FaultScore

1993 Ford Explorer brake problems

276 of the 1,151 complaints about the 1993 Ford Explorer are about the braking system — 24% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 139,115 miles.

D

276

Complaints

21

Crashes

0

Fires

8

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 144 52.2%
Foundation Components 25 9.1%
Rotor 18 6.5%
Conventional 15 5.4%
Pads 12 4.3%
Disc 9 3.3%
Caliper 9 3.3%
Master Cylinder 6 2.2%
Hydraulic 4 1.4%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 4 1.4%

Brakes across every Ford Explorer year

1991 151 6.9%
1992 142 6.5%
1993 276 12.6%
1994 310 14.1%
1995 94 4.3%
1996 149 6.8%
1997 106 4.8%
1998 102 4.6%
1999 89 4.1%
2000 72 3.3%
2001 37 1.7%
2002 136 6.2%
2003 49 2.2%
2004 54 2.5%
2005 18 0.8%
2006 41 1.9%
2007 12 0.5%
2010 15 0.7%
2011 29 1.3%
2012 20 0.9%
2013 40 1.8%
2014 27 1.2%
2015 33 1.5%
2016 19 0.9%
2017 22 1.0%
2018 11 0.5%
2020 86 3.9%
2021 24 1.1%
2022 14 0.6%
2025 16 0.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 68,000 miles Staton Island, NY 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

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

NHTSA complaint #11340967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,000 miles Staton Island, NY 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

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

NHTSA complaint #11340967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,000 miles Staten Island, NY Crash 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

THE ABS MODULE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A CITY STREET AT ABOUT 20 MPH.

NHTSA complaint #11340975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 143,231 miles Bridgewater, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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 TO THE REAR BRAKE LINES CRACKED AND DEVELOPED A LEAK, LOST ALL BRAKE FLUID AGAIN!FORTUNATELY THIS TIME IT HAPPENED AT SHOP, HAD ALL BRAKE LINES REPLACED, ADVISED SHOP TO HOLD ON TO OLD (ORIGINAL) BRAKE LINES.

NHTSA complaint #10163894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 163,000 miles West Jefferson, NC

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

DT: THE CONTACT HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE PARKING BRAKE STAYING IN PLACE. THE PARKING BRAKE GOES TO THE FLOOR AND DOES NOT HOLD. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A YEAR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN CHECKED BY A DEALER. *AK UPDATED 01/23/06.

NHTSA complaint #10140830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 250,000 miles Atlanta, GA Crash

PARKING BRAKE

DT: VECHICLE WAS IN PARK WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ON AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN A HILL.

NHTSA complaint #10122527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, DC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

MULTIPLE FAILURES, CONTINUALLY BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE ALSO OVERHEATED, THERMOSTAT REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. A/C COMPRESSOR MALFUNCTION, ETC. *BF A BLOWOUT RIPPED THE RUNNING BOARD ASSEMBLY, THE ABS LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHY, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP ON THE VEHICLE AND VIOLENTLY SKIDDED TO A STOP, THE EXHAUST WAS REPLACED TWICE, THERE WAS A NOISE THAT LINGERED ON IN THE FRONT END AND A LOUD CREAKING SOUND.

NHTSA complaint #10101884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,300 miles Healdsburg, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dallas, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES BRAKE PEDAL GOT STUCK. THIS CAUSED THE ABS LIGHT TO APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAIN ON. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED.

NHTSA complaint #10079503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 135,000 miles Peekskill, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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. *AK *TT

NHTSA complaint #10041865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Naugatuck, CT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

CONSUMER STATES THE BRAKE LINE ON THE RIGHT REAR AXLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED.

NHTSA complaint #786464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Atoka, TN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

VENT HOSE IS ON REAR AXLE HOUSING AND RUBBING ON REAR BRAKE LINE.

NHTSA complaint #8018254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Coppell, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHILE DRIVING NEEDS EXCESSIVE EFFORT TO PROPERLY APPLY BRAKES. CONSUMER HEARS SQUEAKING NOISE.

NHTSA complaint #8016462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Corpus Christi, TX

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN EMERGENCY BRAKE IS APPLIED IT SLIPS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL FORWARD SLIGHTLY. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN.

