1996 Ford Explorer

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #09V399000October 13, 20094,500,000 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #00V402000November 28, 2000810,000 vehicles affected

  suspension

  Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Under certain conditions, a front sway bar link Can fracture.

  Vehicle handling could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace both the left and right front sway bar links.

• NHTSA recall #97V137000August 19, 19972,200 vehicles affected

  structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut

  Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles. The liftgate assist gas cylinder bracket on the right hand bodyside outer panel was incorrectly welded.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #97V074000April 30, 199723,000 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #96V161000August 29, 1996134,770 vehicles affected

  equipment: other: labels

  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."

  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.

• NHTSA recall #96V070000April 22, 199673,500 vehicles affected

  latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

  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."

  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.

Other model years

• 1991 609
• 1992 633
• 1993 939
• 1994 1,207
• 1995 843
• 1996
• 1997 1,731
• 1998 1,959
• 1999 1,348
• 2000 952
• 2001 375
• 2002 3,295
• 2003 1,131
• 2004 1,304
• 2005 497
• 2006 630
• 2007 208
• 2008 148
• 2009 33
• 2010 115
• 2011 1,197
• 2012 830
• 2013 2,237
• 2014 1,684
• 2015 1,813
• 2016 2,465
• 2017 1,704
• 2018 734
• 2019 300
• 2020 1,249
• 2021 451
• 2022 271
• 2023 113
• 2025 107
• 2026 42