Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 1995 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the vehicle was moved, and while he was in his house he heard a noise and within seconds the front end of the vehicle was on fire. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard for further investigation. The fire report was not available. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised that the vehicle was included NHTSA campaign id number: 09V399000 vehicle speed control. The failure and the current miles were 187,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1995 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that there was an electrical failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The temperature guage stopped working 12/98. The dealership was asked to look at it shortly thereafter. They said it was nothing to worry about...probably something in the wiring of the guage, and it May be expensive to find it. Several months later when the check engine light came on, the dealership replaced the thermostat. The temperature guage immediately began working. We could have encountered a number of serious problems (such as overheating in texas in the summer), but the dealership didn't catch it. Then, our lock actuator went out. Because it was a rear door, the dealership said the manufacturer's warranty didn't cover it. We paid $188.16 to fix it in addition to the extended warranty. If the dealer's warranty covers the front doors, it should cover the rear doors. This makes no sense and cost us a lot of money out of our pockets! We only have 65,000 miles on our car.
Consumer's concern over the handling by Ford motor companies of the cruise control deactivation switch recall. One nov 11, 2003 the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer because the brake light illuminated, brake fluid was leaking and the cruise control no longer functioned. The dealer quoted the consumer $5000 to fix the vehicle. The consumer declined the repair, purchased the part himself and replaced it himself. The consumer recently heard about the recall and contacted the manufacturer to see if he could recover the money he spent to replace the faulty parts. The manufacturer indicated that the consumer's vehicle was not included in the recall. The consumer's vehicle also experienced stall during acceleration, excessive tire wear, pulling to the right and transmission failure.
The transmission is currently being rebuilt. A defective part allowed transmission fluid to leak into the radiator, and radiator fluid to leak into the transmission. The radiator must be replaced, and the transmission rebuilt. I only have less than 72,000 miles on the vehicle. I did not purchase the extended warranty when I purchased the vehicle because at a cost of over $22,000, I did not think anything should go wrong with the vehicle. I would like Ford to pay for my auto repairs, and a recall to go into effect so that others with this car do not have to go through the same experience. 100,000 miles is not unreasonable to expect a car's major components to last.
While driving at 55mph a pop was heard, like a gun. Heard something hitting underneath vehicle. Was making a ding, ding noise. Was in moderate speed lane, steering, when left front corner nose dived. Was not handling right. Managed to drive to friend's parking lot & checked vehicle. Noticed connector bolt had snapped, but not separated. 2nd time while vehicle was jacked up after the 1st repair connector snapped again. Was in a plastic casing. Took to Ford & both bolts were replaced. Have the originial parts.
My concern is that everytime we take our Explorer on a road trip we get a check engine light. It will come on at the first 200 miles of the trip. I've pulled over everytime it has happened and checked all the services on it. I always found everything is where it should be. When we have departed from every stop to fill up. The light comes back on right at 2mi. I took the vehicle in to have the computer checked for codes. Everytime they say it's the intake
I don't know that the temperature gauge has ever worked correctly in this car - I just guessed dates and mileage, but I have had the car since 1997 (32,000 miles) and it has never worked correctly. This is my second Ford Explorer with this problem. Furthermore, I recently spoke with a friend who had the same problem in his 1997 Ford Explorer. I do not think this problem is being reported because it is not obvious when the temperature gauge fails.
After starting, and usually within a few minutes after being run, the engine will stall, such as when I leave my house, drive two miles to the coffee shop,. It does not seem to stall after being run say , for a prolonged period of time. Its the first 5-10 minutes. Took to local dealer, he said it needed a tune up, and did a tune up. Veh. Still has problem. Will stall on warm, cool, or cold days. Temp. Does not seem to be a factor.
Firestone 7515 garners ferry rd, cola sc 29209 did following repairs:05/22/00 alternator, 05/01/00 both rear calipers & drums, 02/15/00 eet/eec sensors, including temp sending unit, EGR valve, coolant temp sensor08/07/99 front driver side lower control arm, ball jt, alternator and horn . I purchased new tires 09/15/00. I removed Goodyear tires pulliam put on my truck 08/27/98.
Engine complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1995 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1995 Ford Explorer, 6% of the model year's 843 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (33 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Ford Explorer engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1995 Ford Explorer, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1995 Ford Explorer engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 5 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.