Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Our 96 Ford Explorer transmission has slipped out of gear at unpredictable times, speeds, and inclines. Only have had a back bumper "bumped" when this happened, but would really like for some dept or entity to refer us to a truly knowledgeable and experienced transmission shop or other helpful source.
I replaced the front hub assemblies in December 2011 with parts purchased from autopartsmidwest.com. On December 18, 2012, the left hub assembly failed and the wheel came off. The outer portion of the ball bearing race came off the splined hub. I was going very slowly at the time the failure occurred and there was no injury or damage other than to the hub assembly, caliper bracket and some other brake parts. The total cost of repair parts not including labor is about $500. I have no knowledge of the manufacturer of the hub assembly. It should be reasonable to expect a critical part like a hub assembly to last more than about 6000 miles. If the hub assembly had come apart two minutes or a half mile earlier, I might not be filing this report. I have asked autopartsmidwest to refund the purchase price of the defectuve hub assemblies as well as the cost of replacement parts. …
I have an Explorer sport with manual transmission. This car is will taken care of even if it has alot of miles on it. The manual shift shakes considerably. If there is a rough surface on the highway, it seems to be ready to take flight. At 165,000 miles I had the clutch, pressure plate, and throwout bearings replaced. The machine at the dealership couldn't tell me why it happened but he thought something was still wrong. Now at 212,000 miles the bearings and clutch are out again. While looking at some other explorers at the dealership, I noticed that the newwer explorers have a vibration damper mounted on the rear axle. Ford would be happy to put one on my car for $4,000. I am very upset since it was their design flaw that is causing all my problems.I have already spent alot of money trying to fix their design error.
The vehicle began hesitating during takeoff, allowing the engine to experience high RPM's but very little acceleration. The vehicle then began to not fall into 1st gear, when you shifted the car into drive from park the vehicle would hesitate for about 4 seconds then lurch heavily, the vehicle also does this at every stop, after you make a complete stop and precede to attempt to drive again the vehicle will RPM as you push the accelerator but won't move for about 4 seconds, after the 4 seconds the vehicle lurches forward heavily and spins both rear tires.
4x4 fails to activate leaving vehicle impaired in 2 wheel mode during critical driving times. Switch on dash goes out, appears to be failure of 4x4 control module and transfer motor. Problem occurs after battery has been disconnected. Repair for vehicle requires changing out control module or transfer case motor. Problem appears to occur in all models of Ford Explorer 1991 - to date.
We have a 1996 Ford Explorer with only 74,000 miles. When we bought the vehicle it had only 25,000 miles. The maintenance on the transmission was done according to the maintenance book. When the vehicle is put into gear it slips in each forward gear. Reverse gear no longer works. When in reverse its as though in park. The overdrive light flashes rapidly.
1996 Explorer, has been a great vehicle. Started loosing power and shifting down and strange times. Then the o/d fail light started to flash. I understand this is a common failure and Ford knows about it but refuses to acknowledge the fact or accept responsibility. They need to recall these transmissions.
Driving truck down wisconsin avenue in appleton when truck refused to shift. Immediately brought truck into to wisconsin motors sales and service and was informed the transmission had failed in truck. Truck had just been purchased ten days earlier.
Vehicle parked in driveway, went to unlock the door to the house and went back out to turn motor off vehicle started moving back and driver was unable to stop vehicle. Ran over driver's arm and ankle and backed into a gravel pit.
I purchased my 1996 Ford Explorer, in November of 1998. When I purchased it, the mileage was at 23,000 miles. I took it to the dealership two or three times for minor repair work while it was still under warranty. It currently has aprrox. 54,000 miles on it and I am experiencing problems with the automatic transmission. It is slipping in first and second gear, and is on the verge of needing to be replaced. After doing some checking I found that it is going to cost me at least $2,400.00 for the repairs to the transmission. I normally do not have any problems with having to take care of vehicle repairs because I depend on my vehicles , for both myself and my family. However, it is my considered opinion that a nearly new vehicle such as this one with the low amount of mileage that it has, should not be having problems like it is currently having with the transmission. …
NHTSA investigations
Accelerator pedal
There is no summary currently available
Transmission complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1996 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 120 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1996 Ford Explorer, 8% of the model year's 1,450 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (78 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Ford Explorer transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1996 Ford Explorer, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Ford Explorer transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 139,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.