73 of the 1,531 complaints about the 1994 Ford Explorer are about the suspension — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 68,000 miles.
73
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SUSPENSION
MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS IS AND I HAVE HAD SOME PROBLEMS WITH IT . I NEED ROCKER PANELS , 3 BALL JOINTS AND A NEW MUFFLER.
NHTSA complaint #10273856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
I WAS BROWSING FOR A USED CAR AND CAME ON AN ADD SELLING CARS I HAD NO VEHICLE I ASKED IF THEY CAN PICK ME UP ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CLINTON FERRY. THEY SAID YES THEY WILL PICK ME UP. SO CHECKED OUT THEIR INVENTORY. I PICKED A 1994 FORD EXPLORER LITTLE DAMAGE TO THE BODY, TIRES NEEDED CHANGING, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD HAS DAMAGE, AND REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS GONE. I ACCEPTED THESE AND ASKED FOR A TEST RIDE PROCEEDED OFF THE LOT THERE WAS NO GAS MAKING A TEST DRIVE SHORT. IT WAS AS IF THEY RUSHED ME THROUGH THE DEAL NOTHING WAS SAID ABOUT THE PROBLEMS. RETURNING HOME IS WHEN I BEGAN RUNNING INTO PROBLEMS THAT WERE SAFETY ISSUES. THE RPMS HAD GONE TO THE LIMITS OF SAFE OPERATION EXCEEDING 6,000 RPMS AND NOT SHIFTING TO A HIRE GEAR MAKING THE MOTOR SCREEN NEARLY EXPLODING THE MOTOR THIS IS CONSISTENT EVERY TIME YOU OPERATE. SO DROVE HOME WITH THIS PROBLEM. I ACCELERATED AND THEN LET OFF THE GAS AND IT THEN SHIFTED UP. I GAVE IT THE GAS IT SCREAMED AND I LET OFF THE GAS AND IT SHIFTED INTO THE HIGHER GEAR I ALSO HAVE STEERING PROBLEMS IT PULLS TO THE LEFT PULLING ME INTO ON GOING TRAFFIC, SHIMMIES AND THE TIE RODS CONNECTED TO THE STEERING HAD SOME PLAY IN THEM. SO WHEN I TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT I HAD NO STEERING UNTIL IT GOT TO CERTAIN POINT WHERE IT STEERED. THE VEHICLE FLOATS LIKE A BOAT A STRUT PROBLEM. NOW WHEN I WENT TO ESTIMATES FOR THE REPAIRS ITS PARTS AND LABOR CAME TOO ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT I PAID FOR THE TRUCK APPROXIMATELY 4,400.00. SO NOW I HAVE THIS TRUCK I REFUSE TO DRIVE. I TOLD THEM TO COME AND GET IT AND NO WAY WAS I GOING TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE TRUCK SO IT SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY. I REFUSE TO PAY THEM ANY MONEY. THEY HAVEN'T CALLED ME, NOR MADE ANY DEAL.
NHTSA complaint #10206124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BEARINGS ON THE 1994 FORD EXPLORER WERE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. THE CONTACT CANNOT GIVE DETAILS OF THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. THE BEARINGS WERE NOT PRE-LOADED. THE WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE WERE VIBRATING. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE PREVIOUS MECHANIC DID NOT PRELOAD THE BEARINGS. ONCE BEARINGS WERE LOADED PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE NO LONGER VIBRATED. *AK THE REAPIR SHOP INSTALLED THE BEARINGS INCORRECTLY, HOWEVER THEY DENIED THEY DID ANYTHING WRONG. UPDATED 02/27/07.
NHTSA complaint #10180700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
(1) PURCHASE OF A NEW 2002 FORD EXPLORER; (2) DEFECTIVE VEHICLE FROM THE ONSET. ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH SERIOUS "SAFETY" ISSUES. (3) HAVE REPEATED TAKEN THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PROBLEMS HAVE NOT BEEN RECTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10150527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
I BOUGHT MY 1994 FORD EXPLORER (4WD) IN MAY OF 1999 AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS SINCE. THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 50900 MILES WHEN I BOUGHT IT. IT NOW HAS 89000 MILES. I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE ROTORS TWICE AND REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS THREE TIMES. THE LAST TIME I COMPLETED BRAKE WORK WAS BECAUSE THE LEFT FRONT CALIPER OVERHEATED AND FAILED. I THEN REPLACED BOTH FRONT CALIPERS. THERE IS A BAD VIBRATION PROBLEM AT SPEEDS OF 55-67 MPH. I RECENTLY PURCHASED FOUR NEW TIRES, HAD THEM BALANCED, HAD THE FRONT END ALIGNED, AND REPLACED THE SHOCKS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. IT STILL VIBRATES AT THE ABOVE MENTIONED SPEEDS. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE PCM (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT). I REPLACED THE PCM AS A LAST RESORT BECAUSE I HAD ALREADY REPLACED ALL THE SENSORS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSING THE PROBLEM. REPLACING THE PCM CORRECTED THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A YEAR, BUT NOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN DURING INITIAL STARTING AND THEN GOES OUT AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 2-3 MILES. I ALSO HAVE A SOUND COMING FROM MY AIR VENTS WHEN THE A/C IS TURNED ON. NOW FOR MY MOST RECENT PROBLEM. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS READING HOTTER THAN NORMAL SO I OVERHAULED THE COOLING SYSTEM INCLUDING: NEW THERMOSTAT, NEW COOLING FAN (OLD ONE WAS CRACKED ALL AROUND THE HUB), NEW FAN CLUTCH, NEW RADIATOR, NEW ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR, AND NEW FLUID FLUSH AND REFILL. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STILL READS THE SAME. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO NOW. ANY RECALL INFORMATION YOU COULD PROVIDE WOULD HELP. I HAVE ALL RECEIPTS FOR PARTS PURCHASED AND WORK PERFORMED.
