The door handle has broken three times. Ford is aware of the problem but will not fix,re-design the handle. Family and friends also have the same problem with there 1996 explorer. I'm a safety expert for dol-osha and feel this is a safety problem and ford needs to fix "asap" the plastic design of the handle. If you can not get out of the vehicle during a potential crash this could be a safety problem.
1996 Ford Explorer body complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 63 of 63, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Consumer started experiencing difficulty controlling the vehicle, the ABS light came on and the vehicle caught fire, one person was injured while putting out the fire, the axle had broken and melted, but no one knows exactly what caused the fire.
This is a leased vehicle from ford motor company, the door locks and tail gate lock have a short in the electrical system that causes the locks to go up and down and the motor to stay on inside the doors causing them to overheat and create potential fire hazards. The fuse had to be taken out of the vehicle to shut the lock mechanishms off, the ford company refuses to fix this defect in this vehicle.
Left rear door handle broke. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified.
Rear door handles on both sides have failed. Please contact if a recall is pending.
The design of the wipers allows ice to build up on wipers and windshield resulting in poor visibility.
Inside handles are breaking, causing the back doors to become stuck. Will not open, resulting in consumer being trapped in vehicle. *ak
Inside rear door handle is inoperative.
Rear doors will not open . One handle has been sprung and the other broke off. Owner has contacted the dealer and manufacturer.
Both inside rear doors do not open when handles are used. Dealer has replaced both handles and condition reoccurs. Dealer informed consumer that ford is aware of this problem.
While parked, an electrical short in the center console, caused the vehicle to catch on fire. Please provide further details.
Tachometer/ driver's side interior handle failed.
The rear driver's and passenger's door handle on the inside has broken 3times within 2 years, and the driver's and passenger's doors cannot be opened from the inside when the handle is broken. Mileage 18062, 19364, 29265. *ak consumer states that he has written ford, however they have not replied.
Vehicle flooded with water due to manufacturer never installing the hoses that connect and drain excess water from the roof area, resulting in damage to interior of vehicle.
Automatic locking system failed.
Window failed.
The inside door handle on the passenger's side has broken twice which does not allow the door to be open from the inside. The handle was replaced in feb of 97, and on 10/7/97 for the same problem.
Electric door lock actuctor failed.
Interior door release lever failed twice.
Fire burned center of console, when battery was disconnected fire went out.
No deployment of airbags during collision, causing injuries.
Door assembly recall repairs refused due to unavailability of parts (96v‑070).
Extensive corrosin/rust of entire undercarriage.
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