78 of the 1,151 complaints about the 1993 Ford Explorer are about the transmission — 7% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 30,000 miles.
78
Complaints
7
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
1993 FORD EXPLORER NEEDS HUBS FOR THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE.*MR
NHTSA complaint #10124741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY FROM FIRST TO THE SECOND GEAR. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10082026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE.
NHTSA complaint #10003622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE STALLS OUT WHEN DRIVING. CONTACT DEALER . TRANSMISSION FAILURE. HAD PART REPLACED 3 TIMES WITHIN 3 YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #8011690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE IS DERIVED FROM A MAZDA MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND IS WELL-KNOWN TO LEAK LUBRICANT RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION GEAR FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #744561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE IS DERIVED FROM A MAZDA MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND IS WELL-KNOWN TO LEAK LUBRICANT RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION GEAR FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #744561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
THE CONSUMER HEARS A HEAVY CLUNK WHEN ENGAGING 4X4 ON THE FLY AS PER OPERATING MANUAL. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
RE: FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY: FAILED INFIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP AND WAS REPLACED BY FORD. SECOND FAILURE THIS YEAR. ALTHOUGH MY CAR HAS A LOT OF MILES ON IT I ONLY RARELY USE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. I WOULD ESTIMATE ABOUT 1000-2000 MILES OF 4 WHEEL DRIVE RUNNING TIME. DANGER INVOLVES NOT BEING IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE WHEN YOU THINK YOU ARE. SECOND CONCERN: CAR HAS OCCASIONALLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND RUNNING PERFECTLY FINE AND WILL RESTART AFTER 20 -30 SECONDS. HAPPENS IN WARM WEATHER AFTER CAR IS WARM. SEEMS SIMILAR TO CALIFORNIA COURT MANDATED RECALL ISSUE BUT FORD DENIED ANY RELATIONSHIP. DANGER IS CAR MAY STALL WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #739192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WOULD LIKE TO BE CONTACTED IF ANY RECALLS OR INFORMATION REGARDING THIS VEHICLE COME UP. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #736864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
TREAD ON DAYTON TIRE DISINTEGRATED AND THE ENTIRE TIRE FELL APART; LEFT REAR AXLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
NHTSA complaint #732043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
TREAD ON DAYTON TIRE DISINTEGRATED AND THE ENTIRE TIRE FELL APART; LEFT REAR AXLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
NHTSA complaint #732043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ENGINE OIL LEAK SINCE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK
NHTSA complaint #728346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISION FAILED GOING UP A HILL AND ALL TRANSMISION FLUID WAS LOST AT ONLY 78000 MILES. TRANSMISION HAD TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE ALSO HAS ABNORMAL SHAKING ABOVE 55 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #725825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I'M TRYING TO FIND THE RECALLS ON MY AUTO. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #725832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ONCE BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER. IT BLEW AGAIN, AND WAS LUCKILY, STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE FACT THAT 2 TRANSMISSIONS WERE REPLACED IS VERY TROUBLING. WE NOW CALL OUR EXPLORER, THE EXPLODER! I RECENTLY READ OF THE STUDY UNDERWAY INTO THE FIRESTONE TIRES PEELING OFF THEIR CASINGS. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO US. THANK GOODNESS, NO ONE WAS HURT, JUST MAJOR VEHICLE DAMAGE. HAD IT BEEN THE FRONT TIRE, I DON'T THINK I WOULD BE ALIVE TO WRITE THIS. PLEASE GET THESE TIRES OFF THE MARKET, BEFORE OTHERS ARE KILLED! *AK( DOT NUMBER: W2HL1MOO15 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
NHTSA complaint #726759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
CAR WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE RUNNING ON MY RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY IN PARK. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO BRIEFLY GO INTO THE HOUSE TO GET MY SON. I WALKED FROM THE CAR INTO THE GARAGE, AND WAS ABOUT TO ENTER THE HOUSE THROUGH THE DOOR INSIDE THE GARAGE WHEN I SAW THE CAR ROLLING INTO THE GARAGE. I TRIED TO GET INTO THE CAR TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT THE CAR HIT THE WATER HEATER. THE WATER HEATER WAS MOVED OFF ITS BASE AND INTO THE WALL. DAMAGE TO THE WATER HEATER, GARAGE WALL AND INTERIOR UTILITY ROOM WALL OCCURED AS WELL AS DAMAGE TO MY EXPLORER. I HAVE TRIED ON MANY OCCASIONS TO DUPLICATE THE CONDITION BUT CANNOT. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE AND GET OUT WITHOUT THE CAR IMMEDIATELY ROLLING FORWARD. THE DRIVEWAY HAS A SLOPE GOING AWAY FROM THE GARAGE AND YET IT STILL IMMEDIATELY ROLLS FORWARD. IN FACT, IT ROLLS FORWARD FASTER THAN I CAN WALK AT A NORMAL PACE. HOWEVER, I HAD WALKED APPROXIMATELY 40 FEET WHEN I NOTICED IT COMING TO ME THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT. I'VE TRIED TO DUPLICATE THIS WITH BOTH A COLD AND WARM ENGINE, BUT CANNOT. IN OTHER WORDS, IT ALWAYS ROLLS FORWARD AS SOON AS I RELEASE THE BRAKE WHILE IN DRIVE. THIS SHOWS ME THAT I COULDN'T HAVE LEFT IT IN DRIVE. IF I WOULD HAVE LEFT IT IN REVERSE OR NEUTRAL, IT WOULD HAVE GONE BACKWARD. I LEFT IT IN PARK, BUT SOMEHOW IT WENT FORWARD, AFTER I LEFT THE CAR AND WALKED SOME DISTANCE. I'VE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS MY INSURANCE COMPANY FILES A COMPLAINT WITH THEM. APPARENTLY MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS NOT INTERESTED IN DOING SO. MEANWHILE I AM OUT 2 DEDUCTIBLES (AUTO AND HOME) AND BEWILDERED AS TO HOW THIS HAPPENED AND CONCERNED IF IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN TO ME OR SOMEONE ELSE WITH MORE SEVERE RESULTS.
