FaultScore

1996 Ford Explorer other reported problems

28 of the 1,818 complaints about the 1996 Ford Explorer are about the other systems — 2% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 106,000 miles.

C

28

Complaints

2

Crashes

1

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Unknown OR Other 28 100.0%

Other & Unspecified across every Ford Explorer year

1991 15 0.5%
1993 11 0.4%
1994 15 0.5%
1995 14 0.5%
1996 28 0.9%
1997 36 1.2%
1998 41 1.3%
1999 26 0.8%
2000 24 0.8%
2001 12 0.4%
2002 44 1.4%
2003 44 1.4%
2004 35 1.1%
2005 16 0.5%
2006 22 0.7%
2008 12 0.4%
2011 113 3.7%
2012 103 3.4%
2013 343 11.2%
2014 334 10.9%
2015 399 13.0%
2016 425 13.9%
2017 367 12.0%
2018 163 5.3%
2019 45 1.5%
2020 202 6.6%
2021 82 2.7%
2022 53 1.7%
2023 22 0.7%
2025 17 0.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 114,855 miles Albuquerque, NM Crash 5 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I WAS DRIVING MY FORD EXPLORER AND MY TIRE ON THE DRIVER FRONTSIDE WENT OUT AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON ME AND THEN MY VEHICLE HIT THE CURVE AND FLIPPED OVER 15 OR 16 TIMES BEFORE IT STOPPED I WAS FEELING ALL OVER THE ROAD I HAD MY SET BELT ON BUT MY AIR BAGS NEVER CAME OUT AND I WAS ONLY GOING 25 OR 30 AND I WAS ON A CITY STREET TURNING INTO THE NEXT LANE WHEN THE TIRE WENT OUT AND MY VEHICLE FLIPPED YES POLICE ACCOUNT REPORT #170042354 I'M NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED I WAS IN SHOCK THAT IT HAPPENED SO QUICKLY AND I WAS HAPPY TO BE A LIVE MY FORD EXPLORER IS TOTALLY DESTROYED.

NHTSA complaint #10984405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 106,000 miles Riverside, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE BLEND DOOR ON MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER BROKE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. FROM THE FORD OWNERS GROUPS WEB SITES, I HAVE SEEN NUMBEROUS OTHER OWNER'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MY HEATING IS STUCK IN HOT UNLESS MAX AIR IS TURNED ON. THERE IS NO IN BETWEEN. ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT AN EXTREAM SAFTY ISSUE, IT IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE FOR MY INFANT CHILD. THE FORD DEALER WILL FIX IT BUT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IT WILL COST ARROUND $1000. I SIMPLY CAN'T AFFORD THAT KIND OF MONEY TO FIX FORD'S DEFECTIVE PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #10005852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Broken Arrow, OK

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1996 FORD EXPLORER HEATER/ AC BLEND DOOR FAILURE

NHTSA complaint #10002705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Carlsbad, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A SPEED OF 70 MPH. THE CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES BUT THEY DIDN'T HOLD. CONSUMER HAD TO PUT VEHICLE IN PARK GEAR TO STOP VEHCILE, WHILE VEHICLE WAS COASTING. TS

NHTSA complaint #8023785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Independence, KS

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON WHENEVER IT PLEASES. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES TO FIX PROBLEM, AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DO SO. LIGHT WOULD STAY OFF FOR UP TO 1 WEEK AFTER REPAIR, THEN COME BACK ON. DEALER ADVISED THEY HAD REPLACED AN O2 SENSOR, AND REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER WHICH SHOULD HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM, WHICH IT DIDN'T. VEHICLE THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE GARAGE WHERE ANOTHER O2 SENSOR REPLACED. THAT TIME LIGHT STAYED OFF THE LONGEST IT EVER HAD, BUT IT STILL CAME BACK ON. BATTERY CABLES HAVE EVEN BEEN DISCONNECTED TO ALLOW COMPUTER TO RESET, BUT LIGHT ALWAYS COMES BACK ON. AS OF NOW I HAVE SPENT OVER $500 OUT OF MY POCKET TO TRY AND FIX PROBLEM, BUT IT STILL EXISTS.

NHTSA complaint #753699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boise, ID

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, DEALER CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #881931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

York, ME

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WAS DRIVING AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON & STAYED. BEEN TO DEALER. HAD SENSORS REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM CAME BACK. TEMPERATURE GAUGE HAD FAILED TO REGISTER. FUEL GUAGE WAS NOT WORKING, AND STABLIZER BAR HAD BROKEN AND WAS REPLACED. ALSO, POWER LOCKS FAILED TO RELEASE. *AK THE SENSORS WERE BEING REPLACED OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #878392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Souix City, IA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, AND CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT, BUT HEAD GASKET BLEWOUT BEFORE APPOINTMENT.

NHTSA complaint #877949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Concord, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I AM MAKING THIS REPORT AS I HAD PAID FOR THE REPAIR BACK IN 1998 AND WILL PURSUE FORD FOR A CREDIT. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY.

NHTSA complaint #737130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Statesboro, GA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #731563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bloomingburg, NY

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE NECESSARY. IT WAS REPORTED BY MY MECHANIC THAT OTHER EXPLORERS HAVE DEMONSTRATED SIMILAR PROBLEMS. IF SO, WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN ON RECALL BY FORD. IT IS A COSTLY PART AND REPAIR FEE.

