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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
11 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
14 / 1
Average Mileage:
25,151 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 engine problems

engine problem

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1996 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #85

Feb 082020

Explorer

  • 180,770 miles

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

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 try 3-6 times de accelerating and accelerating to try to get it to go finalt it caught and I was able to drive it so I stopped at the parts store had them do a scan and the only code that came up was P1701 they looked it up and it said something to do with trouble in reverse witch in reverse has no problem at all so I'm a little confused about it and also a little scared to drive it when this is my only transportation and if it won't engage in to gear when accelerating when in D that could be potentially dangerous also the odometer and speedometer do not work was told it was vehicle speed sensor so I replaced it still had issue so I replaced the odometer spiral gear hopefully it will fix the problem also the back seat double side would not go down fixed it after pulling it apart and drilling another hole into the spring loaded circle that has a tenchener on it fixed that....and the driver and passenger automatic seats just stopped moving about half way so it's very hard for me to reach the pedal and the automatic side mirrors don't work eather one and the all fuses are good theas are all safety issues that have me concerned since it's all I have so anything or anywhere I can take it or do to it please contact me so it can get fixed asap for the shifting issue.

- Brush Prairie, WA, USA

problem #84

May 052017

Explorer

  • 226,000 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. The next day I got into the vehicle, was heading to the gas station when I realized the speedometer was not working properly, the arm went to 20mph and dropped to 0 and the vehicle began shifted bad from low to high gears on the automatic transmission. As I continued to drive, the RPM went high, little over 3rph and felt like the transmission was sticking over drive light flashes, then the check engine light. Did a code reader and said my seed sensor was no good. Replaced the vss, check engine light went off for about 15 miles, then same issue.I did a full time up, no change, did another reading, same code for speed sensor replaced again, same issue. Seen online I have a recall on the speed sensor and cruise control, made appointment with Ford after flexplate shredded, Ford sent me to a "friends" mechanic who refused to touch my truck who then sent me to another mechanic until I called Ford again who rescheduled me to come back a week later. I'm afraid to drive the car especially in and out of state due to this recall and the safety concerns that go with it. I'd like help on what I can do in this situation and be reimbursed for the time I haven't driven my vehicle or been able to perform my duties at work, and the money I've spent fixing the issue that shouldn't even exist.

- Portola, CA, USA

problem #83

Mar 212016

Explorer 6-cyl

  • miles
Searching by VIN: [xxx] number of open recalls: 0 but searching by make, model, and model year I found this recall: www-ODI.NHTSA.dot.gov/owners/searchresults;jsessionid=sj1qww1gvddycs6xggchztlty2tn4kjkbpxv1gcs9vg9xl8B1zt5!857755995?prodtype=V&searchtype=prod&targetcategory=a&searchcriteria.model=Explorer&stats=215181%2C11%2C3%2C1611%2C236%2cexplorer&makestats=&jsonbaseurl=%2fdownloads%2ffolders%2F&searchcriteria.model_yr=1996&searchcriteria.make=Ford&searchcriteria.prod_ids=215181 report receipt date: Oct 13, 2009 NHTSA campaign number: 09V399000 component(s): Vehicle speed control the dealership shop and with your chat representative tried to convince me that the recalls are only by VIN even tough in your web-site it says: "besides the VIN search tool you just used, NHTSA offers additional safety information based on a vehicle's make, model, and model year and not tied to any particular VIN. A search by vehicle make, model, and model year gives you access to information about technical service bulletins, NHTSA investigations, and owner complaints, as well as safety recalls on aftermarket equipment that is often not linked to a particular VIN or even to your vehicle's manufacturer. " where is the truth" do I have a recall 09V399000 for my vehicle" information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Safety Harbor, FL, USA

problem #82

Feb 082014

Explorer 6-cyl

  • 149,000 miles

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

15 minutes after parking the vehicle and getting off the vehicle caught onfire under the hood in the drivers side. The fire expanded quickly caught drivers side front tire and moved on to the entire motor before the firefighters came and stopped the fire.

