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 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2007
SuspensionWheelsFire
1996 FORD EXPLORER WAS BEGINNING TO HAVE MECHANICAL ISSUES. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF AND IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REMOVED FROM THE SCENE. *KB THE POLICE REPORT STATED THE WHEEL BEARING AREA WAS DRY AND RUSTY, WHICH UNDER NORAML CIRCUMSTANCES WOULD BE LUBRICATED WITH OIL. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRA…
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1996 FORD EXPLORER WAS BEGINNING TO HAVE MECHANICAL ISSUES. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF AND IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REMOVED FROM THE SCENE. *KB THE POLICE REPORT STATED THE WHEEL BEARING AREA WAS DRY AND RUSTY, WHICH UNDER NORAML CIRCUMSTANCES WOULD BE LUBRICATED WITH OIL. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB
NHTSA ODI #10207178
120,000 miles · Oct 19, 2007
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HATCHBACK SUPPORT GATE WOULD NOT PROPERLY SUPPORT THE GLASS. ALSO, THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. SHE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HATCHBACK SUPPORT GATE WOULD NOT PROPERLY SUPPORT THE GLASS. ALSO, THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. SHE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V137000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFT GATE:SUPPORT DEVICE) OR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V070000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
NHTSA ODI #10206344
132,000 miles · Oct 16, 2007
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE ASSIST GAS CYLINDER BRACKET SNAPPED AT THE WELDING POINT, WHICH CAUSED THE LIFTGATE TO CLOSE WITHOUT WARNING. AS OF OCTOBER 16, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE ASSIST GAS CYLINDER BRACKET SNAPPED AT THE WELDING POINT, WHICH CAUSED THE LIFTGATE TO CLOSE WITHOUT WARNING. AS OF OCTOBER 16, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V137000 (STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: SUPPORT DEVICE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
NHTSA ODI #10205812
69,000 miles · Oct 15, 2007
Visibility
MY FORD EXPLORER '96 SUV CABIN CLIMATE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING 2 YRS AGO AT 70K MILES. IT ONLY BLOWS BURNING HOT AIR OR FREEZING COLD AIR. DEALER WANTS $900 TO REPLACE THE BLEND DOOR. FORD WILL NOT FIX THIS. THE VEHICLE WAS EXPENSIVE & THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT RUINS THE UTILITY OF THE VEHICLE. IN WINTER, WINDOWS FROST…
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MY FORD EXPLORER '96 SUV CABIN CLIMATE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING 2 YRS AGO AT 70K MILES. IT ONLY BLOWS BURNING HOT AIR OR FREEZING COLD AIR. DEALER WANTS $900 TO REPLACE THE BLEND DOOR. FORD WILL NOT FIX THIS. THE VEHICLE WAS EXPENSIVE & THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT RUINS THE UTILITY OF THE VEHICLE. IN WINTER, WINDOWS FROST IMPAIRING VISIBILITY. THIS IS THE TOP-OF-THE-LINE EDDIE BAUER EDITION...FORD NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10205799
172,000 miles · Oct 4, 2007
Suspension
I BOUGHT MY 1996 EXPLORER NEW ON 01/19/1996 FROM WADE FORD SMYRNA GA. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER MAILING ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE ONE WHERE I LIVED AT TIME OF PURCHASE AND I STILL LIVE THERE TODAY. FORD DID NOT SEND ME A NOTICE OF NHTSA ID # 00V402000. CAN YOU PLEASE HAVE FORD SEND A NOTICE THAT I CAN TAKE TO A FORD DEALER FOR THE…
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I BOUGHT MY 1996 EXPLORER NEW ON 01/19/1996 FROM WADE FORD SMYRNA GA. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER MAILING ADDRESS OTHER THAN THE ONE WHERE I LIVED AT TIME OF PURCHASE AND I STILL LIVE THERE TODAY. FORD DID NOT SEND ME A NOTICE OF NHTSA ID # 00V402000. CAN YOU PLEASE HAVE FORD SEND A NOTICE THAT I CAN TAKE TO A FORD DEALER FOR THE SPECIFIED REPAIRS? I LEARNED OF THE RECALL 10/3/07. THANK YOU. *TR UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB UPDATED
NHTSA ODI #10205057
127,485 miles · Aug 24, 2007
Structure
GAS PEDAL CAME OFF FROM ITS MOUNTING TO FLOOR BOARD DRIVING WHILE VEHICLE. MOUNTING PLATE SEEMS TO HAVE ONLY ONE BOLT SECURING IT TO THE FLOORBOARD. THEIR ARE THREE MOUNTING HOLES FOR THE PEDDLE BACKING PLATE AND THREE HOLES THROUGH FLOOR BOARD. TOP HOLE HAD STRESSED METAL INDICATIVE OF WHAT EVER WAS USED TO HOLD GAS PEDDLE BAC…
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GAS PEDAL CAME OFF FROM ITS MOUNTING TO FLOOR BOARD DRIVING WHILE VEHICLE. MOUNTING PLATE SEEMS TO HAVE ONLY ONE BOLT SECURING IT TO THE FLOORBOARD. THEIR ARE THREE MOUNTING HOLES FOR THE PEDDLE BACKING PLATE AND THREE HOLES THROUGH FLOOR BOARD. TOP HOLE HAD STRESSED METAL INDICATIVE OF WHAT EVER WAS USED TO HOLD GAS PEDDLE BACKING PLATE. LUCKY US FOR JUST GETTING OFF THE EXPRESS WAY. SOMETHING BAD COULD HAPPEN TO ME AND MY WIFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200716
190,000 miles · Aug 17, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD EXPLORER. HE NOTICED THE ON/OFF CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH BECAME TACKY AND HIS THUMB PRINT WAS LEFT ON THE SWITCH. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN #97V074000), HOWEVER HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 191,000.
NHTSA ODI #10199913
163,400 miles · Jun 16, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAD TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD OF THE 1996 FORD EXPLORER AT MILE NUMBER 163400 ON MARCH 30, 2007. IT WAS LEAKING AT #1 CYLINDER. THERE WAS A 'ECRET WARRANTY' IN EFFECT. I BELEIVED FOR EXPLORER'S 10 YEARS OLD AND YOUNGER. MINE WAS JUST OVER THE 10 YEAR MARK. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10193521
172,000 miles · Jun 6, 2007
Seat Belts
1996 FORD EXPLORER SEAT BELT COMES UNLATCHED 10-15 TIMES PER DAY, DRIVER SIDE ONLY AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER.....THANKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10192625
285,000 miles · May 31, 2007
TiresCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 53 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE MICHELIN TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND FLIPPED OVER. SHE BROKE HER BACK IN FOUR PLACES ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND HER RIGHT ARM IS CURRENTLY IN A SPLINT. THE CONTACT WAS PREGNANT AND LOST HER BABY. SHE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 53 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE MICHELIN TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND FLIPPED OVER. SHE BROKE HER BACK IN FOUR PLACES ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND HER RIGHT ARM IS CURRENTLY IN A SPLINT. THE CONTACT WAS PREGNANT AND LOST HER BABY. SHE WAS AIRLIFTED TO A HOSPITAL. A BABY WAS IN THE VEHICLE AND RECEIVED SEVERAL SCRATCHES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 285,000.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
3
PE00039 · 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.
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