FaultScore

1993 Ford Explorer window and wiper problems

56 of the 1,151 complaints about the 1993 Ford Explorer are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 117,500 miles.

D

56

Complaints

0

Crashes

12

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Sun/Moon Roof Assembly 10 17.9%
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System 10 17.9%
Rearview Mirrors/Devices 9 16.1%
Windshield 6 10.7%
Exterior 6 10.7%
Power Window Devices AND Controls 5 8.9%
Heater Core 4 7.1%
Interior 3 5.4%
Glass, Side/Rear 1 1.8%
Fan/Motor 1 1.8%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every Ford Explorer year

1991 33 2.0%
1992 48 2.9%
1993 56 3.3%
1994 75 4.5%
1995 22 1.3%
1996 49 2.9%
1997 97 5.8%
1998 117 7.0%
1999 225 13.4%
2000 48 2.9%
2001 19 1.1%
2002 141 8.4%
2003 62 3.7%
2004 114 6.8%
2005 26 1.6%
2006 16 1.0%
2011 23 1.4%
2012 24 1.4%
2013 63 3.8%
2014 53 3.2%
2015 45 2.7%
2016 68 4.1%
2017 75 4.5%
2018 27 1.6%
2020 68 4.1%
2021 40 2.4%
2022 28 1.7%
2025 12 0.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 89,000 miles Wichita Falls, TX

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

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.

at 146,000 miles Platteville, WI Fire

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT

STARTED 1993 FORD EXPLORER AND HEATER FAN WAS ON SETTING 2. BURNING LEAF SMOKE STARTED POURING OUT OF THE DEFROST VENTS (HEATER SELECTOR WAS SET TO DEFROST). IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF IGNITION AND HAD TO DRIVE OTHER VEHICLE TO WORK. WILL HAVE TO REMOVE HEATER BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR ASSEMBLY AND CLEAN OUT DEBRIS FROM BLOWER HOUSING. NOTICED BURNT LEAF SMELL BEFORE BUT NEVER SAW SMOKE UNTIL TODAY.

NHTSA complaint #10172248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Felton, CA Fire

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

FIRE IN HEATER BLOWER, 1993 FORD EXPLORER, HEAVY SMOKE IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10049586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Charlotte, NC

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

ANTI-FREEZE IS LEAKING INTO EXHAUST SYSTEM WHICH MAKE IT HARD TO SEE WHEN ANTI-FREEZE IS NEEDED TO DEFOG WINDOW.

NHTSA complaint #8007446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Miller Place, NY

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES

IN 1998 MY FORD EXPLORER WAS RECALLED FOR NHTSB ID # 97V083000, COMPONENT: VISUAL SYSTEMS: MIRRORS. THE RECALL WAS TO CORRECT A SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITION THAT COULD OCCUR IN THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITH CIRCUIT BOARD AS A RESULT OF A SEPARATED PART OF THE CONTACT ASSEMBLY BRIDGING THE SWITCH POSITIVE BATTERY PAD AND ADJACENT CHASSIS GROUND PAD. THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED. BUT, THE EXACT DEFECT STATED IN THE RECALL OCURRED ON MY VEHICLE. EVIDENTLY THE INSTALLATION OF A 10 AMP INLINE FUSE WAS NOT A POSITIVE CORRECTION TO THIS DEFECT! I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE "SWITCH". I HAVE THE SWITCH IN MY POSSESSION IF NEEDED FOR AN INVESTIGATION. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE SWITCH.

NHTSA complaint #760194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Neptune Beach, FL Fire

