1996 Ford Explorer complaints

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK THE LOWER ENGINE LOCKED, THE POWER STEERING LEAKED AT THE RACK ASSEMBLY, THE BELT TENSIONER WAS FAULTY AND THERE WAS A WHINING NOISE FROM THE POWER STEERING WHEN TURNING LEFT, RIGHT OR AT STAND STILL. *SCC *JB

WIPERS FAIL REGULARLY. 5/01 MOTOR REPLACED. 10/02 STEM REPLACED. 1/03 RELAY REPLACED. 9/03 MOTOR REPLACED AGAIN.

TRUCK WAS IN PARK. PUT MY FOOT ON BRAKE, SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, TRUCK IMMEDIATELY MOVED FORWARD WITH FOOT STILL ON BRAKE, AT APPROX 2- 5 MPH. PUSHED CONTINUALLY HARDER ON BRAKE WITH NO RESPONSE. LIFTED FOOT COMPLETELY OFF BRAKE AND PUSHED AGAIN, THEN TRUCK STOPPED. WENT THROUGH A GARAGE DOOR IN THE PROCESS, COULDN'T STOP UNTIL TRUCK WAS FULLY THROUGH.*AK

DRIVERS SEAT BELT OVER THE COURSE OF 3 WEEKS, GRADUALLY WENT FROM POPPING OUT IN TO NOT WORKING AT ALL. WENT BACK TO FORD, OVER $200.00 TO REPAIR IT.*AK

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT LATCH PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE BUCKLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB *SCC *JB

SEAT BELT FAILURE. THE DRIVERS SEATBELT FAILS TO HOLD/LATCH. SEATBELT IS COMPLETELY UNUSEABLE.

REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE EXPLORER BY FORD HAS A WEAK SPOT THAT HE HAS HAD TO REPAIR ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. IT IS THE L CYLINDER #4 THAT CRACKED.

DEFECT WITH FAULTY INTERIOR DOOR LATCH/RELEASE MECHANISM PREVENTS DOORS FROM BEING OPENED BY PASSENGERS.*MR *CB

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE, DRIVER'S SIDE, 1996 FORD EXPLORER XLT, @72000 MILES. CAR IS IN GOOD CONDITION OTHERWISE, NEVER WRECKED. OVER THE COURSE OF TWO WEEKS, THE BUCKLE WENT FROM TO "POPPING-OUT THE LATCH" OCCASIONALLY TO BEING NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO SECURE THE LATCH IN TO THE BUCKLE AND RANDOM "POP-OUTS".THE BUCKLE WAS REPLACED AND I KEPT THE OLD BUCKLE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY HESITATED TO ACCELERATE, TRANSMISSION HAD GONE BAD, PER DEALERSHIP.*AK

SEATBACK IN MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER ([XXX]) BROKE WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. CAUSE IS A FRACTURED BOLT IN THE RECLINING SEATBACK LATCH.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WE PURCHASED OUR VEHICLE USED IN 1999 WITH 33000 MILES. 6 MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION, ANOTHER NEW TRANSMISSION LAST YEAR (2002), NEW BALL JOINTS, AND NOW WE ARE BEING TOLD THE RACK AND PINION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. FORD HAS NOT OFFERED ANY RECALLS ON THIS PART BUT I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS. MY VEHICLE IS CONSTANTLY SHAKING (FEELS LIKE I AM GOING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS) WHEN I AM OVER 30-40 MPH. WE ALSO JUST HAD OUR VEHICLE ALIGNED AND IT IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AGAIN BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE GAS PEDAL FELL OFF. *NLM

96 FORD EXPLORER: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TWO WEEKS AGO, ONE WEEK LATER, BATTERY STALLED AND REQUIRED A JUMP, THE POWER LEVELS READ NORMAL. I CHECKED THE POWER DISTRIBUTION BOX AND THE FUSES DID NOT MATCH OWNER'S MANUAL. TWO PARTS SHOPS ADVISED THIS COULD TRIGGER FIRE, OR A DEVICE TO MALFUNCTION. PER FORD OWNER'S MANUAL, AIRBAG & ATBS IMPACTED. I REPLACED THE FUSES TO MATCH THE OWNER'S MANUAL. TODAY, I TOOK THE CAR TO A PRIVATE SHOP, THAT WORKED ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM EARLIER. THE OWNER PULLED AN ALL DATA SCHEMA, WHICH IS QUITE DIFFERENT. HOW DO I KNOW WHICH ELECTRICAL SCHEMA IS CORRECT - THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THE OTHER SHOPS REFERRED TO, OR ALL DATA? IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE, 60A VS 30A FUSES, DIFFERENT BLANK RELAYS, ETC. IF THE FORD MANUAL IS CORRECT, AND I FOLLOW THE ALL DATA SCHEMA, IT COULD TRIGGER FIRE OR MALFUNCTION. VICE VERSA, WOULD BE BAD ALSO. EITHER WAY, CONSUMERS SHOULD BE ALERTED? EITHER TO INCORRECT ELECTRICS IN THE FORD MANUAL, OR TO AN INCORRECT ALL DATA SCHEMA USED BY MECHANICS? (I HAVE ASKED FORD, ALSO, FOR A REPLY.) ALSO - THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 6 MONTHS I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, BUT NO OTHER SYMPTOMS. THE FIRST TIME, THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CAM SENSOR, AND IT EVENTUALLY WENT OFF. HE STATED THIS WARNING LIGHT WAS INSIGNIFICANT, AND REFERRED ONLY TO EMISSIONS STANDARDS. (NO VISIBLE EMISSIONS). I NOTE THAT - PER THE OWNERS MANUAL AGAIN - THIS WARNING LIGHT CAN ALSO BE TRIGGERED BY A MONITORING, GPS, OR ALARM DEVICE BEING INSTALLED

