IllustrationO/D LIGHT FLASHES AFTER 15 MIN. OF RUNNING VEHICLE. TRANSMISSION THEN SHIFTS HARD UP AND DOWN. FORD SERVICE SAYS THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.*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 reportsTHE ACCELERATOR STUCK ,CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY. *AK
THE 1990 EXPLORER HAD TIRE RECALL 00T-005 RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT OF ALL FOUR TIRES, THE 1996 EXPLORER EXPERIENCED TIRE SEPARATION PRIOR TO RECALL, AND WAS REPLACED BY THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE 1996 EXPLORER TIRES SHOULD BE REPLACED PER RECALL ALSO. THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER O…
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THE 1990 EXPLORER HAD TIRE RECALL 00T-005 RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT OF ALL FOUR TIRES, THE 1996 EXPLORER EXPERIENCED TIRE SEPARATION PRIOR TO RECALL, AND WAS REPLACED BY THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE 1996 EXPLORER TIRES SHOULD BE REPLACED PER RECALL ALSO. THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TIRES . *YH
WHILE DRIVING AT GA400, NOTICED THAT VEHICLE CAN NOT BE SLOWED DOWN AFTER APPLYING BRAKE PEDALS SEVERAL TIMES. NOTICE THAT THE RPM IS INCREASING. FEARING THAT SINCE THERE IS NOT WAY TO SLOWING DOWN THE CAR,I SHIFTED TO THE GEAR TO NEUTRAL AND EXIT AT HOLCOMB BRIDGE EXIT. SINCE THE SPEED IS STILL AT 70MPH, THE CAR HIT THE ENBA…
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WHILE DRIVING AT GA400, NOTICED THAT VEHICLE CAN NOT BE SLOWED DOWN AFTER APPLYING BRAKE PEDALS SEVERAL TIMES. NOTICE THAT THE RPM IS INCREASING. FEARING THAT SINCE THERE IS NOT WAY TO SLOWING DOWN THE CAR,I SHIFTED TO THE GEAR TO NEUTRAL AND EXIT AT HOLCOMB BRIDGE EXIT. SINCE THE SPEED IS STILL AT 70MPH, THE CAR HIT THE ENBANKMENT, WENT DOWN THE GRASSY AREA AND (FFG IS WHAT I CAN REMEMBER HAPPENED)AND HIT A WATER RUN-OFF/DITCH, DID A SPIN AND CAME UP AND STOP AT THE GRASSY AREA. I WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF OF THE ENGINE WHEN I CAME BACK TO SENSES AND RAN TO THE CLOSEST GAS STATION (CHEVRON) TO CALL AAA. THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR NOTICED THAT WHEN HE RESTARTED THE ENGINE, IT WAS ROARING AT 5000RPM. TOWED IT TO FORD DEALER/SERVICE AT MANSELL ROAD, WAS TOLD 2-DAYS LATER THAT THEY HAVE INSPECT LINKAGE FOR BINDING AND TROTTLE BODY FOR BINDING, BUT DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM, AND SINCE THEY CAN NOT REPRODUCE THE SITUATION, THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BUT TO BRING IT BACK WHEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN??? I FEARED FOR THE NEXT TIME THAT IT HAPPENED, LIFES WOULD BE AFFECTED.*AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER REGARDING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ON SEVEN OCCASIONS, WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, VEHICLE WILL HESITATE AND THEN POP INTO REVERSE AFTER 15-20 SECONDS, VEHICLE WILL NOT ALWAYS GO IN REVERSE, DEALER STATED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS GOING, BUT NOT TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL ALL GEARS WERE AFFECTED. *ET
WHEN DRIVING AT 35 MPH AND PULLING FROM A PARKING SPACE STEERING WHEEL JAMMED AND MADE A POPPING SOUND. ALSO, IN ORDER TO MOVE STEERING WHEEL CONSUMER HAD TO JERK AND APPLY FORCE TO STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE IT. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
WHEN THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE LEFT REAR BRAKE ROTOR HE NOTICED THAT THE LINING HAD COME LOOSE FROM THE METAL OF THE REAR PARKING BRAKE SHOE AND IT WAS LESS THAN HALF WORN, ALL FOUR SHOE LININGS WERE CRAZED BUT WERE NOT BROKEN.
AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON, NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET.*AK
THIS VEHICLE WAS PROFESSIONALLY SERVICED AND MAINTAINED. AT 74,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING. WHEN FORD TESTED THE VEHICLE THEY TOLD ME IT BROKE DOWN AN THAT THE STARTER, FLYWHEEL, TORQUE CONVERTER AND ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. THE MORE I TALK ABOUT THIS, …
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THIS VEHICLE WAS PROFESSIONALLY SERVICED AND MAINTAINED. AT 74,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING. WHEN FORD TESTED THE VEHICLE THEY TOLD ME IT BROKE DOWN AN THAT THE STARTER, FLYWHEEL, TORQUE CONVERTER AND ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. THE MORE I TALK ABOUT THIS, THE MORE I HEAR ABOUT FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.*AK
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.