1993 Ford Explorer Problems and Recalls (801 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 1993 Ford Explorer is Brakes (25% of 801 owner reports). There are 8 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Brakes — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 801 complaints · 8 recalls

What problems show up on the 1993 Ford Explorer?

203 of 801 filings named Brakes (25% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Tires (105 reports).

There are 8 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Tires, Parking brake, Body / frame, Brakes, and Glass / wipers / cameras. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 1992 has 555 reports on file; this year has 801. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 1993 Ford Explorer

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 8 campaigns on file below.
  2. Brakes. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm.
  3. Tires. Check age, tread depth and uneven wear. Uneven wear often points back to alignment.
  4. Body / frame. Look for rust, collision repair and body gaps that do not match a clean truck.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Brakes. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Brakes 203 complaints · 25.3% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 68
  • Fires 48
  • Injuries 104
  • Deaths 0
All Ford Explorer years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) appears in 203 of 801 owner complaints (25.3%) in this vehicle snapshot. Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 203 complaints, 25.3% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 18 crash reports 203 · 25.3% Tires (TIRES): 105 complaints, 13.1% of reports Tires (TIRES) 14 crash reports 105 · 13.1% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 75 complaints, 9.4% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 4 fire reports 75 · 9.4% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 60 complaints, 7.5% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 4 crash reports 1 fire reports 60 · 7.5% Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 49 complaints, 6.1% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 12 fire reports 49 · 6.1% Suspension (SUSPENSION): 47 complaints, 5.9% of reports Suspension (SUSPENSION) 3 crash reports 47 · 5.9% Engine (ENGINE): 46 complaints, 5.7% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 6 fire reports 46 · 5.7% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 38 complaints, 4.7% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 18 fire reports 38 · 4.7% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 35 complaints, 4.4% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 9 crash reports 2 fire reports 35 · 4.4% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 694 complaints, 86.6% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 54 crash reports 42 fire reports 694 · 86.6% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 203 25.3% 18 crashes · 0 fires
Tires (TIRES) 105 13.1% 14 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 75 9.4% 0 crashes · 4 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 60 7.5% 4 crashes · 1 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 49 6.1% 0 crashes · 12 fires
Suspension (SUSPENSION) 47 5.9% 3 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 46 5.7% 0 crashes · 6 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 38 4.7% 0 crashes · 18 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 35 4.4% 9 crashes · 2 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 694 86.6% 54 crashes · 42 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jan 1995; the first recall shown was reported in Sep 1994. 1995-Q1: 22 owner reports 22 1995-Q2: 36 owner reports 36 1995-Q3: 38 owner reports 38 1995-Q4: 35 owner reports 35 1996-Q1: 27 owner reports 27 1996-Q2: 24 owner reports 24 1996-Q3: 67 owner reports 67 1996-Q4: 41 owner reports 41 1997-Q1: 17 owner reports 17 1997-Q2: 19 owner reports 19 1997-Q3: 35 owner reports 35 1997-Q4: 15 owner reports 15 1998-Q1: 15 owner reports 15 1998-Q2: 19 owner reports 19 1998-Q3: 12 owner reports 12 1998-Q4: 18 owner reports 18 1999-Q1: 18 owner reports 18 1999-Q2: 23 owner reports 23 1999-Q3: 22 owner reports 22 1999-Q4: 12 owner reports 12 2000-Q1: 21 owner reports 21 2000-Q2: 13 owner reports 13 2000-Q3: 83 owner reports 83 2000-Q4: 41 owner reports 41 2001-Q1: 18 owner reports 18 2001-Q2: 16 owner reports 16 2001-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2001-Q4: 9 owner reports 9 2002-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2002-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2002-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2002-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2003-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2003-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2003-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2003-Q4: 