IllustrationFIRESTONE TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION BEFORE RECALL 00T005, CONSUMER IS HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME GETTING REIMBURSEMENT.
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 reportsPE00020; TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: OWNER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES BECAUSE THEY WERE SHOWING SIGNS OF TREAD SEPARATION. OWNER PURCHASED NEW TIRES ON HIS OWN AND WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED. TIRES WERE FIRESTONE ATX, ORIGINAL TIRE EQUIPMENT. TIRE MILEAGE ABOUT 50,000. *AK
ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1996, FORD, EXPLORER. LEFT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND CREATED A VIBRATION. TREAD KEPT REMAINING WAS 6/32 AND 7/32 INCHES.CONSUMER WILL HAVE THE FIFTH TIRE REPLACED BY FIRESTONE.*AK THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION ON TWO FIRESTONE ATX TIRES AND REPLACED ALL TIRES WITH GOODYEA…
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ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1996, FORD, EXPLORER. LEFT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND CREATED A VIBRATION. TREAD KEPT REMAINING WAS 6/32 AND 7/32 INCHES.CONSUMER WILL HAVE THE FIFTH TIRE REPLACED BY FIRESTONE.*AK THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION ON TWO FIRESTONE ATX TIRES AND REPLACED ALL TIRES WITH GOODYEAR. *YH
STEEL BELTS EXPOSED THROUGH SIDEWALL. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
FIRESTONE AT TIRES WERE WEARING UNEVENLY AND CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL HARD TO THE RIGHT, CONSUMER PURCHASED NEW TIRE FOR THE LEFT FRONT SIDE AND PUT THE SPARE ON THE RIGHT AND DOING THAT IMMEDIATELY SOLVED THE PROBLEM, IT APPEARED THAT THE BELTS HAD SLIPPED ON THE FRONT TIRES WHICH CAUSED THEM TO WEAR AND PULL THE VEHICLE, CONSUM…
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FIRESTONE AT TIRES WERE WEARING UNEVENLY AND CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL HARD TO THE RIGHT, CONSUMER PURCHASED NEW TIRE FOR THE LEFT FRONT SIDE AND PUT THE SPARE ON THE RIGHT AND DOING THAT IMMEDIATELY SOLVED THE PROBLEM, IT APPEARED THAT THE BELTS HAD SLIPPED ON THE FRONT TIRES WHICH CAUSED THEM TO WEAR AND PULL THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER HAD TIRES REPLACED WITH WILDERNESS HT WHICH WERE MADE IN DECATUR PLANT AND WANTS THEM REPLACED WITH TIRES FROM ANOTHER PLANT. NLM
CONSUMER HAS HAD 6 FLAT FIRESTONE TIRES INCLUDING ONE FROM A PLASTIC CUP THAT WAS RUN OVER. NLM
ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1996, EXPLORER, P255/70R16 SIZE . TREAD ON THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPARATED AT 40 MPH, BREAKING THE BRAKE LINE .*AK
I HAD MY TIRES INSPECTED AT TWO REPUTIBLE TIRE DEALERSHIPS AND BOTH HAVE INDICATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE EVIDENCE OF TREAD SEPARATION AND HAVE RECOMMENDED IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT AND HIGHLY SUGGESTED NOT TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ALL OF THE TIRES HAVE CRACKS AT THE TREADLINE, SOME WIDE ENOUGH TO PLACE A PENNY I…
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I HAD MY TIRES INSPECTED AT TWO REPUTIBLE TIRE DEALERSHIPS AND BOTH HAVE INDICATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE EVIDENCE OF TREAD SEPARATION AND HAVE RECOMMENDED IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT AND HIGHLY SUGGESTED NOT TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ALL OF THE TIRES HAVE CRACKS AT THE TREADLINE, SOME WIDE ENOUGH TO PLACE A PENNY INTO. I HAVE LETTERS FROM BOTH TIRE DEALERSHIPS OUTLINING THIS PROBLEM AS WELL AS PHOTOS OF THE CRACKS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PARTICULAR TIRE HAS ALREADY BEEN RECALLED IN VENEZUALA, HOWEVER HAS NOT BEEN ADDED TO FIRESTONE'S CURRENT US RECALL LIST. I CONTACTED FIRESTONE CONSUMER AFFAIRS DIV. ABOUT THIS CONCERN AND RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE. IN TURN THEY REFERRED ME TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO BASICALLY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE THIS TIRE WASN'T ON THE RECALL LIST. THESE TIRES ARE IN BAD SHAPE AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. KNOWING THAT THIS SIZE TIRE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AND NOT INCLUDED WITH FIRESTONE'S RECALL CONCERNS ME GREATLY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION WITH THIS SAFETY ISSUE.( DOT NUMBER: W2CU1PX505 TIRE SIZE: P255 70R16 )
PURCHASED VEHICLE ON 3/10/2000 MILEAGE ON VEHICLE 37,410. ON MAY 21, 2000 WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 99 AT APPROXIMATELY 67-70 MPH AT APPROXIMATELY 1:30 IN THE AFTERNOON MY FRONT TIRE SHRED. THIS RESULTED IN APPROX 1,700 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. ON JULY 20 WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY 152 AT APPROXIMATELY 65-67 MPH THE REAR TI…
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PURCHASED VEHICLE ON 3/10/2000 MILEAGE ON VEHICLE 37,410. ON MAY 21, 2000 WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 99 AT APPROXIMATELY 67-70 MPH AT APPROXIMATELY 1:30 IN THE AFTERNOON MY FRONT TIRE SHRED. THIS RESULTED IN APPROX 1,700 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. ON JULY 20 WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY 152 AT APPROXIMATELY 65-67 MPH THE REAR TIRE SHRED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ULTIMATELY OUR VEHICLE ROLLING OVER. BOTH OF THESE TIRES WERE FIRESTONE FR480'S. MY LAWYER IS RETAINING THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME AND IT STILL HAS TWO OF THESE DEFECTIVE TIRES ON IT. PLEASE RECONSIDER YOUR RECALL LIST, AS I DO NOT THINK IT IS COMPLETE.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 225/70R15 )
RIGHT REAR TIRE SHEDDED, DRIVER ALMOST LOST CONTROL, GRANDCHILDEN AND WIFE OF DRIVER WERE REALLY EMOTIONALLY UPSET..( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P225/70R15 )
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.