Ford Explorer Complaints (1996)

1,450 consumer complaints on file.

#10060014February 28, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
SUDDEN AND TOTAL RELEASE OF ALL AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERANT (R134A) AND COMPRESSOR OIL.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10058793February 23, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY 1996 EXPLORER IS A 5.0 LITRE AWD EDDIE BAUR PURCHSED USED. AFTER DRIVING USING THE CRUISE CONTROL WITHOUT INCIDENT, I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. COASTING SLOWLY INTO A PARKING SLOT APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE ENGINE APPEARED TO INCREASE POWER MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE MORE I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE MORE THE ENGINE POWER INCREASED PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM STOPPING UNTIL COLLIDING WITH A VEHICLE IN FRONT. WITH THE BRAKE STILL APPLIED, THE ENGINE RACED WHEN PUT IN NUETRAL UNTIL SWITCHING THE IGNITION OFF. THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR OPERATED NORMALLY AFTER RESTARTING. DAMAGE RESULTED TO THE EXPLORER BUMPER. I DID NOT OBSERVE THE GAS PEDAL POSITION DURING THE INCIDENT BUT ASSUMED IT COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVEN BY THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE UNDER UNCOMMANDED OPERATION AND SEVERED THE CRUISE CABLE BEFORE PROCEDING. A SIMILAR PROBLEM HAD OCCURED DURING A PRIOR STOP THE SAME TRIP BUT ABRUPTLY RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION POSSIBLY AFTER HAVING PUMPED THE BRAKES TO CHECK THEM. THE SAME TYPE PROBLEM WITH ENGINE POWER SURGE DURING BRAKING TO A STOP OCCURED ON PRIOR DAYS WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD NOT BEEN USED AND MAY HAVE CORRECTED AFTER PUMPING THE BRAKE. REVIEWING NHSTA COMPLAINT ODI ID 736277 AND SUBSEQUENT EXPERIMENT ON MY VEHICLE, IT APPEARS THE PROBLEM COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT FROM INADVERTANT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL DURING BRAKING DUE TO PROXIMITY OF THE PEDALS BUT I CAN'T RULE OUT UNCOMMANDED CRUISE CONTROL OPERATION ACTIVATED BY A BRAKE SIGNAL. PLEASE ADVISE IF INVESTIGATION AND DISCOVERY HAVE RESULTED IN ANY PROBABLE CAUSES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORRECTIVE MAINTENANCE FOR THIS SAFETY HAZARD. DOES NOT DISPLAY SYMPTOMS CORRECTED BY RECALLS FOR THROTTLE BODY STICKING AND JAMMED CRUISE CONTROL CABLE.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10059322February 19, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10057052February 11, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT BLOWN OR LEAKING HEAD GASKETS ON THE 1996 FORD EXPLORER, AND THAT IS MY COMPLAINT IS.I HAVE A 1996 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH 66,000 MILES IS GARARGED YEAR ROUND AND IS MAINTAINED REGULARLY AND IS ONLY DRIVEN BY MY WIFE LOCALY BACK AND FORTH TO WORK APPROXIMATLY 10-20 MILES A DAY I FEEL THAT THERE IS NO WAY I SHOULD HAVE BOTH HEAD GASKETS LEAKING COOLANT WITH REALITIVLY LOW MILEAGE FOR THE YEAR.THERE IS DEFINATLY A PROBLEM HERE AND FEEL THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER BY FORD, I WAS ALSO SPEAKING WITH A GENTLEMAN AT A LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE (WHERE I WORK PART TIME ) AND HE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS 1998 FORD EXPLORER XLT, BOTH ENGIES INVOLVED ARE THE 4.0 V6. I HOPE FORD WILL DO WHAT IS NESESARY TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF BUT FOR OTHERS THAT WILL ULTIMATLY HIT THEM QUITE HARD IN THE POCKETBOOK FOR WORK DONE AT A SEVICE CENTER.I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTILL I FIND OUT WHAT CAN BE DONE BY FORD BUT HAVE TO IN ORDER TO GET MY WIFE BACK AND FORTH TO WORK, I DO NOT KNOW IF ANYTHING CAN BE DONE TO SEAL THE PROBLEM WITHOUT TAKING THE HEADS OFF AND REPLACING THE GASKETS.I HAVE CHECKED INTO WHAT THE COST WOULD BE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD ANYWHERE FROM $1,200-$1,500 DOLLARS,A BILL I CANNOT AFFORD.IT IS A SHAME BECAUSE WE LOVE THE VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF FORD PRODUCTS BUT ARE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING TRADING IT IN ON ANOTHER BRAND OF VEHICLE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10057620February 5, 2004
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LATCH WHILE THE OCCUPANT WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT. THE DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE DRIVER THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. PLEASE ADD ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054865January 25, 2004
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
WENT TO DRIVE CAR AND THE DRIVER SEAT FLEW BACK AS A RESULT OF A BROKEN BOLT. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10055725January 23, 2004
SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LATCH PROPERLY AND BECAME UNFASTENED WHILE DRIVING. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052663January 8, 2004
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
A BOLT THAT HOLDS THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK UPRIGHT BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO FULLY RECLINE BACKWARDS IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS SEAT BOLT HAS FAILED. THE ORIGINAL FAILURE WAS IN JULY, 1999 (NHTSA REPORT #708738). *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051384December 30, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SOMETIMES CAR WILL NOT STOP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051855December 19, 2003
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
RECALL 97V074000 CONCERNING THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WHILE REVVING UP THE ENGINE IT WILL RACE VERY VIOLENTLY. ENGINE WOULD RACE TO THE POINT WHEN IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO PRESS THE BRAKES REAL HARD TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORWARD. THIS HAPPENED TEN TIMES IN 2003 . THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049472December 9, 2003
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
1996 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER - CD CHANGER, CD PLAYER FAULT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10046150December 2, 2003
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE SEAT BELT FAILED DUE TO A FATIGUE CRACK IN THE BUCKLES SPRING. *AK *JB *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048654November 25, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE HEADS ON THE ENGINE CRACKED. AS A RESULT THE ENGINE SKIPPED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10038551November 12, 2003
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
RECALL 03V281000. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BOLT BROKE . *AK THE SEAT LAID ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK SEAT WITH THE BOLT BROKE. *PH *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10046444November 5, 2003
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
DRIVER SIDE TRAILER WHEEL SHEARED OFF WHILE DRIVING.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS TOWING A TRAILER. THE LEFT SIDE TRAILER WHEEL SHEARED OFF WHILE DRIVING. ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE DEBRIS IN THE ROADWAY. UPON INSPECTION ALL THE LUG NUTS WERE MISSING FROM THE LEFT SIDE ALONG WITH THE TIRE. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE LEFT SIDE WHEEL ON THE TRAILER. *PH *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043908October 29, 2003
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
LOWER STEERING SHAFT HAD TO BE CHANGED IN MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER IN AUG. 2000 (68250 MILES) AND OCTOBER 2003 (120000+ MILES). FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED, I HAD ALMOST NO STEERING. THE RUBBER BOOT KEEPS TEARING AND RIPPING. I BOUGHT CAR NEW IN OCTOBER 1995. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10042898October 14, 2003
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD AT NORMAL SPEED, THE TRUCK WINCH CABLE THAT HOLDS SPARE TIRE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, POPPED AND TIRE FELL ONTO THE ROAD. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10042904October 14, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT VEHICLE DIED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10041403October 7, 2003
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
I HAVE A 1996 FORD EXPLORER THAT JUST HAD IT'S FRONT SEAT ASSEMBLY FAIL AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $300. I NOTICE THAT FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE BUT IT WAS NOT FOR 1996 BUT 1998 - 01 YEAR EXPLORERS. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER THAT MADE THE REPAIR AND THEM STATED THAT THERE IS NOT MUCH DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 1996 AND 1998 VERSIONS OF THIS VEHICLE. THEY POINTED ME BACK TO FORD. I BELIEVE THAT FORD IS LIMITING THIS RECALL TO SAVE MONEY. THEY SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED THE 1996 MODEL AS WELL AS OTHER YEAR MODELS AS EVIDENT BY THE PROBLEM MY VEHICLE JUST EXPERIENCED. THE RECALL NOTICE IS BELOW FOR REFERENCE. THANK YOU. . MAKE : FORD MODEL : EXPLORER YEAR : 1998 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 03V281000 RECALL DATE : AUG 04, 2003 COMPONENT: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED : 1552880 *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10040556September 24, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE VEHICLE IDLED ENGINE STARTED TO RACE. THEN, VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO MOVE WITH BRAKES APPLIED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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