149 of the
1,818 complaints about the 1996 Ford Explorer are about the
braking system — 8% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
97,400 miles.
SEARCHING BY VIN: [XXX] NUMBER OF OPEN RECALLS: 0 BUT SEARCHING BY MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR I FOUND THIS RECALL: HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/OWNERS/SEARCHRESULTS;JSESSIONID=SJ1QWW1GVDDYCS6XGGCHZTLTY2TN4KJKBPXV1GCS9VG9XL8B1ZT5!857755995?PRODTYPE=V&SEARCHTYPE=PROD&TARGETCATEGORY=A&SEARCHCRITERIA.MODEL=EXPLORER&STATS=215181%2C11%2C3%2C1611%2C236%2CEXPLORER&MAKESTATS=&JSONBASEURL=%2FDOWNLOADS%2FFOLDERS%2F&SEARCHCRITERIA.MODEL_YR=1996&SEARCHCRITERIA.MAKE=FORD&SEARCHCRITERIA.PROD_IDS=215181 REPORT RECEIPT DATE: OCT 13, 2009 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V399000 COMPONENT(S): VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL THE DEALERSHIP SHOP AND WITH YOUR CHAT REPRESENTATIVE TRIED TO CONVINCE ME THAT THE RECALLS ARE ONLY BY VIN EVEN TOUGH IN YOUR WEB-SITE IT SAYS: "BESIDES THE VIN SEARCH TOOL YOU JUST USED, NHTSA OFFERS ADDITIONAL SAFETY INFORMATION BASED ON A VEHICLE'S MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR AND NOT TIED TO ANY PARTICULAR VIN. A SEARCH BY VEHICLE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR GIVES YOU ACCESS TO INFORMATION ABOUT TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS, NHTSA INVESTIGATIONS, AND OWNER COMPLAINTS, AS WELL AS SAFETY RECALLS ON AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT THAT IS OFTEN NOT LINKED TO A PARTICULAR VIN OR EVEN TO YOUR VEHICLE'S MANUFACTURER. " WHERE IS THE TRUTH? DO I HAVE A RECALL 09V399000 FOR MY VEHICLE? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10850829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PRESS THE BRAKES TO STOP THEY OFTEN STICK. I THEN EASY OFF A LITTLE AND PRESS HARD, PUSHING THROUGH THE STICKING.
NHTSA complaint #10631105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 127,000 milesLutz, FLFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PLACING FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. HE OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS DOUSED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE DAMAGE AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD MELTED, AS WELL AS THE MASTER CYLINDER. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 127,000.
NHTSA complaint #10228293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salinas, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
1996 FORD EXPLORER WITH BRAKE PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT BRAKE PEDAL IS LOCATED TO CLOSE TO THE FLOOR BOARD. AND IS TO CLOSE TO THE ACCELERATOR CAUSING YOU TO HIT THE ACCELERATOR AND THE BRAKE PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, HIS FOOT ALSO HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
NHTSA complaint #10225094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,000 milesFort Myers, FLCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING A NONE TO VERY LITTLE BAKING. 2ND TIME WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #10168494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,781 milesPark Ridge, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
BRAKE FAILURE - REAR BRAKES FAILED, BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT AT REAR BY AXLE. NEW LINE INSTALLED. GARAGE SAID COMMON PROBLEM ON FORDS.
NHTSA complaint #10126141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 116,119 milesNorth Long Beach, CACrash5 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE, THEY LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE SLID AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THEN ROLLED OVER.
NHTSA complaint #10112983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,195 milesUpper Saddle River, NJ
PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
I WAS PULLING OUT OF A POST OFFICE PARKING LOT WITH MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER AND MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AS I WAS DRIVING HOME I TESTED MY BRAKES AND THEY STILL FELT SPONGY. JUST AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY MY BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON AND I LOST ALL MY BRAKE FLUID ON CLOSER INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT MY REAR BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH. I MADE A APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT FIXED AND IT COST ME 368.69. I HAVE HAD OTHER VEHICLES AND I NEVER HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE LINES. THIS TRUCK IS ONLY 8YEARS OLD AND I DO NOT BELIEVE A BRAKE LINE IS PART OF NORMAL MAINTENANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10096282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chester, VT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI-BRAKE SENSORS REPLACED TWICE SINCE OWNING CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10090465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,400 milesTarpon Springs, FLCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY 1996 EXPLORER IS A 5.0 LITRE AWD EDDIE BAUR PURCHSED USED. AFTER DRIVING USING THE CRUISE CONTROL WITHOUT INCIDENT, I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. COASTING SLOWLY INTO A PARKING SLOT APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE ENGINE APPEARED TO INCREASE POWER MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE MORE I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE MORE THE ENGINE POWER INCREASED PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM STOPPING UNTIL COLLIDING WITH A VEHICLE IN FRONT. WITH THE BRAKE STILL APPLIED, THE ENGINE RACED WHEN PUT IN NUETRAL UNTIL SWITCHING THE IGNITION OFF. THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR OPERATED NORMALLY AFTER RESTARTING. DAMAGE RESULTED TO THE EXPLORER BUMPER. I DID NOT OBSERVE THE GAS PEDAL POSITION DURING THE INCIDENT BUT ASSUMED IT COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVEN BY THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE UNDER UNCOMMANDED OPERATION AND SEVERED THE CRUISE CABLE BEFORE PROCEDING. A SIMILAR PROBLEM HAD OCCURED DURING A PRIOR STOP THE SAME TRIP BUT ABRUPTLY RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION POSSIBLY AFTER HAVING PUMPED THE BRAKES TO CHECK THEM. THE SAME TYPE PROBLEM WITH ENGINE POWER SURGE DURING BRAKING TO A STOP OCCURED ON PRIOR DAYS WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD NOT BEEN USED AND MAY HAVE CORRECTED AFTER PUMPING THE BRAKE. REVIEWING NHSTA COMPLAINT ODI ID 736277 AND SUBSEQUENT EXPERIMENT ON MY VEHICLE, IT APPEARS THE PROBLEM COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT FROM INADVERTANT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL DURING BRAKING DUE TO PROXIMITY OF THE PEDALS BUT I CAN'T RULE OUT UNCOMMANDED CRUISE CONTROL OPERATION ACTIVATED BY A BRAKE SIGNAL. PLEASE ADVISE IF INVESTIGATION AND DISCOVERY HAVE RESULTED IN ANY PROBABLE CAUSES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORRECTIVE MAINTENANCE FOR THIS SAFETY HAZARD. DOES NOT DISPLAY SYMPTOMS CORRECTED BY RECALLS FOR THROTTLE BODY STICKING AND JAMMED CRUISE CONTROL CABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10058793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burlington, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SOMETIMES CAR WILL NOT STOP.
