IllustrationCONSUMER IS BEING DENIED RECALL (00T-005), MANUFACTURER STATES THAT THE TIRES ARE NOT INCLUDED, HOWEVER THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THEY WERE INCLUDED, HOWEVER THE TIRES ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT. *MJS
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
Tires complaints
570 reportsTHE FIRESTONE TIRE BLEW, THE TREAD COMPLETELY PEALED OFF. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF CONTROL AND FLIP OVER. IT SLID DOWN THE HIGHWAY UP SIDE DOWN FOR A FEW HUNDRED FEET BEFORE IT SLAMMED INTO A GUARDRAIL AND STOPPED. THE DRIVER SUFFERED ABRASIONS FROM THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG. THE PASSENGER WAS BANGED AROUND SO…
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THE FIRESTONE TIRE BLEW, THE TREAD COMPLETELY PEALED OFF. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF CONTROL AND FLIP OVER. IT SLID DOWN THE HIGHWAY UP SIDE DOWN FOR A FEW HUNDRED FEET BEFORE IT SLAMMED INTO A GUARDRAIL AND STOPPED. THE DRIVER SUFFERED ABRASIONS FROM THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG. THE PASSENGER WAS BANGED AROUND SOME AND WENT UNCONSCIOUS AT ONE POINT. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL, EXAMINED AND TREATED. HE SPENT SEVERAL MONTHS GOING THRU REHABILITATION FOR NECK PAIN BUT IT HAS NEVER GONE COMPLETELY AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS.( DOT NUMBER: )
VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (70MPH). THE FIRST SET OF TIRES WERE ORIGINAL ON VEHICLE. THEY WERE WEARING OUT EXCESSIVELY NEAR THE EDGES. BROUGHT NEW TIRES FOR VEHICLE AFTER DEALER, SEVERAL TIMES, RECOMMENDED IT. THE OUTER PART OF TIRES WERE SPLITTING & MISSING STABLIZATION. THE 2ND SET OF TIRES HAD SAME PROBLEM OF EXC…
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VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (70MPH). THE FIRST SET OF TIRES WERE ORIGINAL ON VEHICLE. THEY WERE WEARING OUT EXCESSIVELY NEAR THE EDGES. BROUGHT NEW TIRES FOR VEHICLE AFTER DEALER, SEVERAL TIMES, RECOMMENDED IT. THE OUTER PART OF TIRES WERE SPLITTING & MISSING STABLIZATION. THE 2ND SET OF TIRES HAD SAME PROBLEM OF EXCESSIVE WEAR. FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P235/75R15 WITH 58,000 & 7,000 MILES RESPECTIVELY.*AK *SLC
TRAVELING 65MPH; HEARD A NOISE; PULLED OVER & NOTICED NOTHING WRONG. CONTINUED DRIVING & NOISE WAS STILL THERE. ARRIVED HOME & PARKED. CHECKED TIRES AGAIN & NOTICED TREAD HAD PEELED OFF RIGHT REAR TIRE. A CHUNK OF TIRE WAS MISSING. BEEN DRIVING ON THE STEEL BELT. TIRES WERE STILL INFLATED. TOOK TO TIRE RETAILER & HAD TO CHANGE A…
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TRAVELING 65MPH; HEARD A NOISE; PULLED OVER & NOTICED NOTHING WRONG. CONTINUED DRIVING & NOISE WAS STILL THERE. ARRIVED HOME & PARKED. CHECKED TIRES AGAIN & NOTICED TREAD HAD PEELED OFF RIGHT REAR TIRE. A CHUNK OF TIRE WAS MISSING. BEEN DRIVING ON THE STEEL BELT. TIRES WERE STILL INFLATED. TOOK TO TIRE RETAILER & HAD TO CHANGE ALL 4 TIRES. STILL HAVE THE SPARE. TIRES CAME WITH VEHICLE. FIRESTONE ATX RADIAL P235/75R15 WITH 65,000 MILES.*AK DOT# VDNL1PM026. *SLC
CONSUME R WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A NOISE. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER, AND NOTICED THAT THE RGHT FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. TIRE IS A FIRESTONE. *AK
THE LEFT REAR TIRE SEPARATED AT 70MPH, THE TIRE STAYED INFLATED AND WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE TREAD WRAPPED AROUND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LINE (CUTTING IT) AND FLAPPED AGAINST THE TAILGATE OF THE EXPLORER. I TOOK THE EXPLORER TO MY FORD DEALER, I ASKED THEM IF THIS WAS A RECALL ITEM AT WHICH TIME THEY TOLD ME …
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THE LEFT REAR TIRE SEPARATED AT 70MPH, THE TIRE STAYED INFLATED AND WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE TREAD WRAPPED AROUND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LINE (CUTTING IT) AND FLAPPED AGAINST THE TAILGATE OF THE EXPLORER. I TOOK THE EXPLORER TO MY FORD DEALER, I ASKED THEM IF THIS WAS A RECALL ITEM AT WHICH TIME THEY TOLD ME THE TIRES SEPERATE LIKE THAT. I THEN REPLACE THE BRAKE LINE AND BOUGHT NEW WILDERNESS TIRES FROM THE FORD DEALER. I HAVE STILL NOT FIXED THE DAMAGE TO THE EXPLORER OTHER THAN THE BRAKE LINE.*AK( DOT NUMBER: )
TREAD AND SIDEWALL OF TWO OF THE FIRESTONE TIRES WAS COMING APART, TIRES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL BECAUSE OF THE SIZE, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM *TS
THE TREAD ON THE LEFT REAR FIRESTONE TIRE PEELED OFF THE RUBBER AND BECAME CAUGHT IN THE AXLE CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLLOVER ONTO IT'S ROOF. NLM
WHILE DRIVING 65MPH & HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. FLIPPED OVER WHILE TRYING TO STEER OFF THE ROAD. TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM RIGHT REAR TIRE. DRIVER/PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. TWO WEEKS PREVIOUSLY, HAD VEHICLE SERVICED, INCLUDING TIRE ROTATION. FIRESTONE, RADIAL ATX, P235/75R15 WITH 39,000 MILES.*A…
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WHILE DRIVING 65MPH & HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. FLIPPED OVER WHILE TRYING TO STEER OFF THE ROAD. TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM RIGHT REAR TIRE. DRIVER/PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. TWO WEEKS PREVIOUSLY, HAD VEHICLE SERVICED, INCLUDING TIRE ROTATION. FIRESTONE, RADIAL ATX, P235/75R15 WITH 39,000 MILES.*AK
FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX TIRES' STEEL BELTS BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO NEED ALIGNMENT, CONSUMER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC
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.