- The problem
- 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 plants. Ford is replacing these tires to prevent possible premature tire failure. Vehicle description: the vehicles listed below may have been originally equipped with firestone wilderness at tires or may have had wilderness at tires installed during the firestone recall launched in august 2000. Certain 1991 throught 2002 ford explorer Certain 2001 throught 2002 explorer sport, and sport trac Certain 1997 through 2002 mercury mountaineer Certain 1991 through 2001 ranger Certain 1999 through 2001 expedition Certain 1991 through 1994, and 1997 model year f-series Certain 1991 through 1994 bronco Note: both original equipment and replacement tires are affected.
- The risk
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
1991 Ford Explorer Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1991 Ford Explorer have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 11 recalls, the latest in May 2001 for the tread / belt.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical Explorer year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 11
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1991 Ford Explorer recalls 11
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- 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.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with factory installed sunroof. The sunroof glass panel assembly can separate while the vehicle is moving due to incorrect hinge engagement. This was caused by improper sunroof installation of the glass panel.
- The risk
- Unexpected separation of the sunroof glass panel could possibly distract the driver increasing the risk of a vehicle crash or loss of vehicle control.
- The fix
- Owners will be provided with an instruction booklet which thoroughly outlines, with illustrations, the proper procedures for the removal, storage, and reinstallation of the sunroof's glass panel. A warning label for attachment to the sunroof's latch knob will also be provided to the owners.
- The problem
- The studs which attach the brake master cylinder to the power brake vacuum booster assembly can develop stress corrosion cracking after being operated for an extended period of time in the southern california location.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the power brake vacuum booster assembly.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The problem
- The rigid mounted safety belt buckles are defective in three ways. First, a fastened safety belt buckle will not unlatch when the release button is depressed. This results from interference between the buckle ejector finger and the buckle tongue window. The second defect is the safety belt buckle may not latch. The third possible defect is that the tongue may be retained by the buckle, but it may not be latched sufficiently to provide occupant protection.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- Ford will replace the rigid mounted safety belt buckles with end release safety belt buckles designed to prevent latch problems.
- The problem
- When the automatic transmission shift lever is placed in the park position, the park pawl does not always abut or engage the park gear.
- The risk
- 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. All of these conditions canresult in a vehicle accident.
- The fix
- REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW PARK PAWL.
- The problem
- Rear bumper reinforcement may be subject to fatigue cracking under extended trailer tow service when using a bumper-mounted trailer hitch ball.
- The risk
- Under extreme conditions, bumper could separate from thevehicle when using a bumper mounted trailer hitch ball.
- The fix
- INSTALL TWO BRACKETS TO REINFORCE THE BUMPER.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- The escaped vapor or leaked fuel could cause a fire inthe presence of a source of ignition.
- The fix
- Fuel tank will be removed and inspected for weld integrity. Fuel tanks with inadequate welds will be replaced.
- The problem
- The front heat shield may contact the front of the plastic fuel tank, causing cuts or other damage to the extent of penetration.
- The risk
- This penetration of the fuel tank causes vapors to escapeand possibly fuel to spill, which could catch fire in the presence of anignition source.
- The fix
- Relocate the heat shield; inspect and replace damaged fuel fuel tanks.
- The problem
- If sunroof glass is removed and reinstalled by vehicle operator, hinge assemblies can be accidentally improperly mated.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- Install revised sunroof hinges that will adequately retain sunroof assembly.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1991 Ford Explorer yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Ford Explorer: every year compared
All Explorer years1991 Ford Explorer vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 Ford Explorer | 0 | 11 | B | |
| 1991 Chevrolet Blazer | 228 | 7 | F | Compare |
| 1991 Toyota 4RUNNER | 43 | 2 | A | Compare |
| 1991 Nissan Pathfinder | 40 | 1 | B | Compare |
| 1991 Ford Aerostar | 223 | 4 | D | Compare |
| 1991 Ford Crown Victoria | 56 | 4 | C | Compare |
| 1991 Ford Bronco | 33 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 1991 Ford Club Wagon | 9 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1991 Ford Aeromax | 2 | 0 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1991 Ford Explorer
Does the 1991 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 1991 Ford Explorer: tread / belt (May 2001); tread / belt (August 2000); roof and pillars (December 1997); hydraulic (February 1996) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1991 Ford Explorer had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1991 Ford Explorer a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 71 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Ford Explorer year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Ford Explorer years have the most complaints?
2002 (3,613), 2016 (2,466), 2015 (1,822). See every Ford Explorer year compared.
What should I do if my 1991 Ford Explorer has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data