1993 Ford Explorer Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1993 Ford Explorer most commonly report tire tread separation at highway speeds and vehicle fires or smoke traced to the electrical system. Brake-related complaints are also prominent, describing ABS malfunction and pedal drop during normal driving. A smaller but recurring cluster describes the rear liftgate support strut failing and the hatch falling unexpectedly.

1. 1
   Tires

   Tire tread separation at highway speed

   • 179 complaints (19%)
   • median 95,500 mi at 15.8 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 38 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $934 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 1997–2013

   Complaints describe sudden tread detachment from the tire carcass while driving at highway speeds, often between 50 and 72 mph, resulting in loss of vehicle control and damage to the rear quarter panel. Many complaints name Firestone ATX P235/75R15 tires, though some involve other brands. Owners report the vehicle pulled sharply or became difficult to control after the failure, and several complaints describe rollovers or totaled vehicles. Failures are reported across a wide mileage range; some occurred with relatively low mileage on replacement tires, while others appeared after extensive use.

   What to check: Ask about the age and brand of the current tires; tires more than six years old are subject to age-related cracking and separation regardless of tread depth. Inspect sidewalls for cracking or bulging before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I recently purchased ( nov 2002) four (4) brand new yks radial a/t lt235/75r15 tires. On jan 02,2003 at approx. 1515 hrs- interstate 40, asheville, nc. I was going east at approx. 65-70 MPH when the left rear tire blow out, causing my 1993 Ford Explorer to quick turn to the right side of the road nearly missing other cars in the lane. I did not apply the brakes or try to control the truck,but let it move the way it wanted. If I had tied to control the truck, I feel that I would have rolled the truck. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10000525, filed 2003-01, 111,897 miles

   “Dunlop light truck tires lt 235-75r15 radial rover at first problem was a tire blister that caused an uneven tire wear problem. I brought the tire back to the tire store, where I purchased said tires, and was told that it was a road hazard that caused the failure. No warranty coverage on the tire, even though I had put less than 50% wear on tire. On june 13, 2004, while returning frim a trip down to long beach, heading north bound on interstate 5 in california I experienced a complete tire failure of the left rear tire. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10081272, filed 2004-07, 91,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Electrical system fire or smoke inside vehicle

   • 219 complaints (23%)
   • median 100,500 mi at 12.4 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 76 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,384 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 1995–2013

   Owners describe smoke coming through the heating and defrost vents while driving or while the vehicle is parked, sometimes followed by visible fire under the hood or beneath the vehicle. Several complaints describe vehicles that were completely destroyed by fire while parked in garages, with associated property damage. Complaints also mention a burning smell from the door panel or blower motor area, and at least one complaint points to the cruise control deactivation switch as a possible source. Reports span a wide range of mileages and years; some fires occurred while parked with no occupants, while others happened during normal driving.

   Recall 97V083000

   What to check: Check for any signs of heat damage or repaired wiring in the door panels, dashboard, and blower motor area; ask whether any electrical repairs have been performed, and confirm the cruise control deactivation switch has been inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10509464, filed 2013-04, 76,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10302948, filed 2010-01, 102,600 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   ABS and hydraulic brake failure

   • 179 complaints (19%)
   • median 135,000 mi at 13.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 19 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2020

   Complaints describe the brake pedal dropping to the floor without warning, ABS activation that results in wheel lockup rather than controlled stopping, and the vehicle pulling strongly to one side under braking. Some owners report that repairs including resurfacing, adjustment, and full system replacement did not resolve the problem. One complaint describes a cracked brake line that resulted in complete loss of brake fluid during normal driving. Reports come from vehicles with a wide range of mileages; brake line corrosion complaints tend to appear at higher mileages, while ABS-related complaints are spread across the range.

   Recall 96V024001Recall 94V169001

   What to check: Have the brake lines inspected for corrosion and the ABS module tested; ask about the history of any brake repairs, including how many times components have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Intermitent - anti lock brakes failure. Pedal drops down and noise (growl) occurs, followed by vehical pulling to one side with long stopping distance. Recent incident required extreme braking and the brakes locked up and the vehicle slid out of control.”

   NHTSA complaint #10080808, filed 2004-07, 180,300 miles

   “Consumer noticed while traveling, the brakes were smoking due to over heating. Dealer had been contacted and the braking system was replaced. The brakes continued to wear out once a month, the brakes had been resurfaced, adjusted and replaced 5 times.”

   NHTSA complaint #10041865, filed 2003-12, 135,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Unintended acceleration or throttle sticking

   • 43 complaints (5%)
   • median 130,000 mi at 12.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 14 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2010

   Owners describe the vehicle suddenly accelerating to high speed when shifted into drive or reverse, or the accelerator pedal sticking during low-speed driving. Several complaints note the brakes did not respond during the acceleration event, and at least one complaint resulted in a collision. Dealers who were consulted reportedly cleaned a component related to the throttle in some cases. Events are reported at a variety of mileages and do not appear concentrated at a particular service interval.

   What to check: Ask whether the throttle body has been cleaned and whether the cruise control deactivation switch has been inspected; test the throttle response at low speed before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Dt: contact stated accelerator stuck once in march 2005, and he immediately brought vehicle to dealer for repairs. The repairman said something needed to be cleaned. He did not recall the part that mechanic cleaned. The mechanic said he had noticed this happening a lot in Ford explorers. Consumer had not noticed it happening since then. He was driving at a low speed of 25 MPH and all of sudden vehicle accelerated to the maximum. He stomped the gas pedal in order to make it disengage. There was no crash. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10128722, filed 2005-08, 130,000 miles

   “When putting vehicle in drive, vehicle went into full throttle, accelerating at a high rate of speed, consumer foot was on brake pedal, but vehicle continued to accelerate, brakes were not responding, causing the consumer to hit another vehicle. Consumer has contacted dealer.”

   NHTSA complaint #861013, filed 2000-04
5. 5
   Body and structure

   Rear liftgate support strut failure

   • 38 complaints (4%)
   • typically at 4.8 yrs old
   • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2004

   Complaints describe the hydraulic lift cylinder bracket weld fracturing, allowing the rear hatch to fall suddenly while open. Owners report the hatch dropped onto them while loading or unloading the vehicle. Some complaints note that recall repair parts were on national backorder, leaving vehicles unrepaired for extended periods. Failures are reported without a clear mileage pattern; complaints reference both early and later ownership stages.

   Recall 99V310001Recall 95V164001

   What to check: Confirm that the liftgate bracket weld recall (99V310001 or 95V164001) has been completed; test the hatch by opening it fully and checking that it holds its position without dropping.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Recall component failed prior to recall notification, however vehicle has not been repaired due to scheduling problem, consumer concerned about amount of time required for repair (99v-310).”

   NHTSA complaint #551303, filed 2000-03

   “Rear lift gate hinge (window hinge only) failed. Hinge snapped in such a manner that indicates casting was likely bad at time of manufacture or that design is faulty.”

   NHTSA complaint #700075, filed 1998-10

Buying note. Prospective buyers should verify that the open liftgate bracket recalls have been completed and should have the brake lines and ABS system inspected for age-related corrosion before purchase. The tire and electrical fire complaint history on this model year warrants a careful pre-purchase inspection of wiring condition and tire age.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.