1996 Ford Explorer Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 47about this part
- Share
- 3%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 47 complaints about the visibility of the 1996 Ford Explorer, 3% of the 1,450 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The air conditioning blend door on my car is stuck and will not defrost the windshield even on cold winter and ice days, including during ice storms. This is a huge safety issue because we cannot get the ice off the windshield. We have been trying to get this problem resolved and fixed by Ford motor company for a long time now with no results. …”
NHTSA complaint #10159948, filed 2006-06, 78,000 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“Approximately one day after truck was purchased from dealer, it was noted that, with the exception of the driver's window, none of the windows in the truck would open. This is a safety hazard as in the event of an accident, passengers in the back seat would not be able to open windows if needed for escape (doors in passenger section of truck did not work either. See previous complaint).”
NHTSA complaint #10535187, filed 2013-08, 72,444 miles“My Ford Explorer '96 SUV cabin climate control stopped working 2 yrs ago at 70k miles. It only blows burning hot air or freezing cold air. Dealer wants $900 to replace the blend door. Ford will not fix this. The vehicle was expensive & this is a manufacturing defect that ruins the utility of the vehicle. In winter, windows frost impairing visibility. This is the top-of-the-line eddie bauer edition...Ford needs to take responsibility for its manufacturing defects.”
NHTSA complaint #10205799, filed 2007-10, 69,000 miles“Front windshield wipers fail to operate during wet/raining weather. The condition is intermittent, ie most wet conditions cause this 'lock-up' condition. Turning ignition off-and-on again in attempt to reset function does not work. In addition the interior lights, rear wiper, all power windows, and 4-wheel drive functions fail. The dealership ended up replacing the, you guessed it, gem module - the same one cited in the recall for other year vehicles. There is a recall (number 00v072000) for a similar problem on the same vehicle make and model but for years 1999 and 2000. …”
NHTSA complaint #10180887, filed 2007-01, 147,789 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 14% |
| 2025 | 13 | 12% |
| 2024 | 3 | 14% |
| 2023 | 11 | 10% |
| 2022 | 31 | 11% |
| 2021 | 48 | 11% |
| 2020 | 70 | 6% |
| 2019 | 8 | 3% |
| 2018 | 27 | 4% |
| 2017 | 77 | 5% |
| 2016 | 68 | 3% |
| 2015 | 45 | 2% |
| 2014 | 53 | 3% |
| 2013 | 63 | 3% |
| 2012 | 24 | 3% |
| 2011 | 23 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 9 | 4% |
| 2006 | 16 | 3% |
| 2005 | 26 | 5% |
| 2004 | 112 | 9% |
| 2003 | 62 | 5% |
| 2002 | 138 | 4% |
| 2001 | 17 | 5% |
| 2000 | 46 | 5% |
| 1999 | 217 | 16% |
| 1998 | 108 | 6% |
| 1997 | 90 | 5% |
| 1996 | 47 | 3% |
| 1995 | 19 | 2% |
| 1994 | 71 | 6% |
| 1993 | 56 | 6% |
| 1992 | 46 | 7% |
| 1991 | 32 | 5% |
| 1990 | 1 | 8% |
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 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 28, 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