1996 Ford Explorer Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 132about this part
- Share
- 9%of 1,450 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 97,400miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 132 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Ford Explorer, 9% of the 1,450 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 97,400 miles. 29 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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, filed 2004-10, 66,195 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10058793, filed 2004-02, 97,400 miles“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, filed 2005-06, 68,781 miles“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, filed 2002-04“Accelerator pedal is too close to brake pedal one inch away. The master cylinder developed a leak allowing the brake peddle to travel past the accelerator pedal, because the accelerator pedal is so close the incidence of hitting both pedals becomes greater as it was with my vehicle. We had come to an almost complete stop then the 1996 Explorer accelerated into the vehicle in front of us. Simple fix bend the accelerator arm away from the brake peddle. …”
NHTSA complaint #736277, filed 2000-11Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5% |
| 2025 | 19 | 18% |
| 2023 | 6 | 5% |
| 2022 | 13 | 5% |
| 2021 | 24 | 5% |
| 2020 | 88 | 7% |
| 2019 | 4 | 1% |
| 2018 | 11 | 2% |
| 2017 | 22 | 1% |
| 2016 | 19 | 1% |
| 2015 | 34 | 2% |
| 2014 | 27 | 2% |
| 2013 | 40 | 2% |
| 2012 | 21 | 3% |
| 2011 | 28 | 2% |
| 2010 | 15 | 13% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 8 | 5% |
| 2007 | 12 | 6% |
| 2006 | 41 | 7% |
| 2005 | 18 | 4% |
| 2004 | 53 | 4% |
| 2003 | 45 | 4% |
| 2002 | 132 | 4% |
| 2001 | 33 | 9% |
| 2000 | 64 | 7% |
| 1999 | 69 | 5% |
| 1998 | 94 | 5% |
| 1997 | 96 | 6% |
| 1996 | 132 | 9% |
| 1995 | 80 | 9% |
| 1994 | 261 | 22% |
| 1993 | 244 | 26% |
| 1992 | 99 | 16% |
| 1991 | 123 | 20% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Explorer
570 complaintsVehicle speed control
148 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
120 complaintsSuspension
97 complaintsEngine cooling
81 complaintsSeat belts
78 complaintsBody and structure
63 complaintsElectrical system
47 complaintsSteering
47 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
47 complaintsAir bags
41 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
34 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology