IllustrationTHE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED ( SIDEWALL FAILURE), THERE WAS GOOD TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRE, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED DUE TO A AFTER MARKET ALARM SYSTEM THAT WAS INSTALLED BY TAPPING IN TO THE BRAKE LIGHTS FOR POWER. DEALER FAILED TO MENTION ANY ALARM SYSTEM.*AK (TIRESIZE: P2257015)
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 reportsPRIOR TO RECALL THE CONSUMER FOUND A BULGE ON THE BACK LEFT TIRE AND REPLACED WITH MICHELINS, CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURDSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT TIRES BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO AUG 9, 2000(FIRESTONE WILDRNESS AT TIRE P235/75R15 ).
LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL, AND VEHICLE ALSO FLIPPED OVER SEVERAL TIMES, THE LEFT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, DRIVER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. (UNIROYAL LAREDO TIRES P235/75R15 M+S)(OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *YH
CONSUMER REPLACED FIRESTONE TIRES, P235/75R15, PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL 00T005, CONSUMER STATES TIRE TREAD WAS WEARING ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRES, FIRESTONE STATES THAT SINCE TIRES WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO GIVE ANY REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC
TIRE TOTALLY BROKE DOWN LIKE NEVER BEFORE SEEN; INSPECTED BY GOODYEAR; SAID NORMAL BLOWOUT OF UNDER INFLATED TIRE. INSPECTED BY CERTIFIED MECHANIC. STATED SUCH NEVER BEFORE SEEN AND SHOWDED WHY UNDERINFLATION COULD NOT BE THE CAUSE. STILL HAVE TIRE IN MY POSESSION.*AK (TIRESIZE: P235/75R15) (TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)
THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE DEFECTIVE SPARE TIRE, THE CONSUMER ONLY RECIEVED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE TIRE MOUNTING, THE CONSUMER IS STILL AWAITING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACED TIRE (FIRESTONE ATX II).
PRIOR TO RECALL, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THREE TREAD SEPARATIONS AND ONE BLOW OUT, IN WHICH ONE OF THE TREAD SEPARATIONS WAS A REPLACEMENT, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO THE OCCURENCES HAPPENING BEFORE RECALL WAS ISSUED, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY A FIRESTONE DEALER THAT ONLY THE TIRES BEING REPLACED IN THE YEAR 20…
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PRIOR TO RECALL, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THREE TREAD SEPARATIONS AND ONE BLOW OUT, IN WHICH ONE OF THE TREAD SEPARATIONS WAS A REPLACEMENT, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO THE OCCURENCES HAPPENING BEFORE RECALL WAS ISSUED, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY A FIRESTONE DEALER THAT ONLY THE TIRES BEING REPLACED IN THE YEAR 2000 WOULD BE REIMBURSED. FIRESTONE TIRES ATX/P235/7R15.*JB
CONSUMER NOTICED A SMALL RING AND SEPARATION ON ALL FOUR OF THE FIRESTONE ATX TIRES, A MICHELIN DEALER ALSO NOTICED THIS AND CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES, CONSUMER RECEIVED LETTERS FROM FIRESTONE AND FORD REGARDING THE RECALLED TIRES, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS DENIED ANY REIMBURSEMENT FROM BOTH PLACES. *SLC
I HAVE TRIED TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FROM FORD AND FIRESTONE EVER SINCE AUGUST 2000 FOR FOUR FAILED FIRESTONE WILDERNESS ATX'S. FROM THE BEGINNING WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THESE TIRES ON MY FORD EXPLORER. WHEN WE TRAVELED AT 60MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD AND FIRESTONE DEALERS WHO TOLD …
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I HAVE TRIED TO RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FROM FORD AND FIRESTONE EVER SINCE AUGUST 2000 FOR FOUR FAILED FIRESTONE WILDERNESS ATX'S. FROM THE BEGINNING WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THESE TIRES ON MY FORD EXPLORER. WHEN WE TRAVELED AT 60MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD AND FIRESTONE DEALERS WHO TOLD US THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. SO FOR THE NEXT 2 1/2 YEARS, WE DID NOT DARE DRIVE ABOVE 60MPH. WHILE THESE TIRES WERE ON THE EXPLORER, I MADE SURE TO HAVE THEM ROTATED AND PROPERLY INFLATED PER THE DIRECTIONS ON THE TIRES. ABOUT TWO YEARS LATER, WE NOTICED EXTREME WEAR ON THE OUTER PERIMETERS OF ALL FOUR TIRES, AS WAS NOTICED BY THE PLACE WHERE WE GOT THE TIRES ROTATED, AS WELL AS STRANGERS AT GAS STATIONS. I TOOK IT AGAIN TO FIRESTONE AND DEMANDED REPLACEMENT. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO MILEAGE WARRANTY, AND BECAUSE THEY WERE SO WORN OUT (STEEL BELTS VISIBLE) ON THE PERIMETER (BUT NOT THE MIDDLE TREAD AREA) THERE WAS NO WEAR CREDIT. I WAS TOLD THAT ALL I COULD DO WAS PURCHASE NEW TIRES AT MY COST. NOT WANTING TO PUT MY FAMILY'S LIFE IN JEOPARDY, IN EARLY 1999, I REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AT MY COST ($367.29) WITH MICHELINS. SINCE THEN, NOT ONLY IS THE CAR RUNNING SMOOTHLY ABOVE 60MPH, WITH 20,000 MILES ON THEM, THEY STILL HAVE PLENTY OF TREAD FOR ANOTHER 20-30,000 MILES. WHEN THE RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED IN AUGUST 2000, I REJOICED BECAUSE I KNEW SOMETHING WAS INHERENTLY WRONG WITH THE TIRES, AND BECAUSE I THOUGHT (MISTAKINGLY) I WOULD BE REIMBURSED. BUT...BECAUSE I HAD REPLACED MY TIRES BEFORE THE OFFICIAL RECALL, I AM NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT. IRONICALLY, WHEN I WENT TO THE FORD DEALER RECENTLY FOR A DIFFERENT RECALL, HE NOTICED THAT I STILL HAD A WILDERNESS ATX AS A SPARE, SO I AM IN THE PROCESS OF CHANGING THAT ONE. IT IS HIGHLY UNETHICAL AND INSULTING TO BE REIMBURSED FOR A NEVER-USED SPARE AND NOT FOR THE OTHER FOUR, (DOT NUMBER: VDHL 1PM 4 TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)
THE RIGHT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION PRIOR TO THE RECALL BECOMING PUBLIC, THE CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT, THE MANUFACTURER DENIED REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE PURCHASED PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 2000. 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.