RecallRepo

1993 Ford Explorer Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1993 Ford Explorer has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,574,157 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 1,151 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the tires. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

STRUCTURE 99V310001 1999-11-03 470,582 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET WELDS COULD FRACTURE.

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.

STRUCTURE 97V235001 1997-12-18 185,000 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INSTALLED SUNROOF. THE SUNROOF GLASS PANEL ASSEMBLY CAN SEPARATE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING DUE TO INCORRECT HINGE ENGAGEMENT. THIS WAS CAUSED BY IMPROPER SUNROOF INSTALLATION OF THE GLASS PANEL.

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.

VISIBILITY 97V083000 1997-05-05 610,000 affected
Defect

A SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITION CAN OCCUR IN THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH CIRCUIT BOARD AS A RESULT OF A SEPARATED PART OF THE CONTACT ASSEMBLY BRIDGING THE SWITCH POSITIVE BATTERY PAD AND ADJACENT CHASSIS GROUND PAD.

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 96V024001 1996-02-05 108,000 affected
Defect

THE STUDS WHICH ATTACH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AFTER BEING OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATION.

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.

STRUCTURE 95V164001 1995-08-25 364,784 affected
Defect

THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDERS ARE ATTACHED TO BRACKETS THAT ARE WELDED TO THE LIFTGATE. THE BRACKET WELDS CAN FRACTURE.

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.

PARKING BRAKE 94V169001 1994-09-07 835,791 affected
Defect

THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL SELF-ADJUST PAWL DOES NOT LINE UP PROPERLY WITH THE SELF-ADJUST RACHET CAUSING THE PAWL TO SLIP OVER ONE OR MORE TEETH IN THE RACHET.

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…

Complaints by component

TIRES:TREAD/BELT
167
23crashes60injuries2deaths
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
144
13crashes6injuries
TIRES
91
12crashes32injuries
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
42
5injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
41
3crashes1fires1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
26
2fires1injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
25
3crashes3injuries
SUSPENSION:FRONT
25
2crashes1injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
25
8crashes2fires14injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
22
4fires
Total complaints1,151

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2020-10-06

“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…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2020-07-20

“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…”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE · reported 2020-07-20

“The abs module failed without warning while driving straight on a city street at about 20 mph.”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE · reported 2020-07-20

“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…”

TIRES · reported 2013-05-22

“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…”

ENGINE · reported 2012-11-26

“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…”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2012-11-26

“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…”

SEATS · reported 2012-11-26

Defect investigations

Investigation DP98001 Opened 1998-01-06 · closed 1998-02-04

HEAVY 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…

Investigation DP98008 Opened 1998-09-04 · closed 1998-09-11

HEATER BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA00012 Opened 2000-04-14 · closed 2000-10-20

SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA95018 Opened 1995-06-19 · closed 1996-04-02

SEPARATION 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…

Investigation EA95018 Opened 1995-06-19 · closed 1996-04-02

SEPARATION 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…

Investigation EA96017 Opened 1996-07-24 · closed 1999-10-29

BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA97011 Opened 1997-05-23 · closed 1998-01-20

SUNROOF SHATTERING AND SEPARATION

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA97011 Opened 1997-05-23 · closed 1998-01-20

SUNROOF SHATTERING AND SEPARATION

There is no summary currently available

Investigation EA99004 Opened 1999-01-15 · closed 2000-04-18

BLOWER 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…

Investigation PE95001 Opened 1995-01-03 · closed 1995-06-19

BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER/BOOSTER SEPARATION

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE96016 Opened 1996-02-28 · closed 1996-07-24

WHEEL 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…

Investigation PE96066 Opened 1996-11-22 · closed 1997-05-15

DRIVER 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…

Investigation PE96074 Opened 1996-12-17 · closed 1997-05-23

SUNROOF (AIR ROOF) SHATTER

THE SUNROOF SHATTERED OR WAS BLOWN OFF.IN ALL BUT ONE CASE THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING.

Investigation PE98048 Opened 1998-09-04 · closed 1999-01-15

BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRES

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE99072 Opened 1999-11-30 · closed 2000-04-14

SPARE 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…

Investigation RQ99016 Opened 1999-07-29 · open

LIFTGATE 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…

Investigation RQ99016 Opened 1999-07-29 · open

LIFTGATE 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…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1993 Ford Explorer as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.