IllustrationWHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH COULD FEEL VEHICLE PULLING TO THE RIGHT. ALSO TIRES WERE WORN OUT ON THE OUTSIDE. *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 TRANSMISSIONS COMPUTER RUINED THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND SEVERAL OTHER COMPONENTS. NM
I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND HEARD A BIG BANG, LIKE SOMEONE THREW SOMETHING AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK. I TOOK IT INTO FORD AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG BECAUSE THE BOLT BROKE HOLDING THE ARM TO CONTROL THE FRONT END. IT WAS JUST HANGING ON BY A THREAD WAITING TO POP OUT AND ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND BE SERIOUSLY INJURED O…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND HEARD A BIG BANG, LIKE SOMEONE THREW SOMETHING AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK. I TOOK IT INTO FORD AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG BECAUSE THE BOLT BROKE HOLDING THE ARM TO CONTROL THE FRONT END. IT WAS JUST HANGING ON BY A THREAD WAITING TO POP OUT AND ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR WORSE, KILLED. THEY FOUND THIS OUT A WEEK LATER WHEN I RETURNED TO HAVE THE OTHER WORK COMPLETED. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (THE SECOND TIME WITHIN 16,000 MILES) AND MY WINDOW WASHER WAS BROKE. WHEN THEY WENT TO CHECK THE FRONT END AGAIN THEY PUT IT UP ON THE RACK AND THAT IS WHEN THE BOLT FELL OUT. I WAS TOLD I WAS LUCKY TO BE THERE. IF IT WENT WHEN I WAS DRIVING I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. WHAT REALLY UPSETS ME IS, THEY TOLD ME THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN, THAT I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT DID IT CONSTANTLY. I AM STILL COUNTING MY BLESSINGS TO THIS DAY. NO ONE COULD EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM OR WHY IT HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD BY FORD MOTOR CO. THAT THIS ISN'T A RECALL ITEM AND FINANCIALLY THEY COULDN'T HELP BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. WARRANTY OR NOT, THIS SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED!! TO ME THIS IS SHODDY WORKMANSHIP ON FORD'S PART. THE PRICE YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE VEHICLES IS OUTRAGEOUS AND THEY SHOULDN'T BE DEATH TRAPS. I'M CONSTANTLY PUTTING MONEY INTO IT (BESIDES MY MONTHLY CAR PAYMENTS) TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THIS VEHICLE AND WILL NEVER BUY A FORD PRODUCT AGAIN! I JUST WANT BUYERS TO BEWARE!!
WAS LOOKING FOR NEW TIRES FOR EXPLORER, WHEN CAME UPON DESCRIBTION OF TROUBLES WITH FIRESTONE ATX'S. WE HAVE HAD THREE FAIL, AND THIS ONE TODAY WAS WHILE I WAS DRIVING. A PIECE OF THE TREAD CAME OFF, LEAVING A BARE TUBE(?). MANAGED TO GET HOME, AT THAT POINT, TIRE WENT FLAT. ?THESE ARE DANGEROUS TIRES!( DOT NUMBER: )
I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND HEARD A BIG THUMP, LIKE SOMEONE THREW SOMETHING AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK. I TOOK IT INTO FORD AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. IN THE MEANTIME MY ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON (SECOND TIME WITHIN 16000 MILES) AND MY WINDOW WASHER WAS BROKE SO THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART. I WENT IN A WEEK LATER A…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND HEARD A BIG THUMP, LIKE SOMEONE THREW SOMETHING AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK. I TOOK IT INTO FORD AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. IN THE MEANTIME MY ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON (SECOND TIME WITHIN 16000 MILES) AND MY WINDOW WASHER WAS BROKE SO THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART. I WENT IN A WEEK LATER AND THEY PUT IT UP ON THE RACK AND THAT'S WHEN THE BOLT FELL OUT HOLDING MY FRONT END TOGETHER. I WAS TOLD I WAS LUCKY TO BE THERE FOR THEM TO FIX IT. IF IT WENT OUT ON ME WHEN I WAS DRIVING I WOULD HAVE BE KILLED. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT SEEING HOW THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT DID IT CONSTANTLY . IF I WOULD HAVE WAITED , I WOULDN' T HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR THEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM. NO ONE COULD EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THIS HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY THAT THIS ISN'T A RECALL ITEM. $500 PLUS LATER I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T PAY FOR IT BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. HOW WOULD THEY LIKE MY FAMILY OWNING FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR THEIR SHODDY WORKMANSHIP??? THAT COULD HAVE BEEN A NICE LAW SUIT. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 2 YEARS AND I'M CONSTANTLY PUTTING MONEY INTO IT (BESIDES MY MONTHLY CAR PAYMENTS) TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THIS VEHICLE AND WILL NEVER BUY A FORD PRODUCT AGAIN. I JUST WANT THE BUYERS TO BEWARE!!! *AK
MY WIFE COMMENTED THAT SHE HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING HER FORD EXPLORER ON 4/8/00. I DROVE THE VEHICLE AND AGREED THAT IT SEEMED TO "SWAY" FROM SIDE TO SIDE. EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED A PART WAS MISSING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL/AXLE ASSEMBLY. I LATER FOUND THE PART IN MY DRIVEWAY. IT WAS A "SWAY LINK ASSEMBLY" ACCORDING TO…
Read full complaint
MY WIFE COMMENTED THAT SHE HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING HER FORD EXPLORER ON 4/8/00. I DROVE THE VEHICLE AND AGREED THAT IT SEEMED TO "SWAY" FROM SIDE TO SIDE. EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED A PART WAS MISSING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL/AXLE ASSEMBLY. I LATER FOUND THE PART IN MY DRIVEWAY. IT WAS A "SWAY LINK ASSEMBLY" ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. I HAD DEALER REPLACE LF AS WELL AS RF AS I FEEL THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE. IT SIMPLY SNAPPED IN HALF. THINGS LIKE THIS SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR, NOT BREAK AFTER 5 YEARS.*AK
FIRESTONE ATX TIRE FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT AND DEATH. (LIMITED INFORMATION PROVIDED FROM CONSUMER) NLM
TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE BODY AT POSTED HIGHWAY SPEED (70MPH). *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P23575R15 )
KEEPS TRYING TO SHIFT INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE. IT DOES HAVE 4-WHEEL SWITCH ON DASHBOARD. *AK
ON THE SAME DAY BOTH MY REAR DOOR LATCHES BROKE.YOU CAN'T OPEN EITHER FROM THE INSIDE.THIS IS NOT DUE TO CHILD SAFETY LOCKS. IT IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE MY PASSENGERS COULDN'T GET OUT IN CASE OF FIRE OR ACCIDENT. *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.