49 of the 1,151 complaints about the 1993 Ford Explorer are about the electrical system — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 100,250 miles.
49
Complaints
0
Crashes
19
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11363106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CONTACT NOTICED DARK SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT WHEN THE SMOKE CEASED. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE SMOKE REAPPEARED. THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, BUT COULD NOT LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD THE HEATER FUSE REMOVED, WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE FROM SMOKING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 89,000. UPDATED 05/27/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE AC ONLY WORKED ON HIGH AND THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER DID NOT WORK. UPDATED
NHTSA complaint #10210767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1993 FORD EXPLORER SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED IN DRIVEWAY, DAMAGE ORIGINATED IN THE DRIVER SIDE DASHBOARD AREA. VEHICLE WASN'T DRIVEN 24 HOURS PRIOR TO FIRE. NO RECALL FOUND FOR YEAR/MODEL, BUT COUNTLESS FIRES REPORTED FOR BASE FORDS OF ALL MODELS AND YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #10163291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
I OWNED A FORD 1992 EXPLORER AND ONE MORNING IT JUST CACTH FIRE FOR NO REASON AT ALL. WE LET IT RUN BEFORE TAKING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL AS WE DO EVERY COLD MORNING AND IF A LITTLE GIRL HAD BEEN WALKING TO THE BUS STOP AND SAW THE CAR ON FIRE WE WOULD HAVE BEEN BURN UP IN THE HOUSE SO LUCKLY SHE SAW AND LET US NO BEFORE IT GOT TO THE PORCH WE CALL THE FIRE DEPT.
NHTSA complaint #10145012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
DT: THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SPUTTERING LIKE IT NEEDED A TUNE UP. TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND SMOKE CAME FROM THE HEATING AND COOLING VENTS. AS SOON AS THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER SMOKED STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS THE VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES. CONTACTED FORD, THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT RECALLING THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT BUT WERE NOT SURE WHERE THE FIRE STARTED FROM. THIS HAPPENED ON OCTOBER 1, 2004.
NHTSA complaint #10136244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10103388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. *MR 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. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10076026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
1ST CASE WAS SUMMER TIME, ENGINE WOULDN'T EVEN TURN OVER WHEN TRYING TO START IT. AIR CONDITIONER HAD BEEN ON EARLIER. TURNED THE AIR CONDITIONER SWITCH TO OFF AND ENGINE STARTED AND RAN JUST FINE. ATTRIBUTED THE PROBLEM TO BAD COMPRESSOR LOADING DOWN THE ENGINE. $900 LATER WITH NEW COMPRESSOR AND CONVERSION TO NEW REFRIGERANT I ASSUMED EVERYTHING WAS FIXED. TRUCK IS 2ND VEHICLE NOT USED MUCH UNTIL WINTER. DECEMBER WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, I ACCIDENTALLY PUSHED THE HEATER SWITCH IN, (AIR-CONDITIONER ON MODE) AND THE ENGINE INSTANTLY SHUT OFF, AS WELL AS ALL THE LIGHTS AND THE HORN. RESET THE SWITCH AND ONCE AGAIN EVERYTHING WAS FINE. NEVER BLEW A FUSE! EXPECTED A WIRE HARNESS FIRE AFTER THAT! I'D EXPECT THE LOAD LINE TO THE COMPRESSOR TO BE ON A SEPARATE CIRCUIT AND ISOLATED BY A FUSE LINK OR REPLACEABLE FUSE! REPLACED THE $95 SWITCH AND INSPECTED IT. IT WAS ALL MELTED INSIDE. I WONDER IF THE SWITCH WAS THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM AND THE COMPRESSOR WAS ACTUALLY GOOD SINCE THE AIR WAS COLD WHEN IT WAS RUNNING. COULD IT GO FROM GOOD TO INSTANTLY SEIZED? COULD THE CIRCUITRY IN THE EXPLORER SPORT ALLOW A LARGE CURRENT DRAW TO MELT THE SWITCH? IF SO FORD OWES ME FOR THE COMPRESSOR AND LABOR. CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY A FUSELINK OR FUSE DIDN'T BLOW. ONLY A DEAD SHORT WOULD KNOCK OUT THE LIGHTS, AND HORN. LUCKILY THE SWITCH COULD BE SWITCHED OFF, AS I ROLLED TO A STOP. SECOND ITEM TO REPORT WAS THAT WHILE REPLACING THE BAD RESISTOR COILS FOR FAN'S SPEED CONTROL, THE HEATER ENCLOSURE WAS PACKED WITH LEAVES- VERY DANGEROUS. VACUUMED EVERYTHING OUT. NEED TO FIND OUT WHY THERE IS NO SCREEN SOMEWHERE.
