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1996 Ford Explorer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Explorer years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Ford Explorer are substantially higher than the model-year median of 609.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 153 of 1,450 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Tires. Review the 570 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 148 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 120 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

195 crash reports37 fire reports179 injury reports

Power Train complaints

120 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2000
Power TrainSuspensionTires

IN JUNE OF 1996, 1 NEW TIRE BLEW OUT, AND I WAS LUCKY TO GET A REPLACEMENT AND GOODYEAR REINBURSED ME FOR THE COST OF A NEW TIRE. EVENTUALLY, MY TIRES STARTED WEARING ODDLY, AND AFTER GETTING A WHOLE NEW SET, MY SWAY BAR LINK BROKE. I HAD THE SWAY BAR REPLACED, BUT MY NEW TIRES ARE ALSO WEARING VERY ODDLY. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL FRO…

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IN JUNE OF 1996, 1 NEW TIRE BLEW OUT, AND I WAS LUCKY TO GET A REPLACEMENT AND GOODYEAR REINBURSED ME FOR THE COST OF A NEW TIRE. EVENTUALLY, MY TIRES STARTED WEARING ODDLY, AND AFTER GETTING A WHOLE NEW SET, MY SWAY BAR LINK BROKE. I HAD THE SWAY BAR REPLACED, BUT MY NEW TIRES ARE ALSO WEARING VERY ODDLY. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL FRONT END ALIGNMENTS, TIRE BALANCE AND FREQUENT ROTATIONS. NO ONE IS SURE WHY MY TIRES ARE WEARING AS THEY ARE, ON THE INSIDE ONLY. THE TREAD IS VERY THIN, AND I THINK I WILL NEED A THIRD SET OF TIRES ON THIS TRUCK. I WONDER IF THE SWAY BAR IS PART OF THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYTHING BIG AND EXPENSIVE WENT OUT ON THIS CAR AS SOON AS IT HIT JUST OVER 100K MILES. OF COURSE MY TRANSIMISSION, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER PROBLEMS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH BOTH WERE VERY CLOSE. I PLAN TO TAKE THE CAR TO FORD TO DISCUSS THE TIRE PROBLEM, I HOPE SOMEONE CAN EXPLAIN WHY I AM GOING THROUGH SO MANY SETS OF TIRE. I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THIS VEHICLE, AND HAVE MAINTINED IT CAREFULLY. COULD THE SWAY BAR BE A PROBLEM? *AK (TIRESIZE: LT23S/75R1)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LT23S/75R1 )

NHTSA ODI #737184

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2000
Power Train

THIS SUV V-8 IS FOUR YEARS OLD WITH 63,000 MILES ON IT, AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR ALL OF IT SERVICES , THERE IS NO REASON WHY THIS TRANSMISSION SHOULD OF GONE OUT @ 63,000 MILES, 4 YEARS OLD, SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE MAKE OF THIS, IT COST 2,300.00 TO REPLACE IT WITH A …

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THIS SUV V-8 IS FOUR YEARS OLD WITH 63,000 MILES ON IT, AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR ALL OF IT SERVICES , THERE IS NO REASON WHY THIS TRANSMISSION SHOULD OF GONE OUT @ 63,000 MILES, 4 YEARS OLD, SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE MAKE OF THIS, IT COST 2,300.00 TO REPLACE IT WITH A FORD REBUILT TRANSMISSION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #737113

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2000
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND IS CONTINUING TO EXPERIENCE FAILURE. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #554468

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2000
Power Train

ON AUGUST 9, 2000, EXPLORER WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT PRIOR TO TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT THERE HAD BEEN SOME SLIPPING, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #870026

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2000
Power Train

I KNOW LEAKING OIL FROM VENT TUBE IS A LARGER PROBLEM BECAUSE FORD HAS HAD TO HAVE A RETRO KIT MADE TO SOLVE LEAKING OIL. I RECEIVED NO HELP FROM FORD FOR REPAIR COST.

NHTSA ODI #730824

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2000
Power TrainService Brakes, Air

THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE. WHEN IN DRIVE THE CAR COASTS AT ABOUT 1 MPH. IT WILL GO INTO REVERSE AND PARK OK. THE CAR IS DRIVEN UNDER NORMAL TO LIGHT DRIVING CONDITIONS. I HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR TOWING. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAS BEEN CHECKED AND IT IS FINE. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED ON 3/9/2000. JUST A WEEK P…

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THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE. WHEN IN DRIVE THE CAR COASTS AT ABOUT 1 MPH. IT WILL GO INTO REVERSE AND PARK OK. THE CAR IS DRIVEN UNDER NORMAL TO LIGHT DRIVING CONDITIONS. I HAS NEVER BEEN USED FOR TOWING. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAS BEEN CHECKED AND IT IS FINE. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED ON 3/9/2000. JUST A WEEK PRIOR TO THE WARRANTY EXPIRATION WARRANTY WORK WAS COMPLETED ON THE TRANSFER CASE AND NOTHING WAS NOTED AS BEING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE LAST SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WAS COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE IN JUNE 2000. THE BRAKES PULSATE WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM HIGH SPEEDS. THEY WERE SERVICED ONCE BY FORD FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THE SERVICING DID NOT CORRECT IT. FORD REFUSED TO SERVICE THEM AGAIN AND THEY CONTINUE TO PULSATE WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM HIGH SPEEDS.

