68 of the
1,151 complaints about the 1993 Ford Explorer are about the
engine — 6% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
100,000 miles.
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 SMOKE AND FIRE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 TO REPORT FIRE, AS THE FIRE UNIT WAS ON ITS WAY THE VEHICLE HAD TWO OR THREE EXPLOSIONS UNDER THE HOOD AND THE HORN CAME ON. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE 22 STORY CONDOMINIUM FIRE ALARMS WENT OFF, ALL THE ELEVATORS STOPPED WORKING AND THE FIRE MARSHALL EVACUATED THE ENTIRE BUILDING. THE PARKING GARAGE WAS FULL OF SOOTH AND DENSE BLACK SMOKE. THE MAIN LOBBY AND ELEVATOR LOBBY WAS FULL OF SMOKE. THE ER DIAGNOSED ME WITH SMOKE INHALATION AND SHORTNESS OF BREATH. SUBSEQUENT LUNG TEST SHOWS 30% DECREASED LUNG CAPACITY.
NHTSA complaint #10509464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesWarm Springs, ORFire1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD EXPLORER. . AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS OF ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE MISFIRED. A BYSTANDER NEAR THE DRIVER-SIDE DOOR SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER EYES, HAIR, AND UPPER PORTION OF HER BODY. SHE HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE A LITTLE OVER 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #10291471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Excelsior Springs, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65 milesMoore, OK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
INTERMITTENTLY ENGINE STALLING.
NHTSA complaint #10112328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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 124,000 milesCinnaminson, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
THE VEHICLES COOLING FAN CRACKED. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAN WOULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10048718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Paso, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CYLINDER HEADS NEED REPLACING.
NHTSA complaint #10047165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fenton, MOFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE FIRE. MR. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #10019629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redlands, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELLING APPROXIMATELY 60MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN CONSUMER REMOVED FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN PREPARATION FOR EXIT, THE VEHICLE MADE A STRANGE "CLUNKING" NOISE AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE SUDDENLY. ATTEMPTS TO SLOW DOWN UTILIZING THE BRAKES AND DOWNSHIFTING TRANSMISSION WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. CONSUMER HAD TO RUN VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID A COLLISION. VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND ENGINE WAS STILL "REVVING" HIGH. TS
NHTSA complaint #8022203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Farmers Branch, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, CONSUMERS NEIGHBOR NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE WINDOWS, CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE, HOWEVER BY THE TIME THE DOORS WERE OPENED FLAMES WERE SMOLDERING IN THE FRONT SEATS, FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE, VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #564711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE SHAKES AT 60 MPH AND HIGHER. DEALER STATED A KIT TO REPLACE MOTOR MOUNTS WAS NEEDED.
NHTSA complaint #8009120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Farmers Branch, TXFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, CONSUMERS NEIGHBOR NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE WINDOWS, CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE, HOWEVER BY THE TIME THE DOORS WERE OPENED FLAMES WERE SMOLDERING IN THE FRONT SEATS, FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE, VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #564711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bronx, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE ENGINE, REGARDLESS OF SPEED OR DRIVING CONDITIONS SHUTS OFF AND CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN IT OCCURS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE LIGHTS, HORN, FLASHER FUNCTION ,BUT THE ENGINE JUST CRANKS WITHOUT STARTING SOMETIME 5 MINUTES, SOMETIMES ONE OR MORE HOURS BLOCKING TRAFFIC LANES. AAA HAS TOWED TO GARAGES A COUPLE OF TIMES AND WHEN THE MECHANICS TURN THE KEY, THE CAR STARTS RIGHT UP AND A DIAGNOSTIC CANNOT BE PERFORMED. I DO NOT WISH TO BE A VICTIM IN AN ACCIDENT WITH ANY VEHICLE BEFORE FORD DECIDES TO INVESTIGATE THIS FAILURE THAT IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. I CHECKED WITH FORD IN ORDER TO SEE IF THIS PROBLEM WAS RE CALLED, BUT IT WAS NOT AS OF 10/29/01.