NHTSA complaint #10058160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE INSPECTOR INDICATED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL. *JB JAMIE CONADAY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. SCC
NHTSA complaint #10014959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CONSUMER LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE SERVICE GAS STATION FOR SERVICE. TWO DAYS LATER VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A FAULTY SHORT CIRCUIT. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH.
NHTSA complaint #10004253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHEN VEHICLE GETS WARMED UP IT WILL STALL BECAUSE IGNITION MODULE WILL MALFUNCTION, AND VEHICLE WILL CUT OFFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #883079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
UNDER THE HOOD FIRE WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKE. ; DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #882505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN 4.5 HRS AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE BURNED TO GROUND, AND SET VEHICLE PARKED NEXT TO IT ON FIRE TOO. TOTAL LOSS TO CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #882235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION HAS BEEN CHECKED, REPLACED, AS WELL AS ENDLESS OTHER POTENTIAL CAUSES, BY TWO MECHANICS, NEITHER BEING ABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. FORD DENIES ANY KNOWLEDGE.
NHTSA complaint #734127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING . IT HAPPENED THREE TIMES, AND CONSUMER HAD CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT THE SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #873176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
MY FUSE BLEW, WHEN WE LOOK TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS WE SAW THAT THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR (ELECTRIC) HAD EVIDENTLY GOT ON FIRE BECAUSE THE UNDERNEATH WAS MELTED. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO DO. I NEED TO HAVE THIS REPLACED AND I DO NOT FEEL THAT I WAS AT FAULT AND WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT IF THE FORD PLACE SHOULD REPLACE THIS FREE OF CHARGE DO TO THE SWITCH BEING FAULTY.
NHTSA complaint #721992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN (94-8-14), HOWEVER REPAIRED PRIOR TO BULLETIN, REPAIRED STARTER, BATTERY AND CABLES, BATTERY ACID LEAKAGE CAUSED DAMAGE. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #551767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN (94-8-14), HOWEVER REPAIRED PRIOR TO BULLETIN, REPAIRED STARTER, BATTERY AND CABLES, BATTERY ACID LEAKAGE CAUSED DAMAGE. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #551767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN (94-8-14), HOWEVER REPAIRED PRIOR TO BULLETIN, REPAIRED STARTER, BATTERY AND CABLES, BATTERY ACID LEAKAGE CAUSED DAMAGE. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #551767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. ENGINE WAS ON FIRE, AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #859957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, DRIVER TURNED ON DEFROSTER AND FLAMES STARTED SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. DRIVER THEN TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND TOOK FIRE OUT. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE AND FIRE STARTED AGAIN.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #857898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
STARTER ASSEMBLY FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #550508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY SYSTEM FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #550508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED BY H&L ON 4/19/99 PART # AWSF-4C, MILEAGE WAS 74,497. FAILURE OF PLUGS WAS DURING TRIP, AT ANOTHER DEALER RHINEBECK FORD, 914-876-4440, THEY REPLACED THEM WITH AWSF-42P- STATING WRONG PLUGS INSTALLED BY H&L. H&L RESPONDED INITIALLY THAT THESE WERE THE CORRECT PLUGS, BUT LATER AGREED THAT THE 42P WERE THE RIGHT ONES. SUBSEQUENT, THE VEHICLE RAN ROUGH AND HAD POOR PERFORMANCE. H&L CONTACTED REGARDING THIS, NOTED TO MONITOR FLUID LEVELS, TUNE UP WOULD NOT CURE PROBLEM. MANAGER STATED IT COULD BE A CRACKED HEAD. WITHIN 7 DAYS SINCE 10/11/99, ENGINE IS IN SHOP, WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF EXHAUST AND FLUIDS INDICATE A LEAK. MANAGER ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE EXPLORER FOR THAT YEAR. CAR NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, EXPIRED AT 89,830. FEEL FORD IS RESPONSIBLE!
