUSING VEHICLE TO SURGE OR SUDDENLY ACCELERATE TO HIGH SPEEDS. TT

NHTSA complaint #963143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Scottsdale, AZ

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

LEAVING GAS STATION PRESSED PEDAL HALF, THROTTLE CRUISE CONTROL KICKED IN AND VEHICLE SURGED OUT OF CONTROL. TT

NHTSA complaint #962956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Valley Strea, NY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING, THROTTLE STUCK, ACCELERATOR PEDAL STAYED IN FULL THROTTLE AFTER PEDAL FORCE WAS REMOVED, BRAKING WAS INEFFECTIVE, HAD TO SHUT OFF ENGINE TO STOP.

NHTSA complaint #962892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1991 Ford Explorer problems

← Full 1991 Ford Explorer report