NHTSA complaint #10086453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT ALL EXPLORERS EXPERIENCED THIS VIBRATION. THE VIBRATION HAS BECOME WORSE AND THE DRIVER FEELS LIKE HE'S GOING TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10015495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE FRONT END WILL WOBBLE AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
NHTSA complaint #8021889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER STATED THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED, THE VEHICLE WAS REALIGNED, AND THE RIGHT CAMBER BUSHING WAS INSTALLED ON THE RIGHT SIDE.*JB
NHTSA complaint #566429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
CONSUMER STATED THAT THEY DO NOT OWN THE VEHICLE ANYMORE, BECAUSE IT WAS PLAGUED WITH FRONT-END PROBLEMS. THEIR CONCERN IS THAT THE CAR, IF SOLD, WILL CAUSE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY IF DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #564156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING 55-60MPH ON WET PAVEMENT WHEEL LOCKED ,COULD NOT STRAIGHTEN VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC INDICATED THAT METAL BROKE OUT OF RADIUS ARM. PLEASE ADD VIN.
NHTSA complaint #8004477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
CONSUMER STATED THAT THEY DO NOT OWN THE VEHICLE ANYMORE, BECAUSE IT WAS PLAGUED WITH FRONT-END PROBLEMS. THEIR CONCERN IS THAT THE CAR, IF SOLD, WILL CAUSE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY IF DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #564156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL AND FLOOR STARTING AT APPROX. 60 MPH THROUGH 70MPH. TIRE BALANCE AND NEW TIRES DID NOT SOLVE.
NHTSA complaint #735515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
AT SPEEDS OF 55 TO 70 MPH THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY. DEALER RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND REAR AXLE-TO-FRAME LATERAL SHOCK ABSORBER.
NHTSA complaint #750445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
BRAKES ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, AND HAD TO REPLACE MASTER CYCLINDER. ALSO, THERE IS MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 96S35 CONCERNING PRIMARY ASSISTANCE BOOSTER FOR 1994 FORD, EXPLORER. HOWEVER, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. CONSUMER FEELS AS THOUGH FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING IN NEAR FUTURE.*AK 4 WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT GO OFF, DEALER REPLACED SHIFT MOTOR AND SHIFT RELAY. DEALER REPLACED RADIUS ARM BUSHINGS AND CALIPER SLIDE PINS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #893934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AREA (IT APPEARS OTHER INFORMATION WAS SENT BY CONSUMER, HOWEVER IS NOT WITHIN THE DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED FOR ANALYST). *MJS
NHTSA complaint #561664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END VEHICLE BEEN INTO A DEALER SHOP AND INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND BOTH WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #882153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #785109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #785109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #785109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
THE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #785109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
NOTIFICATION PROGRAM 94M85 ON ALL 1991 & 1992 EXPLORER RECALL ON RADIUS ARM INSULATERS , BUT NOT ON 1994 EXPLORER WHICH HAS SAME DEFECTIVE RADIUS ARM INSULATORS.
NHTSA complaint #737967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
PREMATURE WEAR OF STRUT ARM BUSHINGS. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #876657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
RADIUS ARM WORE OUT, AND IF ARM CAME THROUGH, DRIVER WILL LOSE COMPLETE CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #876682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
MY TRUCK WAS MAKING AN AWLFUL CLUNK NOSIE FROM UNDERNEATH. I WENT TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS MY RADIAL ARM....KEEPING MY TIRES FROM SHIMMYING FORWARDS/BACKWARDS. I CONTACTED FORD ON 1-29-00 & WAS TOLD IT WAS A MANF. DEFECT BUT NEVER RECALLED SO I WAS RESPONSIBLE TO FIX IT. WHEN THE TIRE RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED, MY TIRES WERE PART OF THE RECALL, SO I CALLED FORD AGAIN ON 08-07-00. THEY NOTED MY COMPLAINT ONCE AGAIN AND TOLD ME IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY ONCE AGAIN. I HAD IT FIXED @ FORD DEALERSHIP TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $400. THIS WAS DONE ONLY A FEW MONTHS AGO AND NOW THE CLUNK IS BACK! I ALSO ADVISED FORD THAT I WAS WORRIED THAT THIS MIGHT CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES...TO NO AVAIL. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF SOMEONE LOOKED INTO THIS. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IF NEEDED.
NHTSA complaint #737137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT DUE TO POSSIBLE TIRE FAILURE OR SUSPENTION PROBLEMS WHEN THE CONSUMER OVER COMPENSATED LANE CHANGE RESULTING IN ROLLOVER (FIRESTONE). NLM
NHTSA complaint #556980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING AT 75 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST ALL CONTROL DUE TO POSSIBLE AXLE/SUSPENSION FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN VEHICLE ROLLOVER, FORD REFUSES ANY RESPONSIBILITY. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #554826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED FRONT SUSPENSION SHAKING. . DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED, CAN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIP BUT NON OF THEM CAN FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER BOUGHT A FOURTH SET OF TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #872750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
FRONT RADIUS ARM BUSHING WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED CAR TO NOT STEER PROPERLY, AND MAKES A SQUEALING NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #872612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH SEVERE VIBRATION WHEN DRVING AT 50-65 MPH, CAUSEING STEERING WHEEL AND VEHICLE TO SHIMMY. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON SIX OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #872647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH SEVERE VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH OR MORE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #871758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.