MULTIPLE FAILURES INCLUDING: DEFECTIVE TIRES, ROTORS AND BRAKES CRYSTALLIZING, "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" ILLUMINATING, CROSS BARS ON THE TRUNK, PAINT PEELING AND DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL. *TS

1996 FORD EXPLORER, DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY LATCHED. *JB

THE BLEND DOOR FROZE -THIS DISABLES THE CARS HEATING AIR CONDITION AND DEFROSTING SYSTEMS I CONTACTED THE DEALER- AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $100.00 TO DETERMINE IF THAT WAS THE PROBLEM AND THAT FORD WOULD NOT HELP(THE DEALER CHECKED) ---I THEN CONTACTED FORD MYSELF--I WAS TOLD TOO BAD--NO HELP . *JB

THE FLY WHEEL IN THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES.

THE RECALL COMPONET REGARDING THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINK FAILED FOUR TIMES. *JB

UPON ACCELERATING PAST A VEHICLE TO CHANGE LANES, ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AGAINST FLOOR. BRAKES WERE ABLE TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. ENGINE HAD TO BE SHUT OFF TO PREVENT FATAL DAMAGE DUE TO ENGINE OVER REVVING AFTER BEING PUT INTO NEUTRAL. NEW PROBLEM WAS POSED AS POWER BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONAL ONCE ENGINE WAS OFF. ABLE TO FINALLY GET VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOP DUE TO LIGHT TRAFFIC. CONTACTED NEARBY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SUGGESTED HITTING THE PEDAL TO BREAK LOOSE. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL. DROVE VERY CAUTIOUSLY HOME. *JB

WE HAVE A 1996 FORD EXPLORER WITH ONLY 74,000 MILES. WHEN WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IT HAD ONLY 25,000 MILES. THE MAINTENANCE ON THE TRANSMISSION WAS DONE ACCORDING TO THE MAINTENANCE BOOK. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO GEAR IT SLIPS IN EACH FORWARD GEAR. REVERSE GEAR NO LONGER WORKS. WHEN IN REVERSE ITS AS THOUGH IN PARK. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHES RAPIDLY.

THE BLEND DOOR ON MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER BROKE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. FROM THE FORD OWNERS GROUPS WEB SITES, I HAVE SEEN NUMBEROUS OTHER OWNER'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MY HEATING IS STUCK IN HOT UNLESS MAX AIR IS TURNED ON. THERE IS NO IN BETWEEN. ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT AN EXTREAM SAFTY ISSUE, IT IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE FOR MY INFANT CHILD. THE FORD DEALER WILL FIX IT BUT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IT WILL COST ARROUND $1000. I SIMPLY CAN'T AFFORD THAT KIND OF MONEY TO FIX FORD'S DEFECTIVE PARTS.

ALL OF THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT LATCH.DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK *TS

CENTER CONSOLE WITH COMPUTER INFO DISPLAY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING.

FORD EXPLORER WITH 4 FIRESTONE WILDERNESS HT TIRES. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON INTERSTARE 12 NEAR MILEMARKER 75 THE LEFT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALLS OF THE TIRES. I REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES BUT HAVE THE FAILED TIRE AND DIGITAL PHOTOS IF THEY ARE NEEDED

THE LEFT REAR DUNLOP RADIAL ROVER (LT235/75R15) TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE. OCCURRED ON FREEWAY AT 70MPH. THERE WAS A THUMPING NOISE JUST PRIOR TO INCIDENT. THE TIRE DID NOT LOSE PRESSURE. NO CRASH, NO INJURIES BUT SOME DAMAGE TO LEFT 1/4 PANEL & TRIM ON VEHICLE, 1996 FORD EXPLORER. ALL 4 TIRES REPLACED AT SAME TIME & HAD APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES ON THEM WHEN THIS OCCURRED.

