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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.

About this comparison →

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

Seat Belts complaints

78 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2000
Seat Belts

BOTH REAR SEAT BELTS JAM/LOCK REPEATEDLY AND HAVE SINCE 11/97. I HAVE BEEN TO DEALERSHIPS 6 TIMES TO HAVE THEM FIXED. THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES BY TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, YET THEY CONTINUE TO JAM/LOCK AND ARE UNUSABLE UNTIL THEY ARE FIXED. OVER THE PAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO UNJAM THEM MYSELF WITHOUT GOING TO THE…

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BOTH REAR SEAT BELTS JAM/LOCK REPEATEDLY AND HAVE SINCE 11/97. I HAVE BEEN TO DEALERSHIPS 6 TIMES TO HAVE THEM FIXED. THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES BY TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, YET THEY CONTINUE TO JAM/LOCK AND ARE UNUSABLE UNTIL THEY ARE FIXED. OVER THE PAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO UNJAM THEM MYSELF WITHOUT GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN (AGES 6 AND 8) I MUST HAVE PROPERLY WORKING SEAT BELTS. OVER THE SUMMER THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT ALSO HAS BEEN JAMMING OCCASSIONALLY. I HAVE TALKED WITH SEVERAL OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR BELTS AS WELL. IF THEY ARE LOCKING UP, HOW CAN THEY POSSIBLY WORK EFFECTIVELY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT? *AK

NHTSA ODI #731221

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2000
Seat Belts

WHILE DRIVING AND SEAT BELT IS FASTENED, WHEN MOVING AROUND,SEAT BELT WILL COME UNDONE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #865940

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2000
Seat Belts

SHOULDER BELTS ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE ARE FALLING APART. SEAT BELT MATERIAL IS ROTTING AWAY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE BELTS WILL BE REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #858927

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 1999
Seat Belts

DRIVER'S SIDE/REAR PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLES WOULD NOT UNLATCH, CAUSING THE OCCUPANT TO BECOME TRAPPED IN THE SEAT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #854457

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 1999
Seat Belts

DRIVER'S SIDE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTED OR GAVE OUT & IT RELEASED THE REARFACING CSS. CHILD & SEAT TOPPLED OVER TO LEFT. DRIVER TRIED TO RESECURE SEAT BELT, BUT RETRACTOR FAILED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC RETRACTOR WAS BROKEN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #848093

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 1999
Seat Belts

SEAT BELT CAUGHT THE SON AND WOULD NOT RELEASE HIM. SEAT BELT WAS CUT.CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #843083

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 1999
Seat Belts

THE VEHICLE IS A 2 DOOR, FORD EXPLORER SPORT. EACH OF THE TWO REAR PASSENGER SEATS HAVE A SEAT BELT. THE LEFT SEAT (LOOKING IN THE FORWARD DIRECTION ) HAS THE SEAT BELT CONNECTOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE RIGHT SEAT HAS THE SEAT BELT FASTENER ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE TWO FASTENERS ALMOST TOUCH AND IF SOMEONE HAS TO…

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THE VEHICLE IS A 2 DOOR, FORD EXPLORER SPORT. EACH OF THE TWO REAR PASSENGER SEATS HAVE A SEAT BELT. THE LEFT SEAT (LOOKING IN THE FORWARD DIRECTION ) HAS THE SEAT BELT CONNECTOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE RIGHT SEAT HAS THE SEAT BELT FASTENER ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE TWO FASTENERS ALMOST TOUCH AND IF SOMEONE HAS TO PUSH THE BUTTOM ON EITHER ONE TO UNFASTEN IT, IT IS VERY VERY DIFFICULT TO SEPARATE THE FASTENERS TO PUSH THE BUTTON. *AK

NHTSA ODI #708820

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 1998
Seat Belts

SEAT BELT FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #542925

Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 1998
Seat Belts

FRONT SEAT BELT FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #605070

Mileage unknown · May 16, 1998
Seat Belts

SEAT BELTS LOCK INTO PLACE, PREVENTING DRIVER FROM LEANING FOWARD.

NHTSA ODI #535654

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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