1993 Ford Explorer
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1986 | 3 |
| 1987 | 3 |
| 1988 | 4 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 12 |
| 1991 | 609 |
| 1992 | 633 |
| 1993 | 939 |
| 1994 | 1207 |
| 1995 | 843 |
| 1996 | 1450 |
| 1997 | 1731 |
| 1998 | 1959 |
| 1999 | 1348 |
| 2000 | 952 |
| 2001 | 375 |
| 2002 | 3293 |
| 2003 | 1131 |
| 2004 | 1304 |
| 2005 | 497 |
| 2006 | 630 |
| 2007 | 208 |
| 2008 | 147 |
| 2009 | 33 |
| 2010 | 115 |
| 2011 | 1192 |
| 2012 | 820 |
| 2013 | 2222 |
| 2014 | 1669 |
| 2015 | 1748 |
| 2016 | 2424 |
| 2017 | 1656 |
| 2018 | 706 |
| 2019 | 281 |
| 2020 | 1155 |
| 2021 | 393 |
| 2022 | 242 |
| 2023 | 99 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 87 |
| 2026 | 16 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
16% of complaints: tires — 150 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
ATLAS, SILVERTRAC, P23575R15 DOT UUTHLAJV331. REPLACEMENT TIRES ON A FORD EXPLORER, 1993. WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH DRIVER HEARD A LOUD POP. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, VIHICLE ROLLED OVER, AND LANDED IN A DITCH.
NHTSA ODI report, 20020917
15% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 140 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES LOCKED-UP THREE TIMES, ONCE RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT. *SKD
NHTSA ODI report, 19950209
9% of complaints: tires — 80 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120911
4% of complaints: structure — 41 distinct reports on file.
INJURY4% of complaints: power train — 41 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
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 W
Campaign 94V169001 — check if this car was fixed
BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER/BOOSTER SEPARATION
SEPARATION OF MASTER CYLINDER
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.
Campaign 95V164001 — check if this car was fixed
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
Remedy: FORD DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS.
Campaign 95I007000 — check if this car was fixed
WHEEL LOCKUP WITH ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
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 CA
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.
Campaign 96V024001 — check if this car was fixed
BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
DRIVER DOOR ELECTRICAL FIRE
SUNROOF (AIR ROOF) SHATTER
SUNROOF SHATTERING AND SEPARATION
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 ADJACEN
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IN-LINE 10 AMP FUSE IN THE POSITIVE BATTERY FEED TO THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH ASSEMBLY.
Campaign 97V083000 — check if this car was fixed
HEAVY LATERAL VIBRATION
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 ENGAGE
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 W
Campaign 97V235001 — check if this car was fixed
HEATER BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRE
BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRES
BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRES
LIFTGATE SUPPORT BRACKET FAILURE
SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE
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.
Campaign 99V310001 — check if this car was fixed
SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE
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 TIR
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.
Campaign 00T005000 — check if this car was fixed
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 WILDERN
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.
Campaign 01X001000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1993 Ford Explorer — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for tires issues (150 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (140 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for tires issues (80 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 94V169001 (parking brake) has been completed.
- Verify recall 95V164001 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 95I007000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V024001 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 97V083000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 97V235001 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 99V310001 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00T005000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 01X001000 (tires) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1993 Ford Explorer reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1993 Ford Explorer is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Ford Explorer?
The most-reported component is tires:tread/belt, accounting for 16% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1993 Ford Explorer have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.