1995 Ford Explorer: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1995 Ford Explorer: 5 recalls, 843 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 7 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Steering Vehicle recall #95V053000 · 1995 · 49,300 vehicles
What's wrong: The inner tie rod assemblies were improperly manufactured and can fracture causing shaking or shimmy at low speeds.
Why it matters: This condition can cause the wheel on the side with the broken tie rod to tuck inward or outward and slide resulting in an increased potential for a vehicle accident.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the inner tie rods and replace the suspect tie rods.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #95V052000 · 1995 · 8,100 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Consequence of non-compliance: stopping distances could be longer than intended resulting in increased potential for a vehicle accident.
The fix: Dealers will reroute the brake tubes.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #99V310001 · 1999 · 470,582 vehicles
What's wrong:
Why it matters: With a broken bracket weld, there is a potential for the liftgate bracket to gradually bend inward allowing the lift cylinder ball stud to disengage, unexpectedly allowing the liftgate to fall from an open position.
The fix: Dealers will install liftgate reinforcement brackets. Depending upon the condition of the liftgate sheet metal in the area of the bracket, dealers May also install a larger reinforcement.
Suspension Vehicle recall #00V402000 · 2000 · 810,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Under certain conditions, a front sway bar link can fracture.
Why it matters: Vehicle handling could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace both the left and right front sway bar links.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #09V399000 · 2009 · 4,500,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The scds May leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Why it matters: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
The fix: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began…
7 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Airbags Equipment recall #95E006002 · 1995 · 8,600 vehicles
What's wrong: The passenger side air bag has an inflator body that cracked during forming of the curl that retains the igniter plug in the end of the inflator. Also the igniter end cap can separate from the inflator.
Why it matters: The passenger side air bag May not inflate properly resulting in reduced occupant protection in a vehicle accident. If the igniter end cap separates in a frontal collision, hot gases can be released and ignite flammable material or cause burn injuries.
The fix: Dealers will remove and replace the passenger side air bag module.
Body & structure Recall #95I007000 · 1996 · 1,029,380 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If a bracket and gas assist cylinder were to detach completely from the liftgate and no longer bear against the liftgate as intended, the remaining assist cylinder would not hold the liftgate in an open position. Personal injury could occur.
The fix: Ford dealers will reinforce the bracket attachments.
Tires Tire recall #00T005000 · 2000 · 14,400,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 tire tread.
Why it matters: If the tread separates from the tire, the driver can lose control of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash causing injury or death.
The 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.
Tires Recall #01X001000 · 2001 · 13,000,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 occur due to a combination of the sensitivity of the tire design to stress, aging, and manufacturing differences between…
Why it matters: Should the tread separate at highway speeds, a vehicle crash could occur, possibly resulting in personal injury or death.
The 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.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: Dope, Inc. is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 32 mention a fire, 110 injuries and 8 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Tires (205): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (202).
- Transmission & drivetrain (119): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (28), noise or vibration (10), stalls / loses power (9).
- Suspension (93): the most common themes are noise or vibration (15), steering problems (10).
- Speed control / throttle (81): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (16).
The 1995 Ford Explorer has 843 owner complaints, ranking #18 of 38 Explorer model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 909). Complaints peaked in 2000 (237 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 121,585 miles. Neighboring years: 1994 (1207 complaints, 4 recalls), 1996 (1450 complaints, 6 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 15 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1995 Ford Explorer.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1995 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 1995 Ford Explorer, plus 7 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1995 Ford Explorer problems?
Owners have filed 843 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are tires (205), transmission & drivetrain (119), suspension (93).
What gas mileage does the 1995 Ford Explorer get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (4.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1995 Ford Explorer repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.