1996 Ford Explorer problems

Filed Sep 14, 2020 · Seat belts · 59,850 miles · VA

While stationary and preparing to safely operate the vehicle, the driver's side seat belt receptacle does not retain the seat belt. It may hold for a brief moment, but then releases the belt rendering the seat belt system ineffective and unsafe.

Filed Feb 15, 2020 · Acceleration, Electrical · 180,770 miles · WA

While driving in "d" in first to second it has had a problem shifting between the 1st and 2nd gears when accelerating and will rev high rpms and sometimes do absolutley nothing when drying to move forward unless I de accelerate and then try to accelerate agine then finally it will catch and go in to 2nd and proceed to 3rd and then 4th and then 5th ,4th and 5th when accelerating sounds very rough when accelerating like it's trying to hard to drive, lately it just the other day I had trouble getting it to go in to d to 1st 2nd 3rd automatic transmission shifting was not wanting to catch had t ok try 3-6 times de accelerating and accelerating to try to get it to go finalt it caught and I was able to drive it so I stopped at the parts store had them do a scan and the only code that came up was p1701 they looked it up and it said something to do with trouble in reverse witch in reverse has no problem at all so I'm a little confused about it and also a little scared to drive it when this is my only transportation and if it won't engage in to gear when accelerating when in d that could be potentially dangerous also the odometer and speedometer do not work was told it was vehicle speed sensor so I replaced it still had issue so I replaced the odometer spiral gear hopefully it will fix the problem also the back seat double side would not go down fixed it after pulling it apart and drilling another hole into the spring loaded circle that has a tenchener on it fixed that ....and the driver and passenger automatic seats just stopped moving about half way so it's very hard for me to reach the pedal and the automatic side mirrors don't work eather one and the all fuses are good theas are all safety issues that have me concerned since it's all I have so anything or anywhere I can take it or do to it please contact me so it can get fixed asap for the shifting issue. Ty

Filed Jul 21, 2019 · Wheels · VA

The rims on this 1996 ford explorer-eddie bauer edition are showing fractures throughout the face. This has weakened the stability of the rims.

Filed Aug 30, 2018 · Electrical · CA

All four windows intermittently stop working. Cannot go up or down. Doesnt have a preference as to when, happens when the car is off or on.

Filed Feb 5, 2018 · Seat belts · 672,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 ford explorer. The contact stated that the passenger side seat belt was jammed and would not unlatch. As a result, the contact had to cut the seat belt. Jim hudson ford (1201 w main st, lexington, sc) was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 672,000.

Filed Nov 16, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 5,000 miles · CA

I purchased this explorer the first year that the v-8 was available. The exhaust manifold fractured 4 times during the 12 years that I had the vehicle. The part cost over $300 and was on "national backorder" for over a year, so I had my nephew (certified welder) weld the piece together and reinstalled by an auto mechanic. My nephew stated that when you have "pot-metal" welded to steel, it will always fracture, so this part was never manufactured correctly. Ford denied my request for reimbursement, even after the 3rd time it fractured (persistent problem?) it released fumes into the car through the vents and floorboards. Now I see there is a problem with the newer explorers and I feel that this has been a manufacturing problem for many, many years, but just now has caught up with ford because it was investigated by news media, where I had no recourse back in the day for the correction on my vehicle.

Filed May 12, 2017 · Acceleration · 226,000 miles · CA

Safety recall 09s09 - scds (speed control deactivation switch) on ford models made after 95 with a texas made deactivation switch that was made poorly. I purchased a 1996 ford explorer eddie bauer edition 4x4 truck in december of 2016, from a private party in nevada.the vehicle was purchased mainly so I could deliver as part of my job description and needed something with 4x4 since I live in snow. Did a test drive, everything seemed to work properly and drive nicely, drove it from reno, nv to portola, ca about 62 miles, everything still fine. The next day I got into the vehicle, was heading to the gas station when I realized the speedometer was not working properly, the arm went to 20mph and dropped to 0 and the vehicle began shifted bad from low to high gears on the automatic transmission. As I continued to drive, the RPM went high, little over 3rph and felt like the transmission was sticking over drive light flashes, then the check engine light. Did a code reader and said my seed sensor was no good. Replaced the vss, check engine light went off for about 15 miles, then same issue.I did a full time up, no change,did another reading, same code for speed sensor replaced again, same issue. Seen online I have a recall on the speed sensor and cruise control, made appointment with ford after flexplate shredded, ford sent me to a "friends" mechanic who refused to touch my truck who then sent me to another mechanic until I called ford again who rescheduled me to come back a week later. I'm afraid to drive the car especially in and out of state due to this recall and the safety concerns that go with it. I'd like help on what I can do in this situation and be reimbursed for the time I haven't driven my vehicle or been able to perform my duties at work, and the money I've spent fixing the issue that shouldn't even exist.

