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1993 Ford ExplorerProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 939 owner complaints about the 1993 Ford Explorer, most often about the tires. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

49
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.1× the Explorer median · #15 of 34 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Free fix at dealersOwner complaints939212 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage106kTires, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 6, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1993 Ford Explorer has problems

939 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Tires24350
Service brakes, hydraulic22221
Structure8617
Power train727
Suspension595
Visibility5613
Engine and engine cooling556
Electrical system4518
Vehicle speed control3812
16 other systems16434

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

1993 Ford Explorer recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut

Recall 99V-310 · Nov 3, 1999 · 470,582 vehicles

Risk. WITH A BROKEN BRACKET WELD, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE LIFTGATE BRACKET TO GRADUALLY BEND INWARD ALLOWING THE LIFT CYLINDER BALL STUD TO DISENGAGE,…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Body: roof and pillars

Recall 97V-235 · Dec 18, 1997 · 185,000 vehicles

Risk. UNEXPECTED SEPARATION OF THE SUNROOF GLASS PANEL COULD POSSIBLY DISTRACT THE DRIVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices

Recall 97V-083 · May 5, 1997 · 610,000 vehicles

Risk. THE CURRENT CAN OVERHEAT THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD AND OTHER PLASTIC AND ELASTOMERIC COMPONENTS OF THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY RESULTING IN SMOKE OR FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut

Recall 95V-164 · Aug 25, 1995 · 364,784 vehicles

Risk. WITH A BROKEN BRACKET WELD, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE LIFTGATE BRACKET TO GRADUALLY BEND INWARD ALLOWING THE LIFT CYLINDERBALL STUD TO DISENGAGE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1993 vs. every other Explorer year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Explorer median. How we score

'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1993 Ford Explorer safety ratings

1993 Ford Explorer 4-DR. 4x4 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
14 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1993 Ford Explorer, and the recalls they led to.

  1. HEAVY LATERAL VIBRATIONDP98001 · closed Feb 4, 1998
    No recall
  2. HEATER BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIREDP98008 · closed Sep 11, 1998
    No recall
  3. SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLEEA00012 · closed Oct 20, 2000
    No recall
  4. SEPARATION OF MASTER CYLINDEREA95018 · closed Apr 2, 1996
    Led to recall 96V-024
  5. BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONEA96017 · closed Oct 29, 1999
    No recall
  6. SUNROOF SHATTERING AND SEPARATIONEA97011 · closed Jan 20, 1998
    Led to recall 97V-235
  7. BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRESEA99004 · closed Apr 18, 2000
    No recall
  8. BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER/BOOSTER SEPARATIONPE95001 · closed Jun 19, 1995
    No recall
  9. WHEEL LOCKUP WITH ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMPE96016 · closed Jul 24, 1996
    No recall
  10. DRIVER DOOR ELECTRICAL FIREPE96066 · closed May 15, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-083
  11. SUNROOF (AIR ROOF) SHATTERPE96074 · closed May 23, 1997
    No recall
  12. BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRESPE98048 · closed Jan 15, 1999
    No recall
  13. SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLEPE99072 · closed Apr 14, 2000
    No recall
  14. LIFTGATE SUPPORT BRACKET FAILURERQ99016 · still open
    Led to recall 99V-310
In owners' words

What Explorer owners report

Recent tires complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10513334 · May 23, 2013 · 68,940 miles
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.…
Complaint 10475064 · Sep 11, 2012 · 100,000 miles
WHILE TRAVELING SPARE TIRE SHEARED OFF FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. NO INJURIES TO REPORT. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RETRIEVE THE TIRE. GOODYEAR, WRANGLER, LTR 235/75R15. *AK
Complaint 10106836 · Jan 5, 2005

Own a 1993 Explorer?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.