← New search

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
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2000
Tires

TIRE TREAD DELAMINATION. DEALER NOTIFIED ONLY THROUGH DEALERSHIP'S PAINT &BODY SHOP.( DOT NUMBER: VHDL1PM156 TIRE SIZE: P23575R15 )

NHTSA ODI #729142

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2000
Tires

REPLACED TIRES BUT I HAVE A SPARE THAT FIRESTONE REFUSES TO CHANGE( DOT NUMBER: VW TIRE SIZE: P236/75R15 )

NHTSA ODI #729126

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2000
TiresCrashInjury

VEHICLE TRAVELING NORTH ON I-75 IN THE LEFT LANE, NORTH OF TAMPA, FL, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SUFFERED TREAD LOSS, THE ENTIRE TREAD OF THE TIRE CAME OFF. CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL, SPUN 180, WENT INTO AND ACROSS MEDIAN, STRUCK EDGE OF SOUTHBOUND LANE, FLIPPED ONCE, STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE IN SOUTHBOUND LANE, TRAVELED 62 FEET ON WEST…

Read full complaint

VEHICLE TRAVELING NORTH ON I-75 IN THE LEFT LANE, NORTH OF TAMPA, FL, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SUFFERED TREAD LOSS, THE ENTIRE TREAD OF THE TIRE CAME OFF. CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL, SPUN 180, WENT INTO AND ACROSS MEDIAN, STRUCK EDGE OF SOUTHBOUND LANE, FLIPPED ONCE, STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE IN SOUTHBOUND LANE, TRAVELED 62 FEET ON WEST SHOULDER OF I 75, TRAVELED OVER A CEMENT WALL, CRASHED INTO CEMENT CULVERT. DRIVER AND PASSENGER INJURED, DRIVER OF OTHER VEHICLE INJURED. HAVE POLICE REPORT AND PHOTOS CLEARLY SHOWING TIRE MISSING THE TREAD.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P225/70R15 )

NHTSA ODI #729116

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2000
Tires

WAS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING TO FAMILIES FOR CHRISTMAS.....ALL OF A SUDDEN HAD A FLAT TIRE. HAD TO FIX ON SIDE OF ROAD. WENT TO HAVE IT FIXED WHEN WE GOT BACK HOME, COULDN'T FIX IT. THE TIRE PEOPLE COULDN'T EXPLAIN WHY IT WENT FLAT BUT THE TIRE WAS ALSO RUINED.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )

NHTSA ODI #729099

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2000
Tires

TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON I-64 IN THE LEFT HAND LANE ON JULY 2, 1998 AROUND 5:00PM WHEN I HEARD A THUD. IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE WITH SOME DIFFICULTY. UPON REACHING THE EMERGENCY LANE, DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD DISINTERGRATED DOWN TO THE RIM.THE RSWITCHED LANES AND PPULLED OFF ROADNOISE .( DOT NUMB…

Read full complaint

TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON I-64 IN THE LEFT HAND LANE ON JULY 2, 1998 AROUND 5:00PM WHEN I HEARD A THUD. IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE WITH SOME DIFFICULTY. UPON REACHING THE EMERGENCY LANE, DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD DISINTERGRATED DOWN TO THE RIM.THE RSWITCHED LANES AND PPULLED OFF ROADNOISE .( DOT NUMBER: UNKNOWN TIRE SIZE: P255/R7016 )

NHTSA ODI #729096

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2000
Tires

SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE USED, IT WAS TIME TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL TIRES. I WENT TO THE DEALER IN MAY, 2000 AND THEY RECOMMENDED FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT'S WHICH I PURCHASED, AND HAD THE DEALER MOUNT AND BALANCE THE TIRES. WITH ALL THE NEGATIVE PUBLICITY AND POOR SAFETY RECORD OF THESE TIRES, I AM REALLY UPSET KNOWING THAT …