- Brownsville, TX, USA

problem #81

Jan 082013

Explorer

  • 175,000 miles
The vehicle began hesitating during takeoff, allowing the engine to experience high RPM's but very little acceleration. The vehicle then began to not fall into 1st gear, when you shifted the car into drive from park the vehicle would hesitate for about 4 seconds then lurch heavily, the vehicle also does this at every stop, after you make a complete stop and precede to attempt to drive again the vehicle will RPM as you push the accelerator but won't move for about 4 seconds, after the 4 seconds the vehicle lurches forward heavily and spins both rear tires.

- Richmond, IN, USA

problem #80

Dec 072011

Explorer

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Ford Explorer. The contact was driving 80 mph when the vehicle exhibited an abnormally loud snapping sound as the accelerator pedal traveled to the floorboard. The contact stated that the assembly fractured from the firewall and caused the vehicle to decelerate. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 100,000.

- Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA

problem #79

Nov 302011

Explorer

  • 179,321 miles

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

The contact owns a 1996 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 40 mph the vehicle suddenly accelerated and she tried to engage the brakes but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact mentioned that she was able to stop the vehicle by shifting to neutral and turning the vehicle off. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 179,321.

- Belgrade, MT, USA

problem #78

Jun 242010

Explorer

  • 91,309 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Ford Explorer. She stated the vehicle was left parked for approximately one hour. When the contact returned to the vehicle, she noticed the cruise control switch had overheated and melted. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home without incident. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance. There was not a recall for the failure. The failure and current mileages were 91,309.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #77

Apr 072010

Explorer

  • 12,700 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Ford Explorer. The contact received repairs for recall 09V399000 (vehicle speed control) in April 2010. However, the cruise control buttons had melted. The contact called the dealer who stated that the failure was separate from the recall problem. The contact stated that there was no problem with the cruise control prior to the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 12,700. The current mileage was 127,155.

- Charleston, SC, USA

problem #76

Aug 172009

Explorer

  • 157,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that dashboard lights were too dim. The gas cap was not secure on the tank and did she was unable to replace the gas cap on tight. The dealer advised her that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced because it added to the pollution. She received recall notice 09V399000, vehicle speed control and the dealer replaced the catalytic converter instead of the speed control deactivation switch. She called the dealer and the manufacturer but received no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 157,000.

- Waterloo, IA, USA

problem #75

May 162009

Explorer

  • 155,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 1996 Ford Explorer. The controls for the cruise control became dislodged and he could not put them back. The dealer was notified, but he did not receive any assistance. He received recall notice # 09V399000 (vehicle speed control). A technician stated that they would repair the part described under the recall that would cause the fire but not repair the controls. The controls should also be repaired because without there functioning, the cruise control could not be activated. The current mileage was approximately 157,000. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

- Chester, VA, USA

problem #74

Jan 222008

Explorer 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Safety recall 97V-074000. Everything my vehicle did is described in this recall. The throttle stuck at 65 mph on two different occasions so far. Both times occurred on days with temps at -13 to -15 degrees. The vehicle speeds up to the "stuck" speed with no gas pedal use, and won't stop without standing on the brake pedal. Upon shifting to neutral or park, the RPM revs up to about 5000. I have contacted Ford customer service. The agree that is sounds like the problem listed in the recall. However, since I live in Colorado, they will not fix it under the recall. I live less than 30 miles from Wyoming, which is included, and further North than parts of Nebraska - also included. This is a safety problem when I can't stop, yet they are not willing to help. The first occurrence was on January 2, 2008 - same situation.

- Briggsdale, CO, USA

problem #73

Dec 272006

Explorer 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
My 1996 Ford Explorer unexpectedly went up in flames between the hours of 3 am - 4 am on 12/27/2006. I was later informed by my insurance company that a defective cruise control switch might have caused this to occur.

