IllustrationFRONT SWAY BAR BRACKET BROKEN, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, REAR SUSPENSION BAD, REAR BUMPER & FRAME BENT, ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE, FRONT & REAR BRAKES NEEDED, REAR -END SHIFTS. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE I WAS LIED TO BECAUSE I DID INQUIRE ABOUT AND ACCIDENT BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT. ALSO, ALLIGNMENT NEEDED.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Explorer years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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
Suspension complaints
97 reportsOVER THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS MY EXPLORER SEEMS TO HAVE LOST IT'S HANDLING ABILITY. THE VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE SWAY AND TOO MUCH PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAVE STOPPED USING THE VEHICLE UNTIL I CAN GET TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION.
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER CONCERNING THE FRONT SWAYBAR LINKS, BUT HAD PROBLEMS WITH DEALERSHIP CONCERNING THE ACTUAL IMPLEMENTATION OF SERVICE, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AS OF YET AND TO RETURN A LATER TIME. *JG
VEHICLE WOULD START VIBRATING AT 40 MPH OR LESS. TOOK VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANICTO CHECK. MECHANIC INDICATED ONE BOLT WAS MISSING, AND OTHERS WERE HALFWAY OUT OF SUSPENSION. *AK
NOISE COMING FROM FRONT SUSPENSION(CREEKING & POPING),VEHICLE STEERING IS ERATIC, TENDS TO OVERSTEER. LOCAL FORD DEALER PERFORMED SWAY BAR RECALL ON 02/12/01. WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFO. ON THIS PROBLEM. CAN I GET HELP FROM FORD? WHAT. *AK
THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO HEAR NOISE IN THE FRONT END IF THE VEHICLE AT 9K MILES, THE CONSUMER HAD THE FRONT END CHECKED AND THE TIRES ROTATED, AT 22K MILES THE NOISE DEVELOPED AGAIN AND ONE TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR ANOTHER 10K MILES WHEN THE NOISE STARTED AGAIN AND UPON INSPECTED IT WAS NOTED THAT THE …
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THE CONSUMER BEGAN TO HEAR NOISE IN THE FRONT END IF THE VEHICLE AT 9K MILES, THE CONSUMER HAD THE FRONT END CHECKED AND THE TIRES ROTATED, AT 22K MILES THE NOISE DEVELOPED AGAIN AND ONE TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR ANOTHER 10K MILES WHEN THE NOISE STARTED AGAIN AND UPON INSPECTED IT WAS NOTED THAT THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE TIRES (FIRESTONE P 235 AT). NLM
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION (00V402000) CONSUMER THEN TOOK VEHICLE TO HIS OWN PERSONAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED THE WORK, CONSUMER THEN TOOK THE SERVICE INVOICE AS WELL AS RECALL NOTIFICATION INTO DEALERSHIP, THE DEALERSHIP THEN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO VERIFY THAT THE PROPER REPAIR HAD BEEN DONE, CONSUMER WAS THEN TOLD …
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CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION (00V402000) CONSUMER THEN TOOK VEHICLE TO HIS OWN PERSONAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED THE WORK, CONSUMER THEN TOOK THE SERVICE INVOICE AS WELL AS RECALL NOTIFICATION INTO DEALERSHIP, THE DEALERSHIP THEN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO VERIFY THAT THE PROPER REPAIR HAD BEEN DONE, CONSUMER WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE PAPERWORK WOULD BE PROCESSED FOR REIMBURSEMENT, BUT CONSUMER NEVER HEARD BACK FROM DEALERSHIP, CONSUMER THEN CONTACTED DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT HIS REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT WAS NOT PROCESSED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT LISTED ON THE INVOICE, CONSUMER THEN WENT BACK TO HIS MECHANIC AND OBTAINED THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT WAS NEEDED, CONSUMER WAS THEN TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT THEY WOULD NOW PROCESS REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST BUT WAS NOT SURE IF MANUFACTURER WOULD APPROVE REQUEST EVEN WITH THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONSUMER IS SEEKING ASSISTANCE WITH REIMBURSEMENT IF DENIED. *JB
CONSUMER TOOK CAR IN FOR A RECALL REPAIRS ON SWAY BAR, UPON RECEIVING VEHICLE CONSUMER NOTICED A LOUD GRINDING SOUND, AND HARD TO STEER WHEEL.*AK
THE SWAY BAR (00S47) AND TWO FIRESTONE TIRES FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICES, WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO DODGE ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE TWO OF THE FIRESTONE TIRE FAILED AND THE SWAY BAR BROKE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLLOVER 3 TIMES INTO A DITCH, THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED CUTS, BRUISES AND MUSCLE PULLS AND TE…
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THE SWAY BAR (00S47) AND TWO FIRESTONE TIRES FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICES, WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO DODGE ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE TWO OF THE FIRESTONE TIRE FAILED AND THE SWAY BAR BROKE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLLOVER 3 TIMES INTO A DITCH, THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED CUTS, BRUISES AND MUSCLE PULLS AND TEARS IN THE UPPER BODY (FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 255/70R16). NLM
THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE REAR LEFT SIDE WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN IT ROLLING OVER 3 1/4 TIMES, THE PASSENGER WAS KILLED AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE INJURIES INCLUDING A BROKEN NECK, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE RECALL 00V…
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THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE REAR LEFT SIDE WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN IT ROLLING OVER 3 1/4 TIMES, THE PASSENGER WAS KILLED AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE INJURIES INCLUDING A BROKEN NECK, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE RECALL 00V-402 FOR FRONT SWAY BARS MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT AND WAS RECEIVED AFTER THE ACCIDENT OCCURED, DURING THE ACCIDENT NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NLM
Official recalls
609V399000 · 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
3PE00039 · 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.