While coming to a stop at 20 MPH vehicle stalled/ lost power. Consumer pulled over and managed to gain control of the vehicle.
The worst 1990 Ford Explorer problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes2
- Engine2
- Fuel system2
- Tires2
- Transmission2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes2
- Engine2
- Fuel system2
- Tires2
- Transmission2
- Visibility1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
Front seat track failure
There is no summary currently available
PE92084
Whl separation/torque loss
There is no summary currently available
PE92029
Technical service bulletins for the 1990 Ford Explorer 6
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Some vehicles equipped with the 4.0L ohv engine may exhibit an engine noise which may be perceived by the...
- Some vehicles may exhibit an engine noise which may be perceived by the customer as a piston / connecting...
- Vehicles may experience a vibration during wide open throttle acceleration or while cruising at highway...
- High altitude transmission available. tw
- Temperature gauge - fluctuating and /or inaccurate high readings. sd
What 1990 Ford Explorer owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Fuel gauge no longer works,. Consumer cannot tell the amount of fuel left in tank.
While driving 58 MPH opened sun roof, it disconnected and fell off.
Pulling into driveway & applied brakes, pedal locked in one spot. Vehicle was free rolling & hit a garage door. Towed vehicle to dealer & mechanic ran a diagnostic test for brakes & found nothing. Problem happened again since having engine work done. Problem was intermittent.
I had three tires lose the entire center tread on my previous vehicle (90 ford explorer) while traveling aroung 70mph. All three were within a month of each other. The first tire that went caused damage to my vehicle body that was reported to my insurance.( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 )
Firestone radial atx tires p23575r15 original equipment on a 90 explorer. While driving 70mph the driver heard a loud noise and noticed that rear driver's side tread had separated ,through rear view mirror, causing damage to vehicle. *ak dot#w2hl 1pm.
No summary listed for this vehicle.
Connecting pipes on the gas tank are formed from seamed steal pipe, and the seam is sealed due to bad manufacturing. The seam bends over and eventually rusts away, and allows gas to leak to ground. Dealer contacted and cannot duplicate the problem.
Engine fire.
In wet weather the ABS anti-lock brakes lock up .
Compare the 1990 Ford Explorer
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Other model years
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Questions about the 1990 Ford Explorer
Is the 1990 Ford Explorer reliable?
Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 1990 Ford Explorer, fewer than a typical Explorer model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1990 Ford Explorer?
Brakes, with 2 complaints. Next is engine (2).
How many recalls does the 1990 Ford Explorer have?
No recalls on record.
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