FordExplorer1993Overview/ford/explorer/1993/base/

1993 Ford Explorer

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1993 Explorer.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1993 Ford Explorer is an SUV equipped with an automatic four-speed transmission and an engine oil capacity of 5.0 quarts using 5W-30 API viscosity, carrying EPA fuel economy ratings of 15 city/20 highway/17 combined mpg. Across the 1990-2025 complaint history, this model year logged 1,089 owner complaints and nine recalls, with tires standing out as the top complaint area. That complaint volume remains far below the 2002 peak of 3,620 and only modestly above the 1990 low of 12, placing the 1993 Explorer among the more lightly reported early years in the model's decades-long record.

Model year202620252024202320212020201920181993

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/20/17 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length184.3 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height67.3 in
Wheelbase111.8 in
Curb weight3653 lb

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 20 / 17 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Explorer of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

10.5–11.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.50 sec — 1992 Eddie Bauer
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1992Eddie Bauer 4.0L V610.50 sec17.80 sec155 hp4x4
1991Eddie Bauer 4.0L V610.80 sec17.90 sec155 hp4x4
1991Eddie Bauer 4.0L V611.70 sec18.20 sec155 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity7 Pints ( Rear)
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case FluidATF
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity2.5 pt

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Locking Hub (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 100,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 1993 the Explorer generated 1,089 federal complaints, 9 recalls and 14 investigations, with a total service‑bulletin count of 98. That complaint level exceeds the 795 reported in 1992 but is below the 1,421 recorded in 1994, marking 1993 as a peak year within the early‑1990s upward swing. The predominant complaint categories for 1993 are tires (268 complaints), service brakes hydraulic (227), structure (87) and power train (64), and the model accounted for 90 crash‑related and 52 fire‑related complaints. Across the generation, complaint volume climbs sharply through the early 1990s, peaks around the mid‑1990s and then recedes, placing 1993 near the beginning of that rising trend. Consequently, while the vehicle is mechanically functional, the elevated complaint count and safety‑related reports suggest that a 1993 Explorer carries a higher risk profile than later, less‑documented years, making it a less advisable purchase.

9
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
98
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
14
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,089
Owner complaints
90 involved a crash · 52 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,089 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Tires268
Service Brakes, Hydraulic227
Structure87
Power Train64
Suspension58
Engine & Engine Cooling55
Visibility50
Electrical System45

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 9 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

00T005000Tires:Tread/BeltReported 21/08/2000

TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION… Remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE…

99V310001Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/StrutReported 03/11/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET WELDS COULD FRACTURE. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL LIFTGATE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS. DEPENDING UPON THE CONDITION OF THE LIFTGATE SHEET METAL IN THE AREA OF THE BRACKET, DEALERS MAY ALSO INSTALL A LARGER…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 98 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
031812003-09-15Electrical SystemREMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT
031482003-07-21Power TrainNEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES…
167352003-04-01SuspensionVARIOUS NOISE ISSUES FROM THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS WHILE DRIVING. *TT
167142003-03-01Engine And Engine CoolingFOR ALL OBDI VEHICLES THAT USE THE .5V DPFE SENSOR, A 1.0V SENSOR IS CURRENTLY THE ONLY…
021422002-07-22Engine And Engine CoolingSOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND A 4.0L OHV ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Explorer. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1993 Explorer take?

5.0 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1993 Explorer have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Explorer get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined mpg.