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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
28 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
18 / 4
Average Mileage:
0 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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1996 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #29

Aug 082009

Explorer

  • miles

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

On 8 Aug 09, my right rear tire blew out while going North on I95 at exit 132 near rocky mount, nc. My SUV flipped over a few times and my daughter and I ended up upside down looking at the traffic. I noticed that my air bag did not deploy.

- Spring Lake, NC, USA

problem #28

Jun 062005

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The consumer owns a 1996 Ford Explorer. The consumer was in an accident and none of his air bags deployed. The consumer was hit in the front end.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #27

May 172004

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving the vehicle at 50 mph, the driver lost control of the vehicle, which caused the vehicle to spin out of control and to roll over. Consumer stated that both frontal air bags failed to deploy upon impact. The passenger sustained minor injuries as a result. The vehicle was pronounced a total loss.

- Pickens, SC, USA

problem #26

Aug 262002

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles

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

While driving vehicle 45 mph, consumer ran into the back of another vehicle, and air bags did not deploy. No one was hurt.

- Jonesboro, GA, USA

problem #25

Apr 221998

Explorer

  • miles
The consumer was traveling when the vehicle was struck in the rear by another vehicle, causing the vehicle to spin around and roll. During the accident, the driver door came open and the driver seat belt came loose. As a result, driver was thrown out of the vehicle. The passenger's seat belt also became loose. The driver died instantly. The passenger suffered serious injuries. The air bags also failed to deploy.(sister on behalf of deceased brother)

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #24

Apr 162002

Explorer

  • miles
I was in an automobile accident on 4/16/02 and my air bag did not inflate. I was traveling at approximately 20-25 mph when a vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign and crossed my path. Why didn't the air bag inflate? I have severe brusing and contusions on my chest as a result of being thrusted foreward hitting the steering column.

- River Ridge, LA, USA

problem #23

Apr 221998

Explorer

  • miles

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

The consumer was traveling when the vehicle was struck in the rear by another vehicle, causing the vehicle to spin around and roll. During the accident, the driver door came open and the driver seat belt came loose. As a result, driver was thrown out of the vehicle. The passenger's seat belt also became loose. The driver died instantly. The passenger suffered serious injuries. The air bags also failed to deploy.(sister on behalf of deceased brother)

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #22

Apr 221998

Explorer

  • miles
The consumer was traveling when the vehicle was struck in the rear by another vehicle, causing the vehicle to spin around and roll. During the accident, the driver door came open and the driver seat belt came loose. As a result, driver was thrown out of the vehicle. The passenger's seat belt also became loose. The driver died instantly. The passenger suffered serious injuries. The air bags also failed to deploy.(sister on behalf of deceased brother)

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #21

Sep 232001

Explorer

  • miles
On 09/23/01 my 24yr. Old soninlaw was killed when he lost control and hit a meidian and tree was on two tires then went 30ft thru the air before the Explorer he was driving rolled and threw him out the driver window. He was wearing seat belt which he had had trouble with since purchase failed and he was ejected also his brother in passenger side couldnt get his belt to latch but he was lucky and walked away. The truck was also equipped with airbags on both sides which didnt deploy either. My son in law died that night when he was ejected and the truck landed on half of his face. He left behind a wife and 2sons and a 1 month old daughter. These Explorer are death traps please do not purchase one.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #20

May 262001

Explorer

  • miles
The Ford Explorer was hit on the freeway in the front right section which pushed the car left the car was then broadsided by another car and the front driver sided door flew open it was fortunate that my son had on his seatbelt so he would not be thrown form the car, but with the door flying open his arm, leg or head could have been severily damaged if it had been in the way when the door floew back to close. The air bags did not deploy either, it seems that they would have since the both hits were at speeds of approx. 55 mph.

- Bellaire, TX, USA

problem #19

May 192001

Explorer

  • miles

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

During a spin out at highway speed of approximately 50 mph in rainy conditions, a 1998 Ford Explorer impacted a concrete divider on the right front fender, followed by the right rear quarter panel. The vehicle came to a stop and tipped over onto the left side of the vehicle. Both airbags failed to deploy. No maintenance has ever been done on the airbag system, nor has there been a recall.

- Quantico, VA, USA

problem #18

Mar 062001

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving about 50 mph another vehicle crossed a stop sign and consumer struck other vehicle in middle. Both vehicles were totaled, but neither of air bags deployed.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #17

Jan 032001

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Air bags did not deploy in accident. Stopped at traffic light, hit in rear by car traveling at about 40 mph, car pushed forward into car in front of me, third car pushed into fourth, fourth into fifth, and fifth into sixth car. Front and rear bumpers destroyed, significant front and rear damage, air bags did not deploy.

- Middletown, NJ, USA

problem #16

Aug 042000

Explorer

  • miles
Driving 65mph & heard a thumping noise against vehicle. It started to fishtail. Driver lost control. It veered hard to right & hit another vehicle with front, and air bags failed to deploy. Went to right side of road & then flipped & rolled over twice. Vehicle landed on its roof. Left rear tire had its tread peeled completely off. Have the tire & tread. Also have copy of police report. Vehicle registered in Texas, but physically located in California. Vehicle was totaled. Firestone, radial ATX, P235/75R15 dot vdhl with 46,000 miles on them.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #15

Jul 231999

Explorer

  • miles
Prior to recall notification, vehicle experienced the cruise control sticking/throttle body failure, vehicle accident resulting from acceleration, no deployment of the air bags during collision resulting in injury to consumer.

- Old Forge, PA, USA

problem #14

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 #13

Apr 091999

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving driver's air bag deployed without any warning.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #12

Dec 301998

Explorer

  • miles
On icy surface with temperature of 30F, driver lost control of vehicle and veered into a guard rail on median, bounced off and hit guardrail on side of road head_on. Upon impact, air bags failed to drploy. Driver sustained injury.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #11

Mar 041999

Explorer

  • miles
Vehicle was involved in an accident due to hitting a deer. As a result, vehicle went into an embankment and rolled over on its top. Both air bags did not deploy. Dealer notified and had nothing postive to say. Seeking NHTSA for help in this matter.

- Patriot, OH, USA

problem #10

Aug 011998

Explorer

  • miles
While driving at 40-50mph, on dry pavement, vehicle hit large tree, frontal impact, neither air bag deployed. Dealer contacted and cannot remedy the problem. No warranty. Provide further information.

- Madill, OK, USA

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