IllustrationFIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES P255 70 R16 EXPERIENCED SPLITTING. *SLC
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 reportsFIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRE P255 70 R16 EXPERIENCED CRACKING ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF SIDEWALL. *SLC
THE TIRE WAS CORRECTLY INFLATED PER FORD MOTOR COMPANY MANUAL. AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MILES AN HOUR, THE OUTER TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE CARCASS ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER OUT OF CONTROL. THE DRIVER WAS FORTUNATE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULL OF THE ROAD AND THEN PROCEEDED TO CHANGE THE TIRE. TH…
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THE TIRE WAS CORRECTLY INFLATED PER FORD MOTOR COMPANY MANUAL. AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MILES AN HOUR, THE OUTER TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE CARCASS ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER OUT OF CONTROL. THE DRIVER WAS FORTUNATE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULL OF THE ROAD AND THEN PROCEEDED TO CHANGE THE TIRE. THE TIRE HAS BEEN SAVED. (DOT NUMBER: P255-70R16 TIRESIZE: 16 INCH)
THE FIRESTONE ATX (P235/75R15) BEGAN TO DEVELOP LOUD THUMPING SOUNDS, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAME UNSTABLE CONSUMER CHECKED THE TIRE AND THE LEFT REAR HAD A RAISED RIDGE ABOUT 3/4 OF THE TIRES CIRCUMFERENCE, IN ONE SPOT THE TIRE HAD WORN DOWN THROUGH THE TREAD AND THROUGH ALL THE LAYER OF RUBBER WHICH WAS AS SOFT AS AN INNE…
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THE FIRESTONE ATX (P235/75R15) BEGAN TO DEVELOP LOUD THUMPING SOUNDS, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAME UNSTABLE CONSUMER CHECKED THE TIRE AND THE LEFT REAR HAD A RAISED RIDGE ABOUT 3/4 OF THE TIRES CIRCUMFERENCE, IN ONE SPOT THE TIRE HAD WORN DOWN THROUGH THE TREAD AND THROUGH ALL THE LAYER OF RUBBER WHICH WAS AS SOFT AS AN INNER TUBE, CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
TIRE TREAD SEPARATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID THEN SPIN THEN ROLL 4 TIMES. DRIVER SUFFERED A HEAD INJURY REQUIRING HOSPITAL CARE. FRONT PASSENGER WAS NOT INJURED. BACK SEAT PASSENGER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND SUFFERED A FRACTURED L2 VERTEBRAE. (DOT NUMBER: UNKNOWN TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)
I AM SENDING YOU A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION I MAILED FIRESTONE FOR REIMBURSEMENT. PLEASE CALL ME AS I HAVE A VEHICLE THAT SUFFERED THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL BLOWOUT AND I ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE FREEWAY BARRIER. (TIRESIZE: ?)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: ? )
TRAVELLING ON THE FL TURNPIKE ON A VERY HOT DAY AT APPX 70 MPH THE RIGHT REAR TIRE CASING BLEW OFF THE TIRE. THE INSIDE TIRE STAYED INVLATED. I DROVE OFF THE EXPRESSWAY TO THE NEAREST FIRESTONE . THEY DID NOT TELLME THIS WAS A PRODUCT DEFECT AND THEY SHOULD FIX THE DAMAGES TO MY VEHICLE. THE TAIL LIGHT WAS SMASHED, THE COWLING A…
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TRAVELLING ON THE FL TURNPIKE ON A VERY HOT DAY AT APPX 70 MPH THE RIGHT REAR TIRE CASING BLEW OFF THE TIRE. THE INSIDE TIRE STAYED INVLATED. I DROVE OFF THE EXPRESSWAY TO THE NEAREST FIRESTONE . THEY DID NOT TELLME THIS WAS A PRODUCT DEFECT AND THEY SHOULD FIX THE DAMAGES TO MY VEHICLE. THE TAIL LIGHT WAS SMASHED, THE COWLING AROUND THE WHEEL WELL WAS DAMAGED. I PAID TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES. I ALSO HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT ON THE HIGHWAY BUT NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE ON THAT OCCASION.THESE TIRES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT MAYBE THEY SHOULD BE. (TIRESIZE: 25570R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 25570R16 )
I HAVE HAD THREE FIRESTONE TIRE FAILURES SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR - ONE DEFINITELY DUE TO A SEPARATED TREAD - I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE TIRES ON MY EXPLORER. *AK (TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
FIRESTONE TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT. *ET
WAS DRIVING 65MPH WHEN TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE. VEHICLE WENT INTO A SKID, ROLLED OVER TWO OR THREE TIMES, AND HIT MEDIAN. TIRES WERE STILL INFLATED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS AT WITH 43,000 MILES. P235/75R15.*AK
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.