Most common 1995 Ford Explorer problems
Share of the 843 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Ford Explorer complaints by model year
Best Explorer years: 2024, 2023, 2019. Years to avoid: 2016, 2017, 2020, 2013, 2015. Compare all years →
1995 Ford Explorer recalls (5)
Vehicle speed control
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 explorer, 1997 and 2002 Mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control…
Remedy: 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…
Suspension
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Under certain conditions, a front sway bar link can fracture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both the left and right front sway bar links.
Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Support device/strut
Vehicle description: on certain sport utility vehicles, the hydraulic lift cylinder bracket welds could fracture.
Remedy: 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.
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
The inner tie rod assemblies were improperly manufactured and can fracture causing shaking or shimmy at low speeds.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the inner tie rods and replace the suspect tie rods.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Remedy: Dealers will reroute the brake tubes.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 6 possible defects involving the 1995 Ford Explorer:
Liftgate support bracket failure
Summary:on August 22, 1995, Ford conducted safety recall, 95v-164, on 1992 and 1993 model year explorer due to liftgate failures.the rear liftgate hydraulic cylinder bracket can become unattached allowing the liftgate to suddenly drop.the recall remedy was to install reinforcements on the brackets.Ford also initiated a safety improvement campaign in October 1995, for 1991-1995 model year explorer vehicles which were…
Accelerator pedal
There is no summary currently available
Electrical fire in center console
This investigation revealed that console fires in the subject vehicles most often occurred while vehicles equipped with the lamp outage module (lom), which is part of the message center, were towing a trailer and which had been modified by adding an aftermarket trailer wiring harness into the vehicle's taillight circuits.the owner's manual states never and more than other trailer light bulb to one circuit however…
Safety belt assembly
Front suspension stabilizer bar link
There is no summary currently available
Safety belt assembly failure
Odi received 18 consumer complaints and Ford identified another four reports associated with the alleged defect.most of the complaints indicate inability to latch the driver seat belt buckle caused by a broken latch release spring.none of these 22 reports resulted in any injuries or crashes.no complaints have been received in the past 6 months.Ford conducted life-cycle testing on 6 field sample buckle assemblies.the…
What 1995 Ford Explorer owners say
Wheels & tires all 209 →
On May 9, 1998 my husband and I purchased a used 1995 Ford Explorer from hooks Ford in granbury. At the time of purchase my husband commented on one of the tires. The salesman assured us he would have the service dept. Check the tires. After merely "rotating" the tires, they declared it safe. Three days later, May 12, 1998 while driving home to austin, the rear driver's side tire blew out and caused the vehicle to flip over and roll 5 1/2 times. A four year-old child was thrown through a window and survived. A second child restrained in a car seat was physically unharmed. The driver, myself, remained in the vehicle as it rolled but my seat belt failed and I sustained a compression fracture of my neck, laceration of my head and ear, and went into a coma. We reported the incident to the dealership and to Ford and never heard back from either. …
Was traveling on highway 59 south in texas, heading towards houston when I was existing off a ramp into a 360 degree curve when all of sudden the right rear tire tread separated and blew out. My Ford Explorer vehicle then spunned several times in a complete circles, however, due to a rainy conditions, the vehicle went into a sliding circular moition rather than flipping the vehicle due to loss of traction. My wife, daughter, son, and mother were the occupant in the vehicle when this incident happend. My mother was jarred and sustain a laceration to her lower lip and brusing of her face due to the sudden impact with the shoulder of roadway and a drainage ditch. On the second blowout of the same brand of tire, I was traveling north on interstate 55 in mississippi when I incurred another tread separation and blow out of the right rear tire which was also made by Firestone.. …
Transmission & drivetrain all 119 →
I own a 1995 Ford Explorer 4x4. I purchased it new and did not have any problems with the transmission until last year when I had it flushed. I started to work the next morning and the transmission began to slip coming out of first gear. I took it into aamco and they told me the transmission needed to be replaced. They also informed me the engine was strong, but the transmission would have to be replaced. I have no problem after it gets to second and third gear. It is really unsafe trying to merged into traffic, because of the hesitation trying to get out of first. If Ford knows this is a major problem with this year vehicle, they should at least agree to recall these transmissions. I am sure most people have junked there trucks by name, but I am still hanging in strong 237,000 miles and counting, with the same slipping transmission. …
Tl contact owns a 1995 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 25-30 MPH with the accelerator pedal depressed, the first and second gear slipped. This failure occurs on all road surfaces, including hills and leveled road and begins as soon as the vehicle is driven. The failure began six years after the vehicle was purchased. After the transmission was serviced at an authorized dealer, fluid began leaking. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer for the third time and was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle is able to be driven, but the transmission has not yet been replaced. The failure mileage was 120,000 and current mileage was 131,000. Updated 06/25/08
Suspension all 93 →
The steering column and all the parts associated with the steering of the vehicle were affected when the bolts that hold the clamps that secure the bushings to the steering column began to loosen. I examined the area carefully and noticed that because the bolts loosened, the clamps were given too much play. Within a short while, a month or two, the entire steering column and the shifter were completely secured by one broken clamp that held its place because of the bushings and a loose bolt. The other clamp was also broken but was laying on the floor board. It wasn't an expensive fix. I customized a metal clamp for each of the two places the went. They are the same clamps the electricians use to secure cables and wires to the walls and ceilings. I used the ones made from bronze. They are more pliable to shape for an almost perfect fit. …
Since leasing the vehicle, have had persistent problems with the front end, which resulted in wearing out several sets of expensive tires. Reported same to seller ( r. Brown & sons, inc. ) but no resolution. Involved in a crash in August, 1998, front end impact causing $2500 in damages, buckled hood, shattered bumper brackets, etc. But neither air bag deployed. Took vehicle to a different garage because front tires again seriously worn. Mechanic discovered right front stabilizer missing -- and no indication that it had ever been present. It is my belief that the vehicle was in a front end collision prior to our leasing it, a fact the seller did not divulge at the time. The salesman involved was terminated from employment at brown's shortly after we leased the vehicle. Thank you for your time and consideration.
1995 Ford Explorer engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 21 / 18 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1995 Ford Explorer a good car?
Based on 843 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1995 Explorer rates average: 24% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Explorer at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1995 Ford Explorer?
The wheels & tires — 209 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year, most often about tread/belt. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (119) and suspension (93).
How many recalls does the 1995 Ford Explorer have?
There are 5 recalls for the 1995 Ford Explorer, the most recent from October 13, 2009 (vehicle speed control). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Ford Explorer?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2024, 2023 and 2019. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2016, 2017, 2020, 2013 and 2015. See the full Ford Explorer years comparison.
At what mileage do 1995 Ford Explorer problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 122,000 miles; 4% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.