IllustrationSEATBACK IN MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER ([XXX]) BROKE WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. CAUSE IS A FRACTURED BOLT IN THE RECLINING SEATBACK LATCH.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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 reportsWE PURCHASED OUR VEHICLE USED IN 1999 WITH 33000 MILES. 6 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION, ANOTHER NEW TRANSMISSION LAST YEAR (2002), NEW BALL JOINTS, AND NOW WE ARE BEING TOLD THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. FORD HAS NOT OFFERED ANY RECALLS ON THIS PART BUT I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDI…
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WE PURCHASED OUR VEHICLE USED IN 1999 WITH 33000 MILES. 6 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION, ANOTHER NEW TRANSMISSION LAST YEAR (2002), NEW BALL JOINTS, AND NOW WE ARE BEING TOLD THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. FORD HAS NOT OFFERED ANY RECALLS ON THIS PART BUT I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS. MY VEHICLE IS CONSTANTLY SHAKING (FEELS LIKE I AM GOING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS) WHEN I AM OVER 30-40 MPH. WE ALSO JUST HAD OUR VEHICLE ALIGNED AND IT IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AGAIN BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *JB
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE GAS PEDAL FELL OFF. *NLM
96 FORD EXPLORER: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TWO WEEKS AGO, ONE WEEK LATER, BATTERY STALLED AND REQUIRED A JUMP, THE POWER LEVELS READ NORMAL. I CHECKED THE POWER DISTRIBUTION BOX AND THE FUSES DID NOT MATCH OWNER'S MANUAL. TWO PARTS SHOPS ADVISED THIS COULD TRIGGER FIRE, OR A DEVICE TO MALFUNCTION. PER FORD OWNER'S MANUAL, A…
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96 FORD EXPLORER: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TWO WEEKS AGO, ONE WEEK LATER, BATTERY STALLED AND REQUIRED A JUMP, THE POWER LEVELS READ NORMAL. I CHECKED THE POWER DISTRIBUTION BOX AND THE FUSES DID NOT MATCH OWNER'S MANUAL. TWO PARTS SHOPS ADVISED THIS COULD TRIGGER FIRE, OR A DEVICE TO MALFUNCTION. PER FORD OWNER'S MANUAL, AIRBAG & ATBS IMPACTED. I REPLACED THE FUSES TO MATCH THE OWNER'S MANUAL. TODAY, I TOOK THE CAR TO A PRIVATE SHOP, THAT WORKED ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM EARLIER. THE OWNER PULLED AN ALL DATA SCHEMA, WHICH IS QUITE DIFFERENT. HOW DO I KNOW WHICH ELECTRICAL SCHEMA IS CORRECT - THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THE OTHER SHOPS REFERRED TO, OR ALL DATA? IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE, 60A VS 30A FUSES, DIFFERENT BLANK RELAYS, ETC. IF THE FORD MANUAL IS CORRECT, AND I FOLLOW THE ALL DATA SCHEMA, IT COULD TRIGGER FIRE OR MALFUNCTION. VICE VERSA, WOULD BE BAD ALSO. EITHER WAY, CONSUMERS SHOULD BE ALERTED? EITHER TO INCORRECT ELECTRICS IN THE FORD MANUAL, OR TO AN INCORRECT ALL DATA SCHEMA USED BY MECHANICS? (I HAVE ASKED FORD, ALSO, FOR A REPLY.) ALSO - THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 6 MONTHS I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, BUT NO OTHER SYMPTOMS. THE FIRST TIME, THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CAM SENSOR, AND IT EVENTUALLY WENT OFF. HE STATED THIS WARNING LIGHT WAS INSIGNIFICANT, AND REFERRED ONLY TO EMISSIONS STANDARDS. (NO VISIBLE EMISSIONS). I NOTE THAT - PER THE OWNERS MANUAL AGAIN - THIS WARNING LIGHT CAN ALSO BE TRIGGERED BY A MONITORING, GPS, OR ALARM DEVICE BEING INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. IF I CAN FIND NO OTHER CAUSE, HOW WOULD I CHECK FOR THIS, AND DO YOU HAVE OTHER RECORDS OF THIS BEING THE CAUSE? THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO AN ISSUE, LAST SPRING. IN APRIL 02, THE FORD DEALER IN ORLANDO REPLACED THE IDLE AIR CONTROL, AND THE VALVE ASSEMBLY-THRO. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO AN ISSUE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE; DEALER REPLACED SENSOR ASSEMBLY-EGR, THERMOSTAT ASSEMBLY. IS THERE AN ASSOCIATED RECALL, OR DOES THIS FIT OTHER PATTERN? THANKS! *JB
MULTIPLE FAILURES INCLUDING: DEFECTIVE TIRES, ROTORS AND BRAKES CRYSTALLIZING, "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" ILLUMINATING, CROSS BARS ON THE TRUNK, PAINT PEELING AND DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL. *TS
1996 FORD EXPLORER, DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY LATCHED. *JB
THE BLEND DOOR FROZE -THIS DISABLES THE CARS HEATING AIR CONDITION AND DEFROSTING SYSTEMS I CONTACTED THE DEALER- AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $100.00 TO DETERMINE IF THAT WAS THE PROBLEM AND THAT FORD WOULD NOT HELP(THE DEALER CHECKED) ---I THEN CONTACTED FORD MYSELF--I WAS TOLD TOO BAD--NO HELP . *JB
THE FLY WHEEL IN THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES.
THE RECALL COMPONET REGARDING THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINK FAILED FOUR TIMES. *JB
UPON ACCELERATING PAST A VEHICLE TO CHANGE LANES, ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AGAINST FLOOR. BRAKES WERE ABLE TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. ENGINE HAD TO BE SHUT OFF TO PREVENT FATAL DAMAGE DUE TO ENGINE OVER REVVING AFTER BEING PUT INTO NEUTRAL. NEW PROBLEM WAS POSED AS POWER BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONAL ONC…
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UPON ACCELERATING PAST A VEHICLE TO CHANGE LANES, ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AGAINST FLOOR. BRAKES WERE ABLE TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. ENGINE HAD TO BE SHUT OFF TO PREVENT FATAL DAMAGE DUE TO ENGINE OVER REVVING AFTER BEING PUT INTO NEUTRAL. NEW PROBLEM WAS POSED AS POWER BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONAL ONCE ENGINE WAS OFF. ABLE TO FINALLY GET VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOP DUE TO LIGHT TRAFFIC. CONTACTED NEARBY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SUGGESTED HITTING THE PEDAL TO BREAK LOOSE. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL. DROVE VERY CAUTIOUSLY HOME. *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.