1996 Ford Explorer Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 97about this part
- Share
- 7%of 1,450 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 140,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 97 complaints about the suspension of the 1996 Ford Explorer, 7% of the 1,450 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 140,000 miles. 16 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 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.
“I bought my 1996 Explorer new on 01/19/1996 from wade Ford smyrna ga. I have not had any other mailing address other than the one where I lived at time of purchase and I still live there today. Ford did not send me a notice of NHTSA id # 00v402000. Can you please have Ford send a notice that I can take to a Ford dealer for the specified repairs? I learned of the recall 10/3/07. Thank you. Updated 12-12-07. Updated”
NHTSA complaint #10205057, filed 2007-10, 172,000 miles“Front sway bar link broke, dealer repaired it, (charged me for repair, but soon after, the other front sway bar link broke. There was recall 00v402000, but this y car was not included in the recall. I think this car should have been included in the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10191550, filed 2007-05, 85,000 miles“Suv suspension sways like its about to flip. The driver must slow down to regain stability. This occurs always when increasing speed while in passing lane or during rapid acceleration! I fear this will cause a wreak in the future!”
NHTSA complaint #10659878, filed 2014-11, 197,000 miles“While traveling at 50 MPH 10:30p.m., without cause vehicle slid across highway to the left, rolled and flipped, and collided with a tree - vehicle landed on its side with roof in to the steering wheel: all windows broken and windshield shattered. Roof actually caved in on teenage driver -fatality from multiple brain injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #10081048, filed 2004-07, 106,000 miles“Explorer sport (4x2),( manual transmission)(18,462 miles) dodging truck tire retread on interstate was oversteered. Then oversteered back when left rea hub assembly broke off. Then car fliped 6 times. When the car lost the rea wheel, control was lost.”
NHTSA complaint #10066229, filed 2004-04, 18,462 milesRelated recalls
- 00V402000Nov 28, 2000Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Under certain conditions, a front sway bar link can fracture.Covers: Ford Explorer 1995–1997, Mercury Mountaineer 1997
Related service bulletins
- 10204995Nov 28, 2000Letter Pursuant to Part 573 of Title 49 of the Code fof Federal Regulations, Defect and Noncompliance Reports, Ford Motor Company submits the following information concerning a…
- 10076008Nov 28, 2000This recall action involves replacement of the front stabilizer bar links in certain 1995 through 1997 model year Explorer and Mountaineer vehicles. Under certain conditions…
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 3% |
| 2024 | 3 | 14% |
| 2023 | 14 | 12% |
| 2022 | 13 | 5% |
| 2021 | 15 | 3% |
| 2020 | 36 | 3% |
| 2019 | 11 | 4% |
| 2018 | 23 | 3% |
| 2017 | 58 | 3% |
| 2016 | 73 | 3% |
| 2015 | 83 | 5% |
| 2014 | 103 | 6% |
| 2013 | 79 | 4% |
| 2012 | 22 | 3% |
| 2011 | 24 | 2% |
| 2010 | 4 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 3% |
| 2006 | 5 | 1% |
| 2005 | 15 | 3% |
| 2004 | 37 | 3% |
| 2003 | 63 | 6% |
| 2002 | 422 | 13% |
| 2001 | 43 | 11% |
| 2000 | 62 | 7% |
| 1999 | 65 | 5% |
| 1998 | 111 | 6% |
| 1997 | 105 | 6% |
| 1996 | 97 | 7% |
| 1995 | 93 | 11% |
| 1994 | 65 | 5% |
| 1993 | 59 | 6% |
| 1992 | 60 | 9% |
| 1991 | 33 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Explorer
570 complaintsVehicle speed control
148 complaintsBrakes
132 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
120 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 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