1994 Ford Explorer Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 86about this part
- Share
- 7%of 1,207 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 88,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 86 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1994 Ford Explorer, 7% of the 1,207 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 88,000 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was browsing for a used car and came on an add selling cars I had no vehicle I asked if they can pick me up on the other side of the clinton ferry. They said yes they will pick me up. So checked out their inventory. I picked a 1994 Ford Explorer little damage to the body, tires needed changing, the front windshield has damage, and rear view mirror was gone. I accepted these and asked for a test ride proceeded off the lot there was no gas making a test drive short. It was as if they rushed me through the deal nothing was said about the problems. …”
NHTSA complaint #10206124, filed 2007-10, 99,999 miles“Purchased vehicle transmission out,came with rebuilt transmission,installed,lasted about 1 year.kept blowing front seals.always heated up going uphill.next transmission,same story.serviced regular,with filter change.current transmission in trans. …”
NHTSA complaint #11104957, filed 2018-07, 180,000 miles“Vehicle's automatic transmission engaged at 2500 RPM during a ca. State smog inspection . Resulted in technician being pinned and crushed to vehicle parked in front . Tech was ambulanced to hospital with severe lower leg and ankle injuries transmission was rebuilt at other shop after said failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10153957, filed 2006-03, 21,782 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“The first time noticed this problem I was traveling about 65mph, I glanced at the speedometer which showed 90mph! My first instinct was to lift off the gas pedal and hit the brake! As I lifted off on the gas, I realized the the truck was not going that fast. So I continued on my trip at a speed that felt right because the speedometer was more a distraction than a help. The speedometer kept doing this from time to time but only at freeway speeds. Then after a short time it would always add about 30mph to any speed over 35mph. …”
NHTSA complaint #767209, filed 2002-09Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 7% |
| 2025 | 16 | 15% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 12 | 11% |
| 2022 | 61 | 23% |
| 2021 | 127 | 28% |
| 2020 | 504 | 40% |
| 2019 | 35 | 12% |
| 2018 | 50 | 7% |
| 2017 | 125 | 7% |
| 2016 | 215 | 9% |
| 2015 | 86 | 5% |
| 2014 | 80 | 5% |
| 2013 | 119 | 5% |
| 2012 | 55 | 7% |
| 2011 | 64 | 5% |
| 2010 | 28 | 24% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 36 | 24% |
| 2007 | 57 | 27% |
| 2006 | 296 | 47% |
| 2005 | 99 | 20% |
| 2004 | 460 | 35% |
| 2003 | 335 | 30% |
| 2002 | 1,502 | 46% |
| 2001 | 42 | 11% |
| 2000 | 133 | 14% |
| 1999 | 115 | 9% |
| 1998 | 103 | 5% |
| 1997 | 104 | 6% |
| 1996 | 120 | 8% |
| 1995 | 119 | 14% |
| 1994 | 86 | 7% |
| 1993 | 72 | 8% |
| 1992 | 77 | 12% |
| 1991 | 69 | 11% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1994 Ford Explorer
331 complaintsBrakes
261 complaintsBody and structure
158 complaintsElectrical system
75 complaintsEngine cooling
74 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 30, 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