NHTSA complaint #891530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Barrington, IL Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

INSUFFICIENT BRAKING RESULTED IN REAR END COLLISION. 2ND ACCIDENT OF SAME NATURE AFTER FORD SERVICE INSPECTION. INDEPENDENT BRAKE SHOP REPLACED REAR BRAKES AND PROBLEM IS OK. FORD ARGUES THAT BRAKES AND VEHICLE WERE OK.

NHTSA complaint #747123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Upper Marlboro, MD

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE CALIPER STICKING AND CAUSING ROTORS TO BE CUT AND WARPED. VEHICLE BEEN TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #888618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairhaven, MA

PARKING BRAKE

WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL IS ENGAGED IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE TEETH ON THE RACHET MECHANISM DO NOT ENGAGE AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL ENDS UP ON THE FLOOR, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS DEFECT IS THE SAME AS RECALL 94V-169 BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. NLM

NHTSA complaint #560429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Atlanta, GA

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL

PARKING BRAKE CONTROL SELF ADJUSTING PAWL DOES NOT LINE UP PROPERLY WITH SELF-ADJUSTED RACHET, CAUSING PAWL TO SLIP OVER ONE OR MORE TEETH IN RACHED. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN.

NHTSA complaint #883126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairheaven, MA

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

WHEN DEPRESSING PARKING BRAKE TO FLOORBOARD CONSUMER NOTICED BRAKE SKIPING TEETH.

NHTSA complaint #882173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Nanaimo, CD

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM

THE VEHICLES RIGHT AND LEFT REAR WHEEL BRAKE DRUM BECOMES EXTREMELY HOT AND CONSUMER CAN SMELL AN ODOR OF HOT OIL EMANATING FROM THE WHEEL ONCE PARKED IN GARAGE. NLM

NHTSA complaint #559243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Katy, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

THE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #557741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stephenville, TX Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

WHILE DRIVING BRAKING PEDAL LINKAGE BROKE WHICH CAUSED NO BRAKING ABILTIY AT ALL, AND RESULTED IN A CRASH. WILL BE TAKING TO DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #875304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palm Desert, CA 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS BRAKE SYSTEM CAUSING REAR WHEELS TO SKID. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #555619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

IVY Land, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING AND COMING TO STOP WOULD STEP ON BRAKE PEDAL BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNLESS PUT INTO A LOWER GEAR. THEN, VEHICLE WILL STOP SLOWLY.

NHTSA complaint #872372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glen Allen, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA complaint #730055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glen Allen, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA complaint #730055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Erie, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A RUBBLE AND VIBRATION, LEFT FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. TIRES WERE FIRESTONE #ATX, P23575R15. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE STORE WHERE HE PURCHASED THE TIRE FROM.*AK ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM LOGIC DOES NOT ALLOW/PERMIT BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHCILE AFTER TIRE FAIURE. THIS IS SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

NHTSA complaint #869583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alhamera, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING AND USING BRAKES VEHICLE WILL WOBBLE, AND HAS A TENDENCY TO FLIP OVER. CONSUMER HAS BEEN ON TWO WHEELS AND SLAMMED BACK DOWN TO THE GROUND.

NHTSA complaint #866169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Captain Cook, HI

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

TOTAL FAILURE OF EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE - WENT TO APPLY BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT ENGAGING BRAKE; REPEATED ATTEMPTS UNSUCCESSFUL - THE VEHICLE WHEN STOPPED CAN ONLY BE KEPT FROM MOVING BY THE FOOT BRAKE, OR PLACING THE VEHICLE IN GEAR. THIS DEFECT IS THE SUBJECT OF PRIOR RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 94V169000) COVERING THE SAME FAILURE. THIS RECALL WORK WAS COMPLETED ON MY VEHICLE IN 1994. BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE, MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE PARKING BRAKE TO ENGAGE, BUT RELEASING THE PEDAL AND RE-APPLYING WOULD ALWAYS WORK. NOW, THERE HAS BEEN A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE PEDAL SYSTEM AND FORD & THE DEALER INDICATE THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED BY THE ABOVE-REFERENCED RECALL SINCE THE WORK WAS ALREADY DONE. THIS FAILURE IS A SAFETY HAZARD!

NHTSA complaint #724956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Captain Cook, HI

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT ENGAGE, IT WON'T WORK.

NHTSA complaint #864677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1993 Ford Explorer problems

← Full 1993 Ford Explorer report