NHTSA ODI #730796

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2000
Power Train

AFTER NOTICING FLUID ALL OVER THE DRIVEWAY TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM FRONT AXLE. REPAIRS WERE MADE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #867513

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2000
Power Train

WHENEVER PLACEING IN 4X4 MODE, AND THEN PRESSING GAS PEDAL, VEHICLE WOULD SLIP OUT OF 4X4 MODE. THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR PROBLEM , BUT IT WAS NOT RESOLVED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #867047

Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2000
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. VEHICLE DRIVES ONLY IN REVERSE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #724899

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2000
Power Train

I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN. NOSAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #724885

Official recalls

6

09V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Oct 13, 2009

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

00V402000 · Suspension

Nov 28, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A FRONT SWAY BAR LINK CAN FRACTURE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS.

97V137000 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut

Aug 19, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LIFTGATE ASSIST GAS CYLINDER BRACKET ON THE RIGHT HAND BODYSIDE OUTER PANEL WAS INCORRECTLY WELDED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE GAS CYLINDER BRACKET MAY NOT PROPERLY SUPPORT THE LIFTGATE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENT WITH TWO POP RIVETS.

97V074000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Apr 30, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.0L ENGINES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, IDAHO, IOWA, MAINE, MICHIGAN (UPPER PENINSULA ONLY), MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THESE VEHICLES, WHEN OPERATED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND TEMPERATURES BELOW -20 DEGREES FARENHEIT, DO NOT RETURN TO IDLE DUE TO ICE IN THE THROTTLE BODY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE CAN BE CONTROLLED BY EITHER APPLYING THE SERVICE BRAKES OR SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORTS OR SOME INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE CAN RESULT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PCV SYSTEM WITH WATER HEATED VACUUM SOURCE.

96V161000 · Equipment:other:labels

Aug 29, 1996

THE CERTIFICATION LABELS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES HAS INCORRECT REAR TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE DESIGNATIONS. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INCORRECT INFLATION PRESSURES COULD CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR TIRES. .

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT CERTIFICATION LABELS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING THESE LABELS. DEALERS CAN INSTALL THIS LABEL IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES.

96V070000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Apr 22, 1996

WHEN IN THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, THE DRIVER DOOR LATCHES MAY OPEN WHEN SUBJECTED TO TRANSVERSE LOADS LESS THAN THAT SPECIFIED IN FMVSS NO. 206, "DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WHEN CLOSED ONLY TO THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, MAY NOT SUSTAIN A 1,000 POUND TRANSVERSE LOAD.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

PE00039 · Front Suspension Stabilizer Bar Link

Opened Sep 20, 2000 · Closed Nov 30, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

There is no summary currently available

PE99068 · Accelerator Pedal

Opened Nov 1, 1999 · Closed Mar 9, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

There is no summary currently available

PE97010 · Electrical Fire In Center Console

Opened Mar 13, 1997 · Closed Sep 4, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

THIS INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT CONSOLE FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MOST OFTEN OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE LAMP OUTAGE MODULE (LOM), WHICH IS PART OF THE MESSAGE CENTER, WERE TOWING A TRAILER AND WHICH HAD BEEN MODIFIED BY ADDING AN AFTERMARKET TRAILER WIRING HARNESS INTO THE VEHICLE'S TAILLIGHT CIRCUITS.THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES NEVER AND MORE THAN OTHER TRAILER LIGHT BULB TO ONE CIRCUIT HOWEVER TRAILERS FREQUENTLY CONTAIN SEVERAL BULBS.THE RESULTING EXCESS CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE LOM COULD CAUSE IT TO OVERHEAT RESULTING IN A FIRE.PROPER AFTERMARKET INSTALLATION OF TRAILER WIRING REQUIRES THE USE OF A BYPASS MODULE, WHICH OBTAINS POWER FOR THE TRAILER LIGHTS DIRECTLY FROM THE BATTERY RATHER THAN FROM THE VEHICLE'S TAIL LIGHT AND STOP LAMP CIRCUITS, OR THE USE OF THE MANUFACTURER'S WIRING HARNESS.IN A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 2, 1997, FORD NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT INTENDS TO TAKE ACTION TO PRECLUDE FURTHER INCIDENTS INCLUDING ISSUING A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO ITS DEALERS, NOTIFYING TRAILER RENTAL ASSOCIATIONS AND AGENCIES WHERE KNOWN, AND ADVISING OWNERS BY LETTER OF THE PROPER METHOD FOR CONNECTION OF TRAILER TOW WIRING ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE WAS NO DEFECT TREND IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IDENTIFIED AS A RESULT OF THIS INVESTIGATION, AND FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT WARRANTED TO CONTINUE THE INVESTIGATION.

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