Check a VIN

1996 Ford Explorer brakes complaints

Page 4 of 6: complaints 71 to 100 of 132, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 1996 Ford Explorer brakes problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Sep 7, 1999 · Acceleration, Airbags · NC · crash

While driving about 65 MPH consumer tried to reduce speed of cruise control by applying brakes pedal, but ABS locked up, making the vehicle turn/roll over. Upon impact, air bags did no tdeploy, and vehicle was totaled.

Filed Sep 3, 1999 · Acceleration, Brakes · MI

When driving at any speed in cold weather the throttle pedal sticks. When applying the brake's or shifting the transmission to neutral, will incresaed the brake pedals efforts or some increase in stopping distance can resultin a problem.

Filed Aug 19, 1999 · Brakes · MN · crash · 3 injuries

Brakes applied at 45 miles/hr, car slowed to 20 miles/hr but did not stop eventhough brake petal was depressed fully. Engine sounded louder then normal just before collision.

Filed Jul 7, 1999 · Brakes · NJ

When driving at any speed and applying the brakes, they failed to stop vehicle properly.

Filed Jun 7, 1999 · Brakes · NJ

Crossed intersection & applied brakes to slow down. Vehicle failed to slow down. Used emergency brakes & vehicle kept going. Finally shifted into park & vehicle stopped. Towed vehicle to home. Noticed thick hem of carpeting had moved over accelerator pedal.

Filed May 11, 1999 · Brakes · MI

When the brakes are applied under normal braking conditions the ABS system will kick in. A tsb has been issued . The manufacturer has been notified.

Filed Apr 22, 1999 · Brakes · CA · crash · 2 injuries

Brakes failed to stop the vehicle - anti-lock system engaged at low speed on dry pavement, preventing the vehicle from stopping, thus causing a crash.

Filed Apr 2, 1999 · Brakes, Transmission · MA

The consumer when driving at any speed and there wa s a problem with the overdrive. Also, when consumer applied brakes, they went straight to the floorboard and the vehicle accelerated by itself. Vehicle has been into repair shop 20 times for repairs, and the dealer can't determine the problem.

Filed Jan 21, 1999 · Brakes · WV

We have had numerous problems with our ABS (annoying pedal feedback during normal braking as well as during back-up), the front brakes were completely shot at 17,000 miles (we do not have a tow package) the rotor's had to be milled, and upon further investigation by the dealership ( after numerous complaints by me) found out the rear brakes were not functioning at all. I have 2 small children and I am becoming more concerned about their safety as this situation persists. I bought a ford because they had a better safety rating at the time then other similar makes

Filed Jan 14, 1999 · Brakes · CA · crash · 5 injuries

This is a non-recall for ABS. While driving 45-50 MPH on wet pavement/some ice, vehicle fishtailed on black ice, driver corrected the slide. However, ABS locked up, sending vehicle in spin, resulting in rollover. Oncoming 2nd vehicle (same model) trying to go around, caused head-on collision. 2nd vehicle went under the 1st vehicle, and it was totalled. Vehicle towed. Provide further information.

Filed Jan 12, 1999 · Airbags, Brakes · CA · crash

On october 21, 1998 I was involved in an automoble accident. A ford taurus pulled out of a parking lot (from a complete stop) directly into my path. I was traveling at 30 MPH and when I applied the brakes I slid directly into the drivers door. Rain had been falling all day(the first rain of the year). Therefore, I do not feel that my explorer slowed at all, my total skid was between five and ten feet in length. My question/complaint is why did my air bags not deploy? I was wearing my seatbelt, but I still hit the steering wheel. I have been looking on the internet for information on the speed a vehicle has to be traveling in order for the airbag to activate. The national insurance institute web page said the average speed should be between 12-16 MPH. My explorer has many problems (it's a lemon). This, however, worries me. Would my airbag activate at a higher speed? Should I be afraid to put my family inside and go for a ride? This all may be in vane, there is a good chance my insurance company may consider it totaled. My other main concern was the severity of damage to the taurus. The driver was not hurt other than glass in his face, but all I could see was my grill and hood going directly into his window. I have read your