NHTSA complaint #754893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fallbrook, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
INSIDE LEFT DOOR HANDLE COMES COMPLETLY OFF IN HAND WHEN CLOSING DOOR. BOTTOM HINGE ON LEFT DOOR BROKE. CATALATIC CONVERTER RATTLES WHEN ACCELERATED TO 55 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #745663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #745492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Farmington, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #886247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
St.louis, MOFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED FLAMES FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE, PULLED OVER, AND SAW FLAMES UNDERNEATH FENDERS. VEHICLE BURNED, TOTALLED. FIRE CHIEF THOUGHT THAT CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSED FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #884585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Andover, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THIS IS ONE OF TWO EXPLORERS ON WHICH THE SAME COMPONENT FAILED. I HAD THE GUAGE REPLACED AT THE DATE AND MILEAGE NOTED, BUT IT FAILED LONG BEFORE THAT DATE. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE I WAS UNLUCKY ENOUGH TO GET TWO BAD TEMPERATURE GUAGES. ESPECIALLY SINCE A FRIEND TOLD HIM HE HAD TO REPLACE THE GUAGE ON HIS 1997 EXPLORER.
NHTSA complaint #741968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Louis Park, MN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER HEARD CLICKING SOUND WHILE AT STOP LIGHT, PULLED OVER,AND NOTICED THAT FLYWHEEL HAD FALLEN OFF AT 33000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #875668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glen Allen, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
INTAKE GASKETS FAILED / LOST COOLANT
NHTSA complaint #730054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glen Allen, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #730055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glen Allen, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
RUSTED CAUSING LOUD NOISE
NHTSA complaint #730058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glen Allen, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
INTAKE GASKETS FAILED / LOST COOLANT
NHTSA complaint #730054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glen Allen, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #730055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glen Allen, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
RUSTED CAUSING LOUD NOISE
NHTSA complaint #730058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Highlands Ranch, CO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PREMATURE HEAD GASKET FAILURE IS APPARENTLY A COMMON FORD PROBLEM. THIS HEAD GASKET BLEW AT ONLY 70,000 MILES ON A 6-YEAR OLD VEHICLE. THIS IS TOO EARLY FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM TO HAPPEN. IT COULD BE A FLUKE, BUT THERE ARE INTERNET SITES ABOUT FORD VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. REPAIRS ARE VERY COSTLY FOR PARTS THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE GONE BAD IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT EVER DRIVEN ROUGHLY OR PUT UNDER UNUSUAL STRESS--JUST CITY DRIVING. I THINK THAT THERE IS A REAL PROBLEM WITH FORD HEAD GASKETS THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #725668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hoboken, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
WHILE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55 MPH , THE SPRING FOR THE THROTTLE GAUGE BROKE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO FULL THROTTLE. IN ORDER FOR CONSUMER TO STOP VEHICLE HE HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES UNTIL THEY WERE WORN DOWN AND PUT VEHICLE IN PARK. *AK.ET.
NHTSA complaint #858583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gladwin, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MANUFACTURER FAILS TO MAKE LEFT ENGINE VALVE COVER FOR HIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE THAT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. FINALLY RECEIVED PART 5 WEEKS TO THE DAY AFTER IT WAS ORDERED.
NHTSA complaint #854898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gladwin, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
RESULTS IN OIL LEAK WHICH COULD LEAD TO FIRE AS WELL AS A SOURCE OF POLLUTION. FORD MOTOR COMPANY DOES NOT HAVE ANY REPLACEMENT VALVE COVERS ON HAND. HOW CAN A COMPANY OF THIS SIZE GET AWAY WITH SELLING AS MANY OF THESE VEHICLES AS THEY HAVE AND NOT HAVE REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE TO THERE CUSTOMERS?
NHTSA complaint #717077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Auburn, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.