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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

Tires complaints

570 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2000
Tires

DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE FRONT RIGHT BUMPER, FRONT RIGHT SIDE PANEL, AND FRONT RIGHT DOOR, INSIDE FLOORBOARD NEAR RUNNING BOARD. I HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL AVENUES IN ATTEMPTING TO FIND A RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. I DO HAVE A PHONE LOG STATING ALL THE FRUSTRATING PHONE CALLS I HAVE MADE WITH NO RESULTS OTHER THAN "WE WILL SEND YOU TH…

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DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE FRONT RIGHT BUMPER, FRONT RIGHT SIDE PANEL, AND FRONT RIGHT DOOR, INSIDE FLOORBOARD NEAR RUNNING BOARD. I HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL AVENUES IN ATTEMPTING TO FIND A RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. I DO HAVE A PHONE LOG STATING ALL THE FRUSTRATING PHONE CALLS I HAVE MADE WITH NO RESULTS OTHER THAN "WE WILL SEND YOU THE FORMS". MEANWHILE, I AM STUCK WITHOUT A CAR, UNABLE TO GET TO WORK; I'VE HAD TO COMPROMISE MY LIFESTYLE. I AM EXPECTED TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET FOR REPAIRS TO MY CAR. I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE MY CAR (IT HAS BEEN STORED SINCE THE INCIDENT 9/16/00) HAVING STILL, THREE DEFECTIVE "HUMAN KILLING" TIRES" PUTTING MY LIFE, AS WELL AS THE LIVES OF OTHERS IN JEOPARDY. ONE WOULD THINK A LARGE COMPANY WOULD LEAP TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO PREVENT FURTHER TRAGEDY.( DOT NUMBER: W2CU1PX475 TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )

NHTSA ODI #732206

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2000
Tires

FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX TIRE (P235 75 R15) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, THE BLOWOUT OF THE TIRE ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #555199

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2000
Tires

LEFT REAR FIRESTONE ATX TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 00T-005 WHILE DRIVING BUT DID NOT GO FLAT, THE FLAPPING TREAD CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WELL AND RUNNING BOARD, CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM

NHTSA ODI #555141

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2000
Tires

WHILE HAVING TIRE SERVICE TECHNICIAN NOTICE TREAD SEPARATION. *AK THE TIRES WERE REPLACED BY CUSTOMER ON ADVICE BY TIRE SERVICE CENTER. TIRE SIZE P255/70X16 AND DOT # W2C41PX505. *YH

NHTSA ODI #871179

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2000
Tires

HAD TIRE BLOWOUT 1 MILE FROM HOME ON COUNTRY ROAD DUE TO SIDEWALL FAILURE. NEEDED REPLACEMENT TIRE. AFTER LEARNING ABOUT DEFECTS, HAD ALL 4 TIRES REPLACED.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75/15 )

NHTSA ODI #732171

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2000
Tires

TIRES WERE REPLACED ON 6/27/2000 AND FIRESTONE REBATE FORM WAS MAILED IN. FIRESTONE'S REPONSE WAS SINCE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED PRIOR TO JAN 1, 2000 THEY WERE DECLINING THE CLAIM. SINCE WHEN IS JUNE 27, 2000 PRIOR TO JAN 1, 2000??? FIRESTONE IS NOT COMPLYING WITH THEIR RECALL TERMS. ORIGINAL RECEIPT IS CLEARLY DATED 6/27/2000. …

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TIRES WERE REPLACED ON 6/27/2000 AND FIRESTONE REBATE FORM WAS MAILED IN. FIRESTONE'S REPONSE WAS SINCE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED PRIOR TO JAN 1, 2000 THEY WERE DECLINING THE CLAIM. SINCE WHEN IS JUNE 27, 2000 PRIOR TO JAN 1, 2000??? FIRESTONE IS NOT COMPLYING WITH THEIR RECALL TERMS. ORIGINAL RECEIPT IS CLEARLY DATED 6/27/2000. THIS COMPANY NEEDS TO BE EXAMINED VERY CLOSELY BY FEDERAL AUTHORITIES AT PLACING LIVES IN DANGER AND THEN SHIRKING THEIR OWN RECALL CONDITIONS.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

NHTSA ODI #732164

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2000
TiresCrashInjury

FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL CASE NUMBER 00-40-23433-03( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235 15 IN )

NHTSA ODI #732134

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2000
Tires

TOWING EXPL. BEHIND MOTORHOME ON INTERSTATE 580. LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW. WE PAID $500.00 DEDUCTABLE. AUGUST 1999 WHILE DRIVING IN ALASKA THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW. THESE TIRES ARE NOT ON THE RECALL LIST BUT WE WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT OTHER FIRESTONE TIRES ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS.( DOT NUMBER: W2UU TIRE SIZE: P225/70R1…

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TOWING EXPL. BEHIND MOTORHOME ON INTERSTATE 580. LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW. WE PAID $500.00 DEDUCTABLE. AUGUST 1999 WHILE DRIVING IN ALASKA THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW. THESE TIRES ARE NOT ON THE RECALL LIST BUT WE WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT OTHER FIRESTONE TIRES ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS.( DOT NUMBER: W2UU TIRE SIZE: P225/70R15 )

NHTSA ODI #732130

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2000
Tires

IN SEPTEMBER OF 1998, WE WERE TRAVELING FROM ATLANTA WHEN OUR FRONT RIGHT TIRE BLOW OUT, WE HAD JUST PUT ON NEW TIRES IN AUGUST.( DOT NUMBER: )

NHTSA ODI #732081

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2000
Tires

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRE FAILED WHILE DRIVING (P255-70R16). NLM

NHTSA ODI #554912

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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