Filed Jan 8, 1999 · Brakes · IN

The ABS has experienced two differant types of failure. The most frequent (having occurred in excess of 24 times) happens on dry/clear pavement under moderately heavy braking. With out needing to the ABS "kicks" in, which greatly increases the braking needed to stop. The first few times, accidents were only avoided by the defensive driving ability of the driver. After the defect continued and ford could not fix the problem, I found that when the ABS "kicks in" in an unneeded situation, if I greatly increase the braking pressure, normal braking is regained. The second faulty operation of the ABS has only been experienced twice. Both times were on dry/clear pavement when extremely heavy braking was required on a downslope to avoid collision. Both times all four wheels "locked" up, sending the vehicle into a skid. Thanks to my daddy having taught me how to handle a skidding vehicle, both accidents were avoided. I have contacted both ford motor company and the dealership, all to no avail. This intermittant failure of the ABS still surfaces now and then. The last contact I have had with ford was my response to a letter from dave roach - service manager for tom wood. The past two times I had my vehicle at tom wood, theft of personal belongings had occurred. Therefore I had refused to bring my vehicle back to them. In my response to mr. Roach, I had asked that a representative (such as an area service rep) of ford motor company contact me by phone either at home or work. We are now approaching the one year anniversary of mr. Roach's letter (2/6/98), and I have yet to be contacted by anyone from ford that is concerned about the dangerous operation of this vehicle. I do not know if I have contacted you before on this regard, but I found your site, so I thought I'd send this in. This is the second time I have typed this, as the first time I went to confirm the information, it showed that I had the airbag listed as having deployed, and they have not.

Filed Dec 23, 1998 · Brakes · VA

I have a constant chirping & grinding coming from the brakes even after repair, ford cann't seem to locate the source much less make proper repairs. The vehicle has been checked by them 5 times now with out them locating the problem. The brakes also pull to the left when applied firmly.

Filed Nov 13, 1998 · Brakes, Electrical · MI · crash · fire

While driving at 30 MPH went to apply for the brakes on wet pavement and brakes didn't work. Consumer hit a tree. Pulling the vehicle from the tree there was smoke coming from under the hood and the vehicle caught on fire.

Filed Oct 16, 1998 · Acceleration, Brakes · NC

Accelerator would stick. The brakes fails to work when this happens. Can happen at different speeds. Have taken to dealer & informed idle air control motor needed replacing. Problem since returned.

Filed Oct 15, 1998 · Brakes · MA

Both front anti lock brake sensors failed. * et

Filed Sep 29, 1998 · Brakes · MA · 1 injury

Abs brake failure

Filed Jul 2, 1998 · Brakes · MA · 1 injury

Vehicle travels too far after the brakes have been applied and vibrates during braking.

Filed Apr 27, 1998 · Brakes · KS

When brakes are applied at highway speeds the vehicle vibrates. Brake rotors are warped. Owner has had the vehicle tuned. The dealer has been notified.

Filed Apr 27, 1998 · Brakes · MA · 1 injury

Abs system failed twice, onc eresulting in a collision.

Filed Apr 23, 1998 · Brakes · PA

Warped front brake rotors.

Filed Apr 20, 1998 · Brakes · WA

The defective brake master cylinder went bad, causing no braking ability which almost resulted in an accident.

Filed Apr 16, 1998 · Airbags, Brakes · PR

While traveling less than 25 MPH, the brakes failed to respond allowing collision with another vehicle. The air bag did not deploy either.

Filed Mar 30, 1998 · Acceleration, Brakes · TX

While driving 68mph with cruise control on, vehicle suddenly increased in speed. Had pumped accelerator pedal. Shifted into neutral but rpms were very high. Shifted out of neutral & placed feet on brakes to slow down or stop. Brakes started smoking. Called dealer to relay problem.

Filed Mar 3, 1998 · Brakes · GA

Abs brakes failed resulting in four deaths.

Filed Feb 22, 1998 · Brakes · NC

Space between the brake and accelerator pedals is not adequate. While attempting to stop short of a ditch, the driver's foot hit the brake and the accelerator and ran into the ditch.

Filed Nov 14, 1997 · Brakes · FL

Anti lock brakes have failed on several occasions, one incident caused a collision.

Filed Nov 4, 1997 · Brakes, Tires · CA

Excessive wear of the brakes and tires.

Filed Nov 4, 1997 · Brakes · CA

Anti lock brakes failed.

Filed Oct 28, 1997 · Brakes · FL

Applied the brakes pedal went half way to the floor and that's when the pedal became stuck. Vehicle would not stop. Ak

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