IllustrationFRONT LEFT FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES SEPARATED AND WENT FLAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, CAUSING DAMAGES TO THE FRONT LEFT FENDER. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 235/75/R15 *MW
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 reportsREAR TIRE SUDDENLY BLEW OFF WHILE CRUISING AT 70MPH ALONG I-75 BRIDGEPORT, MICHIGAN. CAR THEN SWERVED ERRATICALLY. THANKS GOD I WAS DRIVING ON THE RIGHT LANE AND ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR AND PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER. ALMOST GOT AN ACCIDENT.PLEASE INVESTIGATE THOROUGHLY AS I HEARD REPORTED DEATHS WITH SIMILAR INCIDENTS. I WANT …
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REAR TIRE SUDDENLY BLEW OFF WHILE CRUISING AT 70MPH ALONG I-75 BRIDGEPORT, MICHIGAN. CAR THEN SWERVED ERRATICALLY. THANKS GOD I WAS DRIVING ON THE RIGHT LANE AND ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR AND PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER. ALMOST GOT AN ACCIDENT.PLEASE INVESTIGATE THOROUGHLY AS I HEARD REPORTED DEATHS WITH SIMILAR INCIDENTS. I WANT FULL REIMBURSEMENT OF MY EXPENSES FROM FIRESTONE. THANK YOU. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
A 1996 FORD SUV BLEW A TIRE ON THE NJ TURNPIKE, HIT MY WIFE'S CAR AND CAUSED BOTH VEHICLES TO VEER OFF THE ROADWAY INTO THE WOODS. MY WIFE'S CAR LANDED ON ITS SIDE AND WAS TOTALLED AS WELL AS THE EXPLORER.FORTUNATELY, THE INJURIES WERE VERY MINOR. THE TROOPER WHO INVESTIGATED FOUND THAT THE TIRES ON THE EXPLORER WERE ATX FIRESTO…
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A 1996 FORD SUV BLEW A TIRE ON THE NJ TURNPIKE, HIT MY WIFE'S CAR AND CAUSED BOTH VEHICLES TO VEER OFF THE ROADWAY INTO THE WOODS. MY WIFE'S CAR LANDED ON ITS SIDE AND WAS TOTALLED AS WELL AS THE EXPLORER.FORTUNATELY, THE INJURIES WERE VERY MINOR. THE TROOPER WHO INVESTIGATED FOUND THAT THE TIRES ON THE EXPLORER WERE ATX FIRESTONES. WE WISH TO ADD OUR NAMES TO THE LIST OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN INJURED OR PUT IN SERIOUS DANGER FROM THESE TIRES. IF YOU CAN PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PENDING LAWSUITS, WE WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR CONTACTING US. THANK YOU VERY MUCH . ARNOLD & JUDY HOFFMAN( DOT NUMBER: )
THESE TIRES WERE RELETIVELY NEW BECAUSE THERE WAS PLENTY OF TREAD LEFT ON THEM. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 70MPH WHEN THE REAR TIRE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FAILED. THE TIRE FELL APART . THE TIRE DID NOT EXPLODE IT JUST FELL APART. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
I AM WRITING TO INFORM YOU THAT I HAVE HAD TREAD SEPARATION ON THREE OF MY ATX RADIAL TIRES. ONCE THIS HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE REPLACED ALL MY TIRES NOW BECAUSE THE DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES MADE MY VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE C…
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I AM WRITING TO INFORM YOU THAT I HAVE HAD TREAD SEPARATION ON THREE OF MY ATX RADIAL TIRES. ONCE THIS HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE REPLACED ALL MY TIRES NOW BECAUSE THE DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES MADE MY VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF REPLACING MY TIRES. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
THIS IS THE 6TH TIRE THAT THE TREAD HAS PEELED OFF. THE FIRST FEW TIMES IT WAS THE MANUFACTURER'S ORIGINALS. I AM REPORTING THIS ONE BECAUSE IT CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE TIRE.THIS LAST INCIDENT -- THE TIRE ONLY HAD 1100 MILES ON IT. CAUSED US TO SKID AND ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. (A…
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THIS IS THE 6TH TIRE THAT THE TREAD HAS PEELED OFF. THE FIRST FEW TIMES IT WAS THE MANUFACTURER'S ORIGINALS. I AM REPORTING THIS ONE BECAUSE IT CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE TIRE.THIS LAST INCIDENT -- THE TIRE ONLY HAD 1100 MILES ON IT. CAUSED US TO SKID AND ALMOST HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. (AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75/15 )
THE TIRE TREAD BLEW OFF FLATTENED THE TIRE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF CONTROL BUT NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE ON THE ROAD AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
TREAD SEPARATION. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
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.