1996 Ford Explorer Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 148about this part
- Share
- 10%of 1,450 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 134,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 148 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1996 Ford Explorer, 10% of the 1,450 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 134,500 miles. 19 of these say a crash was involved and 7 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving in d in first to second it has had a problem shifting between the 1st and 2nd gears when accelerating and will rev high rpms and sometimes do absolutley nothing when drying to move forward unless I de accelerate and then try to accelerate agine then finally it will catch and go in to 2nd and proceed to 3rd and then 4th and then 5th ,4th and 5th when accelerating sounds very rough when accelerating like it's trying to hard to drive, lately it just the other day I had trouble getting it to go in to d to 1st 2nd 3rd automatic transmission shifting was not wanting to catch had t ok…”
NHTSA complaint #11309404, filed 2020-02, 180,770 miles“Safety recall 09s09 - scds (speed control deactivation switch) on Ford models made after 95 with a texas made deactivation switch that was made poorly. I purchased a 1996 Ford Explorer eddie bauer edition 4x4 truck in december of 2016, from a private party in nevada.the vehicle was purchased mainly so I could deliver as part of my job description and needed something with 4x4 since I live in snow. Did a test drive, everything seemed to work properly and drive nicely, drove it from reno, nv to portola, ca about 62 miles, everything still fine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10985040, filed 2017-05, 226,000 miles“I was driving 75 on i76 in colorado. I had the speed control set to 75 MPH. All of a sudden, I couldn't cancel speed control and the speed started increasing. I tried everything to cancel it - no luck. I slammed on the brakes and brought the car to a slower speed moving straight before turning the key and engine off - I knew the steering wheel would lock, that's why I straightened the car out on the shoulder before I turned it off.”
NHTSA complaint #10079236, filed 2004-07, 38,000 miles“1996 Ford Explorer two doors: cruise control buttons on the steering wheel melted. New buttons put by a private technician at my own cost. Several Ford vehicles are being recalled for this problem but not mine. Why not? I am the original owner.”
NHTSA complaint #10136983, filed 2005-09, 48,000 miles“On wednesday december 29th, 2004, at approximately 3:30pm I was traveling south on rt. 9w in my 1996 Ford Explorer xlt. The weather was clear, approximately 35-40f, and the roads were clear of snow and ice. I passed a car going 35mph in a 55 MPH area, and my Explorer stuck going at 3000r pms and accelerating. I tried to brake but my Explorer would not decelerate. I put on my hazards, put both of my feet on the brake pedals pushing as hard as I could and still could not control the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10104820, filed 2004-12, 130,000 milesRelated recalls
- 09V399000Oct 13, 2009Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150…Covers: Ford Explorer 1995–2002, E-150 1992–2003, E-350 1992–2003 +12 more
- 97V074000Apr 30, 1997Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with 5.0l engines originally sold or currently registered in the states of alaska, idaho, iowa…Covers: Ford Explorer 1996–1997, Mercury Mountaineer 1996–1997
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5% |
| 2025 | 7 | 7% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 7 | 3% |
| 2021 | 15 | 3% |
| 2020 | 29 | 2% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 10 | 1% |
| 2017 | 21 | 1% |
| 2016 | 76 | 3% |
| 2015 | 16 | 1% |
| 2014 | 29 | 2% |
| 2013 | 38 | 2% |
| 2012 | 17 | 2% |
| 2011 | 18 | 2% |
| 2010 | 14 | 12% |
| 2009 | 5 | 15% |
| 2008 | 7 | 5% |
| 2007 | 13 | 6% |
| 2006 | 28 | 4% |
| 2005 | 44 | 9% |
| 2004 | 76 | 6% |
| 2003 | 37 | 3% |
| 2002 | 152 | 5% |
| 2001 | 36 | 10% |
| 2000 | 113 | 12% |
| 1999 | 148 | 11% |
| 1998 | 281 | 14% |
| 1997 | 202 | 12% |
| 1996 | 148 | 10% |
| 1995 | 81 | 10% |
| 1994 | 51 | 4% |
| 1993 | 38 | 4% |
| 1992 | 14 | 2% |
| 1991 | 30 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1996 Ford Explorer
570 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 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