1993 Ford Explorer recalls & problems

Recent owner complaints

• Oct 6, 2020 · 198,486 milesElectrical system
  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.
• Jul 20, 2020 · 68,000 miles · crash · 2 injuriesService brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
  THE ABS MODULE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A CITY STREET AT ABOUT 20 MPH.
• Jul 20, 2020 · 68,000 miles · 2 injuriesService brakes
  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
• May 22, 2013 · 68,940 milesTires
  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
• Nov 26, 2012 · 76,000 miles · fire · 1 injuryEngine
  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. EXITED VEHICLE AND NOTICED FIRE DRIPPING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE AND BLACK SMOKE AND FIRE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 TO REPORT FIRE, AS THE FIRE UNIT WAS ON ITS WAY THE VEHICLE HAD TWO OR THREE EXPLOSIONS UNDER THE HOOD AND THE HORN CAME ON. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE 22 STORY CONDOMINIUM FIRE ALARMS WENT OFF, ALL THE ELEVATORS STOPPED WORKING AND THE FIRE MARSHALL EVACUATED THE ENTIRE BUILDING. THE PARKING GARAGE…
• Sep 8, 2012 · 100,000 miles · crash · 4 injuriesTires
  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.
• Jan 27, 2010 · 102,600 miles · fireVehicle speed control
  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
• Oct 25, 2009 · 200,000 miles · fire · 1 injuryEngine and engine cooling › Engine
  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 complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

• EA00012 · opened Apr 14, 2000 · closed Oct 20, 2000SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE
  There is no summary currently available
• PE99072 · opened Nov 30, 1999 · closed Apr 14, 2000SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE
  FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE 1991 MODEL YEAR PRODUCTION UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF THE 1994 MODEL YEAR PRODUCTION, FORD USED A GALVANIZED STEEL CABLE TO LIFT AND HOLD IN STORED POSITION, THE EXPLORER SPARE TIRE.ON MAY 19, 1994, BASED ON THE RESULTS OF FORD DURABILITY TESTING , FORD CHANGED TO A 4.00MM STAINLESS STEEL CABLE.THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 100 INCIDENTS IN WHICH THE ORIGINAL GALVANIZED STEEL CABLE FAILED ALLOWING THE SPARE TIRE TO DROP FROM ITS REAR STORAGE WELL.ONE OF THESE INCIDENTS CAUSED A FOLLOWING VEHICLE TO BE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND ON SIX OTHER OCCASIONS THE WHEEL MADE CONTACT WITH FOLLOWING VEHICLES, RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE.
• RQ99016 · opened Jul 29, 1999 · open · led to recall 99V310001LIFTGATE 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…
• EA99004 · opened Jan 15, 1999 · closed Apr 18, 2000BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRES
  BASED ON THE RELATIVELY LOW FAILURE FREQUENCY MEASURED OVER AN EXTENDED EXPOSURE TIME AND THE FACT THAT THE GREAT MAJOITY OF INCIDENTS ARE CONFINED WITHIN THE BLOWER HOUSING, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
• DP98008 · opened Sep 4, 1998 · closed Sep 11, 1998HEATER BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRE
  There is no summary currently available
• PE98048 · opened Sep 4, 1998 · closed Jan 15, 1999BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRES
  There is no summary currently available
• DP98001 · opened Jan 6, 1998 · closed Feb 4, 1998HEAVY LATERAL VIBRATION
  NHTSA WAS PETITIONED TO COMMENCE A DEFECT INVESTIGATION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ON JANUARY 6, 1998.THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT EARLY MODEL FORD EXPLORER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES DEVELOP HEAVY LATERAL VIBRATIONS AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH AND WHEN ENCOUNTERING BUMPS AT LOW SPEEDS.THE PETITION FURTHER ALLEGES THAT THESE VIBRATIONS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.THE ANALYSIS OF THE PETITION IS PRESENTED IN THE ATTACHED NOTICE WHICH IS PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER.
• EA97011 · opened May 23, 1997 · closed Jan 20, 1998 · led to recall 97V235001SUNROOF SHATTERING AND SEPARATION
  There is no summary currently available
• PE96074 · opened Dec 17, 1996 · closed May 23, 1997SUNROOF (AIR ROOF) SHATTER
  THE SUNROOF SHATTERED OR WAS BLOWN OFF.IN ALL BUT ONE CASE THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING.
• PE96066 · opened Nov 22, 1996 · closed May 15, 1997 · led to recall 97V083000DRIVER DOOR ELECTRICAL FIRE
  THE CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE SWITCH POSITIVE PAD AND CHASSIS GROUND PAD AS A RESULT OF WATER INTRUSION.EXCESS CURRENT FLOW RESULTING FROM THE SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITION MAY OVERHEAT THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH CIRCUIT BOARD AND CAUSE A FIRE IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR.FORD HAS INDICATED THAT CURRENT IN EXCESS OF 15 AMPS CAN OVERHEAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD ENOUGH TO CAUSE A FIRE.CIRCUIT PROTECTION IS PROVIDED BY A 30 AMP FUSE.FORD IS RECALLING ALL 1993-94 4-DOOR EXPLORER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT ELECTRONIC OPTION COMBINATION TO INSTALL AN IN-LINE 10 AMP FUSE IN THE POSITIVE BATTERY FEED TO THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH ASSEMBLY.NO 2-DOOR EXPLORER VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS.ACCORDING TO FORD, VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE RECALL PRODUCTION RANGE WERE EQUIPPED WITH LOWER CAPACITY…
• EA96017 · opened Jul 24, 1996 · closed Oct 29, 1999BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
  There is no summary currently available
• PE96016 · opened Feb 28, 1996 · closed Jul 24, 1996WHEEL LOCKUP WITH ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
  ODI HAS RECEIVED OND HUNDRED SEVENTY-THREE (173) CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF ALLEGED FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON CERTAIN 1993 AND 1994 FORD EXPLORERS.THESE ALLEGED FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS ARE REPORTED TO HAVE CAUSED THIRTY-SIX (36) ACCIDENTS RESULTING FROM VEHICLE LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING BRAKING OR FROM THE EXTENDED DISTANCE REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE DURING BRAKING.THE COMPLAINANTS REPORT THAT THE ALLEGED FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS OCCURRED DURING BRAKING MOSTLY ON WET OR SLIPPERY ROADS, BUT ALSO HAVE OCCURRED ON DRY ROADS.SINCE ODI OPENED THIS PE BASED ON WHEEL LOCKUP COMPLAINTS, WE HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS AB OUT THE EXTENDED DISTANCE REQUIRED TO STOP THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHEN BRAKING UNDER CERTAIN ROAD AND SPEED CONDITIONS.IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) CONCERNING WHEEL LOCKUP COMPLAINTS ONT HE SUBJECT VEHICLES, FORD…
• EA95018 · opened Jun 19, 1995 · closed Apr 2, 1996 · led to recall 96V024001SEPARATION OF MASTER CYLINDER
  FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.
• PE95001 · opened Jan 3, 1995 · closed Jun 19, 1995BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER/BOOSTER SEPARATION
  There is no summary currently available