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1996 Ford ExplorerProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 1,450 owner complaints about the 1996 Ford Explorer, most often about the tires. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

36
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.8× the Explorer median · #6 of 34 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Free fix at dealersOwner complaints1,450416 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage140kTires, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 14, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Ford Explorer has problems

1,450 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Tires570140
Vehicle speed control14831
Power train1207
Service brakes, hydraulic12033
Suspension9719
Engine and engine cooling818
Seat belts788
Structure6310
Steering4713
17 other systems29171

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

1996 Ford Explorer recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut

Recall 97V-137 · Aug 19, 1997 · 2,200 vehicles

Risk. THE GAS CYLINDER BRACKET MAY NOT PROPERLY SUPPORT THE LIFTGATE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 97V-074 · Apr 30, 1997 · 23,000 vehicles

Risk. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE CAN BE CONTROLLED BY EITHER APPLYING THE SERVICE BRAKES OR SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORTS OR SOME…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Doors: latch

Recall 96V-070 · Apr 22, 1996 · 73,500 vehicles

Risk. THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WHEN CLOSED ONLY TO THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, MAY NOT SUSTAIN A 1,000 POUND TRANSVERSE LOAD.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other Explorer year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Explorer median. How we score

'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Ford Explorer safety ratings

1996 Ford Explorer 4-DR 4x4 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Ford Explorer, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FRONT SUSPENSION STABILIZER BAR LINKPE00039 · closed Nov 30, 2000
    Led to recall 00V-402
  2. ELECTRICAL FIRE IN CENTER CONSOLEPE97010 · closed Sep 4, 1997
    No recall
  3. ACCELERATOR PEDALPE99068 · closed Mar 9, 2000
    No recall
In owners' words

What Explorer owners report

Recent tires complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAD TBC CORPORATION, STAMPEDE SIGMA TIRES, SIZE P255/70/R16 WITH DOT#UPCUTX61707. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE SUDDENLY BLEW OUT, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ROLL OVER…
Complaint 10421453 · Aug 25, 2011 · 145,000 miles
ON JULY 28, AT APPROX 4PM EST WE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE THAT CAUSED OUR FORD EXPLORER TO TEMPORARILY LOSS CONTROL. THE TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRE THAT WAS PROVIDED BY FORD FOR A RECALL REPLACEMENT ABOUT 8 OR 9 YEARS AGO. THE RIGHT PASSENGER FRONT TIRE…
Complaint 10345978 · Jul 28, 2010 · 103,000 miles
1996 FORD EXPLORER ACCIDENT DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. CW ACCORDING TO AN EYE WITNESS STATEMENT, THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE CROSSED SEVERAL LANES, STRUCK A GUARDRAIL AND WENT AIRBORNE AND LANDED ON IT'S ROOF. THE WITNESS STATED TWO PEOPLE WERE EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE…
Complaint 10313192 · Feb 23, 2010

Own a 1996 Explorer?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.