1994 Ford Explorer Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 74about this part
- Share
- 6%of 1,207 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 102,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 74 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1994 Ford Explorer, 6% of the 1,207 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 102,000 miles. 13 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My truck just shut off by the parking to my home. I can't afford buy $7,000.00 for repair auto at firestone because they want so more money. They did took off by itself then my truck didn't finish and need to work more for engine motor and brake.”
NHTSA complaint #10019112, filed 2003-05, 99 miles“I bought my 1994 Ford Explorer (4wd) in may of 1999 and have had numerous problems since. The vehicle had approximately 50900 miles when I bought it. It now has 89000 miles. I have replaced the brake rotors twice and replaced the brake pads three times. The last time I completed brake work was because the left front caliper overheated and failed. I then replaced both front calipers. There is a bad vibration problem at speeds of 55-67 MPH. I recently purchased four new tires, had them balanced, had the front end aligned, and replaced the shocks to fix this problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10086453, filed 2004-08, 88,500 miles“1994 Explorer 4.0 v6 automatic transmission rebiult 3 times in past year .countless times vehicle has stalled acting as if the fuel pump quit, fuel pump replaced, coil packs replaced, relays replaced. Once on the highway at 70 MPH, another time while pulling into traffic. Usually upon start up. Air conditioner switch shorted out, saw burned wires on switch upon replacement. Antifreeze spewed out from side of motor, assumed to be around heads but has not been to shop yet.”
NHTSA complaint #10096436, filed 2004-10, 114,000 miles“My tenant's vehicle - a 1994 Ford Explorer - spontaneously caught fire while parked in my property's garage in the middle of the night. The fire department was able to extinguish the flames and determined that the cause of the fire was the car itself - likely a faulty cruise control valve according to them. The insurance company will conduct its own investigation.”
NHTSA complaint #10447825, filed 2012-02“The tread separated from the tire which caused damage to the right rear panel of the vehicle, the tailpipe had to be replaced, plus we had to buy a new tire. These are not the original tires on the vehicle, but we did replace them with the same brand, size, etc. That were originally on the vehicle.( DOT number: tire size: p235/7-15 )”
NHTSA complaint #718583, filed 2000-02Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 | 10 | 2% |
| 2020 | 21 | 2% |
| 2019 | 6 | 2% |
| 2018 | 29 | 4% |
| 2017 | 77 | 5% |
| 2016 | 114 | 5% |
| 2015 | 66 | 4% |
| 2014 | 67 | 4% |
| 2013 | 67 | 3% |
| 2012 | 14 | 2% |
| 2011 | 21 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 10 | 5% |
| 2006 | 164 | 26% |
| 2005 | 29 | 6% |
| 2004 | 71 | 5% |
| 2003 | 69 | 6% |
| 2002 | 163 | 5% |
| 2001 | 39 | 10% |
| 2000 | 90 | 9% |
| 1999 | 100 | 7% |
| 1998 | 189 | 10% |
| 1997 | 198 | 11% |
| 1996 | 81 | 6% |
| 1995 | 45 | 5% |
| 1994 | 74 | 6% |
| 1993 | 55 | 6% |
| 1992 | 64 | 10% |
| 1991 | 52 | 9% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1994 Ford Explorer
331 complaintsBrakes
261 complaintsBody and structure
158 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
86 complaintsElectrical system
75 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
71 complaintsSuspension
65 complaintsVehicle speed control
51 complaintsFuel system
33 complaintsEquipment
32 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
23 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1994 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology