FaultScore

1995 Ford Explorer suspension problems

99 of the 1,048 complaints about the 1995 Ford Explorer are about the suspension — 9% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 131,000 miles.

C

99

Complaints

6

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Suspension 26 26.3%
Rear 21 21.2%
Front 16 16.2%
Stabilizer BAR 16 16.2%
Torsion BAR 6 6.1%
Lower Ball Joint 4 4.0%
Control ARM 3 3.0%
Wheel Bearing 2 2.0%
Shackle 2 2.0%
Shock Absorber 1 1.0%

Suspension across every Ford Explorer year

1991 36 1.8%
1992 63 3.2%
1993 67 3.4%
1994 73 3.7%
1995 99 5.0%
1996 112 5.6%
1997 112 5.6%
1998 116 5.8%
1999 71 3.6%
2000 69 3.5%
2001 45 2.3%
2002 460 23.1%
2003 69 3.5%
2004 40 2.0%
2005 15 0.8%
2011 24 1.2%
2012 22 1.1%
2013 79 4.0%
2014 102 5.1%
2015 82 4.1%
2016 74 3.7%
2017 57 2.9%
2018 22 1.1%
2019 11 0.6%
2020 35 1.8%
2021 15 0.8%
2022 11 0.6%
2023 13 0.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 175,000 miles Chula Vista, CA

SUSPENSION

THE STEERING COLUMN AND ALL THE PARTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE WERE AFFECTED WHEN THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE CLAMPS THAT SECURE THE BUSHINGS TO THE STEERING COLUMN BEGAN TO LOOSEN. I EXAMINED THE AREA CAREFULLY AND NOTICED THAT BECAUSE THE BOLTS LOOSENED, THE CLAMPS WERE GIVEN TOO MUCH PLAY. WITHIN A SHORT WHILE, A MONTH OR TWO, THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN AND THE SHIFTER WERE COMPLETELY SECURED BY ONE BROKEN CLAMP THAT HELD ITS PLACE BECAUSE OF THE BUSHINGS AND A LOOSE BOLT. THE OTHER CLAMP WAS ALSO BROKEN BUT WAS LAYING ON THE FLOOR BOARD. IT WASN'T AN EXPENSIVE FIX. I CUSTOMIZED A METAL CLAMP FOR EACH OF THE TWO PLACES THE WENT. THEY ARE THE SAME CLAMPS THE ELECTRICIANS USE TO SECURE CABLES AND WIRES TO THE WALLS AND CEILINGS. I USED THE ONES MADE FROM BRONZE. THEY ARE MORE PLIABLE TO SHAPE FOR AN ALMOST PERFECT FIT. WITH A LITTLE GREASE ABOVE AND BELOW THE BUSHINGS AND ALSO SOME WHERE THE NOW BRONZE CLAMPS HOLD THE BUSHINGS, I BELIEVE THAT THE STEERING COLUMN IS AS SAFE AS CAN BE. ALSO, THE PLASTIC THAT HOLDS THE CABLE THAT IS USED TO ADJUST THE SHIFT INDICATOR NEEDS TO BE MADE OF A DIFFERENT MATERIAL. I'LL GET TO THAT SOON.

NHTSA complaint #11209182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles BEN Salem, PA

SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SWAY BAR WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LINK ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE OVER A ONE YEAR PERIOD. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA complaint #10574452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Spokane, WA

SUSPENSION

I HAVE A 1995 FORD EXPLORER AND THE DEALER REFUSES TO HONOR SOME OF THE RECALLS THAT HAVE BEEN ORDERED FOR MY VEHICLE THE RECALLS ARE LISTED BELOW RECALL DATE: MAR 15, 1995 MODEL AFFECTED: 1995 FORD EXPLORER SUMMARY: THE INNER TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND CAN FRACTURE CAUSING SHAKING OR SHIMMY AT LOW SPEEDS. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INNER TIE RODS AND REPLACE THE SUSPECT TIE RODS. POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED: 49300 RECALL DATE: MAR 15, 1995 MODEL AFFECTED: 1995 FORD EXPLORER SUMMARY: IN SOME OF THE VEHICLES, BRAKE TUBES WERE MISROUTED BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT AND RESULTS IN EXCEEDING THE ALLOWABLE STOPPING DISTANCES AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." IN ADDITION, SEALS WITHIN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD BE ABRADED BY THIS CONDITION OVER TIME RESULTING IN AN INTERNAL LEAK AND A FURTHER REDUCTION IN BRAKE PERFORMANCE. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE BRAKE TUBES. POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED: 8100 RECALL DATE: JAN 31, 1996 MODEL AFFECTED: 1995 FORD EXPLORER SUMMARY: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THE CAMPAIGN WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS OF THE REAR LIFTGATE GAS ASSIST CYLINDERS WHICH COULD PULL AWAY FROM THE INSIDE OF THE LIFTGATE. REMEDY: FORD DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS. POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED: 1029380 RECALL DATE: NOV 28, 2000 MODEL AFFECTED: 1995 FORD EXPLORER SUMMARY: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A FRONT SWAY BAR LINK CAN FRACTURE. DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS. POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED: 810,000.