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

THE ALUMINUM FINNED HEAT EXCHANGER UNIT UNDER THE HOOD HAS A PLASTIC SHROUD AROUND IT THE DUCTS FRESH AIR INTO THE AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATER BLOWER DUCTING. THIS SHROUD BECAME FULL OF LEAVES WHICH EVENTUALLY CAUGHT FIRE , FILLING THE ENTIRE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WITH DENSE SMOKE. I HAD TO PULL THE DUCT WORK UNDER THE HOOD APART AND BLOW OUT THE REMAINING ASH AND LEAVES TO ALLEVIATE ANY FUTURE FIRE SOURCE. FORD HAS A DEFECT IN THE WAY THEY DESIGNED THE FRESH AIR INTAKE DUCTING WHICH ALLOWS LEAVES AND OTHER DEBRIS TO DRIFT DIRECTLY INTO THE BLOWER HOUSING SHROUDING WHICH BECOMES A MAJOR FIRE HAZARD. I NOW HAVE TO COVER THE LOWER HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD AND THE UPPER HALF OF THE HOOD INCLUDING THE FRESH AIR INTAKE DUCTS WITH FIBERGLASS WINDOW SCREEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OUTSIDE TO ASSURE LEAVES DO NOT FILL THE DUCTING SYSTEM AGAIN CAUSING ANOTHER FIRE. I HAVE ALSO FOUND 2 OTHER INCIDENTS OF THIS BLOWER HOUSING FIRES IN OTHER NHTSA INCIDENTS ON THIS SITE AS REFERENCED BY THIS :

NHTSA complaint #759113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Irving, TX

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

RECALL 97V235000/SUN ROOF: SUN ROOF MALFUNCTIONED WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED ,AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #877082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Castro Valley, CA

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

REAR VIEW MIRROR KEEPS FALLING OFF. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT CONSUMER SHOULD TAKE IT TO A GLASS DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #876640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Virginia Beach, VA

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES

CONSUMER CONTROL MIRROR SWITCH IS INOPERATIVE. DEALER SAYS THEY DON'T HAVE A RECALL ON VEHICLE. HOWEVER, CONSUMER REMEMBERS RECEIVING RECALL 97V083OOO/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 97S70. WILL CONTACT THE DEALER FOR A COPY. THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WHEN THE RECALL WAS RECEIVED.

NHTSA complaint #872583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Charlotte, NC

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

THE GLASS SHATTERED FOR NO REASON. REPORTED TO FORD BUT THEY DID NOT SEEM TO CARE!.

NHTSA complaint #732782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Malden, MN

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

HELLO, I'M HAVING A PROBLEM WITH A SAFETY RECALL FOR MY 1993 EXPLORER ( [XXX]) - POWER MIRROR SWITCH. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #731189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lead, SD 1 injured

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED INTO SPLINTERS OF GLASS ALL OVER THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSED AND I HAD MY DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW OPEN.

NHTSA complaint #721088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Castro VAL, CA

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR

REAR VIEW MIRROR FELL OFF. YH

NHTSA complaint #549614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richmond, VA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

RIGHT SIDE REAR QUARTER WINDOW LEAKED ALSO. BOTH WINDOWS HAD ALL OF THE ATTATCHING NUTS LOOSE INSIDE THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #713433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Anchorage, AK

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

I WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND WAS OPENING UP THE GLASS PORTION OF THE TAILGATE WHEN IT SUDDENLY EXPLODED IN MY FACE. THE GLASS BROKE INTO A MILLION SMALL PIECES AND MANY LARGE JAGGED PIECES. I FOUND GLASS AS FAR AS 20 FEET AWAY, I ALSO FOUND SEVERAL PIECES IN MY FACE AND HAND. WHEN I CONTACTED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS VERY COMMON AND EVERY VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH A REAR DEFOGGER WILL HAVE THIS HAPPEN. USUALLY AS THEY ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR SHUTTING ONE OF THE SIDE DOORS. WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO A LOCAL GLASS REPAIR SHOP I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT NORMAL AT ALL. I PLAN ON SENDING FORD A LETTER, IF I CAN EVER FIND AN ADDRESS TO THEIR CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, BUT I WANTED TO TELL EVERYONE POSSIBLE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. THANK YOU.

NHTSA complaint #713224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Plymouth, MA Fire

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES

THIS PROBLEM WAS ADDRESSED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 97V083000. FORD MAINTAINS THAT MY VIN WAS NOT AFFECTED EVEN THOUGH IT FALLS WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL AND YEARS DESCRIBED AND I HAD THE EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED. I PURCHASED A $32 REPLACEMENT SWITCH (IDENTICAL TO THE ORIGINAL) AND I AWAIT THE NEXT FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #711081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Spencer, NY Fire

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE VENTS WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE. DEALER CLAIMED THAT FIRE WAS DUE TO LEAVES BUILDING UP IN THE VENTS.