Read full complaint

SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE USED, IT WAS TIME TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL TIRES. I WENT TO THE DEALER IN MAY, 2000 AND THEY RECOMMENDED FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT'S WHICH I PURCHASED, AND HAD THE DEALER MOUNT AND BALANCE THE TIRES. WITH ALL THE NEGATIVE PUBLICITY AND POOR SAFETY RECORD OF THESE TIRES, I AM REALLY UPSET KNOWING THAT I AM DRIVING ON TIRES THAT MAY NOT BE SAFE. EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE TIRES CHECKED BY THE DEALER AND THEY ARE NOT THE DOT VDHL MODELS, I AM SCARED TO BE DRIVING ON THEM. I DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 60 HIGHWAY MILES TO WORK EACH DAY - AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 65 MPH. DURING RUSH HOURS - WHICH LEAVES ME EVEN MORE APPREHENSIVE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS PRODUCT. I SUGGEST THAT NHTSA MANDATE A TOTAL RECALL OF ALL THESE TIRES, NOT JUST THE ONES MANUFACTURED AT THE DECATUR, IL PLANT. MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY IS AT STAKE. IF ONE PLANT'S QUALITY CONTROL WAS NONEXISTANT, WHO'S TO SAY ANOTHER PLANT'S LACK OF INTEGRITY ISN'T AS GREAT? PLEASE HELP ME AND THE MILLIONS OF OTHERS WHO HAVE PURCHASED TIRES FOR THEIR VEHICLES UNKNOWING OF THE HIDDEN DEFECTS THAT MAY BE FACING THEM.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

NHTSA ODI #729045

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2000
Tires

WE WERE RETURNING FROM CALIF. WHEN MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE SEPARATED, WHICH MADE MY VEHICLE PULL SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. WHEN THAT HAPPENED IT TORE THE MOLDING OFF MY WHEEL WELL, AND THE RUNNING BOARD, ALSO INFLICTING DAMAGE THE BODY AS WELL. WHEN IT SEPARATED IT SCARED THE HECK OUT OF MY 11 YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER AND HER FRIEND. WE …

Read full complaint

WE WERE RETURNING FROM CALIF. WHEN MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE SEPARATED, WHICH MADE MY VEHICLE PULL SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. WHEN THAT HAPPENED IT TORE THE MOLDING OFF MY WHEEL WELL, AND THE RUNNING BOARD, ALSO INFLICTING DAMAGE THE BODY AS WELL. WHEN IT SEPARATED IT SCARED THE HECK OUT OF MY 11 YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER AND HER FRIEND. WE WERE JUST LUCKY THIS TIME. SINCE THEN 3 DEALERSHIPS 2 BEING FIRESTONE NOTICED MY REMAINING 3 TIRES WERE BEGINNING TO SEPARATE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED IMMEDIATLY, WHICH I DID RELUCTANTLY WITH BRIDGESTONE. THE RECALL DEFINETLY SHOULD INCLUDE THE P255/70R16 AS WELL , SINCE MY CASE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE . THE NEXT ONE MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY!( DOT NUMBER: W2CU1PX TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )

NHTSA ODI #729030

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2000
TiresCrashInjury

ON THE MORNING ON 6/14/2000 AT 6AM I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON I-17 IN AZ ( 1 MILE N OF SUNSETPOINT MARKER 254) AT APPROX. 70 MPH (SPEED LIMIT 75 MPH). MY LEFT REAR TIRE SUDDENLY SEPARATED AND EXPLODED SPINNING ME ACROSS TWO LANES OF HIGHWAY AND INTO A RUGGED DESER MEDIAN. THE CAR CONTINUED TO SPIN, START TO ROLL TO THE SIDE AND TH…

