IllustrationTREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE DURING NORMAL USE ON INTERSTATE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SWERVE AND BECOME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. AS THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING, IT FLAPPED AGAINST THE REAR FENDERWELL AND CAUSED DAMAGED TO THE BUMPER, TRIM AND REAR FENDER.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
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
What owners actually said
1,450 reportsTREAD CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE TIRE DAMAGED THE REAR QUARTER PANEL OF THE SUV AND BROKE THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TAILLIGHT. NO ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED AS A RESULT OF THE TIRE DECOMPOSITION.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
THE TIRE IN QUESTION SHED A LARGE LUMP OF TREAD WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE OVER MEMORIAL WEEKEND 1999. THE FORD EXPLORER WAS CARRYING TWO CHILDREN (ONE YEAR AND SEVEN YEARS OLD) AND THE TWO MONTH PREGNANT DRIVER (AGED 32). A LOUD 'THUMP' WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR, FOLLOWED BY A SCRAPING SOUND (PRESUMABLY AS THE TRE…
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THE TIRE IN QUESTION SHED A LARGE LUMP OF TREAD WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE OVER MEMORIAL WEEKEND 1999. THE FORD EXPLORER WAS CARRYING TWO CHILDREN (ONE YEAR AND SEVEN YEARS OLD) AND THE TWO MONTH PREGNANT DRIVER (AGED 32). A LOUD 'THUMP' WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR, FOLLOWED BY A SCRAPING SOUND (PRESUMABLY AS THE TREAD CAUGHT AROUND THE WHEEL ARCH). THE TIRE SHOWS SIGNS OF THE SHED TREAD HAVING RUBBED AGAINST THE REST OF THE TIRE AS IT CONTINUED TO REVOLVE WITH THE TREAD CAUGHT IN THE WHEEL ARCH. THE FOLLOWING WEEK FIRESTONE WAS CONTACTED AND EXPRESSED NO CONCERN WHATSOEVER, SAYING THAT THE TIRE HAD PROBABLY HIT SOMETHING IN THE ROAD OR BEEN PREVIOUSLY CURBED, CAUSING THE TREAD SHED. THE TIRE, AND OTHERS ON THE VEHICLE, WERE REPLACED (WITH THE LATEST VERSION OF THE SAME TIRE TYPE), AT THE DRIVER'S EXPENSE. I WAS MOST CONCERNED WHEN I NOW LEARN OF A RECALL ON ALL SUCH TIRES AND CONTACTED FIRESTONE ON THE FREEPHONE NUMBER. I WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE 'STANDARD' REPLACEMENT ANSWER, AS I STILL HAD THIS TIRE IN MY POSSESSION. I WAS GIVEN VARIOUS OTHER NUMBER TO CALL WITHIN THE COMPANY, BUT RECEIVED NOTHING MORE THAN THE STANDARD "TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT" ANSWER. I FEEL THAT FIRESTONE SHOULD AT VERY LEAST HAVE VOLUNTEERED TO RECOVER THE TIRE AND ANALYZE THIS EXAMPLE FOR THEIR RECORDS. I THEREFORE CONTACTED NHTSA FOR THEIR ADVICE AND HAVE BEEN SENT A LABEL FOR RETURN OF THE TIRE. THIS TIRE DID NOT ACTUALLY BURST IN THIS INCIDENT, BUT FROM THE CONDITION IT WAS IN ON REMOVAL, WAS VERY CLOSE TO THAT POINT. HAD FIRESTONE TREATED THIS CASE SERIOUSLY AT THE TIME, DEATHS AND SERIOUS INJURIES COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.( DOT NUMBER: VDHL1PM126 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
SIDEWALL PUNCTURE TO LEFT REAR TIRE. DRIVER LOST CONTROL, RIGHT REAR TIRE DEBEADED, VEHICLE ROLLED THREE TIMES AND LANDED ON PASSENGER SIDE AGAINST INTERSTATE GUARDRAIL.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
ON THE FIRST INCIDENT ONE OF THE TIRES WAS IN PRETTY BAD SHAPE AND READY TO EXPLODE, IT CAUSED MY CAR TO BE MISALIGNED. DURING THE ALIGNMENT THEY DISCOVERED THE DEFECT AND REPLACE THE TIRE FOR THE SAME TYPE. ON THE SECOND INCIDENT THE TIRE PEELED-OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65MPH. I WAS LUCKY TO BEING ABLE TO CONTR…
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ON THE FIRST INCIDENT ONE OF THE TIRES WAS IN PRETTY BAD SHAPE AND READY TO EXPLODE, IT CAUSED MY CAR TO BE MISALIGNED. DURING THE ALIGNMENT THEY DISCOVERED THE DEFECT AND REPLACE THE TIRE FOR THE SAME TYPE. ON THE SECOND INCIDENT THE TIRE PEELED-OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 65MPH. I WAS LUCKY TO BEING ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR AND PULL TO THE SIDE, BUT IT WAS VERY SCARY AND I ALMOST CRASHED. AT THAT TIME I WAS DRIVING WITH MY WIFE (PREGNANT 6 MONTHS) AND MY 3 YEAR OLD SON. THE TIRE PROBLEM CAUSED A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND PART OF IT WAS COVERED BY THE INSURANCE. PLEASE HELP ME GET A REFUND FROM THESE PROBLEMS AS NOW FIRESTONE HAS ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS QUALITY ISSUE. THANKS. FRANCISCO BUITRON.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING FELT SOME VIBRATION AND STARTED TO SLOW DOWN, THEN AUTOMIBILE BEGAN TO SWAY- LATER, FOUND OUT FROM THE POLICE OFFICER THAT FIRESTONE TIRE THAT WAS ON AND TREAD HAD BEGAN TO PEEL OFF. *AK
CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING DOWN ROAD AND DRIVER THOUGHT THAT HE HAD A BLOWOUT, BUT DISCOVERED THAT TREAD HAD PEELED OFF OF TIRE. SIZE OF TIRE WAS WILDERNESS P255/70 R 16.*AK FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P255/70/R16 *MW
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH LEFT FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. THEN, CONSUMER TOOK TIRE FOR REPAIRS, BUT FOUND OUT THAT TIRE HAD CRACKS ON EACH SIDE WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS, 255/70R16. *AK
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE SUFFERED A BLOWOUT. CONSUMER KEPT CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHILE NOT STEPPING ON THE BRAKES. THEN, FOUND OUT OF A TREAD SEPARATION. FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS HT, 225/70R15. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING SOUTH ON I-95, TO FLORIDA THE FRONT TIRE, DRIVERS SIDE, BLEW OUT AT 65 MPH.( 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.