NHTSA complaint #10051384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Metairie, LA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE VEHICLE IDLED ENGINE STARTED TO RACE. THEN, VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO MOVE WITH BRAKES APPLIED.
NHTSA complaint #10040556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, ILCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TRUCK WAS IN PARK. PUT MY FOOT ON BRAKE, SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, TRUCK IMMEDIATELY MOVED FORWARD WITH FOOT STILL ON BRAKE, AT APPROX 2- 5 MPH. PUSHED CONTINUALLY HARDER ON BRAKE WITH NO RESPONSE. LIFTED FOOT COMPLETELY OFF BRAKE AND PUSHED AGAIN, THEN TRUCK STOPPED. WENT THROUGH A GARAGE DOOR IN THE PROCESS, COULDN'T STOP UNTIL TRUCK WAS FULLY THROUGH.
NHTSA complaint #10037180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Union City, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
MULTIPLE FAILURES INCLUDING: DEFECTIVE TIRES, ROTORS AND BRAKES CRYSTALLIZING, "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" ILLUMINATING, CROSS BARS ON THE TRUNK, PAINT PEELING AND DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10015302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,870 milesMatawan, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT LOW SPEEDS, WHILE BRAKING, THE ABS SENSOR KICKED IN, CAUSING A LOSS OF BRAKES. MR SCC
NHTSA complaint #8022248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELK Grove, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER STATES, WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES SYSTEM TAKE LONGER TO STOP AND ALWAYS REMAIN THE LIGHT ON. ALSO HAS PROBLEM WITH SUDDEN ACCELARATION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8019884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
N Hollywood, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
WHILE DRIVING, BRAKE PEDAL BROKE CAUSING CONSUMER TO HAVE NO BRAKES, CONSUMER USED EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE, DEALER REPLACED POWER BRAKE UNIT.
NHTSA complaint #564103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ashville, NC1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
LAWYER PATRICIA KAUFMANN ON BEHALF OF CLIENT STATES, THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY AND FAILED TO BRAKE WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A STEEP GRADE. *JG (ATTORNEY ON BEHALF OF CLIENT)
NHTSA complaint #564388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD HUMMING SOUND WHICH COMES FROM FRONT END OF VEHICLE. ALSO, TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. CONSUMER CONSTANTLY HAS TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE SPEED SENSOR AND THE O2 SENSOR WERE REPLACED. JG
NHTSA complaint #8009112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FLCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
FRONT SWAY BAR BRACKET BROKEN, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, REAR SUSPENSION BAD, REAR BUMPER & FRAME BENT, ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE, FRONT & REAR BRAKES NEEDED, REAR -END SHIFTS. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE I WAS LIED TO BECAUSE I DID INQUIRE ABOUT AND ACCIDENT BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT. ALSO, ALLIGNMENT NEEDED.
NHTSA complaint #760152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NO. Hollywood, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
BRAKE PEDAL BROKE, HITTING THE FLOOR, THE BOLT BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #9005782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ashville, NC1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
LAWYER PATRICIA KAUFMANN ON BEHALF OF CLIENT STATES, THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY AND FAILED TO BRAKE WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A STEEP GRADE. *JG (ATTORNEY ON BEHALF OF CLIENT)
NHTSA complaint #564388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
N Hollywood, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
WHILE DRIVING, BRAKE PEDAL BROKE CAUSING CONSUMER TO HAVE NO BRAKES, CONSUMER USED EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE, DEALER REPLACED POWER BRAKE UNIT.
NHTSA complaint #564103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chesterville, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND LOSE POWER STEERING AND ABS SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANY WORK ON VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #8003720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Caqla Vista, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING 25MPH BRAKES WOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN APPLIED. TOOK TO DEALER TWICE TO BE REPAIRED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #8002878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW London, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
PADS STICK AND WEAR DOWN AFTER GLUE GIVES WAY NOTED FOR ON FORD EXPLORERS ACCORDING TO GARAGE DOING REPAIR WHICH WILL COST ME $175.00 TO REPLACE.
NHTSA complaint #756543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stanford, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, NOT A PANIC STOP, ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES, THIS INCREASES THE STOPPING DISTANCE BY SEVERAL FEET. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND IS GETTING MORE FREQUENTLY, DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT FRONT WHEEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8001838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DELAYED IN STOPPING DISTANCE AND VIBRATED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. PADS AND FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED FOUR TIMES WITHIN A YEAR, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING;. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8001619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
DELAYED IN STOPPING DISTANCE AND VIBRATED WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. PADS AND FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED FOUR TIMES WITHIN A YEAR, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING;. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8001619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marquette, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
AT LOW SPEED SENSOR SENDS A WRONG SIGNAL TO ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ,RESULTING IN POOR BRAKING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8000692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.