1994 Ford Explorer Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 51about this part
- Share
- 4%of 1,207 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 51 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1994 Ford Explorer, 4% of the 1,207 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving I turned on air conditioner and immediately light smoke began out of air conditioning vents and then the next moment the smoke was extremely heavy out of the vents and then visible fire underneath front passenger side dashboard. I immediately pulled the vehicle off the side of the road and exited, 10 minutes later it was fully engulfed in flames.”
NHTSA complaint #10379515, filed 2011-01, 286,000 miles“I already sent a letter about this to Ford with a cc: to you folks. My complaint is regarding the acceloration cable on my Ford Explorer and you should have the letter on file from november 7th. Ford did respond (a month later) but are not taking any action on it.”
NHTSA complaint #10050990, filed 2003-12, 57,103 miles“I have a 1994 Ford Explorer xlt. While driving with the cruise control on, I push the brake pedal and the cruise control does not disengage. The engine, or RPM's, does not rev up, but as soon as I let off the brake pedal, the car resumes speed to the previous speed setting. The speedometer was replaced a few years ago, and needs replacing again, but could new cables have been put in, which would be related to the recall no. 03s03? This cruise control problem is continuing. I have to press the cruise control off button when there is a need to brake.”
NHTSA complaint #10037049, filed 2003-09, 201,000 miles“My seventeen year old daughter was driving this car on the interstate. She noticed smoke coming from behind the car and pulled off. A fire fighter happened to be behind her and he opened the hood and saw the top of the engine on fire. He cut the battery cables and put out the fire. Damage to the car was minimal. The engine wiring and hoses were either completely melted or damaged in some way. The fire burned from center engine and move across to the left rear.”
NHTSA complaint #10164925, filed 2006-08, 195,000 miles“Dt: the contact owns a 1994 Ford Explorer that caught on fire and exploded. She believes this was related to the Ford recall 05v388000 concerning the scds. This happened on 9-22-05. The car was parked, and the fire did originate from under the hood. The fire department and police were called. She reported that the cruise control would intermittently go out and not work. The car was totaled. She took pictures of the vehicle. Had no anyone to tell her the cause of the fire. …”
NHTSA complaint #10137612, filed 2005-09, 110,000 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5% |
| 2025 | 7 | 7% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 7 | 3% |
| 2021 | 15 | 3% |
| 2020 | 29 | 2% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 10 | 1% |
| 2017 | 21 | 1% |
| 2016 | 76 | 3% |
| 2015 | 16 | 1% |
| 2014 | 29 | 2% |
| 2013 | 38 | 2% |
| 2012 | 17 | 2% |
| 2011 | 18 | 2% |
| 2010 | 14 | 12% |
| 2009 | 5 | 15% |
| 2008 | 7 | 5% |
| 2007 | 13 | 6% |
| 2006 | 28 | 4% |
| 2005 | 44 | 9% |
| 2004 | 76 | 6% |
| 2003 | 37 | 3% |
| 2002 | 152 | 5% |
| 2001 | 36 | 10% |
| 2000 | 113 | 12% |
| 1999 | 148 | 11% |
| 1998 | 281 | 14% |
| 1997 | 202 | 12% |
| 1996 | 148 | 10% |
| 1995 | 81 | 10% |
| 1994 | 51 | 4% |
| 1993 | 38 | 4% |
| 1992 | 14 | 2% |
| 1991 | 30 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1994 Ford Explorer
331 complaintsBrakes
261 complaintsBody and structure
158 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
86 complaintsElectrical system
75 complaintsEngine cooling
74 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
71 complaintsSuspension
65 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