Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
I have a 1995 Ford Explorer which the headlight sensor continuously goes bad which would not be an issue if the headlights would continue to work without it. When this sensor, which has gone bad twice since I have had the vehicle, fails I should not be made aware of this until the headlight goes bad and the sensor does not alert me. When the sensor goes bad I get an indication that the headlights are out and when replaced they are still out because the true problem is the sensor has gone bad. How a sensor goes bad when it still senses the lamp not functioning is beyond me. This is a design deficiency in my opinion and the manufacturer should be recalling this item due to the obvious safety issue. The sensors should be replaced by the manufacturer at no cost to the customer and replaced with a sensor that if it were to fail would not affect the operation of the headlights.
Driver's side low-beam headlight failed. The vehicle has a bulb sensing system, and issued a warning to check the headlamps. I replaced bulb, but it still did not work. A day later the passenger side low-beam headlight also failed, leaving the vehicle without any low-beam headlights. After looking for a fuse or wiring problem, I found through research that this is a rather common problem in this and similar vehicle models, and has been indirectly acknowledged by the manufacturer in a TSB, but no recall has been issued. To me this seems to be a serious safety concern, and should be addressed more proactively.
1995 Ford Explorer eddie bauer. Headlights went out, found out through research that it is the lamp outage module located in the console of the car. Almost started a fire, completely melted module and affected other areas of the electrical system, very dangerous and no recall that I can find. Part is dealer only and 90.00.
Dome light will not turn off, causing poor visibility to the driver while driving at night. Vehicle was taken to the dealer who could not determine the cause of the problem because the light turned off before arriving at the dealership. After leaving the dealership the light turned back on and would not shut off.
Clear coat is pealing on hood and over back hatch, transmission problems and headlight problems the headlight will not work on dim I have taken it to the shop and they can not find anything wrong with it. The sensor keeps going out on the transmission.
I have a 1995 Ford Explorer the windows work sometimes you mit drive a block than thay don'tand the 4/4 will the same thing . My son has 1995 Explorer it will do the same thing is there a recall if not ther shough be thank you .
Vehicle had been parked and locked for 30 hours prior to fire. Fire appears to have spontaneously ignited in the left side of the dash area of the headlight switch and dimmer control for the interior lights.
I have 2 Ford vehicles from mid 1990's. The headlights on each have long since become thoroughly opacified. My guess is that this opacity occurred within the first 2 to 4 years. According my mechanic (who is a "Ford man"), "this is a very characteristic and longstanding flaw with the Ford brand, you would think Ford would have dealt with this safety issue long ago, but Ford has not and continues not to deal with it." this safeti issue/problem not inexpensive to remedy.
Headlamp assemblies were originally clear plastic but have aged not very well to the point where they are opaque (cloudy) and I feel the light output has diminished considerably below original lumen levels. I have noticed majority of Ford products that are over 3-4 years of age have clouded plastic headlamps. Close examination reveals slight crazing of the plastic outer surface as well as general dullness of the plastic.
Lenses on headlights have become discolored. Dealer said yes it was a safety issue. But since vehicle was out of warranty they would do nothing . Consumer went, and had police look at headlights,.they stated yes he would be pulled over and cited due to headlights not being bright enough. The consumer believes it is the dealer's responsibility to replace the head lights.
Headlight complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1995 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the lights of the 1995 Ford Explorer, 2% of the model year's 843 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Ford Explorer headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 122,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to lights 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.