IllustrationPE00-020, FIRESTONE ATX TIRES (P23575R15) WHICH CAME WITH 1996 EXPLORER, PASSENGER'S FRONT DEVELOPED A CRACK ON THE TIRES WHICH WAS COMING OFF THE BELT. *AK DOT#W2HL1PM385. *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 reportsPE00200 TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, TREAD ON THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE CAME OFF. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE. DRIVER WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE EXPLORER AND WAS NOT HURT. THE TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE , ATX II, P23575R15, DOT VDHL1PM226, NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. TIRE MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 7,000. FIREST…
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PE00200 TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, TREAD ON THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE CAME OFF. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE. DRIVER WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE EXPLORER AND WAS NOT HURT. THE TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE , ATX II, P23575R15, DOT VDHL1PM226, NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. TIRE MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 7,000. FIRESTONE HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK THE CUSTOMER SHIPPED THE DAMAGED TIRE TO FIRESTONE ON REQUEST BUT NOT REFUNDED NEITHER FOR THE SHIPMENT OF THE TIRE NOR FOR DAMAGE CLAIM TO THE VEHICLE. *YH
PE00-020 TIRES ON A 1996 FORD EXPLORER; WHEN DRIVING 60-70 MPH REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FLIP AND ROLL OVER SEVERAL TIMES. TIRE SIZE NOT AVAILABLE, DOT NUMBER NOT AVAILABLE. *AK THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES DUE TO VEHICLE ROLLOVER. *…
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PE00-020 TIRES ON A 1996 FORD EXPLORER; WHEN DRIVING 60-70 MPH REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FLIP AND ROLL OVER SEVERAL TIMES. TIRE SIZE NOT AVAILABLE, DOT NUMBER NOT AVAILABLE. *AK THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES DUE TO VEHICLE ROLLOVER. *SLC
TIRE PARTIALLY SEPARATED FROM BODY. VEHICAL WAS STOPPED BEFORE TOTAL SEPARATION. TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH SAME TYPE TIRE.*AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
WHILE TRAVELLING ON THE INTERSTATE AT A SPEED OF 70 MPH THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREADS SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CAUSING AN IMMEDIATE AND CATASTROPHIC BLOWOUT OF THAT TIRE. CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD ONTO THE RIGHT SIDE EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE OVERTURNED AT LEAST ONCE AND ALL THREE PASS…
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WHILE TRAVELLING ON THE INTERSTATE AT A SPEED OF 70 MPH THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREADS SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CAUSING AN IMMEDIATE AND CATASTROPHIC BLOWOUT OF THAT TIRE. CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD ONTO THE RIGHT SIDE EMBANKMENT. THE VEHICLE OVERTURNED AT LEAST ONCE AND ALL THREE PASSENGERS WERE INJURED. A GEORGIA STATE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT REPORT, POST-ACCIDENT PICTURES AND VIDEO ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. UNFORTUNATELY, MY INSURANCE COMPANY, USAA, HAS TO DATE, BEEN INEFFECTIVE AT RECOVERING THE FAILED TIRE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: UNKNOWN TIRE SIZE: P235/75RX1 )
TIRE EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75-15 )
FIRESTONE ATX TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING ROLLOVER ACCIDENT, INJURIES AND FATALITY. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VDHL 1 PM TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
12/30/1999 - DRIVER SIDE, REAR TIRE SEPARATED AND BLEW OUT ON I-40 NEAR MORGANTON, NC TRAVELING WEST AT 65 MPH. MY WIFE WAS FORTUNATE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN AND GET IT ONTO THE RIGHT HAND SHOULDER BEFORE ANY FURTHER DAMAGE OCCURRED. TIRE WAS REPLACED AT MARTIN FAMILY FORD IN MORGANTON, NC ON 12/30/1999. 07/10/2000 - THE P…
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12/30/1999 - DRIVER SIDE, REAR TIRE SEPARATED AND BLEW OUT ON I-40 NEAR MORGANTON, NC TRAVELING WEST AT 65 MPH. MY WIFE WAS FORTUNATE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN AND GET IT ONTO THE RIGHT HAND SHOULDER BEFORE ANY FURTHER DAMAGE OCCURRED. TIRE WAS REPLACED AT MARTIN FAMILY FORD IN MORGANTON, NC ON 12/30/1999. 07/10/2000 - THE PASSENGER SIDE, REAR TIRE SHOWED A NOTICEABLE TREAD SEPARATION FOR ABOUT 1 1/2 INCHES ALONG THE OUTSIDE TIRE WALL AT TREAD DEPTH. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN IMMEDIATELY TO THE FIRESTONE SERVICE CENTER AT 510 W. MARKET STREET IN GREENSBORO, NC AND REPLACED. *AK( DOT NUMBER: UNKNOWN TIRE SIZE: 25570R16 )
JUST WANTED TO ADD OUR NAME TO YOUR LIST OF INCIDENTS REPORTED ABOUT TREAD SEPARTION ON THESE FIRESTONE TIRES. WE FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THAT NO DAMAGE WAS DONE AND NO ONE WAS INJURED WHEN THE TREAD SEPARATED ON BOTH OUR REAR TIRES ON TWO SEPARATED OCCASIONS THIS SUMMER WHILE WE WERE ON VACATION. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P23…
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JUST WANTED TO ADD OUR NAME TO YOUR LIST OF INCIDENTS REPORTED ABOUT TREAD SEPARTION ON THESE FIRESTONE TIRES. WE FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THAT NO DAMAGE WAS DONE AND NO ONE WAS INJURED WHEN THE TREAD SEPARATED ON BOTH OUR REAR TIRES ON TWO SEPARATED OCCASIONS THIS SUMMER WHILE WE WERE ON VACATION. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
TIRE TREAD DELAMINATED./VEHICLE ROLLED MULTIPLE TIMES. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VDHL1PM116 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.