NHTSA complaint #842418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Edison, NJ

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #707192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Augusta, GA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

LEAVES WOULD ENTER THE HEATER SYSTEM FROM THE OUTSIDE AND WOULD START TO BURN WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #836966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rocky River, OH

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

BURNING SMELL AND A BIT OF SMOKE COMING FROM VENTILATION SYSTEM. HAPPENS ONLY OCCASIONALLY. SMELLS LIKE BURNING LEAVES SOMETIME. ONCE ENTIRE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FILLED WITH SMOKE BUT CLEARED OUT QUICKLY WHEN WINDOWS OPEN. I HEARD THAT THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT HAS BEEN REPORTED BEFORE AND IS ATTRIBUTED TO A HOT ELEMENT IN THE BLOWER UNIT. IS THIS SOMETHING FORD DEALERS HAVE A READY REPAIR FOR?

NHTSA complaint #704613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mountain Home, ID

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

HEATER SYSTEM SMELLS LIKE BURNING LEAVES EVERYTIME YOU OPERATE HEATER

NHTSA complaint #703690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glyndon, MD

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

WHILE VEHICLE IS PARKED, LEAVES AND OTHER FOREIGN ITEMS WOULD ENTER HEATER/VENTILATION AREA. THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE IF IGNITION SOURCE IS NEAR. TOOK TO DEALER TO HAVE VENTILATION CLEANED OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #835158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pleasanton, CA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

LEAVES IN THE BLOWER MOTOR CAUSED SMOKE TO FILL THE CAB OF THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #543843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Hollywood, CA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

WHEN THE HEATER IS TURNED ON, THE THE PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT IS FILLED WITH SMOKE. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN.

NHTSA complaint #830815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Atlanta, GA Fire

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

PE98048; BLOWER ASSEMBLY FIRES; WHILE DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE VENTS. TRUCK CHECKED BY DEALERSHIP. DEALER FOUND TH FIRE STARTED IN THE VENTS WHICH WAS CAUSED BY DEBRIS. THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED.

NHTSA complaint #829911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, NC

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

WHILE DRIVING WITH HEAT ON, VEHICLE FILLED UP WITH SMOKE DUE TO LEAVES GETTING INTO THE HEATER BOX.

NHTSA complaint #829768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Plano, TX

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

BATTERY/MANIFOLD ABSOLUTE PRESSURE (MAP) SENSOR/RADIUS ARM BUSHING/HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDERS (REAR DOOR) AND DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #781460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Toms River, NJ

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

REAR WINDOW BLEW OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON.

NHTSA complaint #537063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Antonio, TX Fire

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

DESIGN OF AUTO HEATER MOTOR SPEED CONTROL IS DEFECTIVE. SPEED IS CONTROLLED BY SWITCHING IN VARIOUS WIRE RESISTORS MOUNTED IN THE AIR PLENUM WITHOUT A PROTECTIVE COVER OVER THE RESISTANCE WIRE ELEMENTS. RESISTORS GET HOT AT LOW MOTOR SPEEDS AND INCINERATE LEAVES OR PAPER IN THE AREA. THIS FIRE MELTS THE PLASTIC HEATER FAN HOUSING, AS WELL AS THE A/C EVAPORATOR. SITE OF ENTRY OF LEAVES IS UNKNOWN, BUT ONE DEALER REP SAID THERE IS A GAP IN THE FENDER WALL. TWO DEALERS' SERVICE WRITERS AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ACKNOWLEDGED SEVERAL SUCH FIRES IN EXPLORES AND F-150'S A PERFORATED METAL COVER OVER THE RESISTOR ELEMENTS IS MANDATORY.

NHTSA complaint #536190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW London, MO

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE SUN ROOF DISENGAGED AND SHATTERED ONTO THE HIGHWAY, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #822458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1993 Ford Explorer problems

← Full 1993 Ford Explorer report