FaultScore

1991 Ford Explorer window and wiper problems

33 of the 764 complaints about the 1991 Ford Explorer are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 4% of everything reported for this model year.

B

33

Complaints

0

Crashes

3

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Sun/Moon Roof Assembly 16 48.5%
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System 10 30.3%
Fan/Motor 2 6.1%
Rearview Mirrors/Devices 2 6.1%
Windshield Wiper/Washer 1 3.0%
Power Window Devices AND Controls 1 3.0%
Heater Core 1 3.0%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every Ford Explorer year

1991 33 2.0%
1992 48 2.9%
1993 56 3.3%
1994 75 4.5%
1995 22 1.3%
1996 49 2.9%
1997 97 5.8%
1998 117 7.0%
1999 225 13.4%
2000 48 2.9%
2001 19 1.1%
2002 141 8.4%
2003 62 3.7%
2004 114 6.8%
2005 26 1.6%
2006 16 1.0%
2011 23 1.4%
2012 24 1.4%
2013 63 3.8%
2014 53 3.2%
2015 45 2.7%
2016 68 4.1%
2017 75 4.5%
2018 27 1.6%
2020 68 4.1%
2021 40 2.4%
2022 28 1.7%
2025 12 0.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Draper, UT

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, THEN THE FRONT MAIN SEAL. IT HASN'T BEEN TWO MONTHS AND THEN MY HEATER CORE WENT OUT AND AT THE SAME TIME MY HEATER FAN. ALSO, BEFORE THE FRONT MAIN SEAL WENT OUT THE ROTORS WENT BAD AND I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS HAS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN A YEARS TIME. I AM THOROUGHLY DISGUSTED AND BROKE. I PRAISED FORD BEFORE THIS, NOW I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND FORD TO ANYONE I KNOW. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET AND NOW I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE I CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO FIX THIS TRUCK. I HAVE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, FRONT MAIN SEAL, WATER PUMP, STARTER, ROTORS, ALTERNATOR, AND THE LOW WHEEL DRIVE ON MY TRUCK BUT NOW ITS THE HEATER CORE AND I HAVE BEEN QUOTED OVER 600-800 TO FIX THIS! THAT IS IF I CAN FIND ANYONE WHO WANTS TO DO IT WHICH BY THE WAY NO ONE DOES. WHAT DO I DO NOW?

NHTSA complaint #10106282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Draper, UT

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, THEN THE FRONT MAIN SEAL. IT HASN'T BEEN TWO MONTHS AND THEN MY HEATER CORE WENT OUT AND AT THE SAME TIME MY HEATER FAN. ALSO, BEFORE THE FRONT MAIN SEAL WENT OUT THE ROTORS WENT BAD AND I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS HAS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN A YEARS TIME. I AM THOROUGHLY DISGUSTED AND BROKE. I PRAISED FORD BEFORE THIS, NOW I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND FORD TO ANYONE I KNOW. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET AND NOW I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE I CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO FIX THIS TRUCK. I HAVE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, FRONT MAIN SEAL, WATER PUMP, STARTER, ROTORS, ALTERNATOR, AND THE LOW WHEEL DRIVE ON MY TRUCK BUT NOW ITS THE HEATER CORE AND I HAVE BEEN QUOTED OVER 600-800 TO FIX THIS! THAT IS IF I CAN FIND ANYONE WHO WANTS TO DO IT WHICH BY THE WAY NO ONE DOES. WHAT DO I DO NOW?

NHTSA complaint #10106282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Zion, IL

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

SUN ROOF FAILURE .

NHTSA complaint #10057017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Riverbank, CA

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

RECALL 90 V 098 000/SUN ROOF HINGES: SUN ROOF WAS DETACHING FROM VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #897800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sarasota, FL

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

CONFIRMATION INFO...COLUMES DOESN'T MY INFO....BUT TO ADD TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACE, WAS INFORMED VEHICLE WAS REPAINTED BY AAA, BRAKES WENT OUT, REPLACED CABLE WIRES TO BATTRERY- WIRED COAT HANGER PIECES IN WITH CABLE WIRES...

NHTSA complaint #724839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Latchfield, NH Fire

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, WITH THE A/C RUNNING, ALL OF SUDDEN BLACK SMOKE STARTING POURING OUT OF THE HEATING VENTS, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. AFTER FIVE OR TEN MINUTES, DRIVER RESTARTED ENGINE AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TRUCK HOME. DEALER FOUND LEAVES AND OTHER DEBRIS INSIDE THE BLOWER SYSTEM WHICH CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #852316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Germantown, TN

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

THE SUN ROOF LEAKS AND HAS CAUSED WATER DAMAGE IN THE FRONT PART OF THE INTERIOR, INCLUDING THE ROOF, SEATS AND CARPET. ALSO THE PAINT HAS RAPIDLY WORN AWAY AND RUST HAS FORMED AS A CAUSE OF THIS. THE METAL IS SHOWING WHERE PAINT USED TO BE

NHTSA complaint #706302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hillsboro, OH

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY SUN ROOF BLEW OFF, AND ALMOST HIT ANOTHER AUTOMOBILE. NO ACCIDENT, BUT CONSUMER WAS SCARED. NO INJURIES OCCURRED.

