Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 699 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Ford Explorer, and it carries 11 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 122 | 17% |
| Tires | 110 | 16% |
| Power train | 68 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 58 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 55 | 8% |
| Structure | 29 | 4% |
| Visibility | 29 | 4% |
| Suspension | 29 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 26 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 25 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The component that malfunctioned was the abs sensor. It is not available for inspection. I was driving going around 45 in traffic and the drivers side rear brake locked up and spun me out of control and caused me to coll
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH WITH ANOTHER PASSENGER, THE SEAT BELTS DISENGAGED AND CAUSED THE PASSENGER SEAT TO OVERTURN BETWEEN THE SEATS. THE PASSENGER WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WA
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
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 V
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
I PURCHASED TWO MICHELIN LTX MS2 235/75R15 TIRES FROM TIRE RACK.COM, E732381. THEY WERE DELIVERED SEPTEMBER 15, 2011 WITH AN INCORRECTLY COMPLETED OMB CONTROL NO. 2127-0050 TIRE REGISTRATION CARD. THE CARD LISTED THE B
NHTSA complaint: Tires
UNIROYAL TIRE SIDE WALL CRACKS LT 235 75R15 - NO FAILURE - JUST CRACK. ALL 4 OF MY TIRES HAD A SIDE WALL CRACK THE ENTIRE DIAMETER OF THE TIRE ABOUT 3 INCHES DOWN ON THE SIDE WALL . I NOTICED THE CRACK ON THE INS
NHTSA complaint: Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH ON A DRIVEWAY INCLINE, THE ENGINE IDLED EXCESSIVELY HIGH AND THE VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTA
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1991 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. SHE MANAGED TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER AND LEFT
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 1991 Ford Explorer. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN
Risk: SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION PRESSURES, HIGH SPEED, AND IN HOT WEATHER, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SEPARATION OF THE T
Risk: IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
REAR BUMPER REINFORCEMENT MAY BE SUBJECT TO FATIGUE CRACKING UNDER EXTENDED TRAILER TOW SERVICE WHEN USING A BUMPER-MOUNTED TRAILER HITCH BALL.
Risk: UNDER EXTREME CONDITIONS, BUMPER COULD SEPARATE FROM THEVEHICLE WHEN USING A BUMPER MOUNTED TRAILER HITCH BALL.
Fix: INSTALL TWO BRACKETS TO REINFORCE THE BUMPER.
THE HOT PLATE WELD WHICH ATTACHES THE VAPOR VENT VALVE CARRIER TO THE TOP OF THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK MAY PARTIALLY FRACTURE, ALLOWING VAPOR OF FUEL TO ESCAPE FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK.
Risk: THE ESCAPED VAPOR OR LEAKED FUEL COULD CAUSE A FIRE INTHE PRESENCE OF A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Fix: FUEL TANK WILL BE REMOVED AND INSPECTED FOR WELD INTEGRITY. FUEL TANKS WITH INADEQUATE WELDS WILL BE REPLACED.
| Reliability | 51 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 65 | good |
| Maintenance | 69 | good |
| Depreciation | 63 | average |
| Performance | 65 | good |
| Efficiency | 31 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 699 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 122 of them (17%). There are 11 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 51/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 65/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1991 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 59/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.