Filed May 9, 2017 · Airbags, Wheels · 114,855 miles · NM · crash · 5 injuries

I was driving my ford explorer and my tire on the driver frontside went out and my steering wheel locked up on me and then my vehicle hit the curve and flipped over 15 or 16 times before it stopped I was feeling all over the road I had my set belt on but my air bags never came out and I was only going 25 or 30 and I was on a city street turning into the next lane when the tire went out and my vehicle flipped yes police account report #170042354 I'm not sure what happened I was in shock that it happened so quickly and I was happy to be a live my ford explorer is totally destroyed.

Filed Sep 2, 2016 · Body · 83,000 miles · AZ

Sudden unintentional acceleration: on three different occasions, from years 1998-2015. The first incident occurred in town, 1998. I had to apply the emergency brake to disengage the surging accelerator. I had the vehicle towed to the dealer, who could find nothing wrong. Perhaps a floor mat problem, they said. I replaced the mats with an after market pair- SUV compatible and mud resistant with many, grippers on the underside. Within a year, I quit driving the vehicle and my husband took the explorer as his daily driver. He never experienced the problem, I had had. I sold my car after retirement and on occasion now drive the 1996 ford explorer again. I have had two more incidents of sua within 2014-2015 - both on the interstate, both with the replacement mats. At the beginning of both trips, I ensured that the mat looked a safe distance from the pedals. But-both times, that the unintentional acceleration happened, I reached down and grabbed the mat behind my feet and pulled it away from the accelerator pedal. This disengaged the runaway speed. I believe the problem is not only the manufacturing structure of the mats, but the size/shape of the ford pedal. The pedal size is a problem for short stature drivers. I am 5'1" and I must pull the seat far enough forward to reach the pedal, but try to stay a safe distance away from the steering wheel airbag. This leaves me stretching my foot/toes to reach the pedal and applying pressure in an area that causes the floor mat to get stuck under the accel. Pedal. I did remove the mat, completely!, now! All three incidents were unexpected and panic attacks to my core. I am immensely fortunate to not have killed someone or myself. It really concerns me that someone else would own my ford explorer, and not know of this hidden danger. My vehicle has only about 84,000 miles on it.

Filed Mar 21, 2016 · Acceleration, Brakes · FL

Searching by VIN: [xxx] number of open recalls: 0 but searching by make, model, and model year I found this recall: http://www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/searchresults;jsessionid=sj1qww1gvddycs6xggchztlty2tn4kjkbpxv1gcs9vg9xl8b1zt5!857755995?prodtype=v&searchtype=prod&targetcategory=a&searchcriteria.model=explorer&stats=215181%2c11%2c3%2c1611%2c236%2cexplorer&makestats=&jsonbaseurl=%2fdownloads%2ffolders%2f&searchcriteria.model_yr=1996&searchcriteria.make=ford&searchcriteria.prod_ids=215181 report receipt date: oct 13, 2009 the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v399000 component(s): vehicle speed control the dealership shop and with your chat representative tried to convince me that the recalls are only by VIN even tough in your web-site it says: "besides the VIN search tool you just used, the federal safety agency offers additional safety information based on a vehicle's make, model, and model year and not tied to any particular VIN. A search by vehicle make, model, and model year gives you access to information about technical service bulletins, the federal safety agency investigations, and owner complaints, as well as safety recalls on aftermarket equipment that is often not linked to a particular VIN or even to your vehicle's manufacturer. " where is the truth? Do I have a recall 09v399000 for my vehicle? Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).