VehicleVerdict

1991 Ford Explorer transmission problems

The 1991 Ford Explorer has 75 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 10% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

75

Transmission complaints

10%

Share of year

6

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Related recalls

91V189000TransmissionNovember 4, 1991 · 792,000 units

Defect

WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THE PARK PAWL DOES NOT ALWAYS ABUT OR ENGAGE THE PARK GEAR.

Consequence

DRIVER MAY BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS SAFELY ENGAGED IN PARKWHEN THE GEAR IS NOT TRULY ENGAGED. THIS CAN LEAD TO THE VEHICLE JUMPING OUT OFGEAR UNINTENTIONALLY, VEHICLE ROLLAWAY WHEN PARKED ON A SLOPED SURFACE, ANDINADVERTENT MOTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. ALL OF THESE CONDITIONS CANRESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW PARK PAWL.

What owners report

I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRASMISSION SLIPPED AND I WOUDNT GO FORWARD TEN SMOKED POURED OUT AND PEOPLE IN THE STREETS STARTED YELLING SAYING "THERE'S FIRE COMING OUT THE HOOD!!" I PULLED OVER AND JUMPED OUT AND THE WHOLE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES!!! VEHICLE TOTALLED. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 31, 2005 · fire

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 1991 Ford Explorer have?

NHTSA has 75 complaints about the 1991 Ford Explorer transmission — 10% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1991 Ford Explorer transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 91V189000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.