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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

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1996 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #36

Feb 241999

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

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

Brakes failed to stop the vehicle - anti-lock system engaged at low speed on dry pavement, preventing the vehicle from stopping, thus causing a crash.

- Sunnyvale, CA, USA

problem #35

Oct 121996

Explorer

  • miles
The consumer when driving at any speed and there wa S a problem with the overdrive. Also, when consumer applied brakes, they went straight to the floorboard and the vehicle accelerated by itself. Vehicle has been into repair shop 20 times for repairs, and the dealer can't determine the problem.

- Nordotment, MA, USA

problem #34

Sep 011998

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
We have had numerous problems with our ABS (annoying pedal feedback during normal braking as well as during back-up), the front brakes were completely shot at 17,000 miles (we do not have a tow package) the rotor's had to be milled, and upon further investigation by the dealership ( after numerous complaints by me) found out the rear brakes were not functioning at all. I have 2 small children and I am becoming more concerned about their safety as this situation persists. I bought a Ford because they had a better safety rating at the time then other similar makes

- Kingwood, WV, USA

problem #33

Nov 291998

Explorer

  • miles

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

This is a non-recall for ABS. While driving 45-50 mph on wet pavement/some ice, vehicle fishtailed on black ice, driver corrected the slide. However, ABS locked up, sending vehicle in spin, resulting in rollover. Oncoming 2nd vehicle (same model) trying to go around, caused head-on collision. 2nd vehicle went under the 1st vehicle, and it was totalled. Vehicle towed. Provide further information.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #32

Oct 211998

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
On October 21, 1998 I was involved in an automoble accident. A Ford Taurus pulled out of a parking lot (from a complete stop) directly into my path. I was traveling at 30 mph and when I applied the brakes I slid directly into the drivers door. Rain had been falling all day(the first rain of the year). Therefore, I do not feel that my Explorer slowed at all, my total skid was between five and ten feet in length. My question/complaint is why did my air bags not deploy? I was wearing my seatbelt, but I still hit the steering wheel. I have been looking on the internet for information on the speed a vehicle has to be traveling in order for the airbag to activate. The national insurance institute web page said the average speed should be between 12-16 mph. My Explorer has many problems (it's a lemon). This, however, worries me. Would my airbag activate at a higher speed" should I be afraid to put my family inside and go for a ride" this all may be in vane, there is a good chance my insurance company may consider it totaled. My other main concern was the severity of damage to the Taurus. The driver was not hurt other than glass in his face, but all I could see was my grill and hood going directly into his window. I have read your

- Lodi, CA, USA

problem #31

Jan 081999

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
The ABS has experienced two differant types of failure. The most frequent (having occurred in excess of 24 times) happens on dry/clear pavement under moderately heavy braking. With out needing to the ABS "kicks" in, which greatly increases the braking needed to stop. The first few times, accidents were only avoided by the defensive driving ability of the driver. After the defect continued and Ford could not fix the problem, I found that when the ABS "kicks in" in an unneeded situation, if I greatly increase the braking pressure, normal braking is regained. The second faulty operation of the ABS has only been experienced twice. Both times were on dry/clear pavement when extremely heavy braking was required on a downslope to avoid collision. Both times all four wheels "locked" up, sending the vehicle into a skid. Thanks to my daddy having taught me how to handle a skidding vehicle, both accidents were avoided. I have contacted both Ford Motor Company and the dealership, all to no avail. This intermittant failure of the ABS still surfaces now and then. The last contact I have had with Ford was my response to a letter from dave roach - service manager for tom wood. The past two times I had my vehicle at tom wood, theft of personal belongings had occurred. Therefore I had refused to bring my vehicle back to them. In my response to Mr. Roach, I had asked that a representative (such as an area service rep) of Ford Motor Company contact me by phone either at home or work. We are now approaching the one year anniversary of Mr. Roach's letter (2/6/98), and I have yet to be contacted by anyone from Ford that is concerned about the dangerous operation of this vehicle. I do not know if I have contacted you before on this regard, but I found your site, so I thought I'd send this in. This is the second time I have typed this, as the first time I went to confirm the information, it showed that I had the airbag listed as having deployed, and they have not.

- Westfield, IN, USA

problem #30

Sep 101998

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

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

I have a constant chirping & grinding coming from the brakes even after repair, Ford cann't seem to locate the source much less make proper repairs. The vehicle has been checked by them 5 times now with out them locating the problem. The brakes also pull to the left when applied firmly.

- Lynchburg, VA, USA

problem #29

Aug 011996

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Anti lock brakes failed.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #28

Nov 081998

Explorer

  • miles
While driving at 30 mph went to apply for the brakes on wet pavement and brakes didn't work. Consumer hit a tree. Pulling the vehicle from the tree there was smoke coming from under the hood and the vehicle caught on fire.

- Brookhaven, MI, USA

problem #27

Sep 041998

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Accelerator would stick. The brakes fails to work when this happens. Can happen at different speeds. Have taken to dealer & informed idle air control motor needed replacing. Problem since returned.

- Pinnacle, NC, USA

problem #26

Apr 031998

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

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

ABS brake failure

- Carlisle, MA, USA

problem #25

Apr 221998

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
ABS system failed twice, onc eresulting in a collision.

- Carlisle, MA, USA

problem #24

Mar 011998

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When brakes are applied at highway speeds the vehicle vibrates. Brake rotors are warped. Owner has had the vehicle tuned. The dealer has been notified.

- Gardner, KS, USA

problem #23

Jun 061996

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
ABS brakes failed resulting in four deaths.

- Braselton, GA, USA

problem #22

Feb 081998

Explorer

  • miles
While driving 68mph with cruise control on, vehicle suddenly increased in speed. Had pumped accelerator pedal. Shifted into neutral but rpms were very high. Shifted out of neutral & placed feet on brakes to slow down or stop. Brakes started smoking. Called dealer to relay problem.

- Hurst, TX, USA

problem #21

Sep 301997

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Anti lock brakes have failed on several occasions, one incident caused a collision.

- Valrico, FL, USA

problem #20

Nov 101996

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Applied the brakes pedal went half way to the floor and that's when the pedal became stuck. Vehicle would not stop.

- Valrico, FL, USA

problem #19

Oct 091997

Explorer

  • miles
Front wheel bearing started to wobble, causing the sensor to fail, which caused the ABS to fail. The dealer has repaired the vehicle.

- Ramsey, MN, USA

problem #18

Aug 291997

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Traveling in the vehicle and tried to come to a stop, put foot on the brake pedal to stop and the brakes wouldnot work, the vehicle hit another vehicle in the rear.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #17

Dec 021996

Explorer

  • miles
The vehicle's ABS system locked up in icy conditions which made the vehicle slide side ways into a building. Also, the police report shows the air bag deployed after she hit the building, causing her head to strike the driver's side window and be decapitated.

- Mt. Kisco, NY, USA

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