MYRModel Year Report

1993 Ford Explorer

● Typical for this model
1993 Ford Explorer
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
944
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 1993

Investigations
14

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

27% of complaints

Complaints per year

1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 4 complaints 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 12 complaints 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1993: 944 complaints 1993 944 1994: 1,231 complaints 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1,450 complaints 1997: 1,731 complaints 1998: 1,959 complaints 1999: 1,348 complaints 2000: 952 complaints 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3,295 complaints 2002 2003: 1,131 complaints 2004: 1,304 complaints 2005: 497 complaints 2006: 630 complaints 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2011: 1,197 complaints 2012: 826 complaints 2013: 2,233 complaints 2014: 1,679 complaints 2014 2015: 1,786 complaints 2016: 2,455 complaints 2017: 1,690 complaints 2018: 727 complaints 2019: 296 complaints 2020: 1,224 complaints 2020 2021: 432 complaints 2022: 267 complaints 2023: 110 complaints 2024: 21 complaints 2025: 100 complaints 2026: 39 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 3 complaints 1987: 3 complaints 1987 1988: 4 complaints 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1993: 944 complaints 1993 944 1994: 1,231 complaints 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1,450 complaints 1996 1997: 1,731 complaints 1998: 1,959 complaints 1999: 1,348 complaints 1999 2000: 952 complaints 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3,295 complaints 2002 2003: 1,131 complaints 2004: 1,304 complaints 2005: 497 complaints 2005 2006: 630 complaints 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2011: 1,197 complaints 2011 2012: 826 complaints 2013: 2,233 complaints 2014: 1,679 complaints 2014 2015: 1,786 complaints 2016: 2,455 complaints 2017: 1,690 complaints 2017 2018: 727 complaints 2019: 296 complaints 2020: 1,224 complaints 2020 2021: 432 complaints 2022: 267 complaints 2023: 110 complaints 2023 2024: 21 complaints 2025: 100 complaints 2026: 39 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints
1984: 1 complaint 1984 1985: 1 complaint 1986: 3 complaints 1986 1987: 3 complaints 1988: 4 complaints 1988 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 12 complaints 1990 1991: 616 complaints 1992: 640 complaints 1993: 944 complaints 1993 944 1994: 1,231 complaints 1995: 843 complaints 1996: 1,450 complaints 1996 1997: 1,731 complaints 1998: 1,959 complaints 1998 1999: 1,348 complaints 2000: 952 complaints 2000 2001: 375 complaints 2002: 3,295 complaints 2002 2003: 1,131 complaints 2004: 1,304 complaints 2004 2005: 497 complaints 2006: 630 complaints 2006 2007: 208 complaints 2008: 148 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 115 complaints 2010 2011: 1,197 complaints 2012: 826 complaints 2012 2013: 2,233 complaints 2014: 1,679 complaints 2014 2015: 1,786 complaints 2016: 2,455 complaints 2016 2017: 1,690 complaints 2018: 727 complaints 2018 2019: 296 complaints 2020: 1,224 complaints 2020 2021: 432 complaints 2022: 267 complaints 2022 2023: 110 complaints 2024: 21 complaints 2024 2025: 100 complaints 2026: 39 complaints 2026 2027: 0 complaints

1993: 944 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19841
19851
19863
19873
19884
19891
199012
1991616
1992640
1993944
19941,231
1995843
19961,450
19971,731
19981,959
19991,348
2000952
2001375
20023,295
20031,131
20041,304
2005497
2006630
2007208
2008148
200933
2010115
20111,197
2012826
20132,233
20141,679
20151,786
20162,455
20171,690
2018727
2019296
20201,224
2021432
2022267
2023110
202421
2025100
202639
20270

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

27% · 253 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-07-22

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Tires

26% · 243 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show 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, 2012-09-11

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, 2002-09-17

Structure

9% · 89 reports

Most commonly citing support device/strut and door.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was pulling into my condo's parking garage when driver in car behind me alerted me that my truck was on fire. I stopped immediately and noticed smoke and a burning smell inside of the vehicle and my feet got really hot.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-04-24

Also filed under Engine

Power train

8% · 77 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Suspension

7% · 65 reports

Most commonly citing front and wheel bearing.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 14 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1994-12-16Parking brake94V169001 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1995-01-03Preliminary evaluationClosed 1995-06-19 Brake master cylinder/booster separation
  3. I
    1995-06-19Engineering analysisClosed 1996-04-02 Separation of master cylinder
  4. R
    1995-08-30Structure95V164001 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    1995-10-25Structure95I007000 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.…

    Remedy: Ford dealers will reinforce the bracket attachments.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    1996-02-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 1996-07-24 Wheel lockup with antilock brake system
  7. R
    1996-03-22Service brakes, hydraulic96V024001 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the power brake vacuum booster assembly.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    1996-07-24Engineering analysisClosed 1999-10-29 Brake system malfunction
  9. I
    1996-11-22Preliminary evaluationClosed 1997-05-15 Driver door electrical fire
  10. I
    1996-12-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 1997-05-23 Sunroof (Air roof) shatter
  11. I
    1997-05-23Engineering analysisClosed 1998-01-20 Sunroof shattering and separation
  12. R
    1997-06-04Visibility97V083000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will install an in-line 10 amp fuse in the positive battery feed to the remote power mirror control switch assembly.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. I
    1998-01-06Defect petitionClosed 1998-02-04 Heavy lateral vibration
  14. R
    1998-03-02Structure97V235001 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. I
    1998-09-04Defect petitionClosed 1998-09-11 Heater blower assembly fire
  16. I
    1998-09-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-01-15 Blower assembly fires
  17. I
    1999-01-15Engineering analysisClosed 2000-04-18 Blower assembly fires
  18. I
    1999-07-29Recall queryOpen Liftgate support bracket failure
  19. I
    1999-11-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-04-14 Spare tire winch cable
  20. R
    2000-01-03Structure99V310001 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  21. I
    2000-04-14Engineering analysisClosed 2000-10-20 Spare tire winch cable
  22. R
    2000-08-26Tires00T005000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  23. R
    2001-06-04Tires01X001000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1993 Ford Explorer — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 253 reports on file for this year.
  • Tires: 243 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 89 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 94V169001 · Parking brake
  • Recall 95V164001 · Structure
  • Recall 95I007000 · Structure
  • Recall 96V024001 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 97V083000 · Visibility
  • Recall 97V235001 · Structure
  • Recall 99V310001 · Structure
  • Recall 00T005000 · Tires
  • Recall 01X001000 · Tires
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 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 service brakes, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1993 Ford Explorer have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.