This vehicle experienced uncontrolled (runaway) acceleration after driving approximately 40 miles at highway speeds in 20 degree f temperature. Upon exiting the interstate highway, I proceeded through the first light (green) with out needing to brake or stop. The second (immediate) light was also green and I proceeded through it with slight acceleration (no braking). The next light was red with a line of cars waiting to proceed and I applied the brakes. At that point, the car started to slow and then began to accelerate and was at wide open throttle within a second or so. I braked as hard as I could and moved the shift lever to neutral as fast as possible, but the vehicle had enough momentum to crash into the rear car in line, which, in turn crashed into the vehicle ahead of it. Both other drivers were injured and taken to the hospital by ambulance. This accident is covered in the brighton, ny police report #100220. I contacted ford motor co. After exploring the federal safety agency database and discovering the federal safety agency campaign 97v07400. My vehicle, according to ford customer service was not recalled under this campaign, although the criteria described in the federal safety agency campaign summary appear to be met by my vehicle. Note: I am very sure that I did not mistakenly apply the accelerator pedal rather than the brake pedal.
1996 Ford Explorer brakes complaints
Page 3 of 6: complaints 41 to 70 of 132, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Left front seat rocks in full elevated position, dealer said it was normal play in the power seat track. Nlm
During routine brake inspection, master cylinders were found to be leaking. Brake pads were found to be in good condition. This concerns me as '95 explorers were recalled for problems with master cylinders, not to mention the numerous other problems with this vehicle.
Consumer was driving at 55 MPH on expressway when vehicle started to accelerate on its own , reaching speeds of 90 MPH . Consumer put both feet on brake pedal, but vehicle did not stop. Consumer had to shift into neutral and turn off ignition, and it took about 2 miles before vehicle stopped.
Acceleration continued after releasing pedal. Occurred while in the process of making a left-hand turn, and pressed down on brake fully with no effect. Engine still 'revved' at full throttle, with brake at full pressure, causing a squealing turn. Only after shifting to neutral did engine stop racing and acceleration stop. This occurred to a lesser degree a week or two earlier, but could not definitively identify if acceleration problem at that time.
Returned vehicle to dealer many times complaining about brakes, he replaced one pad on one tire. Says it was the only one worn, now car skids on braking and pulls to the side. Egr valve is also bad and he refuses to acknowledge anything is wrong with vehicle. He states he replaced oxygen sensor unit but, it still appears old and rusted in.after the first day of having vehicle I complained about brakes.idler bearing imobilized car 2 days after purchase,he geryy rigged it without fixing it properly.
Accelerator pedal is too close to brake pedal one inch away. The master cylinder developed a leak allowing the brake peddle to travel past the accelerator pedal, because the accelerator pedal is so close the incidence of hitting both pedals becomes greater as it was with my vehicle. We had come to an almost complete stop then the 1996 explorer accelerated into the vehicle in front of us. Simple fix bend the accelerator arm away from the brake peddle. On 98 explorer's the accelerator pedal is three inches away indicating ford discovered the problem, fixed in later models, but failed to notify 96 explorer owners or their dealers.
Emergency brake "disintegrated" w/o indication other than rattle
Consumer had vehicle new michelin tires, and was serviced for the ABS light and two days after work completed vehicle flipped over for no known reason (02-may-00), dealer claims it is no fault of the ABS, the vehicle flipped on two other occasions (07-oct-00 and 14-oct-00).
Step on brakes & foot hits gas pedal. Brake pedal is below gas pedal. Please call me for more info and that ford was contacted and denies any problem or other complaints. This life threatening problem happened to this vehicle and at least two other vehicles.
On two separate occasions the caliper bolt loosened and eventually came off of the brakes. The ford service part used to replace the bold is n606046-s60, bolt, ab-20-da. When purchasing this part for the second time on september 25, 2000 at mike davidson ford from lem johnson he stated taht seaveral ford customers have been in with the exact same problem within the last few days. This seems to be a potentially fatal problem that requires further investigation. This has occurred on two occasions with the first occasion being about a year ago.
On two separate occasions the caliper bolt loosened and eventually came off of the brakes. The ford service part used to replace the bold is n606046-s60, bolt, ab-20-da. When purchasing this part for the second time on september 25, 2000 at mike davidson ford from lem johnson he stated taht seaveral ford customers have been in with the exact problem within the last few days. This seems to be a potentially fatal problem that requires further investigation. Epeoplfore this has occurred on tw.
