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1993 Ford Explorer Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1993 Ford Explorer has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Brake pedal failure and ABS module failure.” Ford uses the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor (IOLM) to determine when oil changes are due based on actual driving load — not just mileage. Ford's published cap is 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. The schedule below reflects Ford's Normal service intervals; F-Series trucks and Super Duty have additional towing-specific items.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1993 Ford Explorer.

Reported to NHTSA

Brake pedal failure and ABS module failure

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

13 NHTSA complaints · 2000-11 → 2020-07

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11340967
“TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED THE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR AND DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES HAD TO BE APPLIED MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE THEY ENGAGED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10218120
“DURING NORMAL OPERATION LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE CRACKED, LOST ALL BRAKE FLUID, MANAGED TO STOP VEHICLE ON IN MEDIAN, HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, AFTER LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE WAS REPLACED MECHANIC WAS BLEEDING BRAKE SYSTEM, DURING THE PROCESS THE MAIN BRAKE LINE LEADING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10163894

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Liftgate and door hinge separation

STRUCTURE

9 NHTSA complaints · 2000-11 → 2008-10

“CONSUMER STATED THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN RECALL #95V164001 FAILED. THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDERS WERE ATTACHED TO BRACKETS THAT WERE WELDED TO THE LIFTGATE. THE BRACKET WELDS CAN FRACTURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10082024
“DOOR HINGES WOULD CAUSE DOORS TO BE UNEVEN. DRIVER'S DOOR FAILS TO CLOSE PROPERLY DUE TO THE HINGES. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC INDICATED HINGES WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #897111
“CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS AT DIFFERENT TIMES GETTING THE FRONT AND REAR DOORS LOCKED. THE HINGES BROKE, CAUSING THE DOOR TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10061693

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front suspension wear and vibration at speed

SUSPENSION

7 NHTSA complaints · 2000-11 → 2008-07

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10235208
“BALL JOINTS ARE COMPLETELY SHOT. CONSUMER FEELS WHEEL COULD FALL OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8000930

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire tread separation and sidewall failure

TIRES

64 NHTSA complaints · 2000-11 → 2013-05

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10475064
“ATLAS, SILVERTRAC, P23575R15 DOT UUTHLAJV331. REPLACEMENT TIRES ON A FORD EXPLORER, 1993. WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH DRIVER HEARD A LOUD POP. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, VIHICLE ROLLED OVER, AND LANDED IN A DITCH. REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SEPARATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8018855
“RIGHT REAR TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT AT 45 MPH IN 4 DIFFERENT SECTIONS. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE ALMOST FLIPPED OVER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10059832

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalling and engine compartment fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

15 NHTSA complaints · 2000-11 → 2009-11

“THE ENGINE, REGARDLESS OF SPEED OR DRIVING CONDITIONS SHUTS OFF AND CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN IT OCCURS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #754893
“VEHICLE STALLS MOSTLY AFTER DRIVING FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES, MOSTLY AT SPEEDS OF 40-70 MPH. HAS STALLED AT LEAST 12 TIMES. DEALER CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #886247
“VEHICLE FIRE. MR. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10019629

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical system failure and fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

13 NHTSA complaints · 2001-03 → 2020-10

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN FOUR DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE AS ELECTRICAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10188749
“1993 FORD EXPLORER SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED IN DRIVEWAY, DAMAGE ORIGINATED IN THE DRIVER SIDE DASHBOARD AREA. VEHICLE WASN'T DRIVEN 24 HOURS PRIOR TO FIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10163291
“CONSUMER LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE SERVICE GAS STATION FOR SERVICE. TWO DAYS LATER VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A FAULTY SHORT CIRCUIT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10004253

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Automatic transmission and 4WD hub failure

POWER TRAIN

8 NHTSA complaints · 2000-11 → 2005-06

“WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY FROM FIRST TO THE SECOND GEAR. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10082026
“VEHICLE STALLS OUT WHEN DRIVING. CONTACT DEALER . TRANSMISSION FAILURE. HAD PART REPLACED 3 TIMES WITHIN 3 YEARS.*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8011690
“CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE.*JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10003622

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Driver seat frame and recline mechanism failure

SEATS

8 NHTSA complaints · 2001-03 → 2004-01

“DRIVER SEAT BACK BROKE WHILE OWNER DRIVING RESULTING IN SEAT BACK FALLING TO FULL RECLINING POSITION. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT INJURY OR ACCIDENT AND HAD TO DRIVE VEHICLE IN UNSAFE CONDITION UNTIL WAS ABLE TO FIND AN OBJECT TO BRACE THE SEAT BACK IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10021359
“WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINED WITHOUT WARNING.*AK SHOULDER BOLT AT THE BASE OF THE SEAT SNAPPED. VEHICLE LEFT ROADWAY BUT CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED. *PH *NLM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10038474
“DRIVER SIDE SEAT FRAME BROKE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. NO INJURY, BUT SEAT FOLDED BACK AND THERE WAS NO SUPPORT BEHIND ME. HAD TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO MAKE A SAFE STOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #742413

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 7,500 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic Motorcraft oil per the IOLM, or every 7,500-10,000 miles. EcoBoost engines require full synthetic; Coyote 5.0L V8 specifies SAE 5W-30.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate tires every 10,000 miles, or with every other oil change. F-150 4x4 owners should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain bias wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid level every 10,000 miles. Front pads on F-150 and Explorer typically last 40,000-60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Ford specifies brake fluid replacement on an inspection basis, but moisture testing every 3 years is recommended. Replace if reading exceeds 3% water content.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. EcoBoost turbocharged engines are sensitive to airflow restriction — don't extend.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 150,000 mi

Ford 6R80, 10R80, and 8F transmissions use Mercon LV fluid rated 150,000 miles under normal service. Severe service (towing, plowing) drops this to 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On 4x4 models, replace transfer case fluid every 60,000 miles. Use Motorcraft XL-12 — do not substitute generic transfer case fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 100,000 mi

F-Series and Expedition: replace rear axle fluid every 100,000 miles, or 50,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip rear ends require friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs on Coyote 5.0L, EcoBoost 2.7L/3.5L, and 2.3L are rated 100,000 miles. EcoBoost engines: never exceed the interval — gap erosion causes coil failure.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Motorcraft Orange (Dex-Cool compatible) coolant: first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000. Older trucks with Yellow Motorcraft coolant: 50,000 miles throughout.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 20,000 miles. On F-150, located behind the glove box; on Escape and Explorer, accessed from the passenger footwell.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

721 crashes 1990–2024

How the 721 occupant deaths break down

477

driver deaths

243

passenger deaths

1

not recorded by seat

721

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1993 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

90

complaints mentioning a crash

52

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1993 Ford Explorer reflects Ford's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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