NHTSA complaint #10444749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 127,000 miles Battle Creek, MI

SUSPENSION:FRONT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED FOR RECALL 00V402000. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE STABILIZING LINKAGE PIN WAS BROKEN CAUSING THE BEARINGS IN THE WHEEL TO BECOME DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 127,000.

NHTSA complaint #10331994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 135,000 miles Martinsville, NJ

SUSPENSION

FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SWAY BAR LINK FRACTURED. THE LINK HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED AS PART OF THE NOV. 28, 2000 NHTSA RECALL 00V402000, WHICH WAS PERFORMED BECAUSE, "UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A FRONT SWAY BAR LINK CAN FRACTURE."

NHTSA complaint #10253786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 135,000 miles Martinsville, NJ

SUSPENSION:FRONT

FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SWAY BAR LINK FRACTURED. THE LINK HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED AS PART OF THE NOV. 28, 2000 NHTSA RECALL 00V402000, WHICH WAS PERFORMED BECAUSE, "UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A FRONT SWAY BAR LINK CAN FRACTURE."

NHTSA complaint #10253786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 89,000 miles Ashland, OH

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:SHACKLE

1995 FORD EXPLORER OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKS. RESULTING IN $700 REPAIR BILL. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM IT APPEARS TO BE WIDE SPREAD GOING OVER SEVERAL MODEL YEARS.

NHTSA complaint #10216505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 136,500 miles Seminole, FL

SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE EXTREMELY LOUD NOISES AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, ODOMETER, AND STABILIZER BAR ALL FAILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,500. UPDATED 10/23/07

NHTSA complaint #10201258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 143,000 miles Ashland, OH

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:SHACKLE

REAR SPRING SHACKLES ON 1995 FORD EXPLORER TOTALLY RUSTED THROUGH. I HAVE BEEN VERY MAINTENANCE ORIENTED SINCE I PURCHASED NEW.

NHTSA complaint #10162238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pleasanton, CA

SUSPENSION

CONSUMER'S CONCERN OVER THE HANDLING BY FORD MOTOR COMPANIES OF THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH RECALL.*MR ONE NOV 11, 2003 THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING AND THE CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER FUNCTIONED. THE DEALER QUOTED THE CONSUMER $5000 TO FIX THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER DECLINED THE REPAIR, PURCHASED THE PART HIMSELF AND REPLACED IT HIMSELF. THE CONSUMER RECENTLY HEARD ABOUT THE RECALL AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF HE COULD RECOVER THE MONEY HE SPENT TO REPLACE THE FAULTY PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED STALL DURING ACCELERATION, EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR, PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10138798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

South Miami, FL

SUSPENSION

FORD MOTOR COMPANY OFFERED TO REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER FORTY FIVE DOLLARS FOR REPAIRS DONE INSTALLING THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WOULD ONLY DO THIS IF THE CONSUMER EXECUTED AND DELIVERED A GENERAL RELEASE FOR ANY AND ALL CLAIMS THAT SHE MAY HAVE HAD AGAINST THEM. * PH

NHTSA complaint #10029539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 138,000 miles Reton, WA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:TORSION BAR

ON JUNE 7, 2003 THE RIGHT SIDE TORSION BAR BROKE COLLAPSING THE FRAME ONTO THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. A METAL INSPECTOR HAS INSPECTED THE PART AND INDICATED THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I WENT TO MY FORD DEALER, THE PARTS MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID TOO BAD IT HAPPENED NOW BECAUSE MY CAR IS A 1995 AND THE WARRANTY IS UP WITH NO COVERAGE FOR REPLACING THIS PART. WE WILL NEED TO PURCHASE BOTH THE RIGHT HAND PART AS WELL AS THE LEFT HAND PART #S F57A-BC RUB & F57A-BC LUB AND HAVE THEM INSTALLED. I CAN SEND PICTURES OF THE DEFECTIVE PART.

NHTSA complaint #10023609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 122,000 miles Kinnelon, NJ

SUSPENSION:FRONT

FRONT SUSPENSION; THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AND STERRING WHEEL VIBRATE AND SHIMMY AT ALL SPEEDS. THE TRUCK HAS NEVER SAT RIGHT IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE LEANING.

NHTSA complaint #10007661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,714 miles Milwaukee, WI

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

THE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND THE FRONT OUTER TIE ROD END HAD TO BE REPLACED.MR. CONSUMER STATED THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE LOOSE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR A SECOND TIME.

NHTSA complaint #8022290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Magnolia, OH

SUSPENSION:REAR

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES THEY CAN HEAR A LOUD NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. NLMTHE ABS SENSOR WENT BAD CAUSING THE FRONT DISC BRAKE TO WEAR QUICKLY. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED REGARDING THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS. CONSUEMR WAS CHARGED FOR LABOR AND PARTS. ALSO THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE OUTER TIE RODS.

NHTSA complaint #8020054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Magnolia, OH

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES THEY CAN HEAR A LOUD NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. NLMTHE ABS SENSOR WENT BAD CAUSING THE FRONT DISC BRAKE TO WEAR QUICKLY. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED REGARDING THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS. CONSUEMR WAS CHARGED FOR LABOR AND PARTS. ALSO THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE OUTER TIE RODS.

NHTSA complaint #8020054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Smith Town, NY

SUSPENSION:REAR

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING REAR SUSPENSION WILL LEAN TO LEFT, AND WILL CAUSE THE CONSUMER TO HAVE STEERING PROBLEMS. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #8018073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Louisville, KY

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

A CRINKING SOUND WOULD COME FROM WHEEL AREA WHILE DRIVING, DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT FRONT BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT FOR LACK OF LUBRICATION IN RUBBER SEAL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8011035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Marlborough, MA

SUSPENSION

FRONT STABLIZER AND SWAY BAR HAVE BROKEN IN THE PAST 4 YEARS, FRONT TIRES CAN NOT BE ALIGNED AND WEAR OUT FASTER BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE. *AK CONSUMER STATES FRONT STABALIZER LINKS WERE REPLACED DUE TO ON GOING COMPLICATIONS, BOTH FRONT WHEELS BEARING HUB ASSEMBLY FAILED, THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED, AND THE FRONT BALL JOINTS HAVE SOME PLAY.

NHTSA complaint #8004613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Indianapolis, IN

SUSPENSION:REAR

WHILE DRIVING 60MPH SWAY BAR BROKE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL. DEALER CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #8003807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklyn Park, MN

SUSPENSION:REAR

NHTSA RECALL 00V402000. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER FOR REMEDY, BUT WAS UNABLE TO HAVE WORK COMPLETED FOR LACK OF PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #897350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Unknown, UN

SUSPENSION

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, WHEN CALLING MANUFACTURER,HE WAS INFORMED ABOUT RECALL 00V402 AND WAS TOLD THAT IF THE MISSING LINK HAD CAUSED VEHICLE TO CRASH COMPANY WOULD REPLACE, VEHICLE,HOWEVER CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT VEHICLE WAS TOO DAMAGED FOR INSPECTION.

NHTSA complaint #562180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Watertport, NY

SUSPENSION:FRONT

I BELIEVE THIS TRUCK WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT BEFORE I PURCHASED IT. I THINK THIS BECAUSE OF THE BAD FIBERGLASS WORK ON THE ROOF AND BAD PAINT JOB. I ALSO BELIEVE THIS BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE FRONT END PROBLEMS I HAVE ENCOUNTERED. I BELIEVE ONCE THIS TRUCK IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THERE IS NO REPAIR TO MAKE IT SAFE AGAIN. I ALSO WONDER IF THE ACCIDENT THE TRUCK WAS INVOLVED IN IS RELATED TO THE TIRE AND ROLLOVER RECALL FROM FORD AND FIRESTONE.

NHTSA complaint #746431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waterport, NY

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

BOTH WHEEL BEARING ON THE FRONT HAVE FAILED SINCE OWNERSHIP. CANNOT FIND RECEIPT AT THIS TIME FOR SPECIFICS BUT I WILL FIND THEM OR RETRIEVE COPIES FROM THE GARAGE THAT PERFORMED THE WORK.

NHTSA complaint #746434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rustburg, VA

SUSPENSION:REAR

VEHICLE WAS GOING 45MPH AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SWAY BAR BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN OFF ROAD. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL 00V4402000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 00S47 IN REFERENCE TO SAME DEFECT. MONTHS LATER. CONSUMER WAS DENIED BY DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ACCORDING TO WHAT THE RECALL STATED.

NHTSA complaint #890102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clear Cree, WV

SUSPENSION

THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE TWO SWAY BARS THAT WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 00V-402. NLM

NHTSA complaint #560986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Andrews AFB, MD

SUSPENSION

PRIOR TO RECALL 00T-005 AND 00V-402 THE VEHILCE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE SWAY BAR LINKS MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE LOSS OF CONTROL AND THAT THE TIRE ALSO BLEWOUT DURING THIS ACCIDENT, THE CONSUMER SUFFERED A BUSTED AND SWOLLEN LIP AND BODY ACHES (FIRESTONE). NLM

NHTSA complaint #560853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Silver Spring, MD

SUSPENSION

THE SWAY BAR LINK FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 00V-402, THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM

NHTSA complaint #560748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Johnson CI, TN

SUSPENSION

THE VEHICLE BEGAN EXPERIENCING HANDLING PROBLEMS DUE TO BROKEN SWAY BARS WHICH FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 00V-402 AND CAUSED THE TIRES TO WEAR, THE CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT. NLM

NHTSA complaint #559961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bethlaham, PA

SUSPENSION:REAR

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT SWAY BAR BROKE BECAUSE HE COULD HEAR A BANGING NOISE.

NHTSA complaint #884948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1995 Ford Explorer problems

← Full 1995 Ford Explorer report