Model Year Problem Record
The complete public record for the 1996 Ford Explorer: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.
Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.
The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.
573 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
152 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 09V399000, 97V074000.
144 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
127 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
105 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 00V402000.
89 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
78 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
64 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 97V137000.
51 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
48 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
47 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
42 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
34 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 96V070000.
34 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
28 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
24 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
16 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 96V161000.
15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.
Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on November 28, 2000. The campaign covers an estimated 810,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on October 13, 2009. The campaign covers an estimated 4,500,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Latches, Locks and Linkages. Recall covering the latches, locks and linkages system, reported to NHTSA on April 22, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 73,500 vehicles across all affected models.
Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on August 29, 1996. The campaign covers an estimated 134,770 vehicles across all affected models.
Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on April 30, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 23,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on August 19, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 2,200 vehicles across all affected models.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.
FRONT SUSPENSION STABILIZER BAR LINK. Resulted in recall campaign 00V402000.
ELECTRICAL FIRE IN CENTER CONSOLE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
ACCELERATOR PEDAL. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.
Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.