1996 Ford Explorer Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 81about this part
- Share
- 6%of 1,450 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 81 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1996 Ford Explorer, 6% of the 1,450 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 7 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I had to replace the intake manifold of the 1996 Ford Explorer at mile number 163400 on march 30, 2007. It was leaking at #1 cylinder. There was a 'ecret warranty' in effect. I beleived for Explorer's 10 years old and younger. Mine was just over the 10 year mark.”
NHTSA complaint #10193521, filed 2007-06, 163,400 miles“I own a 1996 Ford Explorer sport 4x4, 4.0 liter v6 with 5 speed manual transmission. This is a motor made in germany and the truck, in the louisville, ky. Ford plant. Rodents took up residence in the heating system, and filled the heater blower assembly and ducting with scavenged materials, which took up approx. 1 cubic foot of space, once extracted. Much to my benefit, the material just so happened to be fire resistant stuffing from my archery target, stored in the same building. I started my vehicle and immediately upon turning on the heater, I heard a terrible noise which ended abruptly. …”
NHTSA complaint #10560811, filed 2014-01, 178,000 miles“I have researched and found numerous complaints about blown or leaking head gaskets on the 1996 Ford Explorer, and that is my complaint is.I have a 1996 Ford Explorer xlt with 66,000 miles is gararged year round and is maintained regularly and is only driven by my wife localy back and forth to work approximatly 10-20 miles a day I feel that there is no way I should have both head gaskets leaking coolant with realitivly low mileage for the year.there is definatly a problem here and feel that this needs to be investigated further by Ford, I was also speaking with a gentleman at a local auto…”
NHTSA complaint #10057052, filed 2004-02, 60,000 miles“1996 Explorer, has been a great vehicle. Started loosing power and shifting down and strange times. Then the o/d fail light started to flash. I understand this is a common failure and Ford knows about it but refuses to acknowledge the fact or accept responsibility. They need to recall these transmissions.”
NHTSA complaint #10328640, filed 2010-05, 178,450 miles“While driving at any speed and without warning, the engine shut off, which caused the consumer to pull over. Dealer had been notified. The lower engine locked, the power steering leaked at the rack assembly, the belt tensioner was faulty and there was a whining noise from the power steering when turning left, right or at stand still.”
NHTSA complaint #10034178, filed 2003-09, 53,264 milesEngine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 | 10 | 2% |
| 2020 | 21 | 2% |
| 2019 | 6 | 2% |
| 2018 | 29 | 4% |
| 2017 | 77 | 5% |
| 2016 | 114 | 5% |
| 2015 | 66 | 4% |
| 2014 | 67 | 4% |
| 2013 | 67 | 3% |
| 2012 | 14 | 2% |
| 2011 | 21 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 10 | 5% |
| 2006 | 164 | 26% |
| 2005 | 29 | 6% |
| 2004 | 71 | 5% |
| 2003 | 69 | 6% |
| 2002 | 163 | 5% |
| 2001 | 39 | 10% |
| 2000 | 90 | 9% |
| 1999 | 100 | 7% |
| 1998 | 189 | 10% |
| 1997 | 198 | 11% |
| 1996 | 81 | 6% |
| 1995 | 45 | 5% |
| 1994 | 74 | 6% |
| 1993 | 55 | 6% |
| 1992 | 64 | 10% |
| 1991 | 52 | 9% |
| 1990 | 2 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Explorer
570 complaintsVehicle speed control
148 complaintsBrakes
132 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
120 complaintsSuspension
97 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 27, 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