9 owner reports 9 2004-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2004-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2004-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2004-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2005-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2005-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2005-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2005-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2006-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2006-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2006-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2008-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2009-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2010-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2020-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2020-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Sep 1994 Oct 2020 Recall campaign 94V169001 ◆ Recall campaign 94V169001 Recall campaign 95V164001 ◆ Recall campaign 95V164001 Recall campaign 95I007000 ◆ Recall campaign 95I007000 Recall campaign 96V024001 ◆ Recall campaign 96V024001 Recall campaign 97V083000 ◆ Recall campaign 97V083000 Recall campaign 97V235001 ◆ Recall campaign 97V235001 Recall campaign 99V310001 ◆ Recall campaign 99V310001 Recall campaign 00T005000 ◆ Recall campaign 00T005000 Investigation PE95001 ● Investigation PE95001 Investigation EA95018 ● Investigation EA95018 Investigation PE96016 ● Investigation PE96016 Investigation EA96017 ● Investigation EA96017 Investigation PE96066 ● Investigation PE96066 Investigation PE96074 ● Investigation PE96074 Investigation EA97011 ● Investigation EA97011 Investigation DP98001 ● Investigation DP98001 Investigation DP98008 ● Investigation DP98008 Investigation PE98048 ● Investigation PE98048 Investigation EA99004 ● Investigation EA99004 Investigation RQ99016 ● Investigation RQ99016 Investigation PE99072 ● Investigation PE99072 Investigation EA00012 ● Investigation EA00012
  • Campaign 95V164001 was reported 144 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 95I007000 was reported 303 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 96V024001 was reported 388 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 97V083000 was reported 655 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 97V235001 was reported 990 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 99V310001 was reported 1,675 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 00T005000 was reported 1,824 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
1995-Q1 Owner reports 22
1995-Q2 Owner reports 36
1995-Q3 Owner reports 38
1995-Q4 Owner reports 35
1996-Q1 Owner reports 27
1996-Q2 Owner reports 24
1996-Q3 Owner reports 67
1996-Q4 Owner reports 41
1997-Q1 Owner reports 17
1997-Q2 Owner reports 19
1997-Q3 Owner reports 35
1997-Q4 Owner reports 15
1998-Q1 Owner reports 15
1998-Q2 Owner reports 19
1998-Q3 Owner reports 12
1998-Q4 Owner reports 18
1999-Q1 Owner reports 18
1999-Q2 Owner reports 23
1999-Q3 Owner reports 22
1999-Q4 Owner reports 12
2000-Q1 Owner reports 21
2000-Q2 Owner reports 13
2000-Q3 Owner reports 83
2000-Q4 Owner reports 41
2001-Q1 Owner reports 18
2001-Q2 Owner reports 16
2001-Q3 Owner reports 6
2001-Q4 Owner reports 9
2002-Q1 Owner reports 7
2002-Q2 Owner reports 4
2002-Q3 Owner reports 6
2002-Q4 Owner reports 1
2003-Q1 Owner reports 3
2003-Q2 Owner reports 5
2003-Q3 Owner reports 4
2003-Q4 Owner reports 9
2004-Q1 Owner reports 5
2004-Q2 Owner reports 2
2004-Q3 Owner reports 5
2004-Q4 Owner reports 2
2005-Q1 Owner reports 2
2005-Q2 Owner reports 3
2005-Q3 Owner reports 2
2005-Q4 Owner reports 3
2006-Q1 Owner reports 1
2006-Q3 Owner reports 2
2006-Q4 Owner reports 1
2007-Q4 Owner reports 2
2008-Q2 Owner reports 1
2008-Q3 Owner reports 1
2008-Q4 Owner reports 1
2009-Q4 Owner reports 2
2010-Q1 Owner reports 1
2013-Q2 Owner reports 1
2020-Q3 Owner reports 2
2020-Q4 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 94V169001
Recall campaign 1 95V164001
Recall campaign 1 95I007000
Recall campaign 1 96V024001
Recall campaign 1 97V083000
Recall campaign 1 97V235001
Recall campaign 1 99V310001
Recall campaign 1 00T005000
Defect investigation 1 PE95001
Defect investigation 1 EA95018
Defect investigation 1 PE96016
Defect investigation 1 EA96017
Defect investigation 1 PE96066
Defect investigation 1 PE96074
Defect investigation 1 EA97011
Defect investigation 1 DP98001
Defect investigation 1 DP98008
Defect investigation 1 PE98048
Defect investigation 1 EA99004
Defect investigation 1 RQ99016
Defect investigation 1 PE99072
Defect investigation 1 EA00012
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (8)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Tires, Parking brake, Body / frame, Brakes, and Glass / wipers / cameras.

