FordExplorer1995Overview/ford/explorer/1995/base/

1995 Ford Explorer

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1995 Explorer.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1995 Ford Explorer is an SUV equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission, returning EPA fuel economy of 14 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and 16 mpg combined — figures that place it squarely in the low-efficiency, high-utility camp typical of mid-1990s sport-utilities. Its engine calls for 5.0 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, a maintenance detail worth noting for anyone evaluating long-term ownership costs alongside its modest fuel numbers. In the context of the Explorer's full complaint history spanning 1990 to 2025, the 1995 model's 950 total owner complaints and 12 recalls — with tires ranking as the top complaint area — position it as a mid-tier year: well below the 2002 peak of 3,620 complaints but dramatically above the 1990 low of just 12, meaning it carries meaningful risk that warrants thorough pre-purchase inspection yet avoids the worst of what the model line would later face.

Model year202620252024202320212020201920181995

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
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy14/19/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 650 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-70R15SLOEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-,7-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length178.7 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height67.3 in
Wheelbase102.8 in
Curb weight3309 lb
Track (front / rear)58.7 / 58.7 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.

10.7–11.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.70 sec — 1995 XLT
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1995XLT 4.0L V610.70 sec17.90 sec160 hp4x4
1995Eddie Bauer 4.0L V610.90 sec17.90 sec160 hp4x4
1995XLT 4.0L V611.60 sec18.20 sec160 hp4x4
1996XLT V8 5.0L V88.80 sec16.90 sec210 hpRWD
1996XLT V8 5.0L V88.90 sec16.80 sec210 hp4x4
1996XLT V8 5.0L V89.50 sec17.30 sec210 hp4x4
1997XLT 4.0L V68.50 sec16.50 sec160 hp4x4
1999XLT 4.0L V68.40 sec16.60 sec210 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. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 19.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

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

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings18-24 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts20 ft-lbs
Main Bearings66-77 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug19.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs14 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)88.0-108.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket74.0-115.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle74.0-115.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket74.0-115.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug4WD: 18.0, With AWD: 13.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug4WD: 18.0, With AWD: 13.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.052-0.056 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.63-1.65 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity7.00-11.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test13 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13 psi
Engine Oil Pressure40-60 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2000 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket38-48 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle125-170 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket38-48 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle125-170 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle40 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.060; Rear: 0.030 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
135-40 ft. lbs.35–40 ft. lbs
256-60
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
122-26 ft. lbs.22–26 ft. lbs
252-56 ft. lbs.52–56 ft. lbs
390
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13-6 ft, lbs., step 2: 6-11 ft lbs., step 3: 11-15 ft. lbs., step 4: 15-18 ft. lbs., step 5: warm engine, step 6: 15-18

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; 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 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · 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 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 12,000 miBattery (inspect)
At 15,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Transfer Case Shift Linkage (lubricate)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Locking Hub (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
At 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

For the first generation of the Ford Explorer, federal complaints steadily climbed from 699 in 1991 to 1,421 in 1994, before surging to an eventual generation high of 2,248 in 1998. The 1995 model year represents a distinct, temporary dip in this escalating trend, with complaints falling to 950 from the previous year's high, even as recalls spiked to match the early-generation peak of 12. While the data does not specify root causes, 1995 complaints were predominantly concentrated in Tires (218), Power Train (111), and Suspension (82), contributing to 96 crash and 33 fire incidents. Sitting in a brief valley before a massive escalation in reported issues, the 1995 Explorer benefits from lower overall complaint volume than its immediate successors but still carries the era's prominent safety vulnerabilities. Given the notable tire and power train risks, the 1995 Explorer is a conditional buy that requires a rigorous pre-purchase inspection of those specific systems, though it remains statistically preferable to the more problematic 1996–1998 models.

12
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
225
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
6
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
950
Owner complaints
96 involved a crash · 33 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 950 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Tires218
Power Train111
Suspension82
Vehicle Speed Control69
Service Brakes, Hydraulic67
Seat Belts52
Engine & Engine Cooling50
Electrical System44

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 12 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT…

09V399000Vehicle Speed ControlReported 13/10/2009

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY… Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 225 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
0305082005-04-01Power TrainFRONT AXLE LEAKS FLUID FROM VENT TUBE - VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4X4 OR AWD. *TT
021382003-11-10Power TrainLOW LINE PRESSURE READING AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE (WOT), SLIPPING SHIFTS AND / OR DELAYED…
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…

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 1995 Explorer take?

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

Does the 1995 Explorer have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 12 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.