Read full complaint

ON THE MORNING ON 6/14/2000 AT 6AM I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON I-17 IN AZ ( 1 MILE N OF SUNSETPOINT MARKER 254) AT APPROX. 70 MPH (SPEED LIMIT 75 MPH). MY LEFT REAR TIRE SUDDENLY SEPARATED AND EXPLODED SPINNING ME ACROSS TWO LANES OF HIGHWAY AND INTO A RUGGED DESER MEDIAN. THE CAR CONTINUED TO SPIN, START TO ROLL TO THE SIDE AND THEN WAS UPRIGTED AS THE SIDE COLLIDED WITH A LARGE BOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS WISH BONED AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE CARRIER. THE THREE OCCUPANTS WERE TRANSPORTED TO YAVAPAI COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER IN PRESCOTT BY PARAMEDICS WITH BUMPS AND BRUISES. THE DRIVER (MICHELE) SUSTAINED A SHATTERED LEFT ARM, HAND AND DISLOCATED WRIST. IMMEDIATE SURGERY WAS PERFORMED TO STABILIZE THE SHATTERED BONES AND INSERT AN EXTERNAL FIXATOR. A SECOND SURGERY TOOK PLACE APPROX. 5 WEEKS LATER TO ATTEMPT TO FURTHER REDUCE THE DISLOCATION AND SET MORE OF THE SHATTERED BONES. AT THIS TIME, 2 1/2 MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE EXTERNAL FIXATR IS STILL IN PLACE BECAUSE THE BONES HAVE YET TO HEAL. EXTENSIVE THERAPY WILL BE NEEDED AND PERMANENT LOSS HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 15 )

NHTSA ODI #729023

Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2000
Tires

PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY AND THERE WAS A POPPYING NOISE. ALSO, HEARD TREAD SLAPPING AGAINST VEHICLE. DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED. CONSUMER HAD TIRE REPLACED. TIRES WERE FIRESTONE #AT, P23575R15. TIRE WAS REPLACED AT THIS TIME, AND WAS FROM THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS PLANT.…

Read full complaint

PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY AND THERE WAS A POPPYING NOISE. ALSO, HEARD TREAD SLAPPING AGAINST VEHICLE. DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED. CONSUMER HAD TIRE REPLACED. TIRES WERE FIRESTONE #AT, P23575R15. TIRE WAS REPLACED AT THIS TIME, AND WAS FROM THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS PLANT. TIRE WAS EXPERIENCING LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #868618

Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2000
Tires

BFORE WE MOVED FROM ILLINOIS IN JUNE, WE HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE TIRES WERE "PERFECTLY NORMAL." WITHIN THREE MONTHS, THE TREAD IS NOW SPLITTING FROM THE BASE OF TIRE TO THE POINT WHERE STEEL BELTS ARE VISIBLE. 2 DIFFERENT FIRESTONE DEALERS CONFIRMEND THAT THE HEAT HAS CAUSED THIS TO OCCUR, "EXACTLY LIKE THE 15 INCH MODELS…

Read full complaint

BFORE WE MOVED FROM ILLINOIS IN JUNE, WE HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE TIRES WERE "PERFECTLY NORMAL." WITHIN THREE MONTHS, THE TREAD IS NOW SPLITTING FROM THE BASE OF TIRE TO THE POINT WHERE STEEL BELTS ARE VISIBLE. 2 DIFFERENT FIRESTONE DEALERS CONFIRMEND THAT THE HEAT HAS CAUSED THIS TO OCCUR, "EXACTLY LIKE THE 15 INCH MODELS, BUT ONLY THE 15 INCH ARE COVERED. I'D BUY NEW TIRES OR BE VERY CAREFUL." THESE TIRES WERE FUNTIONING NORMALLY UNTIL THEY WERE EXPOSED TO EXTREME HEAT CONDITIONS. I'M NOT IN A POSITION TO PURCHASE NEW TIRES AND, I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S FAIR TO PUT MY FAMILY IN SERIOUS JEPORDY BECAUSE THESE TIRES WERE NOT PRODUCED TO WITHSTAND ALL ELEMENTS THAT THEY MIGHT ENCOUNTER. I HOPE AND PRAY SOMEONE RESPONDS TO THIS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P255/70 R1 )

NHTSA ODI #728946

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.

Go deeper into Ford Explorer problems