1) NO HEAT, ONLY BLOWS COLD AIR. 2) TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE.

1996 FORD EXPLORER HEATER/ AC BLEND DOOR FAILURE

THERE WERE TWO TIRES BLOWOUTS AT THE SIDEWALL SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE DRIVING. THE BLOWOUTS CAUSED DAMAGE TO BOTH DRIVER'S FRONT AND REAR WHEELS. TIRE INFO: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS 235/75R15 (DOT/UNAVAILABLE) 20K MILES ON BOTH TIRES DRIVER'S FRONT AND REAR. TS SCC

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A SPEED OF 70 MPH. THE CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES BUT THEY DIDN'T HOLD. CONSUMER HAD TO PUT VEHICLE IN PARK GEAR TO STOP VEHCILE, WHILE VEHICLE WAS COASTING. TS

CONSUMER STATED PROBLEMS WITH THE BALL JOINTS. MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WILL PASS THE INFORMATION TO THE ENGENIEERS BUT HAS BEEN 8 DAYS AND HE HAS NOT HEARD ABOUT THEM. *TS THE RUBBER BOOTS FELL APART CAUSING DIRT AND WATER TO ENTER THE BALL JOINTS. CONSUMER IS AWARE OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET REGARDING THIS CONDITION. HOWEVER A MONTH HAS PASTED AND CONSUMER HAS YET TO HEAR FROM MANUFACTURE. *TT

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT LOW SPEEDS, WHILE BRAKING, THE ABS SENSOR KICKED IN, CAUSING A LOSS OF BRAKES. MR SCC

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL SKIP GEARS. VEHICLE WILL SHIFT FROM FIRST TO THIRD GEAR. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICED AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE 2ND GEAR BAND HAD BROKEN. VEHICLE HAS AN AUTOMACTIC TRANSMISSION. MR

THE VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES AND STAYS ON ALL DAY. DEALERSHIP CHANGE SEVERAL SENSORS WITHIN THE ENGINE, BUT ENGINE LIGHT STILL REMAINS ON. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

BOTH FRONT SEATS BELTS RELEASE ON THEIR OWN. HAVE DONE SO NUMEROUS TIMES. I WILL REPLACE THEM TODAY. DT

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DOOR BEHIND THE DRIVERS SEAT HAS A LOT OF PLAY IN THE HANDLE. CONSUMER CAN'T OPEN DOOR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

CONSUMER STATES, WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES SYSTEM TAKE LONGER TO STOP AND ALWAYS REMAIN THE LIGHT ON. ALSO HAS PROBLEM WITH SUDDEN ACCELARATION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. NLM

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE 45 MPH, CONSUMER RAN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO ONE WAS HURT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

AFTER DRIVING 1-2 HOURS WITH AIR CONDITIONER ON DURING HOT WEATHER AND TURNING VEHICLE OFF, AND RETURN VEHICLE WOULD TURN OVER SOON AFTER ENGINE WOULD SHUT DOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, BUT COULD NOT FINE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

SECOND FIRESTONE (P235/75R15S)TIRE RECALL WORK PERFORMED, RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE SHOCK ABSORBERS, REAR AND FRONT SUSPENSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *TT

TIRE BLEWOUT. *AK

WHILE REMOVING CHILD FROM CAR SEAT ON SECOND ROW OF VEHICLE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT RECLINES BACK ON TOP OF CONSUMER'S LEG . DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. HOWEVER, HAS NO REMEDY FOR SEAT. *AK

VEHICLE STALLS AT AT A STOP. CONSUMER HAS TO REV ENGINE HARD TO KEEP IDLING. DEALER HAS BEEN INFORMED, BUT HAS FOUND NO PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THROTTLE PEDAL WILL STICK AND VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE. COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

DRIVER'S SEATBELT WILL NOT LATCH, AND CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO USE IT WHILE DRIVING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH VEHICLE STEERED LEFT. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE, AND HIT A CONCRETE DIVIDER, CAUSING $ 4000.00 DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. DEALER DETERMINED THAT SPINDLE ASSEMBLY HAD BROKEN ON RIGHT FRONT.*AK

ENGINE OVERHEATED DUE TO LEAK FROM HEAD GASEKTS. TOO MUCH WEAR ON GASKETS FOR ONLY 75,000 MILES. *TT

TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD HUMMING SOUND WHICH COMES FROM FRONT END OF VEHICLE. ALSO, TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. CONSUMER CONSTANTLY HAS TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE SPEED SENSOR AND THE O2 SENSOR WERE REPLACED. JG

AT 65MPH THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER BECAUSE FLYWHEEL'S CENTER HUB BROKE. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE ADD MORE INFORMATION.*AK