VehicleVerdict

1993 Ford Explorer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1993 Ford Explorer carries two red flags at once: 1,151 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: LIFTGATE SUPPORT BRACKET FAILURE). It is one of the Explorer years to avoid. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 176 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across tires & wheels (278), brakes (276), and body & structure (93), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

1,151

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

14

Investigations · 1 open

98

Crash-involved

53

Fires reported

176

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1993 compare to other Explorer years?

Explorer NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 highlighted4,096 complaints1977: 2 complaints1984: 1 complaints1985: 1 complaints1986: 3 complaints1987: 3 complaints1988: 7 complaints1989: 1 complaints1990: 12 complaints1991: 764 complaints1992: 848 complaints1993: 1,151 complaints1994: 1,531 complaints1995: 1,048 complaints1996: 1,818 complaints1997: 2,150 complaints1998: 2,374 complaints1999: 1,737 complaints2000: 1,203 complaints2001: 503 complaints2002: 4,096 complaints2003: 1,369 complaints2004: 1,647 complaints2005: 604 complaints2006: 788 complaints2007: 271 complaints2008: 216 complaints2009: 49 complaints2010: 155 complaints2011: 1,494 complaints2012: 1,027 complaints2013: 2,781 complaints2014: 2,038 complaints2015: 2,187 complaints2016: 3,004 complaints2017: 2,010 complaints2018: 859 complaints2019: 327 complaints2020: 1,617 complaints2021: 525 complaints2022: 339 complaints2023: 143 complaints2024: 26 complaints2025: 132 complaints2026: 25 complaints
Explorer NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Explorer years to avoid →

What are the most common 1993 Ford Explorer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels27824%
Brakes27624%
Body & Structure938%
Transmission787%
Engine686%
Suspension676%
Visibility & Wipers565%
Electrical System514%
Speed Control383%
Seats303%
Other282%
Steering192%
Fuel System161%
Seat Belts141%
Latches & Locks141%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)101%
Lighting91%
Airbags50%
Child Seat10%

Does the 1993 Ford Explorer have recalls?

9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

01X001000Tires & WheelsMay 22, 2001 · 13,000,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

SHOULD THE TREAD SEPARATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

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.

00T005000Tires & WheelsAugust 21, 2000 · 14,400,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.

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.

99V310001Body & StructureNovember 3, 1999 · 470,582 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET WELDS COULD FRACTURE.

Consequence

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, UNEXPECTEDLY ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL FROM AN OPEN POSITION.

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.

97V235001Body & StructureDecember 18, 1997 · 185,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

97V083000Visibility & WipersMay 5, 1997 · 610,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IN-LINE 10 AMP FUSE IN THE POSITIVE BATTERY FEED TO THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH ASSEMBLY.

96V024001BrakesFebruary 5, 1996 · 108,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF A CRACK OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH STUDS FRACTURING. THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VACUUM BOOSTER, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, PREVENTING THE SERVICE BRAKES FROM ACTIVATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.

95I007000Body & StructureJanuary 31, 1996 · 1,029,380 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF A BRACKET AND GAS ASSIST CYLINDER WERE TO DETACH COMPLETELY FROM THE LIFTGATE AND NO LONGER BEAR AGAINST THE LIFTGATE AS INTENDED, THE REMAINING ASSIST CYLINDER WOULD NOT HOLD THE LIFTGATE IN AN OPEN POSITION. PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

FORD DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENTS.

95V164001Body & StructureAugust 25, 1995 · 364,784 units

Defect

THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDERS ARE ATTACHED TO BRACKETS THAT ARE WELDED TO THE LIFTGATE. THE BRACKET WELDS CAN FRACTURE.

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS.

94V169001BrakesSeptember 7, 1994 · 835,791 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WHEN THE ABOVE OCCURS, IT CAN RESULT IN PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM INEFFECTIVENESS. THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FREELY, IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT LEFT IN GEAR.

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

RQ99016

LIFTGATE SUPPORT BRACKET FAILURE

SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER 1995, FOR 1991-1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THOSE BRACKET THAT WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE OR DETACHED.THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN OCTOBER 1996. SINCE NOVEMBER 1996, ODI HAS RECEIVED 51 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LIFTGATE FAILURES CAUSED BY THE BRACKET SEPARATION, OF WHICH 19 REPORTED THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE OCCUPANT CAUSING 12 INJURIES.ONE COMPLAINT WAS ON 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, THREE COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1993 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, AND 47 COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 95V-164.FORD AND MAZDA ARE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER RECALL NUMBER 99V-310.001/.002.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ODI# 6141; WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS 1 SEVERE INJURY AND 1 MINOR INJURY. TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY 45000 MILEAGE, AND SIZE WAS P235/75R15 . TIRE WAS PART OF THE ORIGINAL TIRES WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. VEHICLE WAS FORD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · October 22, 1996 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, GOING AROUND A CORNER AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID, AND CONSUMER HIT A CURB, VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER LANDED ON THE TOP OF THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE PAVEMENT WAS WET. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 7, 1999 · crash

“WITH KEY OUT OF IGNITION AND PARKED, LEFT SIDE CONTROL PANEL ON DRIVER'S DOOR BURNT. LOCAL FIRE DEPT FOUND FUSE BLOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · September 18, 1996 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 45 MPH TRYING TO SHIFT VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SMOKE WAS STARTING COMING UNDER THE HOOD. COMSUMER'S HUSBAND SAID THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPLACED BY A SHOP. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 3, 1997 · fire

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 25, 2009 · fire

1993 Ford Explorer — common questions

Is the 1993 Ford Explorer reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,151 complaints put the 1993 model at #17 of 44 Explorer years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Explorer years to avoid.

What are the most common 1993 Explorer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (278 complaints), brakes (276 complaints), body & structure (93 complaints).

Does the 1993 Ford Explorer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 Ford Explorer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1993 Ford Explorer under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (LIFTGATE SUPPORT BRACKET FAILURE). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Ford Explorer years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Explorer years to avoid are 2002, 2016, 2013, 1998, 2015, 1997, 2014, 2017, 1996, 1999, 2004, 2020, 1994, 2011, 2003, 2000, 1993, 1995, 2018, 1992, 1991. The cleanest record among Explorer years belongs to 1989.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.