Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Tires:tread/belt — runs 3.8× the fleet median for that category across the 390 model-years tracked on this site.
609Complaints
11Recalls
57Crashes
63Fires
44Injured
4Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Tires:tread/belt (8.9% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Tires:tread/belt complaints here are 3.8× the median for that category across the 390 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Tires:tread/belt
54 · 8.9%
Recalled
Recall 01X001000 · Recall 00T005000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
52 · 8.5%
Recalled
Recall 96V024001
Tires
52 · 8.5%
Recalled
Recall 01X001000 · Recall 00T005000
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
25 · 4.1%
not available
—
Power Train:automatic Transmission
22 · 3.6%
Recalled
Recall 91V189000
Vehicle Speed Control
20 · 3.3%
not available
—
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER20 · 3.3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE18 · 3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS17 · 2.8%
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY16 · 2.6%
Percentages are the share of the 609 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
UNDER EXTREME CONDITIONS, BUMPER COULD SEPARATE FROM THEVEHICLE WHEN USING A BUMPER MOUNTED TRAILER HITCH BALL. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
THIS PENETRATION OF THE FUEL TANK CAUSES VAPORS TO ESCAPEAND POSSIBLY FUEL TO SPILL, WHICH COULD CATCH FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF ANIGNITION SOURCE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IF A CRACK OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH STUDS FRACTURING. THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VACUUM BOOSTER, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, PREVENTING THE SERVICE BRAKES FROM ACTIVATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
AN INSUFFICIENTLY LATCHED OR UNLATCHED SAFETY BELTINCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO SEAT OCCUPANTS IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT. IF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT UNLATCH, IT WILL NOT ALLOW THEOCCUPANT TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
SUNROOF COULD DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE BEING DRIVEN,CREATING A RISK TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES OR PEOPLE IN THE VICINITY, OR TO VEHICLEOCCUPANTS IF THE GLASS SHOULD FALL INTO THE CABIN. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
UNEXPECTED SEPARATION OF THE SUNROOF GLASS PANEL COULD POSSIBLY DISTRACT THE DRIVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
DRIVER MAY BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS SAFELY ENGAGED IN PARKWHEN THE GEAR IS NOT TRULY ENGAGED. THIS CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE JUMPING OUT OFGEAR UNINTENTIONALLY, VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHEN PARKED ON A SLOPED SURFACE, ANDINADVERTENT MOTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“FUEL PUMP CUT OFF SWITCH IS LOCATED IN FRONT PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. PASSENGERS FEET MAKES IT SHUT OFF.”NHTSA complaint 982335 — filed 04/04/1996 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
“SEAT BELT RETRACTOR; FAILURE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR, RETRACTOR DOES NOT HOLD THE CSS DUE TO A BROKEN BUTTON.”NHTSA complaint 981292 — filed 03/27/1996 · CHILD SEAT
“SEAT BELT RETRACTOR; FAILURE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR, RETRACTOR DOES NOT HOLD THE CSS DUE TO A BROKEN BUTTON.”NHTSA complaint 981292 — filed 03/27/1996 · CHILD SEAT
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Ford Explorer?
Tires:tread/belt issues are the most-reported category, cited in 54 of 609 NHTSA complaints (8.9%), followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (52), tires (52), engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (25). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1991 Ford Explorer have?
609 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 57 involved a crash, 63 involved a fire, and 44 reported injuries. 4 deaths were reported.
Does the 1991 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Yes — 11 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 01X001000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1991 Ford Explorer's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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