NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Ford Explorer. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
THE CLUTCH SQUEAKS WHEN PEDAL PUSHED; THEREFORE CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER REPLACED ALSO, HUB AND BEARING FAILED AND CLUTCH RELEASE REPLACED.
GAS PEDAL STICKS.
GAS PEDAL STICKS.
WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LIFT PEDAL WITH HIS FEET UNTIL IT COMES BACK UP. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS LUGGAGE RACK ATTACHMENTS VIBRATED, CAUSING IT TO LOOSEN AND SEPARATE FROM VEHICLE. *AK
VEHICLE'S ACCELERATOR PEDAL SPOT WELDS ARE DEFECTIVE AND THE PEDAL WAS HANGING OFF ONE WELD. *AK
VEHICLES FRONT END HAS SEVERE VIBRATION, MAKING VIT ERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE FRONT WHEELS ARE WEARING UNEVENLY AND BOTH STEEL RADIALS ARE COMING OUT.VEHICLES IS RIDING ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE.THE KITS ARE NON-ADJUSTABLE. *AK
LUGGAGE RACK ATTACHMENTS VIBRATE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND PARTIALY SEPARATED. *AK
SWAY BAR FAILED.
AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN INJURY.
TRANSMISSION SLIPS FROM OUT OF SECOND AND THIRD GEAR.
POOR SUSPENSION CAUSES VEHICLE TO LEAN TO ONE SIDE.
STEERING WHEEL FAILED.
DOOR LOCK FAILED.
REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS FAILED.
DOOR LATCH ON DRIVERS SIDE FAILED.
WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON OR OFF, THE THROTTLE STICKS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO INCREASE ITS SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATES AND HAS BEEN MAKING NOISES, AFTER REPAIRS THEY ARE STILL PRESENT.
FIRESTONE TIRE HAS HAD A SLOW LEAK SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE.
FUEL GAUGE FAILED.
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN 35 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. DUP OF 816493, ADDED ON 25-FEB-98. *AK
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 35 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
DESIGN/METHOD OF SPARE TIRE STORAGE, CAUSING UNUSUAL/ABNORMAL WEAR TO OUTER SIDEWALL OF TIRE. *AK
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED OUT.
OIL SEAL FAILED.
BRAKE LIGHT BULB FAILED.
WINDSHIELD FAILED.
BLOWER FAN RELAY FAILS INTERMITTENTLY.
WINDOW FAILED.
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT DOES NOT MOVE.
ANTI LOCK BRAKE SENSORS FAILED.
EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE BRAKES AND TIRES.
POWER WINDOWS FAILED.
VEHICLE FLOODED WITH WATER DUE TO MANUFACTURER NEVER INSTALLING THE HOSES THAT CONNECT AND DRAIN EXCESS WATER FROM THE ROOF AREA, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO INTERIOR OF VEHICLE.
THE REAR DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOOR HANDLE ON THE INSIDE HAS BROKEN 3TIMES WITHIN 2 YEARS, AND THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE WHEN THE HANDLE IS BROKEN. MILEAGE 18062, 19364, 29265. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT HE HAS WRITTEN FORD, HOWEVER THEY HAVE NOT REPLIED. *SLC
THROTTLE/ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION.
VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, WITH MOTOR RUNNING, WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO REVERSE CAUSING VEHICLE TO BACK INTO ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE.
TACHOMETER/ DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR HANDLE FAILED.
WHILE PARKED, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE CENTER CONSOLE, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTS SHAKING, AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK
THROTTLE BODY AIR INTAKE AND ACCEWLERATOR CABLE FAILED.
BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEATS COLLAPSED BACKWARDS DURING A REAREND COLLISION. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES.
SEAT BELTS LOCK INTO PLACE, PREVENTING DRIVER FROM LEANING FOWARD.
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH OWNER MOVED STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT AND VEHICLE WENT INTO A ROCKING MOTION, CAUSING VEHICLE TO TURN ON ITS SIDE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
ELECTRICAL FIRE FROM THE INTERIOR SYSTEMS CONSOLE.
ONE OF THE FIRESTONE FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT DUE TO TREAD PORTION SEPARATING FROM BOTH SIDEWALLS.
SPRINGS AND SHOCKS FAILED.
SPRINGS AND SHOCKS FAILED.
BOLT ON THE STEERING COLUMN CAME OFF CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL, RESULTING IN A COLLISION.
REAR DOORS WILL NOT OPEN . ONE HANDLE HAS BEEN SPRUNG AND THE OTHER BROKE OFF. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK