1993 Ford Explorer Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 72about this part
- Share
- 8%of 939 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 72 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1993 Ford Explorer, 8% of the 939 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Transmission had to be replaced and the vehicle stalled. This problem had been present since the vehicle was first purchased. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer on 5 occasions with no success until another chevy dealer found that there was a bad battery cable.”
NHTSA complaint #10076026, filed 2004-06, 30,000 miles“I bought a car from a dealer and have the car for less than 30 days and the transmission is going out. The dealer would not give me a temporary tag unless I went to his mechanic for a inspection also the vehicle has been constantly leaking oil since the 2nd day I purchased.”
NHTSA complaint #10151840, filed 2006-03“Car was parked with engine running on my residential driveway in park. I got out of the car to briefly go into the house to get my son. I walked from the car into the garage, and was about to enter the house through the door inside the garage when I saw the car rolling into the garage. I tried to get into the car to apply the brakes, but the car hit the water heater. The water heater was moved off its base and into the wall. Damage to the water heater, garage wall and interior utility room wall occured as well as damage to my Explorer. …”
NHTSA complaint #724699, filed 2000-06“Re: front hub assembly: failed infirst year of ownership and was replaced by Ford. Second failure this year. Although my car has a lot of miles on it I only rarely use 4 wheel drive. I would estimate about 1000-2000 miles of 4 wheel drive running time. Danger involves not being in 4 wheel drive when you think you are. Second concern: car has occasionally stalled while driving and running perfectly fine and will restart after 20 -30 seconds. Happens in warm weather after car is warm. Seems similar to california court mandated recall issue but Ford denied any relationship. …”
NHTSA complaint #739192, filed 2001-01“We have had continuous problems w/ our 93 Explorer. The transmission went out at 93000 miles and had to be replaced. The ABS light keeps flickering on and off and we are not sure which sensor is out. The dealership wants to charge an arm & leg just to tell us which sensor it is. My experience with the dealerships have not been positive. They charge too much for simple tasks and I have been lied to on numerous occasions about what is wrong with our vehicle. It idles rough and we have replaced all of the parts the dealership has said were bad and it still idles real rough. …”
NHTSA complaint #719751, filed 2000-03Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 7% |
| 2025 | 16 | 15% |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% |
| 2023 | 12 | 11% |
| 2022 | 61 | 23% |
| 2021 | 127 | 28% |
| 2020 | 504 | 40% |
| 2019 | 35 | 12% |
| 2018 | 50 | 7% |
| 2017 | 125 | 7% |
| 2016 | 215 | 9% |
| 2015 | 86 | 5% |
| 2014 | 80 | 5% |
| 2013 | 119 | 5% |
| 2012 | 55 | 7% |
| 2011 | 64 | 5% |
| 2010 | 28 | 24% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 36 | 24% |
| 2007 | 57 | 27% |
| 2006 | 296 | 47% |
| 2005 | 99 | 20% |
| 2004 | 460 | 35% |
| 2003 | 335 | 30% |
| 2002 | 1,502 | 46% |
| 2001 | 42 | 11% |
| 2000 | 133 | 14% |
| 1999 | 115 | 9% |
| 1998 | 103 | 5% |
| 1997 | 104 | 6% |
| 1996 | 120 | 8% |
| 1995 | 119 | 14% |
| 1994 | 86 | 7% |
| 1993 | 72 | 8% |
| 1992 | 77 | 12% |
| 1991 | 69 | 11% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1993 Ford Explorer
244 complaintsTires
243 complaintsBody and structure
86 complaintsSuspension
59 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
56 complaintsEngine cooling
55 complaintsElectrical system
45 complaintsVehicle speed control
38 complaintsSeats
30 complaintsEquipment
27 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1993 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology