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1996 Ford Explorer: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1996 Ford Explorer, most recently filed October 2009. Owners have filed 1,450 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the tires.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 6campaigns 2 vehicle speed control · 1 suspension · 1 structure Source: NHTSA Complaints 1,450filed Owner reports, 1992–2001 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Fuel economy 18mpg combined $3,628/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 4 L 6-cyl· 5-speed manual 6 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
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Recalls (6)

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1996 Ford Explorer. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1996 Ford Explorer. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 09V399000 Filed Oct 13, 2009

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/OVERHEATS

Vehicle speed control
Official NHTSA text
Summary
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence
A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Remedy
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 ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
Repair progress not yet reported4,500,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 09V399000
Listed for 1996 Ford Explorer. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 00V402000 Filed Nov 28, 2000

FORD/SWAY BAR

Suspension
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A FRONT SWAY BAR LINK CAN FRACTURE.
Consequence
VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS.
Repair progress not yet reported810,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 00V402000
Listed for 1996 Ford Explorer. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 97V137000 Filed Aug 19, 1997

FORD/LIFTGATE BRACKET WELDS

Structure · body · hatchback/liftgate · support device/strut
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LIFTGATE ASSIST GAS CYLINDER BRACKET ON THE RIGHT HAND BODYSIDE OUTER PANEL WAS INCORRECTLY WELDED.
Consequence
THE GAS CYLINDER BRACKET MAY NOT PROPERLY SUPPORT THE LIFTGATE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENT WITH TWO POP RIVETS.
Repair progress not yet reported2,200 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 97V137000
Listed for 1996 Ford Explorer. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 97V074000 Filed Apr 30, 1997

FORD/THROTTLE

Vehicle speed control
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.0L 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 BODY.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REVISED PCV SYSTEM WITH WATER HEATED VACUUM SOURCE.
Repair progress not yet reported23,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 97V074000
Listed for 1996 Ford Explorer. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 96V161000 Filed Aug 29, 1996

FORD/EQUIPMENT; CERTIFICATION LABEL

Equipment · other · labels
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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."
Consequence
INCORRECT INFLATION PRESSURES COULD CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR TIRES. .
Remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT CERTIFICATION LABELS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING THESE LABELS. DEALERS CAN INSTALL THIS LABEL IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES.
Repair progress not yet reported134,770 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 96V161000
Listed for 1996 Ford Explorer. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 96V070000 Filed Apr 22, 1996

FORD/STRUCTURE:DOOR ASSEMBLY:LATCHES AND LOCKS

Latches/locks/linkages · doors · latch
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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."
Consequence
THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WHEN CLOSED ONLY TO THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, MAY NOT SUSTAIN A 1,000 POUND TRANSVERSE LOAD.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH.
Repair progress not yet reported73,500 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 96V070000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Explorer years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Ford ExplorerAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (1,450)

1,450 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The tires is mentioned most often.

198involved a crash
37involved a fire
347injuries reported
51deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Ford Explorer, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 1,450.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1996 compares with other Explorer years

Best and worst Explorer years →
633 939 1,207 843 1,450 1,731 1,959 1,348 952 375
1992199319941995199619971998199920002001
This year (1996)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 18 mpg combined

18
mpg combined
16
city
21
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,700
CO₂ tailpipe
494 g/mi
EPA class
Special Purpose Vehicles

What it costs you to run

$3,628per year
$302per month
833gallons a year

Miles ÷ 18 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1996 Ford Explorer configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18$3,700494
4 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive14 / 20 / 16$4,200555
4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 19 / 16$4,200555
4 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive13 / 19 / 15$4,450593
5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive12 / 17 / 14$4,800635
5 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive12 / 17 / 14$4,800635

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1996 Explorer for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Explorer years

Where to next

Which Explorer years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →1997 Ford Explorer report1,731 complaints · 7 campaigns →1995 Ford Explorer report843 complaints · 5 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

1996 Ford Explorer FAQ

How many recalls does the 1996 Ford Explorer have?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns: 09V399000 (vehicle speed control), 00V402000 (suspension), 97V137000 (structure), 97V074000 (vehicle speed control), 96V161000 (equipment), 96V070000 (latch). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1996 Ford Explorer problems?

Owners filed 1,450 complaints with NHTSA. Tires (570), Vehicle speed control (148), Service brakes (126) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1996 Ford Explorer get?

EPA rates the 4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 16 city, 21 highway and 18 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1996 Explorer compare with other years?

Among the 1992–2001 Ford Explorer model years at least five years old, the 2001 drew the fewest complaints (375) and the 1998 the most (1,959). The 1996 drew 1,450. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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