IllustrationWHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 20-25MPH, FORWARD DRUM BROKE ON THE TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE KEPT TRYING TO DOWNSHIFT ON ITS OWN. VEHICLE WOULD WORK FINE IN REVERSE, BUT NOT IN FORWARD. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER TO CORRECT PROBLEM. *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 reportsVEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL SETTING, UNABLE TO FIND PROBLEM WITH CRUISE CONTROL HOWEVER CONSUMER HAD IT DISCONNECTED. MJS
TRAVELLING AT 45MPH IN CENTER LANE OF 6 LANE HIGHWAY WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC IN A MODERATE RAIN STORM. ROAD WAS STRAIGHT. DID NOT TURN STEERING WHEEL. DID NOT APPLY BRAKES. VEHICLE STARTED FOR NO APPARENT REASON TO SPIN BY ITSELF TO THE RIGHT. AT THIS MOMENT, BRAKES WERE APPLIED HARD AND STEADY. VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND AND CONTINUED…
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TRAVELLING AT 45MPH IN CENTER LANE OF 6 LANE HIGHWAY WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC IN A MODERATE RAIN STORM. ROAD WAS STRAIGHT. DID NOT TURN STEERING WHEEL. DID NOT APPLY BRAKES. VEHICLE STARTED FOR NO APPARENT REASON TO SPIN BY ITSELF TO THE RIGHT. AT THIS MOMENT, BRAKES WERE APPLIED HARD AND STEADY. VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND AND CONTINUED TO SPIN TURNING BACKWARDS REGARDLESS OF FRANTIC TURNING OF STEERING WHEEL INTO TURN INTO THE SKID. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL BACKWARDS AND SLIGHTLY TOWARDS THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE SLOWED SOMEWHAT, BUT CONTINUED TO TRAVEL ACROSS THE REMAINING LANES OF THE HIGHWAY AND SHOULDER HITTING THE GUARDRAIL WITH THE LEFT REAR CORNER FIRST, THEN BOUNCING UNTIL THE RIGHT FRONT HIT THE GUARDRAIL AND FINALLY STOPPED. VEHICLE WAS NOW FACING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC. ABS DASH LIGHT WAS BURNING INDICATING A FAILURE. THE IMPACT KNOCKED MOST OF THE AIR OUT OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE WHICH CONTINUED TO HOLD AIR PERFECTLY ONCE REINFLATED. MY PASSENGER WAS SLIGHTLY HURT ON THE SCALP AND CHEEK. SEATBELTS WERE BEING WORN. THIS FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM THE DRIVER. THE REPAIRS WILL REACH ABOUT $8000.00. I HAVE REQUESTED TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO PROVIDE ME AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE ABS LIGHT IS STAYING ON AND IF IT COULD HAVE GONE ON CAUSING THE START OF THE VEHICLE ROTATION. THIS IS THE 3RD EXPLORER I HAVE OWNED AND HAVE CONSIDERABLE EXPERIENCE DRIVING THESE TYPE SUV'S IN ALL KINDS OF WEATHER. SOMETHING HAD TO CAUSE THIS ACCIDENT OTHER THAN DRIVER ERROR.
WIND BLEW VEHICLE SIDEWAYS. HIT MEDIAN BARRIER ROLLED OVER SIX TIMES. DRIVER WAS NOT NEGLIGENT ACCORDING TO NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE POLICE AND MASS. DEPT. OF MOTOR VEHICLES. HOW DO YOU PROTECT AGAINST WIND CAUSING ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF A DESIGN FLAW? PICKUP TRUCK WAS TRAVELING BEHIND ME, WIND BLEW IT, BUT NOT TO THE EXTENT IT BLEW…
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WIND BLEW VEHICLE SIDEWAYS. HIT MEDIAN BARRIER ROLLED OVER SIX TIMES. DRIVER WAS NOT NEGLIGENT ACCORDING TO NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE POLICE AND MASS. DEPT. OF MOTOR VEHICLES. HOW DO YOU PROTECT AGAINST WIND CAUSING ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF A DESIGN FLAW? PICKUP TRUCK WAS TRAVELING BEHIND ME, WIND BLEW IT, BUT NOT TO THE EXTENT IT BLEW THE EXPLORER. I SUFFERED HORRENDOUS INJURIES AND STILL CANNOT WALK PROPERLY OR BE WITHOUT PAIN.
WHEN STEPPING ON BRAKE, VEHICLE ACCELLERATED AS BRAKE PEDAL IS LOWER THAN THE GAS PEDAL. THIS HAPPENED TO TWO DIFFERENT DRIVERS OF ABOVE EXPLORER, AND TO A WITNESS OF TODAYS ACCIDENT IN HIS OWN EXPLORER
THE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM POINTS DOWN AT THE WHEEL WELL, CAUSING IT TO INJEST WATER DURING STREAM CROSSINGS. I CROSSED 3 STREAMS AT SHALLOW DEPTH (LESS THAN HUB HIGH), AND JUST ENOUGH SPEED TO MAKE IT THROUGH. ON THE THIRD STREAM CROSSING, THE ENGINE DIED. AT THE DEALER'S, WATER WAS FOUND IN THE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM, AND IN THE ENGI…
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THE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM POINTS DOWN AT THE WHEEL WELL, CAUSING IT TO INJEST WATER DURING STREAM CROSSINGS. I CROSSED 3 STREAMS AT SHALLOW DEPTH (LESS THAN HUB HIGH), AND JUST ENOUGH SPEED TO MAKE IT THROUGH. ON THE THIRD STREAM CROSSING, THE ENGINE DIED. AT THE DEALER'S, WATER WAS FOUND IN THE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM, AND IN THE ENGINE, CAUSING IT TO SEIZE UP, & NEED TO BE REPLACED.
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNEXPECETEDLY IN WHICH THE THROTTLE WAS STUCK, AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. THE OCCUPANT HAD TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. THIS OCCURRED TWICE.. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE P…
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WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNEXPECETEDLY IN WHICH THE THROTTLE WAS STUCK, AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. THE OCCUPANT HAD TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. THIS OCCURRED TWICE.. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
THERMOSTAT LOCKED UP AND CAUSED ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK OUT OF RESEVROIR. *ET
THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOY EVEN WITH THE TOTAL LOST OF THE EXPLORER IT WAS A HEAD ON COLLITION WITH ANOTHER CAR AT ABOUT 35MPH PLEASE INVESTIGATE SO OTHER PEOPLE DOES NOT GET INJURED THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND COOPERATION TO THIS MATTER
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN, AND CONTINUED TO RACE. CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, RANCHED DOWN AND PULLED PEDAL WITH HER HANDS, STOPPING ACCELERATION , AND VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP.
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.