NHTSA complaint #837315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kirkland, WA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

DEBRIS, LEAVES AND MOUSE FOUND WITHIN THE HEATER SYSTEM COIL CAUSING SMOKE TO ENTER VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #544175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Winchester, NH

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

WHEN HEATER IS TURNED ON THERE WOULD BE A BURNING SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. HAVE TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP & MECHANIC FOUND LEAVES, PINE NEEDLES AND OTHER DEBRIS INSIDE THE HEATER SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #835226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Billings, MT

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

FOR ABOUT A YEAR THERE WAS AT TIMES A SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. IN JANUARY, 1999 SMOKE POREDE OUT OF THE DASH AND THE HEATER BLOWER STOPPED WORKING. BURNING LEAVES IN THE AIR INTAKE. NOW THE VENT SYSTEMS EXUDE A BURNT SMELL AND THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR IS PERMEATED WITH THE SMELL. THE BLOWER MOTOR RELAY (OR SWITCH?) WAS REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. HOW DO WE AVOID ANOTHER FIRE? HOW DO WE GET RID OF THE SMELL?

NHTSA complaint #703732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Archer, FL

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

UPON STARTING VEHICLE AND DRIVING APPROXIMANTLY ONE MILE I TURNED ON THE HEATER AND STARTED SMELLING A BURNING SMELL AND CAB FILLED WITH SMOKE. I STOPPED THE VEHICAL AND TURNED IT OFF. SMOKE WAS SO THICK I HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICAL. UPON INVESTIGATION UNDER THE HOOD I COULD FIND NO SOURCE OF FIRE OR DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK.I USED THE HEATER THE FOLLOWING DAY AND HAVE HAD NO FURTHER PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS TO MATCH UP WITH THE FEB,23 1999 NEWSPAPER ARTICAL I READ. I AM INTRESTED TO KNOW WHAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THIS.

NHTSA complaint #703710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jacksonville, FL

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

SMOKE AND FLAMES FROM ALL AC VENTS WHILE DRIVING, FIRE CONSUMED ENTIRE VEHICLE. FIRE REPORT, PICTURES & INSURANCE REPORT AVAILABLE. REPORTED TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY. NO POSITIVE RESULTS.

NHTSA complaint #703719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cleveland, TN

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA complaint #703645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Canton, MI Fire

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

CONTINUE TO GET SMOKE/BURNING SMELL THRU VENTILATION SYS. EVEN AFTER REPAIR TO BLOWER

NHTSA complaint #703656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EL Cerrito, CA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

DESIGN FLAW OF THE VENTILLATION SYSTEM ALLOWS FOR LEAVES TO ENTER THE PLENUM CHAMBER CAUSING BURNING AND POTENTIAL FIRE, DAMAGE TO THE BLOWER MOTOR DUE TO BURNING,

NHTSA complaint #542927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seattle, WA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

HEATER MOTOR FAN WAS BLOWING SMOKE INTO VEHICLE WHICH WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN MOTOR. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND THEY INFOMED VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #830928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Great Neck, NY

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

WHILE DRIVING THE SUNROOF WENT FLYING OFF THE CAR, NO INDICATION THE ROOF WAS COMING OFF. IT WAS NOT IN USE. AFTER SUNROOF WAS OFF, LOOKING AT THE ROOF, IT HAD BEEN CLOSED, THE HINGES WERE BROKEN IN HALF. DEALER STATES THE HINGES FAILED AND BROKE, AND THE ROOF CAME OFF FROM THE FRONT, INSTEAD OF THE REAR.

NHTSA complaint #828179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Huntington, CA

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

POP-UP SUNROOF FELL OFF AND SHATTERED IN ROADWAY. FORD DENIED RESPONSIBILITY.

NHTSA complaint #536629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Delaware, OH

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES

ELECTRONIC CONTROLS FOR MIRRORS FAILED, EMITTING SMOKE.

NHTSA complaint #540980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

SUNROOF FLEW OFF.

NHTSA complaint #522719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ridgefield, NJ

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

EA97011, THE DEFECTIVE SUN ROOF SHATTERED UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MIGHT HAVE CAUSED UNNECESSARY INJURIES OR ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #819675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Laquinta, CA

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

THE SUN ROOF WAS OPENED AND IT FLEW OFF . VEHICLE HAS BEEN REAPIRED . THE OWNER DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #816789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Amarillo, TX

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

WHILE DRIVING THE SUN ROOF FLEW OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.INVESTIGATION #97-011.

NHTSA complaint #817079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

SUN ROOF FELL OFF.

NHTSA complaint #519586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Toms River, NJ

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AND THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED WITHOUT A CAUSE, EA97-011. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT THE DEALER. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACUTRER TO SEE IF VEHICLE IS LISTED UNDER RECALL, VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL .

NHTSA complaint #815680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Endicott, NY

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY THE SUNROOF FELL OFF. HAS NOT BEEN TO DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #815406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LOS Angeles, CA

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

WHILE DRIVING WITH SUN ROOF CLOSED, THE SUN ROOF GLASS SHATTERED. CAUSE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #813690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Potomac, MD

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE GLASS IN THE SUN ROOF FRAME BLEW OFF THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED GLASS TO SHATTER UNTO THE ROAD, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #813498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Marysville, WA Fire

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES

ELECTRICAL FIRE DUE TO FAULTY MIRRORSWITCH/WIRING.

NHTSA complaint #511683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1991 Ford Explorer problems

← Full 1991 Ford Explorer report