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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.

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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 · Aug 9, 2000
Tires

TRAVELING OFF SANIBEL ISLAND AND ACCELERATING TO 50 MPH, I HEARD A LOUD THUD AND SLAPPING AT THE REAR OF THE CAR AS IF I HAD RUN OVER SOMETHING. I PULLED TO THE SIDE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD SHREADED. THE TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED BUT THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED, TEARING OFF THE REAR WHEEL GUARD AND THE DRI…

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TRAVELING OFF SANIBEL ISLAND AND ACCELERATING TO 50 MPH, I HEARD A LOUD THUD AND SLAPPING AT THE REAR OF THE CAR AS IF I HAD RUN OVER SOMETHING. I PULLED TO THE SIDE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD SHREADED. THE TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED BUT THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED, TEARING OFF THE REAR WHEEL GUARD AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE RUNNING BOARD. THE DRIVER'S REAR SIDE WAS ALSO DENTED. SINCE I HAD JUST ACCELERATED TO 50, I DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE HIT BY THE FLYING DEBRIS. WE CHANGED THE TIRE AND DROVE TO THE NEAREST FIRESTONE DEALER TO REPLACE THAT TIRE AND THE OTHER REAR TIRE. THEY DID NOT INFORM US OF EXISTING PROBLEMS WITH THE ATX AND SOLD US TWO NEW ATX TIRES. AFTER WE ARRIVED AT OUR DESTINATION -- WHICH WAS A FAMILY REUNION OUT OF TOWN -- WE DISCOVERED THE PROBLEMS WITH ACCIDENTS RELATED TO FIRESTONE TIRE TREAD SEPARATION WHICH HAD RESULTED IN ACCIDENTS AND EVEN FATALITIES. UPON RETURN HOME WE WENT TO THE FIRESTONE STORE AND THEY TOOK THE TWO ATX TIRES BACK AND REPLACED THEM WITH BRIDGESTONES. THE BODY DAMAGE ESTIMATE IS $1,100. WE STILL HAVE TWO FRONT ATX TIRES AND A SPARE AND ARE WAITING TO SEE IF A RECALL IS PUT IN PLACE FOR THOSE.( DOT NUMBER: )

NHTSA ODI #727273

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2000
Tires

THE TREAD OF THE PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT TIRE CAME DETACHED FROM THE TIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON I-5 IN SAN DIEGO. MY CAR NEARLY FLIPPED OVER AND SOME DAMAGE WAS DONE TO MY FRONT QUARTER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I DID NOT KNOW THERE HAD BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE TIRES DOING THE SAME THING TO OTHER PEOPLE, SO I REPLAC…

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THE TREAD OF THE PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT TIRE CAME DETACHED FROM THE TIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON I-5 IN SAN DIEGO. MY CAR NEARLY FLIPPED OVER AND SOME DAMAGE WAS DONE TO MY FRONT QUARTER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I DID NOT KNOW THERE HAD BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE TIRES DOING THE SAME THING TO OTHER PEOPLE, SO I REPLACED THE TIRES MYSELF AT A COST OF $546 OUT OF FEAR FOR SAFETY WITH THOSE TIRES. I'M CONCERNED THAT FIRESTONE WILL TRY TO IGNORE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY PURCHASED NEW TIRES ON THEIR OWN, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS FIRESTONE'S DEFECTIVE TIRES THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE HELP US MAKE SURE THAT FIRESTONE OWNS UP TO THEIR MISTAKE AND COMPENSATES PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF WHO COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AS A RESULT OF THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT.( DOT NUMBER: )

NHTSA ODI #727246

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2000
TiresCrashInjury

THE TIRE FAILED CONSISTENT WITH REPORTS THAT ARE CAUSING THE RECALL OF THE FIRESTONE ATX TIRES. THE TREAD PEELED OFF, THE TIRE BLEW, AND MY WIFE LOST CONTROL INTO A CONCRETE MEDIAN BARRICADE.( DOT NUMBER: )

