FaultScore

1991 Ford Explorer fuel system problems

27 of the 764 complaints about the 1991 Ford Explorer are about the fuel system — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 104,650 miles.

F

27

Complaints

0

Crashes

5

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Tank Assembly 8 29.6%
Fuel Pump 3 11.1%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 3 11.1%
Delivery 2 7.4%
Fuel System, Gasoline 2 7.4%
Storage 2 7.4%
Fuel System, Other 1 3.7%
Carburetor System 1 3.7%
Fuel Injection System 1 3.7%
Mounting 1 3.7%

Fuel & Propulsion across every Ford Explorer year

1991 27 2.2%
1992 20 1.6%
1993 16 1.3%
1994 37 3.0%
1995 16 1.3%
1996 26 2.1%
1997 57 4.6%
1998 69 5.5%
1999 35 2.8%
2000 20 1.6%
2001 12 1.0%
2002 74 5.9%
2003 13 1.0%
2004 36 2.9%
2005 68 5.5%
2006 27 2.2%
2011 40 3.2%
2012 34 2.7%
2013 153 12.3%
2014 71 5.7%
2015 94 7.5%
2016 112 9.0%
2017 49 3.9%
2018 23 1.8%
2019 17 1.4%
2020 42 3.4%
2021 25 2.0%
2022 33 2.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 15,000 miles Losangeles, CA Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10523299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfield, MA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE DRIVER SMELLED GAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED GAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. PLEASE ADD ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10048631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 250,000 miles Springfield, MA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

FUEL IS SPILLING OUT FROM THE FUEL TANK. THERE'S A RECALL 91V024000 FOR THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT PROVIDING PROPER INFORMATION. THEY ARE INDICATING THAT THE VIN NUMBER MAY NOT BE INCLUDED OR THE RECALL WAS ALREADY PERFORMED. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10048454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,300 miles Clifton Heights, PA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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 ****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****746208

NHTSA complaint #10007047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Corbin, KY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

GAS FEEDER LINE TO REGULATOR STARTED LEAKING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING OUTSIDE TO WARM UP. UPON COMING OUT TO THE VEHICLE I FOUND A POOL OF GAS CIRCUMFERENCING MY VEHICLE. I IMMEDIATELY JUMPED INTO IT AN D MOVED IT AWAY FROM MY HOME. AFTER DOING SO SHUT IT OFF. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. MY HOME ,MY CAR AND LOSS OF LIFE COULD HAVE RESULTED FORM THIS. I FEEL IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN OCTOBER 1990. ALSO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED ON PREVIOUSLY, II HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FINGD ANYTHING ON IT. THANK YOU

NHTSA complaint #10002892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Warwick, RI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATBELT IN NOT OPERABLE. SEATBELT ITSELF, WHOLE COMPONENT IS DEFECTED. RETRACTOR IS OKAY. ALSO, WHEN FILLING UP FUEL TANK GAS NOZZLE CAN SMELL GASOLINE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEMS. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #885490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL Fire 1 injured

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CONSUMERS HOME GARAGE BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START, CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR IN THE GARAGE AND NOTICED GASOLINE SMELL, CONSUMER WENT TO TURN VEHICLE OFF AND IT EXPLODED, BURNING THE CONSUMER, VEHICLE AND THE GARAGE. *MJS

NHTSA complaint #558105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Aspen, CO

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

FUEL TANK IS LEAKING FUEL. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL. MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #862378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Eagle River, WI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

AFTER TRYING TO FIGURE WHERE THE FUEL SMELL AT TIMES WAS COMING FROM THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE . GAS WAS LEAKING OUT RAPIDLY FROM TOP OF GAS TANK. UPON INSPECTION THE FUEL SENDING UNIT CORRODED OUT AT THE TUBES THAT PROTRUDE FRON SENDING UNIT COVER. THE COVER AND THE RETAINER ARE ALSO VERY ROTTED ALONG WITH THE TABS THAT THE RETAINER(LOCK RING) SLIDES UNDER TO HOLD THE SENDING UNIT IN THE TANK. WHILE I HAVE BEEN IN THE AUTO BUSINESS MANY YEARS I HAVE MADE SOME CALLS AND HAVE TALKED TO SOME OTHER MECHANICS ,AND CUSTOMERS, THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR EXPLORERS TOO. I FEEL THAT A PART THAT IS TRANSPORTING GAS UNDER PRESSURE, SUCH AS THIS SHOULD BE MADE OF BETTER MATERIAL SO AS NOT TO RUST AWAY AT ALL.

