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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

Power Train complaints

120 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 1999
Power Train

THIS IS IN RE: TO A VIBRATION ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE BEFORE MY VEHICLE REACHED 11,000 MILES. I HAVE GIVEN NO LESS THAN 25 OPPORTUNITIES TO 2 FORD DEALERS, AND THIER REPRESENTATIVES, AND HAVE GOTTEN NO MORE THAN A "NO PROBLEM FOUND" OR "THIS IS A TIRE ISSUE" (OR THE 2 TECHNICIANS WHO STATED THE OBVIOUS "I HAVE NO ID…

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THIS IS IN RE: TO A VIBRATION ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE BEFORE MY VEHICLE REACHED 11,000 MILES. I HAVE GIVEN NO LESS THAN 25 OPPORTUNITIES TO 2 FORD DEALERS, AND THIER REPRESENTATIVES, AND HAVE GOTTEN NO MORE THAN A "NO PROBLEM FOUND" OR "THIS IS A TIRE ISSUE" (OR THE 2 TECHNICIANS WHO STATED THE OBVIOUS "I HAVE NO IDEA..." ONE STATED, " IF YOU FIND OUT WHAT IT IS, LET US KNOW, ALL RIGHT?". I HAVE SINCE THE LAST DEALER VISIT, AND SUBSEQUENT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER CALLS, TAKEN MY TRUCK TO 3 DIFFERENT AUTO REPAIR SHOPS. 3 OF 3 SAID IT WAS DRIVE TRAIN RELATED. 2 OF 3 SAID IT WAS THE DRIVESHAFT OR ATTACHED COMPONENTRY. PATTERSON DRIVESHAFTS IN INDIANAPOLIS REBALANCED AND TRUED THE DRIVE SHAFT AND 50% OF THE VIBRATION PROBLEMS WERE IMMEDIATELY DONE AWAY WITH, (THIS WAS IN ONE DAY, FIRST VISIT). ONE FORD DEALER SERVICE SHOP ASSERTED THEY HAD REPLACED THE DRIVESHAFT ON ONE OF THE SERVICE CALLS. BUT THIS IS ONLY SOMETHING WRITTEN ON A RECEIPT TO ME, SINCE THIS PARTICULAR SERVICE CALL SEEMED TO DO LITTLE, IF ANYTHING FOR THE PROBLEM. I CALLED FORD C.S.D. TO ASK HOW THIS CAN BE THAT AN "OUTSIDE" SERVICE COMPANY COULD FIND THIS PROBLEM CAUSE WITH SEEMINGLY LITTLE EFFORT. I WAS TOLD BY THE FMC REP. THAT WE(FORD)DO NOT RECOGNIZE THE 'OPINION' OF OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS, RELATIVE TO REPAIRS". (I HAVE SINCE BEEN TOLD THAT PATTERSON DRIVESHAFT IS ONE OF FORD'S MOST USED DRIVESHAFT CONTRACTOR/TECHNICIANS), THEY KNOW FROM WHENCE THEY SPEAK. THEN RECENTLY, I HEARD FROM A FRIEND ABOUT YOUR WEBSITE, (I HAD CALLED ONCE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO). THIS IS GREAT! I CAN SEE NO LESS THAN 3 TSB'S ON MY PARTICULAR ISSUE, AND SOME MORE COMPLAINTS THAT I'VE VOICED TO FORD ("NO PROBLEM FOUND"), I SEE ARE LISTED TOO. NOW IF I ONLY KNEW WHAT TO DO FROM HERE. I HAVE PAID FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS, AND BEEN TOLD THAT THIS MAY TAKE UPWARDS OF 16 HOURS @ $78.00 PER HOUR TO PINPOINT THE LAST OF THE VIB. PROBLEMS(THOUGH THE VIBRATION NOW FEELS MORE PREVALANT (PLEASE CONTACT ME FMI).

NHTSA ODI #707155

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 1999
Power Train

TWO PISTONS IN THE TRANSMISSION BUSTED, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GO. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #837192

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 1999
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE CONSUMER WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND THERE WA S A PROBLEM WITH THE OVERDRIVE. ALSO, WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, THEY WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTO REPAIR SHOP 20 TIMES FOR REPAIRS, AND THE DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #836430

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 1999
Power Train

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #705123

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

ENGINE FAILED. YH

NHTSA ODI #782035

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 1999
Power Train

PHIL CALDWELL FROM THE AUTO SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT FORD PUT OUT A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ON THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL (LEAK) PROBLEM. TO PREVENT FUTURE LEAKS, THE COVER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FORD HAD IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM, BUT FAILED TO RECALL. IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW. AS A CONSUMER, I HAD TO PAY THE REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #704718

Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 1999
Power Train

TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONS. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING AT 35 TO 45 MPH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF.DEALER HAS THE VEHICLE IN SHOP TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #833943

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 1998
Power Train

OIL IS LEAKING FROM THE FRONT AXLE SEAL UNTO THE POWER STEERING BELT, CAUSING IT TO SLIP RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #828098

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 1998
Power Train

4-WHEEL DRIVE LOCKING HUBS FAILED, CAUSING FRONT END NOISE.

NHTSA ODI #541482

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 1998
Power Train

FRONT DIFFERENTIAL LEAKS OIL.

NHTSA ODI #540426

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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