  1. Recall campaign 00T005000

    Tires

    Report date
    Component:
    Tires (TIRES)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 94V169001

    Parking brake

    Report date
    Component:
    Parking brake (PARKING BRAKE)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 95I007000

    Body / frame

    Report date
    Component:
    Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 95V164001

    Body / frame

    Report date
    Component:
    Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Recall campaign 96V024001

    Brakes

    Report date
    Component:
    Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Recall campaign 97V083000

    Glass / wipers / cameras

    Report date
    Component:
    Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Recall campaign 97V235001

    Body / frame

    Report date
    Component:
    Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  8. Recall campaign 99V310001

    Body / frame

    Report date
    Component:
    Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 10 of 801 complaints · page 1 of 33
2020-10-06Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11363106
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2020-07-22Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11340975
CrashFireInjuryDeath
THE ABS MODULE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A CITY STREET AT ABOUT 20 MPH.
2020-07-22Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11340967
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2013-04-24Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10509464
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 WAS FULL OF SOOTH AND DENSE BLACK SMOKE. THE MAIN LOBBY AND ELEVATOR LOBBY WAS FULL OF SMOKE. THE ER DIAGNOSED ME WITH SMOKE INHALATION AND SHORTNESS OF BREATH. SUBSEQUENT LUNG TEST SHOWS 30% DECREASED LUNG CAPACITY. *TR
2010-01-28Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)
NHTSA ODI 10302948
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2009-11-09Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 10291471
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2009-10-20FUEL SYSTEMUnclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10289171
CrashFireInjuryDeath
FUEL FILLER HOSE HAS LEAK SO IT DID NOT PASS SMOG, NONE AT USED CAR LOTS, REPAIR SHOP STATES HE HAS SEEN THIS ALOT. *TR
2008-10-28Body / frame (STRUCTURE)
NHTSA ODI 10246938
CrashFireInjuryDeath
SUN ROOF FLEW OFF THE EXPLORER ONTO THE ROAD AND SHATTERED IN A MILLION PIECES ALMOST HITTING A BIKER. *TR
2008-07-21Suspension (SUSPENSION)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10235208
CrashFireInjuryDeath
THE WHOLE '!@#$% FRONT END OF MY 93 EXPLORER KEEPS FALLING APART AFTER FIXING IT TWICE AND IT IS STARTING TO DO IT AGAIN. I CANT KEEP TIRES ON IT AT ALL. *TR
2008-06-18SEAT BELTS
NHTSA ODI 10231514
CrashFireInjuryDeath
WHILE MY FAMILY WAS DRIVING IN THE CAR, WITH TWO CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS IN THE BACK SEAT, THE TWO YEAR OLD STARTED CRYING AND TOLD US THE BABY'S CAR SEAT WAS BROKEN. WE LOOKED BACK AND THE CAR SEAT WAS SIDEWAYS- THE SEAT BUCKLE THAT HELD IT IN PLACE HAD COMPLETELY GIVEN OUT! WE WERE DRIVING AND I HAD TO LEAN BACK FROM THE FRONT SEAT AND RIGHT THE BABY SEAT WHILE WE PULLED OVER AND MANAGED TO REBUCKLE THE BABY'S SEAT INTO THE MIDDLE. THE SEATS DO NOT ACTUALLY FIT THAT WAY FOR EVERYDAY USE AND OUR CAR HAS BEEN UNUSABLE TO US EVER SINCE BECAUSE WE HAVE TWO CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS AND NO OTHER WAY TO ARRANGE THEM IN THE CAR. WE CALLED ABOUT A PART TO REPLACE THAT SEAT BUCKLE AND WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT AVAILABLE ANY MORE. I THINK THAT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN- TO HAVE A SEAT BUCKLE GIVE OUT - WHILE DRIVING - WITH A BABY IN IT! WE HAVE TRADED CARS WITH OUR PARENTS IN THE MEANTIME AND HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND THE PART TO FIX IT. (THIS IS THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BUCKLE.) *TR

Ford Explorer Complaints by Year

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 1993 Ford Explorer?

Owners named Brakes most often — 203 of 801 reports (25%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 1993 Ford Explorer?

NHTSA lists 8 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Tires, Parking brake, Body / frame, Brakes, and Glass / wipers / cameras. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 1993 Ford Explorer?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources