FordExplorer1994Overview/ford/explorer/1994/base/

1994 Ford Explorer

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1994 Explorer.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1994 Ford Explorer is an SUV that arrived during the model’s early years of the nameplate’s two‑decade production run. Powered by an engine that requires a 5.0‑quart oil fill with a 5W‑30 API rating, it pairs an automatic 4‑speed transmission with EPA‑rated fuel economy of 14 mpg city, 19 mpg highway and 16 mpg combined. In its reliability record the 1994 model sits amid a history that ranges from a low of 12 complaints in 1990 to a peak of 3,620 complaints in 2002, with a total of 1,421 owner complaints and seven recalls documented to date. Consequently, the 1994 Explorer represents an early‑generation vehicle that, while still attracting a modest complaint volume, precedes the higher‑frequency issues that would emerge in later model years.

Model year202620252024202320212020201920181994

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy14/19/16 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length184.3 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height67.3 in
Wheelbase111.8 in
Curb weight3653 lb
Track (front / rear)58.3 / 58.3 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 19 / 16 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Explorer of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

10.5–11.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.50 sec — 1992 Eddie Bauer
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1992Eddie Bauer 4.0L V610.50 sec17.80 sec155 hp4x4
1991Eddie Bauer 4.0L V610.80 sec17.90 sec155 hp4x4
1991Eddie Bauer 4.0L V611.70 sec18.20 sec155 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.5 Pints , rear
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case FluidATF
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity3 PINTS

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 miClutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Shift Linkage (lubricate) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 miDriveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Shift Linkage (lubricate) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (lubricate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Transfer Case Shift Linkage (lubricate)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Driveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Kickdown Cable (lubricate)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Injection System (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 100,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1994 Explorer sits at the peak of the early‑generation complaint curve, with 1,421 complaints, the highest in the series from 1990‑1999, yet only 7 recalls, matching the low recall rate of its predecessor years. The trend shows a sharp rise from 1990 (12 complaints) to 1994, followed by a steep decline to 1995 (950 complaints) and a gradual recovery through the early 2000s, indicating that 1994 was a brief anomaly in an otherwise improving period. The top complaint categories—Tires (376), Service Brakes/Hydraulic (236), Structure (150), and Power Train (79)—are all higher than the average for the decade, suggesting concentrated quality issues that year. Fire complaints (86) and crash complaints (114) are also elevated compared to earlier years, reinforcing the perception of higher defect density. Given the record‑high complaint volume and specific high‑frequency problem areas, 1994 is not the most reliable year of the generation; a later model year with fewer complaints would be a safer purchase.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
109
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
13
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,421
Owner complaints
114 involved a crash · 86 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,421 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Tires376
Service Brakes, Hydraulic236
Structure150
Power Train79
Visibility70
Electrical System67
Engine & Engine Cooling64
Suspension58

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

00T005000Tires:Tread/BeltReported 21/08/2000

TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION… Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE…

99V310001Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/StrutReported 03/11/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET WELDS COULD FRACTURE. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL LIFTGATE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS. DEPENDING UPON THE CONDITION OF THE LIFTGATE SHEET METAL IN THE AREA OF THE BRACKET, DEALERS MAY ALSO INSTALL A LARGER…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 109 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
41022003-10-30Engine And Engine CoolingEBP SOLENOID SERVICE SEPARATELY FROM TURBO. SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGE. MAKE/MODEL UNKNOWN…
031812003-09-15Electrical SystemREMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT
031482003-07-21Power TrainNEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES…
167352003-04-01SuspensionVARIOUS NOISE ISSUES FROM THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS WHILE DRIVING. *TT
167142003-03-01Engine And Engine CoolingFOR ALL OBDI VEHICLES THAT USE THE .5V DPFE SENSOR, A 1.0V SENSOR IS CURRENTLY THE ONLY…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Explorer. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1994 Explorer take?

5.0 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1994 Explorer have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Explorer get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined mpg.