IllustrationNHTSA CAMPAIGN 97V074000, 97V137000, 97V070000. FORD ISSUED A THROTTLE, LIFTGATE, AND DOOR ASSEMBLY RECALLS. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THOSE VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS OUTSIDE THE REMEDY SCOPE. *JB
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 reportsWHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITH SPEED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, PULLED OVER, AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPE…
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WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITH SPEED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, PULLED OVER, AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SPEED SENSOR CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS ENTERING A RAMP WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD TAKEN OFF VERY FAST. THE CONSUMER FELT THE EXPERIENCE WAS LIKE THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD TAKEN OVER. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HER FOOT WAS ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL . THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN, VEERED OFF OF THE HIGHWAY, SHIFTED THE GEAR TO PARK WITH THE VEHICLE STILL MOVING, THEN APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WITH ONLY SECONDS TO SPARE. *SC
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED. THE SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED BY ITSELF WHILE FASTENED. THIS LEFT DRIVER UNRESTRAINED AND UNPROTECTED IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY STOP OR CRASH. *AK THE FEMALE PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT APPARATUS WAS REPLACED WITH A USED PART FROM A JUNKED VEHICLE. *TC
DRIVING HOME FROM SCHOOL ON INTERSTATE 20 MY CAR STARTED TO SHAKE. I REDUCED THE SPEED OF MY VEHICLE FROM ABOUT 68 MPH TO 60 MPH. THEN I HEARD A LOUD POP AND MY CAR STARTED TO FISHTAIL ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC, MISSING A TRACTOR TRAILER BY ABOUT ONE FOOT. I FINALLY HANDLED THE TRUCK AND PULLED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE INTERST…
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DRIVING HOME FROM SCHOOL ON INTERSTATE 20 MY CAR STARTED TO SHAKE. I REDUCED THE SPEED OF MY VEHICLE FROM ABOUT 68 MPH TO 60 MPH. THEN I HEARD A LOUD POP AND MY CAR STARTED TO FISHTAIL ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC, MISSING A TRACTOR TRAILER BY ABOUT ONE FOOT. I FINALLY HANDLED THE TRUCK AND PULLED ONTO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. I PROCEEDED TO GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE TO TRY TO CONTROL MY NERVES AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED. I WALKED OVER TO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE AND THE ENTIRE TREAD OF MY TIRE WAS GONE. IT WAS STREWN ABOUT. THE TIRE OTHER THAN THE TREAD WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION. IT WAS THE FULL SIZE SPARE ON THE CAR WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND IT HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVEN ON FOR APROX. 6 MONTHS WITH NO PROBLEMS. I PROCEEDED TO LOOK AT THE SIDE OF MY VEHICLE AND MY SIDESTEP WAS MISSING, AND MY CAR WAS DENTED UP. IT LOOKS TERRIBLE. THE SCRATCHES START AT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX MY CAR. THE INCIDENT WAS NOT MY FAULT. MY CAR IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF. I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF IT BECAUSE I HAVE THREE CHILDREN. THIS IS MY ONLY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION. THE FIRESTONE THAT WAS ON MY CAR IS MODEL, P235/75 R15 ATX. IT HAS THE BEGINNING DOT LETTERS VD FROM DECATUR, ILLINOIS. I HAVE A 1996 FORD EXPLORER.
I WAS PULLING OUT OF A POST OFFICE PARKING LOT WITH MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER AND MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AS I WAS DRIVING HOME I TESTED MY BRAKES AND THEY STILL FELT SPONGY. JUST AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY MY BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON AND I LOST ALL MY BRAKE FLUID ON CLOSER INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT MY REA…
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I WAS PULLING OUT OF A POST OFFICE PARKING LOT WITH MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER AND MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AS I WAS DRIVING HOME I TESTED MY BRAKES AND THEY STILL FELT SPONGY. JUST AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY MY BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON AND I LOST ALL MY BRAKE FLUID ON CLOSER INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT MY REAR BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH. I MADE A APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT FIXED AND IT COST ME 368.69. I HAVE HAD OTHER VEHICLES AND I NEVER HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE LINES. THIS TRUCK IS ONLY 8YEARS OLD AND I DO NOT BELIEVE A BRAKE LINE IS PART OF NORMAL MAINTENANCE. *AK
AFTER THE DISCOVERY OF SOME SMALL RUST ON MY PASSENGER DOORS I TOOK IT TO FORD TO BE FIXED. THEY ENDED UP DISCOVERING MY FRAME IS RUSTED ALONG THE BOTTOM OF MY DOORS. I AM NOW VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS ONLY 97,000 WHICH FOR A SUV IS NOT MUCH.*AK
BOUGHT FORD EXPLORER IN 1996, NEW. FILED A COMPLAINT WITH BBB REGARDING PROBLEMS. NOTHING WAS ACHIEVED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2002 WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER, MY SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK, NOR DID THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY, WHICH RESULTED IN SEVERE INJURIES TO MYSELF. BROKEN NECK (C-2, TBI TRAMIC BRAIN INJURY AND BROKEN …
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BOUGHT FORD EXPLORER IN 1996, NEW. FILED A COMPLAINT WITH BBB REGARDING PROBLEMS. NOTHING WAS ACHIEVED. IN NOVEMBER OF 2002 WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER, MY SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK, NOR DID THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY, WHICH RESULTED IN SEVERE INJURIES TO MYSELF. BROKEN NECK (C-2, TBI TRAMIC BRAIN INJURY AND BROKEN BONES. I BELEIVE THE FAILURE OF THE SEAT BELT, ROOF STABILITY AND AIRBAGS MALFUNCTION CAUSED MY INJURIES. THE DRIVER AND OTHER OCCUPANT RECEIVED NO SERIOUS INJURIES. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE NUMEROUS LAW SUITS AGAINIST FORD MOTOR CO. *AK
REAR PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS WHICH MAY BE THE CAUSE OF DEFECT. *AK
THE BRACKET HOLDING THE FOOT ACCELERATOR PEDAL ON MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING THE VEHILE. AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE ABILITY TO ADD FUEL TO THE ENGINE AND ACCELERATE OR HOLD SPEED. THE BRACKET APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN WELDED TO THE FIREWALL AS PART OF THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.…
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THE BRACKET HOLDING THE FOOT ACCELERATOR PEDAL ON MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING THE VEHILE. AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE ABILITY TO ADD FUEL TO THE ENGINE AND ACCELERATE OR HOLD SPEED. THE BRACKET APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN WELDED TO THE FIREWALL AS PART OF THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. ALL 3 WELDS BROKE. AT THE TIME I WAS NOT DOING ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY AND HAD NOT PUT ANY ABNORMAL STRAIN OR PRESSURE ON THE FOOT FEED PEDAL OR THE BRACKET. THERE IS NO APPEARANCE OF CORROSION SO I SUSPECT THE WELDS FAILED FARILY RECENTLY. IF THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURED AS I WAS PULLING INTO OR ACCROSS TRAFFIC A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE RESULTED. *AK
ANTI-BRAKE SENSORS REPLACED TWICE SINCE OWNING CAR. *JB
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.