There are 13 owner-reported lighting complaints for the 1996 Ford Explorerin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ON THIS VEHICLE SHORTED OUT WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED AND STARTED A FIRE (OPEN FLAME) ON THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE.
THE SIDE REAR TAIL LIGHT IS BROKEN. *SLC
HEAT FROM HEADLAMP BURNS TOP PORTION OF ASSEMBLY CAUSING A CRACK WHICH ALLOWS WATER TO SEEP IN AND BURN OUT BULB. HEAT SHIELD DOES NOT APPEAR TO ADEQUATELY COVER THE AFFECTED AREA.
FOG LIGHT HOUSING BROKE.
DOME LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF WHEN DOOR WAS CLOSED DUE TO WIRING FAILURE.
TAIL LIGHTS INOPERATIVE.
COMPARTMENT LAMP LIGHT BULB FAILED TWICE.
HEADLIGHTS INOPERATIVE, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.
ENGINE LIGHT FAILED.
WHILE USING HEADLIGHTS EARLY MORNING IN MOTION, LIGHTS COMPLETELY WENT OUT. ROPER AUTO SALES FOUND NOTHING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
HEAD LAMPS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. NLM
BRAKE LIGHT BULB FAILED.
UPON BRAKING, REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE BUT FLICK INTERMITTENTLY. OWNER WANTS TO IDENTIFY HIS OTHER FORDS DATING BACK TO 1986 W/SAME PROBLEM. DESCRIBE. *AK
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026