Complaints
764
Crashes
70
Fires
73
Injuries
60
Fatalities
4
Recalls
0
Worst 1991 Ford Explorer Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#154 complaints
Tires:Tread/Belt
Crash-related:9
#252 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:130,000 mi
Crash-related:14
#352 complaints
Tire Defects
Avg mileage:2,000 mi
Crash-related:8
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1991 Ford Explorer.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 54 | 9 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 52 | 14 | — | 130,000 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 52 | 8 | — | 2,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 25 | — | 14 | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 22 | 2 | 1 | 127,116 mi | |
| Brake Master Cylinder | 20 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 20 | 7 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 18 | — | — | 82,673 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 17 | 1 | — | 160,300 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 16 | — | 12 | — | |
| Sunroof/Moonroof | 16 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 13 | — | 5 | — | |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack | 13 | 1 | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 12 | — | 2 | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 11 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 11 | 1 | — | 113,804 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 10 | — | 2 | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 9 | 2 | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 8 | — | 1 | 164,650 mi | |
| Power Train:Axle Hubs | 8 | — | — | 75,200 mi | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 7 | — | 6 | 176,333 mi |
Tires:Tread/Belt
54
complaints
Crashes
9
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
52
complaints
Crashes
14
Fires
—
Avg Miles
130,000
Tire Defects
52
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
—
Avg Miles
2,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
25
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
14
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
22
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
127,116
Brake Master Cylinder
20
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
20
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
82,673
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
17
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
160,300
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
12
Avg Miles
—
Sunroof/Moonroof
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
5
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Mechanical:Carrier/Rack
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
113,804
Suspension Failures
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
9
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
164,650
Power Train:Axle Hubs
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
75,200
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
6
Avg Miles
176,333
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1991 Ford Explorer. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Explorer Years
1991 Ford Explorer — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1991 Ford Explorer reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1991 Ford Explorer has 764 NHTSA complaints, 70 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Tires:Tread/Belt with 54 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1991 Ford Explorer?
Top reported problems: Tires:Tread/Belt (54 complaints); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (52 complaints, avg 130,000 mi); Tire Defects (52 complaints, avg 2,000 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1991 Ford Explorer?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 93,737 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1991 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA complaints for the 1991 Ford Explorer include 70 crash-related reports, 73 fire reports, 60 injuries, and 4 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1991 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1991 Ford Explorer as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1991 Ford Explorer?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Explorer reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1991 Ford Explorer
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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