NHTSA complaint #724699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WE HAVE HAD CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS W/ OUR 93 EXPLORER. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 93000 MILES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE ABS LIGHT KEEPS FLICKERING ON AND OFF AND WE ARE NOT SURE WHICH SENSOR IS OUT. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE AN ARM & LEG JUST TO TELL US WHICH SENSOR IT IS. MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE DEALERSHIPS HAVE NOT BEEN POSITIVE. THEY CHARGE TOO MUCH FOR SIMPLE TASKS AND I HAVE BEEN LIED TO ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS ABOUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUR VEHICLE. IT IDLES ROUGH AND WE HAVE REPLACED ALL OF THE PARTS THE DEALERSHIP HAS SAID WERE BAD AND IT STILL IDLES REAL ROUGH. WE HAVE SPENT MORE ON AUTO REPAIRS THAN WHAT THE VEHICLE IS WORTH. THE AIR CONDITIONER RECENTLY WENT OUT, THE BLOWER MOTOR WAS REPLACED, NOW THEY ARE TELLING US IT IS THE FAN SWITCH - SOMEBODY NEEDS TO GIVE FORD MOTOR COMPANY A SWIFT KICK. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE AS LONG AS I LIVE. IT SEEMS THAT FOREIGN VEHICLES ARE WORTH THE FEW EXTRA BUCKS IN THE LONG RUN.
NHTSA complaint #719751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION PLATE RUBBER PLUGS ALLOWED TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK RAPIDLY FROM THE CASING WHILE DRIVING A LONG DISTANCE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE TRANSMISSION PARTS AND CASE WERE "MELTED" DUE TO THE HEAT CAUSED BY THE FRICTION OF THE PARTS. MECHANICS AGREE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON DESIGN FLAW IN THE FORD TRANSMISSION. IF FORD WOULD HAVE USED A BETTER SEALING SURFACE FOR THE PLUGS, THEN THIS WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. FORD NO LONGER MANUFACTURS THESE TRANSMISSIONS.
NHTSA complaint #711365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WHILE PARKED. CAUESED DAMAGE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #838361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
TRANSMISSION GEARS GRIND AND STICK, REPLACEMENT OF THE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION DID NOT RECTIFY STICKING PROBLEMS. MJS
NHTSA complaint #545096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION GEARS GRIND AND STICK, REPLACEMENT OF THE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION DID NOT RECTIFY STICKING PROBLEMS. MJS
NHTSA complaint #545096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #706270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
HUB FAILED INTERNALLY (SEENHTSA BC2261060194) AFTER DESCRIBED NOISE. LOCKING PINS BROKE. FORD DEALER(SAME) ADVISED MUST REPLACE BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT AS PART HAD BEEN RE-ENGINEERED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. FAILURE OF PART ON LOW USE VEHICLE VERY PRE-MATURE. FORD HAS OFFERED PARTIAL $$. DEALER HAS ADDED TO THIS. MY DECISION PENDING. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR @$679.00.IF THIS IS A RECURRING I QUESTION FORD HAS NOT STEPPED UP TO RE-CALL. WHEN CONTACTED FORD, REP SAID WOULD NOT/ COULD NOT DO ANYTHING - OUT OF WARRANTY. ISSUE SEEMS BIGGER THAN THAT. I WAS TOLD THIS MIGHT ENGAGE AT HIGH SPEED IF NOT (BOTH HUBS) REPLACED. POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS? I HAVE BEEN TOLD I HAVE 30 DAYS FROM 3/29/99 TO ACCEPT OR DECLINE CASH SETTLEMENT. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #705653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH WHEN CRASHED INTO A GAURDRAIL. MECHANIC REPLACED FENDER/BUMPER/RADIATOR/GRILL/ RADIALAND RADIAL SUPPORT/BALL JOIN, AND INSTALLED LIFT KIT. HOWEVER, VEHICLE STILL VIBRATED, EVEN MORE WHEN DRIVING WITH 4 WHEEL DRIVE. ALSO, WHEN MAKING A TURN STEERING LOCKED UP IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE. CONSUMER THEN REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES. VEHICLE STILL VIBRATED. MECHANIC SAID THE RADIUS ARM WAS BENT, AND REPLACED IT. ALSO, REPLACED THE SPRINGS SHOCKS/ ABS SENSORS/ REAR SHIELD AND BEARINGS.
NHTSA complaint #836657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
VEHICLE VIBRATES DUE TO TINY IMBALANCES IN DRIVETRAIN. THESE TINY FORCED VIBRATIONS IN DRIVETRAIN BEGIN TO EXCITE RESONANT VIBRATIONS IN EXHAUST SYSTEM. NEED STO REPLACE EXHAUST SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #781399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED AT PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #827454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING AT MODERATE SPEED ON THE FREEWAY.
NHTSA complaint #538772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA complaint #702787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.