The transmission will not shift into drive. When in drive the car coasts at about 1 MPH. It will go into reverse and park ok. The car is driven under normal to light driving conditions. I has never been used for towing. The transmission fluid has been checked and it is fine. The warranty expired on 3/9/2000. Just a week prior to the warranty expiration warranty work was completed on the transfer case and nothing was noted as being wrong with the transmission. The last scheduled maintenance was completed on the vehicle in june 2000. The brakes pulsate when slowing down from high speeds. They were serviced once by ford for this problem and the servicing did not correct it. Ford refused to service them again and they continue to pulsate when slowing down from high speeds.
Lining on left rear emergency brake shoe separated from shoe, causing left rear wheel to lock up.
While applying the brake the vehicle continues to accelerate forcing the consumer off the road so as not to collide with other vehicles, this conditions has also caused a accident involving the consumers daughter, she sustained cuts to her face and other injuries. Nlm
When starting vehicle it makes a clanking noise underneath on right side of wheel. When consumer applies brakes, pedal goes all the way down to the floor. Also, pedal is very soft.
The transmissions computer ruined the torque converter and several other components. Nm
Abs wheel speed sensors failed.
Intermittently braking system malfunctioned, causing extended stopping distance. It feels like "driving on ice" which may result in a crash. Dealer couldn't determine the cause.
Abs brakes locked at 40 MPH because bolt broke, crash narrowly averted
Brake pads and rotors failed causing noise. Mjs
Travelling at 45mph in center lane of 6 lane highway with little traffic in a moderate rain storm. Road was straight. Did not turn steering wheel. Did not apply brakes. Vehicle started for no apparent reason to spin by itself to the right. At this moment, brakes were applied hard and steady. Vehicle did not respond and continued to spin turning backwards regardless of frantic turning of steering wheel into turn into the skid. Vehicle continued to travel backwards and slightly towards the right side of the highway. Vehicle slowed somewhat, but continued to travel across the remaining lanes of the highway and shoulder hitting the guardrail with the left rear corner first, then bouncing until the right front hit the guardrail and finally stopped. Vehicle was now facing in the opposite direction of traffic. Abs dash light was burning indicating a failure. The impact knocked most of the air out of the left front tire which continued to hold air perfectly once reinflated. My passenger was slightly hurt on the scalp and cheek. Seatbelts were being worn. This frightening experience occurred without any input from the driver. The repairs will reach about $8000.00. I have requested to the repair shop to provide me an explanation as to why the ABS light is staying on and if it could have gone on causing the start of the vehicle rotation. This is the 3rd explorer I have owned and have considerable experience driving these type SUV's in all kinds of weather. Something had to cause this accident other than driver error.
When stepping on brake, vehicle accellerated as brake pedal is lower than the gas pedal. This happened to two different drivers of above explorer, and to a witness of todays accident in his own explorer
While driving, vehicle suddenly accelerated unexpecetedly in which the throttle was stuck, and the braking system did not slow the vehicle down which almost caused a crash. The occupant had to shift the vehicle in neutral and turn off the engine in order to stop vehicle. This occurred twice.. Dealer could not duplicate the problem or determine the cause. Please provide further information.
When driving at any speed vehicle accelerated on its own. Consumer applied the brakes and vehicle would not slow down, and continued to race. Consumer put vehicle in neutral, ranched down and pulled pedal with her hands, stopping acceleration , and vehicle came to a stop.
While driving at about 65 MPH and using cruise control, consumer tried to slow down, but cruise control locked up. When attempting to stop by hitting the brakes nothing happened. So consumer tapped on the gas pedal, and car accelerated all to 90mph. Consumer then put car in neutral and shut car off. Turned car back on, and rpms went up to 5, and sounded as though car was about to take off at full speed if foot had been taken off the brakes.
When driving at any speed and applying the brakes, the brakes worked intermittently, and pedal was hard. Vehicle coasted to the side of the road/ slowed down, and came to a stop.
False ABS activation while light braking at low speeds. That is
When brake pads were being replace, mechanic noticed that the bushing on the front left driver's side was missing. The bushing has not been replaced. Please provide any further information.
While driving at 40 MPH apply the brakes and they went straight to the floorboar vehicle slowed down, but didn't come to a stop, causing the consumer to rear end another vehicle. Caused damage to the fender.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1996 Ford Explorer?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history