NHTSA complaint #713973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
EA99004, WHILE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS ON AND IN VENT MODE, SMOKE CAME FROM THE VENTS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL WIRE MELTING. THIS MAY STARTED A FIRE IF VEHICLE DID NOT SHUT OFF.
NHTSA complaint #836830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
MY 93 FORD EXPLORER HAD APPROXIMATELY 3 DIAGNOSTIC TESTS WITH RESULTS THAT SHOW THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE VEHICAL CONSISTENTLY OVER 7 MONTHS HAS BEEN STALLING, DIEING, AND SURGING. IT USUALLY STALLS AT STOP SIGNS OR WHILE WAITING IN A LINES OF CARS. IT DIES AT STOP SIGNS OR WHEN TRYING TO START IT UP. IT SURGES WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND FEELS LIKE A TUGGING MOTION. THE RPMS AND AMPS GO WAY DOWN AND FEELS LIKE IT MAY STALL THEN IT SURGES AND GETS POWER. WHEN IT GETS POWER IT ALMOST JUMPS FORWARD AND HITS THE CAR IN FRONT WHILE MY FOOT IS STILL ON THE BREAK. IT ALSO JUMPS AROUND AT STOP SIGNS WITH THE RPMS AND AMPS GOING UP AND DOWN. MOSSEY FORD IN SAN DIEGO, CA HAS REPLACED THE OIL AND FILTER AND THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. THEY SAID IT WOULD TAKE CAR OF THE PROBLEM AND IT DID NOT. THE PROBLEM BECAME MORE DOMINANT, PERSISTENT, AND DANGEROUS. THIS WORK COST APPROXIMATELY $300.00, SO DUE TO HIGH COST AT FORD. I TOOK THE VEHICAL TO GREG'S AUTOMOTIVE IN EL CAJON, CA. I THEN REPLACED THE BATTERY AND WAS CHARGED USELESSLY FOR FINDING NO PROBLEMS. AT THIS POINT, I SPEND ABOUT $400.00 MORE DOLLARS FOR NOTHING. THEY HAD A HUNCH THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN THE TIMING BELT, BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $600.00 JUST FOR THEM TO CHECK. I HAVE BEEN SPENDING HARD EARNED MONEY USELESSLY AND DISREGARDING MY BILLS FOR MY VEHICAL NOT BEING FIXED. I AM SCARED FOR MY SAFETY AND OTHER'S SAFETY WHILE DRIVING THE EXPLORER UNDER THESE UNFIXABLE CONDITIONS. I NEED HELP AND HIGH QUALITY SERVICE TO PIN POINT THE EXACT PROBLEM. I DEPEND ON MY VEHICAL AND MUST USE IT TO GET ME PLACES I HAVE TO GO. MY FORD VEHICAL IS STALLING, DIEING, AND SURGING. THIS IS NOT SAFE AND FORD SHOULD DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM BY RECALLING VEHICALS WITH THESE TYPE OF COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA complaint #706328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN GETTING INTO VEHICLE AND STARTING IT UP EVERYTHING WILL GO OUT, SUCH AS THE HEADLIGHTS REMAINING ON, AND CONSUMER SMELLING SMOKE COMING FROM VEHICLE. CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #835653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
VENTILATION SYSTEM HAS CAUGHT ON FIRE 3 TIMES WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. IT MELTED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. DEALER HAS REPAIRED 3 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #833158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY EXPLODED.
NHTSA complaint #542283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN WORN OUT TWO TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #539107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.