IllustrationFRONT SWAY BAR LINK BROKE, DEALER REPAIRED IT, (CHARGED ME FOR REPAIR, BUT SOON AFTER, THE OTHER FRONT SWAY BAR LINK BROKE. THERE WAS RECALL 00V402000, BUT THIS Y CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I THINK THIS CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.*AK
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 reportsSPEED CONTROL SWITCH, ALSO KNOWN AS BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH ON THE 1996 FORD EXPLORER WAS DEFECTIVE. THE THIN MEMBRANE OF THE SWITCH WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE BRAKE FLUID. AS THE SWITCH WAS POWERED ALL THE TIME , HOT, EVEN WHEN THE IGNITION WAS OFF. THIS WAS A FIRE/SAFETY HAZARD. FORD HAS ALREADY RECALLED MILLIONS OF VEHICLE…
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SPEED CONTROL SWITCH, ALSO KNOWN AS BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH ON THE 1996 FORD EXPLORER WAS DEFECTIVE. THE THIN MEMBRANE OF THE SWITCH WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE BRAKE FLUID. AS THE SWITCH WAS POWERED ALL THE TIME , HOT, EVEN WHEN THE IGNITION WAS OFF. THIS WAS A FIRE/SAFETY HAZARD. FORD HAS ALREADY RECALLED MILLIONS OF VEHICLES FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE, AND I MUST PAY TO HAVE THE RETRO FITTED SWITCH INSTALLED. *AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD EXPLORER. ON MAY 14, 2007, THE VEHICLE'S ACCELERATOR PEDAL DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED OFF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HOOD RELEASE ALSO FAILED AND THE TOW DRIVER COULD NOT OPEN THE HOOD. THE VIN, PURCHASE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD EXPLORER. ON MAY 14, 2007, THE VEHICLE'S ACCELERATOR PEDAL DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED OFF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. SHE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HOOD RELEASE ALSO FAILED AND THE TOW DRIVER COULD NOT OPEN THE HOOD. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 163,000.
(1) MY ORIGINAL/NEVER USED SPARE TIRE & RIM ON MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER 2 DOOR 4WD SPORT IS THE INCORRECT ONE FOR THE VEHICLE FROM THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY FACTORY. VEHICLE WAS ORDERED WITH 16 INCH TIRES/RIMS FROM FORD MOTOR CO, AND 15 INCH TIRE & RIM WAS PRESENT ON THE SPARE. (2)REPAIR SHOP NOTIFIED ME OF WRONG TIRE SIZE ISSUE WHE…
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(1) MY ORIGINAL/NEVER USED SPARE TIRE & RIM ON MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER 2 DOOR 4WD SPORT IS THE INCORRECT ONE FOR THE VEHICLE FROM THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY FACTORY. VEHICLE WAS ORDERED WITH 16 INCH TIRES/RIMS FROM FORD MOTOR CO, AND 15 INCH TIRE & RIM WAS PRESENT ON THE SPARE. (2)REPAIR SHOP NOTIFIED ME OF WRONG TIRE SIZE ISSUE WHEN I HAD THE OTHER TIRES CHANGED ON THE VEHICLE. CONSEQUENCES ARE A SAFETY RISK TO MYSELF AND PASSENGERS IF I HAVE FLAT TIRE AND NEED TO USE THE SPARE TIRE. ALSO, HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT WRONG SIZE SPARE WILL BURN UP MY TRANSMISSION IN THE VEHICLE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS CONTACTED AND ASKED TO REPLACE THE RIM & TIRE, AND THEY REFUSED AND SAID DEALERSHIP (SOUTHGATE FORD) WAS RESPONSIBLE. VOICE MAIL LEFT TO MANAGER AT SOUTHGATE FORD ON THIS ISSUE WAS NOT RETURNED BY THEM. (3) I NEED A 16 INCH TIRE & 16 INCH RIM FROM FORD MOTOR CO IN ORDER FOR THE CORRECT THIS ISSUE AND TO AVOID A SAFETY RISK TO MYSELF AND PASSENGERS. *TR
I CAN'T LATCH THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THE RED BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTON DOESN'T SPRING"WHEN INSERTING THE BUCKLE NOR WHEN I PUSH IT AS I WOULD TO RELEASE A BUCKLE. THIS OCCURRENCE WAS SUDDEN, WITH NO PRIOR WARNING OF POSSIBLE FAILURE. UNTIL I CAN REPLACE (OR REPAIR) THE FAILED EQUIPMENT, I NEED TO LATCH THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT …
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I CAN'T LATCH THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THE RED BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTON DOESN'T SPRING"WHEN INSERTING THE BUCKLE NOR WHEN I PUSH IT AS I WOULD TO RELEASE A BUCKLE. THIS OCCURRENCE WAS SUDDEN, WITH NO PRIOR WARNING OF POSSIBLE FAILURE. UNTIL I CAN REPLACE (OR REPAIR) THE FAILED EQUIPMENT, I NEED TO LATCH THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER BELT LATCH. THIS ACTION OF PULLING MY SEAT BELT TO THE PASSENGER BELT LATCH RESULTS IN MY NECK BEING RUBBED BY MY UPPER CHEST BELT, WHICH IS AGGRAVATING. *AK
I WAS TOLD FROM EMPLOYEES AT AMERCAN TIRE COMPANY . THAT THE DOMINATOR TIRES HAD DEFECTS. NOW WILL NOT REPLACE ANOTHER BAD TIRE . *AK
WAS DRIVING A 1996 FORD EXPLORER ON DRY CONCRETE ON A 2 YEAR OLD (I.E., IN GREAT CONDITION) INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH. WAS DRIVING PERFECTLY STRAIGHT, NOT CHANGING LANES, NOTHING. SUDDENLY AND VIOLENTLY, THE VEHICLE SWERVED FIRST TO THE LEFT, THEN TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER AN ICE HUMP ON THE SIDE OF THE RIGHT SHO…
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WAS DRIVING A 1996 FORD EXPLORER ON DRY CONCRETE ON A 2 YEAR OLD (I.E., IN GREAT CONDITION) INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH. WAS DRIVING PERFECTLY STRAIGHT, NOT CHANGING LANES, NOTHING. SUDDENLY AND VIOLENTLY, THE VEHICLE SWERVED FIRST TO THE LEFT, THEN TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER AN ICE HUMP ON THE SIDE OF THE RIGHT SHOULDER, WENT AIRBORNE, AND SLID TO A STOP IN THE DITCH. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, NO SEAT BELT BRUISES, SO VERY FORTUNATE THAT THE RUNOUT WAS CLEAR AND SMOOTH. THE 2 DRIVER-SIDE TIRES WERE FLAT AND NO LONGER MOUNTED ON THE RIMS. BOTH DRIVER-SIDE RIMS WERE BENT, BOTH DRIVER SIDE HUBS WERE BENT, REAR AXLE WAS BENT. ITEM OF NOTE -- THE TIRES WERE FINE, AND ARE STILL IN-USE ON THE VEHICLE AFTER REPAIRS WERE MADE. NO PATCHES WERE NECESSARY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE THAT THIS WAS A VEHICLE MALFUNCTION, NOT CAUSED BY DRIVER ERROR OR ROAD CONDITIONS. 2 REPAIR SHOPS (FORD DEALERSHIP AND INDEPENDENT SHOP) COULD FIND NO CAUSE FOR THE SWERVING. *JB
LIFTED THE HOOD OF THE TRUCK AND THE SUPPORTS FAILED. THE HOOD ALMOST CAME DOWN ON MY HEAD. *JB
MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER UNEXPECTEDLY WENT UP IN FLAMES BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 3 AM - 4 AM ON 12/27/2006. I WAS LATER INFORMED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY THAT A DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THIS TO OCCUR. *JB
FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO OPERATE DURING WET/RAINING WEATHER. THE CONDITION IS INTERMITTENT, IE MOST WET CONDITIONS CAUSE THIS 'LOCK-UP' CONDITION. TURNING IGNITION OFF-AND-ON AGAIN IN ATTEMPT TO RESET FUNCTION DOES NOT WORK. IN ADDITION THE INTERIOR LIGHTS, REAR WIPER, ALL POWER WINDOWS, AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE FUNCTIONS FA…
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FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO OPERATE DURING WET/RAINING WEATHER. THE CONDITION IS INTERMITTENT, IE MOST WET CONDITIONS CAUSE THIS 'LOCK-UP' CONDITION. TURNING IGNITION OFF-AND-ON AGAIN IN ATTEMPT TO RESET FUNCTION DOES NOT WORK. IN ADDITION THE INTERIOR LIGHTS, REAR WIPER, ALL POWER WINDOWS, AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE FUNCTIONS FAIL. THE DEALERSHIP ENDED UP REPLACING THE, YOU GUESSED IT, GEM MODULE - THE SAME ONE CITED IN THE RECALL FOR OTHER YEAR VEHICLES. THERE IS A RECALL (NUMBER 00V072000) FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM ON THE SAME VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL BUT FOR YEARS 1999 AND 2000. THIS IS A 1996 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 AND HAS EXHIBITED THIS PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, ONLY RECENTLY WAS THE DEALERSHIP ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE GEM MODULE WAS THE APPARENT CULPRIT. *NM
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.