1996 Ford Explorer Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 1%of 1,450 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 158,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the equipment of the 1996 Ford Explorer, 1% of the 1,450 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 158,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1996 Ford Explorer. Vehicle keys only work infrequently. New keys from Ford dealer continue to have the same problem. For safety, any individual needs to know that their vehicle key will operate reliably. If you feel threatened or are being followed and needed the security of entering and locking your vehicle but were unable this could result in a personal safety risk including death. I have found that the issue as described above is a common complaint from other owners and Ford has refused to acknowledge the issue or correct it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10244016, filed 2008-09, 158,000 miles“My wife and I are scared to drive our 96 Explorer once we learned of all the recalls ( rear side glass, bad suspension, exterior lighting, headlights.) just to name a few I know of.”
NHTSA complaint #10367349, filed 2010-11“I did not receive a remedy or notification letter from Ford about my safety defects on my 1996 Ford Explorer. What do I do now, is there still time to fix these defects?”
NHTSA complaint #10312693, filed 2010-02“I bought this SUV used and I thought I was getting a great vehicle, boy was I wrong. It has been one thing after another with this SUV. Please check all of my complaints this is an interior problem, these things cannot be caused by evey day use. …”
NHTSA complaint #736209, filed 2000-11“Aaa came to replace the spare tire. Turned the cable for the spare tire to come down. Tire was lowered from storage area, reached up, and the cable broke. Movement or the position of the cable could be rubbing up against the rim of the spare tire. Contacted dealer and manufacturer.”
NHTSA complaint #856042, filed 2000-02Related recalls
- 96V161000Aug 29, 1996The certification labels on the involved vehicles has incorrect rear tire inflation pressure designations. This does not comply with fmvss no. 120, "tire…Covers: Ford Explorer 1996, F-150 1996–1997, F-250 1996–1997 +3 more
Equipment: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 0% |
| 2020 | 3 | 0% |
| 2018 | 4 | 1% |
| 2017 | 3 | 0% |
| 2016 | 2 | 0% |
| 2015 | 2 | 0% |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 4 | 0% |
| 2012 | 7 | 1% |
| 2011 | 6 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 11 | 2% |
| 2005 | 6 | 1% |
| 2004 | 14 | 1% |
| 2003 | 14 | 1% |
| 2002 | 60 | 2% |
| 2001 | 11 | 3% |
| 2000 | 14 | 1% |
| 1999 | 27 | 2% |
| 1998 | 37 | 2% |
| 1997 | 39 | 2% |
| 1996 | 16 | 1% |
| 1995 | 7 | 1% |
| 1994 | 32 | 3% |
| 1993 | 27 | 3% |
| 1992 | 23 | 4% |
| 1991 | 29 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Explorer
570 complaintsVehicle speed control
148 complaintsBrakes
132 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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