Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
20 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
25 / 2
Average Mileage:
1,395 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Ford Explorer brakes problems

brakes problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1996 Ford Explorer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1996 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #56

Jan 292001

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brakes operated poorly while driving. Dealer said brakes went into a false ABS mode, not allowing vehicle to stop.

- Tom River, NJ, USA

problem #55

Jan 032001

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
This vehicle experienced uncontrolled (runaway) acceleration after driving approximately 40 miles at highway speeds in 20 degree F temperature. Upon exiting the interstate highway, I proceeded through the first light (green) with out needing to brake or stop. The second (immediate) light was also green and I proceeded through it with slight acceleration (no braking). The next light was red with a line of cars waiting to proceed and I applied the brakes. At that point, the car started to slow and then began to accelerate and was at wide open throttle within a second or so. I braked as hard as I could and moved the shift lever to neutral as fast as possible, but the vehicle had enough momentum to crash into the rear car in line, which, in turn crashed into the vehicle ahead of it. Both other drivers were injured and taken to the hospital by ambulance. This accident is covered in the brighton, NY police report #100220. I contacted Ford Motor Co. After exploring the NHTSA database and discovering NHTSA campaign 97V07400. My vehicle, according to Ford customer service was not recalled under this campaign, although the criteria described in the NHTSA campaign summary appear to be met by my vehicle. Note: I am very sure that I did not mistakenly apply the accelerator pedal rather than the brake pedal.

- Sodus Point, NY, USA

problem #54

Dec 142000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Acceleration continued after releasing pedal. Occurred while in the process of making a left-hand turn, and pressed down on brake fully with no effect. Engine still 'revved' at full throttle, with brake at full pressure, causing a squealing turn. Only after shifting to neutral did engine stop racing and acceleration stop. This occurred to a lesser degree a week or two earlier, but could not definitively identify if acceleration problem at that time.

- Walnut Creek, CA, USA

problem #53

Dec 302000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

During routine brake inspection, master cylinders were found to be leaking. Brake pads were found to be in good condition. This concerns me as '95 Explorer were recalled for problems with master cylinders, not to mention the numerous other problems with this vehicle.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

problem #52

Dec 202000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer was driving at 55 mph on expressway when vehicle started to accelerate on its own, reaching speeds of 90 mph. Consumer put both feet on brake pedal, but vehicle did not stop. Consumer had to shift into neutral and turn off ignition, and it took about 2 miles before vehicle stopped.

- Elburn, IL, USA

problem #51

Nov 011999

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
ABS wheel speed sensors failed.

- Walton, NY, USA

problem #50

May 172000

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When starting vehicle it makes a clanking noise underneath on right side of wheel. When consumer applies brakes, pedal goes all the way down to the floor. Also, pedal is very soft.

- Oakwood, GA, USA

problem #49

Jul 011999

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Intermittently braking system malfunctioned, causing extended stopping distance. It feels like "driving on ice" which may result in a crash. Dealer couldn't determine the cause.

- West Bridgewater, MA, USA

problem #48

Nov 081999

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
ABS brakes locked at 40 mph because bolt broke, crash narrowly averted

- Bethesda, ME, USA

problem #47

Jun 301999

Explorer

  • miles
While driving, vehicle suddenly accelerated unexpecetedly in which the throttle was stuck, and the braking system did not slow the vehicle down which almost caused a crash. The occupant had to shift the vehicle in neutral and turn off the engine in order to stop vehicle. This occurred twice.. dealer could not duplicate the problem or determine the cause.

- Hardin, TX, USA

problem #46

Jul 011999

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When driving at any speed vehicle accelerated on its own. Consumer applied the brakes and vehicle would not slow down, and continued to race. Consumer put vehicle in neutral, ranched down and pulled pedal with her hands, stopping acceleration, and vehicle came to a stop.

- Mount. Carmel, TN, USA

problem #45

Sep 301999

Explorer

  • miles
While driving at about 65 mph and using cruise control, consumer tried to slow down, but cruise control locked up. When attempting to stop by hitting the brakes nothing happened. So consumer tapped on the gas pedal, and car accelerated all to 90mph. Consumer then put car in neutral and shut car off. Turned car back on, and rpms went up to 5, and sounded as though car was about to take off at full speed if foot had been taken off the brakes.

- Stow, MA, USA

problem #44

Jul 011999

Explorer

  • miles
When driving at any speed and applying the brakes, the brakes worked intermittently, and pedal was hard. Vehicle coasted to the side of the road/ slowed down, and came to a stop.

- West Palm, FL, USA

problem #43

Sep 021999

Explorer

  • miles
While driving at 40 mph apply the brakes and they went straight to the floorboar vehicle slowed down, but didn't come to a stop, causing the consumer to rear end another vehicle. Caused damage to the fender.

- Spanaway, WA, USA

problem #42

Aug 031999

Explorer

  • miles
While driving about 65 mph consumer tried to reduce speed of cruise control by applying brakes pedal, but ABS locked up, making the vehicle turn/roll over. Upon impact, air bags did no tdeploy, and vehicle was totaled.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #41

Nov 011997

Explorer

  • miles
When driving at any speed in cold weather the throttle pedal sticks. When applying the brake's or shifting the transmission to neutral, will incresaed the brake pedals efforts or some increase in stopping distance can resultin a problem.

- Rapid City, MI, USA

problem #40

Aug 131999

Explorer

  • miles
Brakes applied at 45 miles/hr, car slowed to 20 miles/hr but did not stop eventhough brake petal was depressed fully. Engine sounded louder then normal just before collision.

- Ham Lake, MN, USA

problem #39

Dec 011998

Explorer

  • miles
When driving at any speed and applying the brakes, they failed to stop vehicle properly.

- Princeton Junction, NJ, USA

problem #38

Apr 081994

Explorer

  • miles
Crossed intersection & applied brakes to slow down. Vehicle failed to slow down. Used emergency brakes & vehicle kept going. Finally shifted into park & vehicle stopped. Towed vehicle to home. Noticed thick hem of carpeting had moved over accelerator pedal.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

problem #37

May 111999

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
When the brakes are applied under normal braking conditions the ABS system will kick in. A tsb has been issued. The manufacturer has been notified.

- Canton, MI, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?