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Other or unknownPart report

1996 Ford Explorer Other or unknown Problems

Complaints
33about this part
Share
2%of 1,450 total for the year
Median mileage
106,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the other or unknown of the 1996 Ford Explorer, 2% of the 1,450 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 106,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I have contacted firestone about this failure and have been stonewalled at every turn. I keep explaining that I replaced the tires at my onw cost over a 1 year ago and they keep asking me to send it to me. Need some help to get them to respond constructively.( DOT number: don't know tire size: ? )”

NHTSA complaint #729346, filed 2000-08

“Check engine light comes on repeatedly. Sometimes will go off by its self,sometimes battery has to be disconnected.will not idle properly.we have had it in the garage several times to be put on a scope with absolutely no results at all.I feel it is some kind of a sensor problem.please help!!”

NHTSA complaint #719741, filed 2000-03

“I am having trouble finding a car seat that fits the middle of the back seat. My child is 8 months of age and needs to be rear facing. For some reason the larger car seats do seem to fit securly, no matter what we do it's very loose. Is there a listing of approved car seats for our vehicle. Thank you.”

NHTSA complaint #706842, filed 1999-05

“Wind blew vehicle sideways. Hit median barrier rolled over six times. Driver was not negligent according to new hampshire state police and mass. Dept. Of motor vehicles. How do you protect against wind causing accident because of a design flaw? Pickup truck was traveling behind me, wind blew it, but not to the extent it blew the Explorer. I suffered horrendous injuries and still cannot walk properly or be without pain.”

NHTSA complaint #713769, filed 1999-10

“At such a low mileage it seems to me that this repair should be necessary. It was reported by my mechanic that other explorers have demonstrated similar problems. If so, why has this not been on recall by Ford. It is a costly part and repair fee.”

NHTSA complaint #731728, filed 2000-09

Other or unknown: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20261126%
20251918%
2024419%
20232825%
20225821%
20219020%
202021417%
20194816%
201816823%
201737422%
201643518%
201540722%
201434320%
201335116%
201210813%
201111810%
201098%
2009618%
2008128%
200752%
2006244%
2005163%
2004373%
2003484%
2002441%
2001123%
2000273%
1999272%
1998432%
1997402%
1996332%
1995162%
1994161%
1993111%
199251%
1991163%
199018%

Other parts of the 1996 Ford Explorer

Tires
570 complaints
Vehicle speed control
148 complaints
Brakes
132 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
120 complaints
Suspension
97 complaints
Engine cooling
81 complaints
Seat belts
78 complaints
Body and structure
63 complaints
Electrical system
47 complaints
Steering
47 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
47 complaints
Air 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