- Neptune, NJ, USA

problem #72

Jan 152006

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 171,000 miles
: the contact stated the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably to 80 mph on the highway without warning while traveling 60 mph. The vehicle was not controllable by the applied brakes. The cruise control was not engaged. The contact put the transmission into neutral and reapplied the brakes, which assisted in stopping the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined that the speed control could have caused the problem. The same problem occurred on 4 other occasions. The vehicle accelerated while stopped at a stop sign on 07/22/06.

- Paradise, CA, USA

problem #71

Jan 192006

Explorer 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles
: the contact owns a 1996 Ford Explorer. It caught fire while parked, destroying the vehicle, the house, and another vehicle that was parked in the driveway. There is a NHTSA recall, # 05V388000, regarding the vehicle speed control. The vehicle had the same problems as indicated in the recall, however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.

- Coppell, TX, USA

problem #70

Jan 212006

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 167,325 miles
I was driving my 96 Ford Explorer Sport, traveling 65 mph on a freeway, when the car rpms suddenly went up to 5500 without me doing anything. The cruise control was not on. As the car accelerated I depressed the brakes and was only able to slow down slightly, I then reached down to check if something was contacting the accelerator and I also pulled the floor mat back. The car continued to accelerate past 80 mph. Pumping the accelerator did not change anything. I have a manual transmission so I pushed down the clutch and the car slowed, however, the RPM stayed at 5500. I made it to the side of the freeway and turned off the car. I restarted it after the engine stopped and the RPM went back up to 5500. I then stopped the engine again and waited 5 minutes and then restarted and the car was then running normally. I took it to a Ford dealer and they could not find a reason for the problem as there were no engine malfunction codes that would cause the incident and the accelerator and cruise control cables were in good condition. They suggested that the floor mat could have been the cause but I'm sure that was not the cause as I pulled the floor mat away and there was no change in the problem. The service tech and the dealership were honest and told me they could not find a cause and nothing was done to fix the problem.

- La Mesa, CA, USA

problem #69

Oct 012004

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
NHTSA campaign 97V074000, 97V137000, 97V070000. Ford issued a throttle, liftgate, and door assembly recalls. This vehicle was not included in the recalls, but the consumer was experiencing the same problems as those vehicles that were recalled. The vehicle identification number was outside the remedy scope.

- Alpharetta, GA, USA

problem #68

Feb 182004

Explorer 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,400 miles
My 1996 Explorer is a 5.0 litre AWD eddie baur purchsed used. After driving using the cruise control without incident, I pulled into a parking lot. Coasting slowly into a parking slot applying the brakes, the engine appeared to increase power making it difficult to stop. The more I pressed the brake pedal the more the engine power increased preventing the vehicle from stopping until colliding with a vehicle in front. With the brake still applied, the engine raced when put in nuetral until switching the ignition off. The brake and accelerator operated normally after restarting. Damage resulted to the Explorer bumper. I did not observe the gas pedal position during the incident but assumed it could have been driven by the cruise control cable under uncommanded operation and severed the cruise cable before proceding. A similar problem had occured during a prior stop the same trip but abruptly returned to normal operation possibly after having pumped the brakes to check them. The same type problem with engine power surge during braking to a stop occured on prior days when the cruise control had not been used and may have corrected after pumping the brake. Reviewing nhsta complaint ODI id 736277 and subsequent experiment on my vehicle, it appears the problem could potentially result from inadvertant pressing the gas pedal during braking due to proximity of the pedals but I can't rule out uncommanded cruise control operation activated by a brake signal. Please advise if investigation and discovery have resulted in any probable causes and recommendations for corrective maintenance for this safety hazard. Does not display symptoms corrected by recalls for throttle body sticking and jammed cruise control cable.

- Tarpon Springs, FL, USA

problem #67

Feb 192004

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles
The vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning.

- Waban, MA, USA

problem #66

Feb 192002

Explorer

  • 90,000 miles
Recall 97V074000 concerning throttle body failure. During the winter months while revving up the engine it will race very violently. Engine would race to the point when it would be necessary to press the brakes real hard to keep the vehicle from moving forward. This happened ten times in 2003. This vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.

- Bronx, NY, USA

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