1996 Ford Explorer: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1996 Ford Explorer: 6 recalls, 1450 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 5 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #96V070000 · 1996 · 73,500 vehicles
What's wrong: When in the secondary latched position, the driver door latches May open when subjected to transverse loads less than that specified in fmvss no. 206, "door locks and door retention components."
Why it matters: The driver's door, when closed only to the secondary latched position, May not sustain a 1,000 pound transverse load.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the driver door latch.
Equipment Vehicle recall #96V161000 · 1996 · 134,770 vehicles
What's wrong: The certification labels on the involved vehicles has incorrect rear tire inflation pressure designations. This does not comply with fmvss no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars."
Why it matters: Incorrect inflation pressures could cause premature wear of the rear tires. .
The fix: Owners will be provided with correct certification labels and instructions for installing these labels. Dealers can install this label if the owner so desires.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #97V074000 · 1997 · 23,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 0l engines originally sold or currently registered in the states of alaska, idaho, iowa, maine, michigan (upper peninsula only), minnesota, montana, nebraska, new hampshire, new york, north dakota, south dakota, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming. These vehicles, when operated for extended periods of time at highway speeds and temperatures below -20 degrees farenheit, do not return to idle due to ice in the throttle…
Why it matters: Although the vehicle can be controlled by either applying the service brakes or shifting the transmission to neutral, increased brake pedal efforts or some increase in stopping distance can result.
The fix: Dealers will install a revised pcv system with water heated vacuum source.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #97V137000 · 1997 · 2,200 vehicles
What's wrong: The liftgate assist gas cylinder bracket on the right hand bodyside outer panel was incorrectly welded.
Why it matters: The gas cylinder bracket May not properly support the liftgate increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix: Dealers will reinforce the bracket attachment with two pop rivets.
Suspension Vehicle recall #00V402000 · 2000 · 810,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Under certain conditions, a front sway bar link can fracture.
Why it matters: Vehicle handling could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace both the left and right front sway bar links.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #09V399000 · 2009 · 4,500,000 vehicles
What's wrong: The scds May leak internally and then overheat, smoke, or burn.
Why it matters: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
The fix: Ford will notify owners that dealers will install a fused wiring harness in line with the scds. On 1999-2003 windstar vehicles with a leaking scds, dealers will also inspect the ABS control module connector and repair as necessary. Repairs will be completed free of charge. The safety recall began…
5 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Tires Tire recall #00T005000 · 2000 · 14,400,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Tire description: firestone wilderness at, size p235/75r15, produced at the decatur, illinois tire plant and all firestone radial atx and radial atx II tires, size p235/75r15. Operation of these tires at low inflation pressures, high speed, and in hot weather, can contribute to separation of the tire tread.
Why it matters: If the tread separates from the tire, the driver can lose control of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash causing injury or death.
The fix: The replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on August 29, 2001. However, customers should contact firestone customer service at 1-800-465-1904 for possible assistance.
Tires Recall #01X001000 · 2001 · 13,000,000 vehicles
What's wrong: This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Equipment description: Ford is replacing all firestone wilderness at 15, 16, and 17 inch tires mounted on Ford trucks and suvs. Ford reports tread separation can occur due to a combination of the sensitivity of the tire design to stress, aging, and manufacturing differences between…
Why it matters: Should the tread separate at highway speeds, a vehicle crash could occur, possibly resulting in personal injury or death.
The fix: The replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on March 31, 2002. However, customers can contact Ford at 1-877-917-3673 or go on-line to www.Ford.com for possible assistance.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: Dope, Inc. is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 37 mention a fire, 347 injuries and 51 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Tires (570): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (558).
- Speed control / throttle (148): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (31).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (120): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (28).
- Transmission & drivetrain (119): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (36), noise or vibration (12), leaks (9).
The 1996 Ford Explorer has 1450 owner complaints, ranking #9 of 38 Explorer model years for complaints (1.6× the average Explorer year). Complaints peaked in 2000 (560 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 120,208 miles. Neighboring years: 1995 (843 complaints, 5 recalls), 1997 (1731 complaints, 7 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 16 | Regular |
| 4.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 19 | 15 | Regular |
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.0 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1996 Ford Explorer.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1996 Ford Explorer have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 1996 Ford Explorer, plus 5 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1996 Ford Explorer problems?
Owners have filed 1450 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are tires (570), speed control / throttle (148), brakes (hydraulic) (120).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Ford Explorer get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (4.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1996 Ford Explorer repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.