1993 Ford Explorer: problems, recalls and reliability
9 recalls and 939 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is tires (26% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2001
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 939 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Ignition switch turns without a key and then it is hard to insert the key. Engine stalled possibly because of the switch while waiting for traffic light to change to green.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ABS module failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the replacement part was unavailable. The contact was unable to reach the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000. *bf *as”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2020
“Michelin ltx m/s xl p235/75r-15 on 93 explorer xl. Tires are 5 yrs old with less than 5000 miles. Series of sidewall cracks about 8" long appeared in front right tire, approx 5/8" from rim, with the longest crack about 4" long and 0.11" deep. No failure yet, and the americas tire dealer says the cracks are not a problem, but the number of complaints of sidewall cracking and blowouts in michelin tires concerns us. *tr”Owner report · Tires · May 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1993 ford explorer equipped with firestone tires, tire line atx, and line size p235/75r15. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the tread of the rear driver side tires separated. As a result, she lost control of the vehicle and flipped over. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed and four passengers had minor injuries. The tires were not the original tires. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2012
“Almost home, when I noticed a burning smell inside of the vehicle it then began to slow speed, vehicle began to smoke inside and out while pulling into yard. Got out and then noticed fire dripping from underneath vehicle and smoke exiting from hood. Immediately called 911 to report fire, as the fire unit was on its way the vehicle had a explosion under the hood and was totaled. The attending fire investigator said that he had seen this type of fire before with ford f150's and other ford sports utility vehicles and that it was possibly the speed or cruise control that started the fire, and to look. Please respond so that I know which steps to take. *tw”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 ford explorer. . After three attempts of attempting to start the vehicle, the engine misfired. A bystander near the driver-side door sustained injuries to her eyes, hair, and upper portion of her body. She had to be transported to the hospital. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The failure and current mileages were a little over 200,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2009
“The whole '!@#$% front end of my 93 explorer keeps falling apart after fixing it twice and it is starting to do it again. I cant keep tires on it at all. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1993 ford explorer. While idling at a traffic light, the contact noticed dark smoke coming through the vents. The contact shut off the vehicle and restarted it when the smoke ceased. While driving 25 mph, the smoke reappeared. The contact looked under the hood, but could not locate the source of the failure. The contact had the heater fuse removed, which stopped the vehicle from smoking. The vehicle had not yet been taken to the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 89,000. Updated 05/27/08 *bf the consumer stated the ac only worked on high and the rear windshield wiper did not work. Updated”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2007
“Started 1993 ford explorer and heater fan was on setting 2. Burning leaf smoke started pouring out of the defrost vents (heater selector was set to defrost). Immediately shut off ignition and had to drive other vehicle to work. Will have to remove heater blower motor resistor assembly and clean out debris from blower housing. Noticed burnt leaf smell before but never saw smoke until today. *nm”Owner report · Visibility · Oct 2006
“During normal operation left rear brake line cracked, lost all brake fluid, managed to stop vehicle on in median, had vehicle towed to repair shop, after left rear brake line was replaced mechanic was bleeding brake system, during the process the main brake line leading to the rear brake lines cracked and developed a leak, lost all brake fluid again!fortunately this time it happened at shop, had all brake lines replaced, advised shop to hold on to old (original) brake lines. *jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 86 of these complaints and injuries in 140 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 9 campaigns
THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL SELF-ADJUST PAWL DOES NOT LINE UP PROPERLY WITH THE SELF-ADJUST RACHET CAUSING THE PAWL TO SLIP OVER ONE OR MORE TEETH IN THE RACHET.
Remedy: A WEDGE WILL BE INSTALLED WHICH WILL SERVE TO LOCK THE PARKING BRAKE SELF-ADJUST MECHANISM PAWL INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RACHET. ALSO, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO RELEASE AND REAPPLY THE PARKING BRAKE WHENEVER TOOTH SKIP OCCURS AND WILL BE REMINDED TO ALWAYS TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.
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 REINFORCEMENT.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.
Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON MARCH 31, 2002. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT FORD AT 1-877-917-3673 OR GO ON-LINE TO WWW.FORD.COM FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
A SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITION CAN OCCUR IN THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH CIRCUIT BOARD AS A RESULT OF A SEPARATED PART OF THE CONTACT ASSEMBLY BRIDGING THE SWITCH POSITIVE BATTERY PAD AND ADJACENT CHASSIS GROUND PAD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IN-LINE 10 AMP FUSE IN THE POSITIVE BATTERY FEED TO THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH ASSEMBLY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. THE CAMPAIGN WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS OF THE REAR LIFTGATE GAS ASSIST CYLINDERS WHICH COULD PULL AWAY FROM THE INSIDE OF THE LIFTGATE.
Remedy: FORD DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS.
THE STUDS WHICH ATTACH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AFTER BEING OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INSTALLED SUNROOF. THE SUNROOF GLASS PANEL ASSEMBLY CAN SEPARATE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING DUE TO INCORRECT HINGE ENGAGEMENT. THIS WAS CAUSED BY IMPROPER SUNROOF INSTALLATION OF THE GLASS PANEL.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN INSTRUCTION BOOKLET WHICH THOROUGHLY OUTLINES, WITH ILLUSTRATIONS, THE PROPER PROCEDURES FOR THE REMOVAL, STORAGE, AND REINSTALLATION OF THE SUNROOF'S GLASS PANEL. A WARNING LABEL FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE SUNROOF'S LATCH KNOB WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED TO THE OWNERS.
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 PRESSURES, HIGH SPEED, AND IN HOT WEATHER, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD.
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 ASSISTANCE.
THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDERS ARE ATTACHED TO BRACKETS THAT ARE WELDED TO THE LIFTGATE. THE BRACKET WELDS CAN FRACTURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1993 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Explorer by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1993 Ford Explorer reliable?
NHTSA has 939 owner complaints and 9 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 Ford Explorer. The most complained-about area is tires (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1993 Ford Explorer problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 119,987 miles or less.
Does the 1993 Ford Explorer have open recalls?
9 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning parking brake:conventional. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.