IllustrationWHILE GOING UP A HILL GAS PEDAL DROPPED TO FLOOR, CONSUMER TRIED TO GET PEDAL UP, IT WAS LIKE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK TO THE FLOOR, THE ONLY WAY CONSUMER COULD STOP WAS TO TURN OFF VEHICLE. CONSUMER FELT AS IF SHE WAS GOING DOWN A HILL THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT.*AK
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
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
148 reportsWHILE IN REVERSE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY, RESULTING IN A COLLISION, AND MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE HAD ACCELERATED FORWARD AT FULL THROTTLE AFTER STARTING DISPITE FRANTIC BREAKING BY DRIVER. *YH
WHILE POSITIONING MY SUV WITH INTENTION TO BACK UP, AS SOON AS I SHIFT LEVER IN GOT THE THE REVERSE MODE, THE SUV ACCELLERATED WILDLY, AND PLUNGED AHEAD UNTROLLABLE UNTIL IT SMASHED INTO A BACK OF THE CLOCK STORE BACK LOADING AREA, AND PULLED DOWN A WALL, AND CEILING AND SMASHED ITS SELF UNTIL IT WAS STOPPED BY THE ENORMOUS …
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WHILE POSITIONING MY SUV WITH INTENTION TO BACK UP, AS SOON AS I SHIFT LEVER IN GOT THE THE REVERSE MODE, THE SUV ACCELLERATED WILDLY, AND PLUNGED AHEAD UNTROLLABLE UNTIL IT SMASHED INTO A BACK OF THE CLOCK STORE BACK LOADING AREA, AND PULLED DOWN A WALL, AND CEILING AND SMASHED ITS SELF UNTIL IT WAS STOPPED BY THE ENORMOUS IMPACT.. IT DESTROVED MUCH OF THE BUILDING, AND ANTIQUE GRANDFATHER CLOCKS, AS WELL AS DAMAGE TO ANOTHER OLD PRISTINE LASALLE AUTOMOBILE.... SEATS WERE FLATTENED IN THE SUV, AND GLASS WAS BROKEN EVERY WHERE. *AK
GAS PEDAL PIVOT FRAME BECAME DETACHED FROM FLOORBOARD/FIREWALL WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. PEDAL WAS HELD WITH 3 FLIMSY SPOT WELDS. REPAIRED BY DEALER BY BOLTING THROUGH BRACKET AND TRUCK BODY. CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. I NOTED A COUPLE OF INSTANCES OF SAME PROBLEM IN YOUR DATABASE. VERY FORTUNATE THAT T…
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GAS PEDAL PIVOT FRAME BECAME DETACHED FROM FLOORBOARD/FIREWALL WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. PEDAL WAS HELD WITH 3 FLIMSY SPOT WELDS. REPAIRED BY DEALER BY BOLTING THROUGH BRACKET AND TRUCK BODY. CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. I NOTED A COUPLE OF INSTANCES OF SAME PROBLEM IN YOUR DATABASE. VERY FORTUNATE THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE BELTWAY, WHERE RESULTS WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS, IF NOT DEADLY.*AK
WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC THE ACCELERATOR STUCK THE CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE BRAKE BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. NLM
WHILE CONSUMER IS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, AND UPON MERGING INTO TRAFFIC ACCELERATOR PEDAL GETS STUCK, AND GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR.*AK
ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS. *AK
PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE CRUISE CONTROL STICKING/THROTTLE BODY FAILURE, VEHICLE ACCIDENT RESULTING FROM ACCELERATION, NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS DURING COLLISION RESULTING IN INJURY TO CONSUMER. *MJS
WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED FORWARD WITHOUT APPLICATION OF GAS PEDAL. VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER CAR. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE. *AK
ACCELERATOR PEDALS STICKS ON OCCASION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PASS A CAR OR ACCELERATE TO A HIGHER SPEED, WHEN THE OCCURS THE CONSUMER HAS TO KICK THE PEDAL, PULL IT LOOSE WITH FOOT OR HIT THE BRAKE TO DISLODGE THE PEDAL. *ET
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.