NHTSA complaint #720047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fresh Meadows, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

METAL TOP THAT CONNECTS THE GAS LINES TO THE FUEL TANK AND TO WHICH THE FUEL PUMP IS WELDED RUSTED OUT, CAUSING A GAS LEAK, ALSO THE SNAP RING FUEL LINE CONNECTOR TO THE GAS TANK DISCONNECTED, CAUSING GAS LEAKAGE.

NHTSA complaint #522466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fresh Meadows, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

SMELL GASOLINE FUMES WHEN GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE, DISCOVERED GAS DRIPPING ONTO THE GROUND FROM THE METAL COVER AROUND THE POLYETHYLENE GAS TANK, ONLY DRIP WHEN ENGINE RUNNING, METAL TOP THAT CONNECTS THE GAS LINES TO TANK AND TO WHICH THE FUEL PUMP IS WELDED WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT.

NHTSA complaint #522466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bensalem, PA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

GAS GAUGE FAILED BY REGISTERING MORE GAS THAN ACTUALLY EXISTED.

NHTSA complaint #526343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Carrollton, TX 2 injured

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSED ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #523790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Merrimack, NH

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

TANK MOUNTED FUEL PUMP FAILED, CAUSING GASOLINE UNDER PRESSURE TO BE PUMPED OVERBOARD UNDER THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #508412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Attleboro, MA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

GAS TANK LEAKS.

NHTSA complaint #513160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Staten Island, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

FUEL PUMP FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #510303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

East Haddam, CT

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

FUEL SENDING UNIT FUEL PUMP NECK ROTTED, CAUSING LEAK.

NHTSA complaint #509125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

East Harwich, MA Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

VEHICLE WAS PARKED, CAUGHT ON FIRE, FAILURE OF FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR GOT STUCK, CAUSING ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE,

NHTSA complaint #986340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bismarck, ND Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL LINE LEAKED, CAUSING FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #502652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ANN Arbor, MI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM

INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKED.

NHTSA complaint #502715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Anaheim, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

FUEL PUMP CUT OFF SWITCH IS LOCATED IN FRONT PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. PASSENGERS FEET MAKES IT SHUT OFF.

NHTSA complaint #982335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Indianapolis, IN

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

FUEL TANK PROBLEMS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA complaint #975550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gueygen, LA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

FUEL LINE FAILURE, THE FUEL LINE IS LEAKING, MANUFACTURER NO LONG MAKES FUEL LINE BECAUSE OF BEING A FIRE HAZARD. TT

NHTSA complaint #973979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Olathe, KS

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

WHEN TRUCK IS TURNED OFF THE FUEL PUMP KEEPS ON RUNNING (MAKING NOISE) . TT

NHTSA complaint #972312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chambersburg, PA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

FUEL SPILLS FROM FUEL TANK AFTER HALF FILLED WITH FUEL; LEAKAGE INSIDE CASING THAT CONTAINS FUEL TANK; COULD CAUSE MAJOR EXPLOSION. TT

NHTSA complaint #969483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waukegan, 00

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

FUEL LINE LEAK, SMALL RUBBER HOSE ALUMINUM CONNECT THAT KEPT TIGHT, ALUMINUM CLAMP CORRODED AND CAUSE THE HOSE THE LEAK, THAT GOES TO THE LINE. TT

NHTSA complaint #969387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Arlington, VA Fire 1 killed

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND EXPLODED DUE TO PLASTIC FUEL TANK DESIGN, BEING PUNCTURED BY STEEL GRATING AND IGNITING, RESULTING IN FATALITY. *SKD

NHTSA complaint #482082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1991 Ford Explorer problems

← Full 1991 Ford Explorer report