NHTSA ODI #727195

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2000
Tires

TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. 95 DEGREES OUTSIDE. ALMOST FLIPPED SUV. ONE WEEK LATER, I WITNESSED THE SAME PROBLEM (FIRESTONE WIDERNESS ON AN EXPLORER) CAUSE A GRUESOME DEATH BECAUSE THE VEHICLE FLIPPED.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )

NHTSA ODI #727182

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2000
Tires

MY SON WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 75 GOING APPROX. 75MPH AND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE JUST PEELED AWAY AND CAUGHT THE REAR PANEL AND PULLED IT OFF. NOTHING WAS IN THE ROADWAY TO CAUSE SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN. THANK GOD TIRE DIDN'T BLOW. AT TIME ROADSIDE REPAIR HELP ADVISED IT WAS A DEFECTIVE TIRE -- SHOULD NOT HAVE HA…

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MY SON WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 75 GOING APPROX. 75MPH AND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE JUST PEELED AWAY AND CAUGHT THE REAR PANEL AND PULLED IT OFF. NOTHING WAS IN THE ROADWAY TO CAUSE SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN. THANK GOD TIRE DIDN'T BLOW. AT TIME ROADSIDE REPAIR HELP ADVISED IT WAS A DEFECTIVE TIRE -- SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. SINCE LEASE WAS UP THE NEXT MONTH, WE TURNED EXPLORER IN TIRE AND ALL PAID DEDUTIBLE TO HAVE REPAIRED AND INS. CO. COULDN'T PERSUE BECAUSE WE DIDN'T KEEP THE TIRE.( DOT NUMBER: )

NHTSA ODI #727169

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2000
Tires

ON JULY 13, MY FAMILY AND I WERE TRAVELING FROM YUMA, AZ TO SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. OUR RIGHT FRONT TIRE'S TREAD CAME AWAY FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE WHILE WE WERE GOING 70 MILES AN HOUR. THESE TIRES WERE INSPECTED BY ALEXANDER FORD IN YUMA AZ IN APRIL AND DETERMINED TO BE FINE. ON JULY 24TH, I WAS ONCE AGAIN TRAVELING FROM YUM…

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ON JULY 13, MY FAMILY AND I WERE TRAVELING FROM YUMA, AZ TO SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. OUR RIGHT FRONT TIRE'S TREAD CAME AWAY FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE WHILE WE WERE GOING 70 MILES AN HOUR. THESE TIRES WERE INSPECTED BY ALEXANDER FORD IN YUMA AZ IN APRIL AND DETERMINED TO BE FINE. ON JULY 24TH, I WAS ONCE AGAIN TRAVELING FROM YUMA,AZ TO CALIFORNIA AND THE TREAD ON MY BACK LEFT TIRE CRACKED AND PART OF IT CAME OFF AS WELL. BOTH THE TIRES WERE OBVIOUSLY REPLACED, AND IN FACT I STILL HAVE ONE OF THE TIRES IN MY POSSESSION.( DOT NUMBER: )

NHTSA ODI #727160

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2000
Tires

TREND CAME OFF TIRE , DAMAGE TO REAR FENDER-TRAVELING APROX. 65 ON FREEWAY( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75/15 )

NHTSA ODI #727146

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2000
Tires

ENTERING FREEWAY, TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE AND KNOCKED OFF MOLDING AND BENT BODY.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/75-15 )

NHTSA ODI #727145

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2000
Tires

FIRESTONE TIRE (NO SIZE OR BRAND) EXPERIENCED BLOWOUT, CONSUMER NOTICED A SPLIT IN SIDEWALL ALL AROUND THE TIRE, CONSUMER STATES THE CAUSE OF THE TIRE FAILURE IS UNKNOWN. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #867233

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2000
Tires

PE00 020; CONSUMER HAD JUST COME BACK FROM A TRAVELING TRIP AND GAS ATTENDANT TOLD HIM THAT HIS TIRES DIDN'T LOOK GOOD. TIRES WERE FIRESTONE ATX#. HE HAD ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #867228

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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