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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 11, 2000
Tires

WHEN APPLYING FOR AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE IN TENNESSEE (HAVING RECENTLY MOVED HERE FROM MICHIGAN), THE INSURANCE AGENT/ADJSTOR INSPECTED THE TIRES. EVEN THOUGH THE TREAD IS STILL GOOD, ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE A STRESS CRACK ON THE SIDEWALL BELOW THE TREADS. THE ADJUSTOR INDICATED THIS WAS THE FINAL STAGE BEFORE THE TREAD SEPARATES FR…

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WHEN APPLYING FOR AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE IN TENNESSEE (HAVING RECENTLY MOVED HERE FROM MICHIGAN), THE INSURANCE AGENT/ADJSTOR INSPECTED THE TIRES. EVEN THOUGH THE TREAD IS STILL GOOD, ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE A STRESS CRACK ON THE SIDEWALL BELOW THE TREADS. THE ADJUSTOR INDICATED THIS WAS THE FINAL STAGE BEFORE THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, AND ADVISED ME TO REPLACE THEM IMMEDIATELY. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THESE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED; THEREFORE, HE WOULD NOT REPLACE THEM AT NO CHARGE. THE TIRES HAVE 25,000 MILES ON THEM AND SHOULD LAST AN ADDITIONAL 25,000 MILES. I AM GRAVELY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY ON THE ROAD. WHAT CAN I DO? I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THEM WITHOUT REIMBURSEMENT. *AK( DOT NUMBER: 8XHLIPY169 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

NHTSA ODI #730991

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2000
Tires

TIRE BLEW OUT FROM SIDE AS DESCRIBED BY THE 15" RECALL, TREAD WAS STILL GOOD. BLOWOUT WAS ON INTERSTATE, FORTUNATELY PERSON DRIVING WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET TO SIDE OF ROAD. REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AFTER FAILURE, HOWEVER, STILL HAVE SPARE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )

NHTSA ODI #730976

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2000
Tires

WHILE DRIVING, FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX TIRES (P235 75 R15) EXPERIENCED A WHIRRING NOISE, CONSUMER REPLACED TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #554462

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2000
TiresCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT <SHREDDED ACTUALLY>. I LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, SWERVED TO THE LEFT AND SIDESWIPED A VEHICLE IN THE LANE NEXT TO ME. I PULLED TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. I SAW THAT THE TIRE TREAD HAD SEPERATED FROM THE TIRE, AND POUNDED THE WHEEL WELL FLAT. I INCURRED DAMAGE TO THE LEFT SID…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT <SHREDDED ACTUALLY>. I LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, SWERVED TO THE LEFT AND SIDESWIPED A VEHICLE IN THE LANE NEXT TO ME. I PULLED TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. I SAW THAT THE TIRE TREAD HAD SEPERATED FROM THE TIRE, AND POUNDED THE WHEEL WELL FLAT. I INCURRED DAMAGE TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL. I AM ON A WAITING LIST FOR TIRES, BUT I CANNOT FIND A TIRE REPLACEMENT FOR MY SPARE. I AM THEREFOR DRIVING AROUND ON THESE DANGEROUS TIRES, WITH NO SPARE. I CANNOT SLEEP AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT, AND I HAVE TO DRIVE AT LEAST 500 MILES A WEEK FOR WORK. I STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES. I HAVE A $500 DEDUCTIBLE TO PAY TO FIX MY CAR, AND I CAN'T AFFORD THIS. I AM VERY DISSAPOINTED IN FIRESTONE.( DOT NUMBER: VDHL1PM405 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

NHTSA ODI #730864

Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2000
Tires

BEEN ON A "LIST" FOR SEVERAL WEEKS TO GET MY RECALLED FIRESTONE ATX TIRES REPLACED. DEALER TOLD ME THIS WEEK TO GO FIND ANOTHER DEALER. THIS IS THE ONLY FIRESTONE DEALER IN MY TOWN. CAN NOT GET THROUGH TO FIRESTONE ON THE 1-800 NUMBER. CONTACTED FIRESTONE THROUGHT WEBSITE AND ONLY GET A "FORM EMAIL". ONE OF THE TIRES SEEMS TO BE…

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BEEN ON A "LIST" FOR SEVERAL WEEKS TO GET MY RECALLED FIRESTONE ATX TIRES REPLACED. DEALER TOLD ME THIS WEEK TO GO FIND ANOTHER DEALER. THIS IS THE ONLY FIRESTONE DEALER IN MY TOWN. CAN NOT GET THROUGH TO FIRESTONE ON THE 1-800 NUMBER. CONTACTED FIRESTONE THROUGHT WEBSITE AND ONLY GET A "FORM EMAIL". ONE OF THE TIRES SEEMS TO BE GOING BAD, DEALER WON'T LOOK AT IT OR REPLACED WITH OTHER BRAND UNLESS I PAY FOR IT. I WANT MY FIRESTONES REPLACED UNDER THE RECALL, WHAT DO I DO NEXT? CAN I HAVE FIRESTONE PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR WHILE MY EXPLORER SITS WAITING FOR REPLACEMENTS? LOCAL FORD DEALER ONLY SENT ME TO THE SAME TIRE DEALER AS I BOUGHT MY EXPLORER USED.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

NHTSA ODI #730856

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2000
Tires

AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE, DEALER INDICATED THAT TIRES WERE NOT ON RECALL. BUT, CONSUMER INSPECTED THE TIRES, AND FOUND CRACKS ON THEM. FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS, P255/70R16. *AK THE CUSTOMER STATES THAT THESE WERE THE SAME TIRES FORD HAD RECALLED OVERSEAS AND ARE NOT SAFE. *YH

NHTSA ODI #870021

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2000
TiresCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY IN T FAST LANE LEFT REAR TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT OUT ANDF CONSUMER LOST CONTROL, AND VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. FIRESTONE ATX. *AK

NHTSA ODI #870019

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2000
Tires

WHILE HAVING MY VEHICLE INSPECTED RECENTLY ATTENTION WAS CALLED TO EACH OF MY TIRES. THERE ARE TINY HAIR LINE CRACKS ALL AROUND EACH TIRE AT THE TREAD AS IF THIS IS WHERE IT WOULD SEPARATE. I COMPARED THE TIRES TO MY DAUGHTER'S TIRES WHICH WERE RECALLED, AND SHE HAD NO SUCH CRACKS OR LINES.( DOT NUMBER: VNCUIPL245 TIRE SIZE: P25…

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WHILE HAVING MY VEHICLE INSPECTED RECENTLY ATTENTION WAS CALLED TO EACH OF MY TIRES. THERE ARE TINY HAIR LINE CRACKS ALL AROUND EACH TIRE AT THE TREAD AS IF THIS IS WHERE IT WOULD SEPARATE. I COMPARED THE TIRES TO MY DAUGHTER'S TIRES WHICH WERE RECALLED, AND SHE HAD NO SUCH CRACKS OR LINES.( DOT NUMBER: VNCUIPL245 TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )

NHTSA ODI #730821

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2000
Tires

FIRESTONE/EXPLORER TIRE BLOWOUT; PHOTOGRAPH OF TREAD SEPARATION WAS TAKEN AND IS AVAILABLE; TIRES REPLACED, MY COST( DOT NUMBER: UNKNOWN TIRE SIZE: P235 75R15 )

NHTSA ODI #730813

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2000
TiresCrash

PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE. SHE PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER. A PIECE OF TIRE TREAD WAS MISSING. MOLDING WAS DAMAGED, AND LEFT REAR TIRE WAS DAMAGED. FIRESTONE, #ATX P23570R15. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED FIRESTONE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #869953

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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