NHTSA complaint #731728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Albuquerque, NM

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: DHL1PM116 )

NHTSA complaint #726778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boston, MA 2 killed

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA complaint #729823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Highlands, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT YES FIRESTONE TIRES CAUSED DEATHS BUT WHAT IF I BLOW A MICHELIN THE DESIGN OF THE EXPLORER CREATES THE DEADLY ROLLOVER NOT NECESSARILLY WHICH BRAND TIRE YOU HAVE I AM WORRIED ANY TIME WE DRIVE WHAT IF A TIRE BLOWS THERES A WHAT 50 % CHANCE WE DIE AND THAT IS MAKING ME WANT TO NEVER BUY THE FORD PRODUCT AGAIN...AND EVERYONE IS FREAKING OUT IN THE NATION ABOUT NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FIRESTONE NAME MY QUESTION IS WHAT IS FORD GOING TO DO? WHY DOESNT ANYONE NOTICE THE PROBLEM IS FORDS NOT NECCESARILY FIRESTONES.

NHTSA complaint #729313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Marshalltown, IA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAVE CONTACTED FIRESTONE ABOUT THIS FAILURE AND HAVE BEEN STONEWALLED AT EVERY TURN. I KEEP EXPLAINING THAT I REPLACED THE TIRES AT MY ONW COST OVER A 1 YEAR AGO AND THEY KEEP ASKING ME TO SEND IT TO ME. NEED SOME HELP TO GET THEM TO RESPOND CONSTRUCTIVELY.( DOT NUMBER: DON'T KNOW TIRE SIZE: ? )

NHTSA complaint #729346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Signal Mountain, TN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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!!!

NHTSA complaint #721341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sturgis, MI

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON REPEATEDLY. SOMETIMES WILL GO OFF BY ITS SELF,SOMETIMES BATTERY HAS TO BE DISCONNECTED.WILL NOT IDLE PROPERLY.WE HAVE HAD IT IN THE GARAGE SEVERAL TIMES TO BE PUT ON A SCOPE WITH ABSOLUTELY NO RESULTS AT ALL.I FEEL IT IS SOME KIND OF A SENSOR PROBLEM.PLEASE HELP!!

NHTSA complaint #719741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Murray, UT

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

O/D AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND THE TRUCK WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR

NHTSA complaint #718084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Eden Prairie, MN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WOULD YOU LIKE ORIGINAL PART??

NHTSA complaint #714635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Reading, MA Crash Fire 1 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WIND BLEW VEHICLE SIDEWAYS. HIT MEDIAN BARRIER ROLLED OVER SIX TIMES. DRIVER WAS NOT NEGLIGENT ACCORDING TO NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE POLICE AND MASS. DEPT. OF MOTOR VEHICLES. HOW DO YOU PROTECT AGAINST WIND CAUSING ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF A DESIGN FLAW? PICKUP TRUCK WAS TRAVELING BEHIND ME, WIND BLEW IT, BUT NOT TO THE EXTENT IT BLEW THE EXPLORER. I SUFFERED HORRENDOUS INJURIES AND STILL CANNOT WALK PROPERLY OR BE WITHOUT PAIN.

NHTSA complaint #713769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Indianapolis, IN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THIS IS IN ADDITION TO PREVIOUS COMMUNICATION... I HAVE VERY STRONG EVIDENCE THAT, FORD IS NOT ONLY NEGLIGENT IN NOT ADMITTING WRONG DOING AND, OR JUST DOING WHAT IT TAKES TO FIX MY VEHICLE. I CAN SEE NOW, WITH YOUR WEBSITE INFO AND INFORMATION RECENTLY GIVEN TO ME, THAT THERE IS GROSS NEGLIGENCE IN OTHER SERVICE ISSUES AND A "BUYBACK" (RECENTLY LEARNED PROCEDURE) WHICH SHOULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE ON MY 1995 FORD EXPLORER BOUGHT FROM SHARP FORD WHICH HAD VERY SERIOUS PROBLEMS. THEN, FURTHER INSULT TO INJURY, I AM BEING TOLD THAT THERE WAS A "DISAPPEARING TRADE-IN" (ANOTHER RECENTLY LEARNED TERM) ON THAT 1995 EXPLORER. PLEASE TRY TO CONTACT ME OR HAVE ONE OF YOUR REPRESENTATIVES DO SO TO TRY AND STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING TO OTHERS. NO AFETY DEFECT LISTED.

NHTSA complaint #707156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pawling, NY

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ACCORDING TO NHTSA MY CAR HAS HAD RECALLS BUT DELEAR SAYS THEIR AREN'T ANY I WAS JUST LOOKING FOR SOME HELP,THANK YOU

NHTSA complaint #704051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

E.hanover, NJ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE FIXED. AFTER IT WAS PICKED UP. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THE WINDOW IS STILL DEFECTIVE AND I AM FINDING PROBLEMS WITH OTHER PARTS AS WELL.

NHTSA complaint #700577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

PT. Pleasant, NJ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

GAUGE CLUSTER FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #525596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, WV

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

EVAPORATION SYSTEM KEEPS FAILING, CAUSING GAS FUMES TO COME INTO VEHICLE AND OVERFLOW GAS FROM TOP OF TANK. ALSO ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON.

NHTSA complaint #535858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LA Puente, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENGINE LIGHT ON CONTINUALLY.

NHTSA complaint #603875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Paramount, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

COMPASS INOPERATIVE.

NHTSA complaint #603208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING, ALSO BRAKE CALIPER FAILED, VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT FROM LANE TO LANE.

NHTSA complaint #509333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1996 Ford Explorer problems

← Full 1996 Ford Explorer report