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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,555 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Ford Explorer accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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1996 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #11

Dec 152003

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,900 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Went to drive car and the driver seat flew back as a result of a broken bolt.

- Long Beach, NY, USA

problem #10

Jan 082004

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,210 miles
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).

- Tecumseh, MI, USA

problem #9

Sep 192003

Explorer

  • miles
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 Explorer. 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

- Easton, PA, USA

problem #8

Nov 122003

(reported on)

Explorer 8-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Recall 03V281000. The driver side seat bolt broke. The seat laid all the way to the back seat with the bolt broke.

- Macon, GA, USA

problem #7

Jun 302003

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles
Seatback in my 1996 Ford Explorer ([xxx]) broke without warning while driving on the interstate. Cause is a fractured bolt in the reclining seatback latch. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Oswego, IL, USA

problem #6

Jun 102001

Explorer

  • miles
While driving seatback fell backwards, and consumer ran off the road before stopping. Has contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything.

- Wafften, SC, USA

problem #5

Jun 121999

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought this SUV used and I thought I was getting a great vehicle, boy was I wrong. It has been one thing after another with this SUV. Please check all of my complaints this is an interior problem, these things cannot be caused by evey day use. The problems I am having are, back seat door handles are broke, the spare tire release broke the first time it was used, the air bag light went off and caused an inconvience to my family, the tires have been replaced and the alingment hasen't been right sense I've owned it, the back seat doesn't work properly, it will not release to fold forward, and the motor on the hatch hasen't worked properly from day one of my ownership. Please help me with this matter. Thank for all you do. Margie hulsey.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #4

Aug 201999

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
A bolt that holds the driver's seat upright snapped, seatback collapsed.

- Warren, NJ, USA

problem #3

Apr 011999

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The back support part of the seat collapsed while driving due to a crack in the adjustment lever. Dealer has been contacted.

- Bayonne, NJ, USA

problem #2

Jul 151999

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
When the seatback recline mechanism broke, I fell backwards and nearly lost control of the vehicle. I am only reporting this now because of a comment made by a service writer at the dealership where I had it fixed. He told me they had seen other failures like this and in fact had another customer coming in the follwing week to have the recline mechanism replaced.

- Tecumseh, MI, USA

problem #1

May 101998

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Both driver's and passenger's side seats collapsed backwards during a rearend collision. Driver sustained injuries.

- Pleasantvi, NY, USA

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