RoadVitals

1996 Ford Explorer Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
135
Latest Mar 21, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
9%
of 1,450 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
32
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
40

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Ford Explorer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 135 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

The 25 most recent of 135, in the owner's own words

BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Mar 21, 2016

SEARCHING BY VIN: [XXX] NUMBER OF OPEN RECALLS: 0 BUT SEARCHING BY MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR I FOUND THIS RECALL: HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/OWNERS/SEARCHRESULTS;JSESSIONID=SJ1QWW1GVDDYCS6XGGCHZTLTY2TN4KJKBPXV1GCS9VG9XL8B1ZT5!857755995?PRODTYPE=V&SEARCHTYPE=PROD&TARGETCATEGORY=A&SEARCHCRITERIA.MODEL=EXPLORER&STATS=215181%2C11%2C3%2C1611%2C236%2CEXPLORER&MAKESTATS=&JSONBASEURL=%2FDOWNLOADS%2FFOLDERS%2F&SEARCHCRITERIA.MODEL_YR=1996&SEARCHCRITERIA.MAKE=FORD&SEARCHCRITERIA.PROD_IDS=215181 REPORT RECEIPT DATE: OCT 13, 2009 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V399000 COMPONENT(S): VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL THE DEALERSHIP SHOP AND WITH YOUR CHAT REPRESENTATIVE TRIED TO CONVINCE ME THAT THE RECALLS ARE ONLY BY VIN EVEN TOUGH IN YOUR WEB-SITE IT SAYS: "BESIDES THE VIN SEARCH TOOL YOU JUST USED, NHTSA OFFERS ADDITIONAL SAFETY INFORMATION BASED ON A VEHICLE'S MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR AND NOT TIED TO ANY PARTICULAR VIN. A SEARCH BY VEHICLE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR GIVES YOU ACCESS TO INFORMATION ABOUT TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS, NHTSA INVESTIGATIONS, AND OWNER COMPLAINTS, AS WELL AS SAFETY RECALLS ON AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT THAT IS OFTEN NOT LINKED TO A PARTICULAR VIN OR EVEN TO YOUR VEHICLE'S MANUFACTURER. " WHERE IS THE TRUTH? DO I HAVE A RECALL 09V399000 FOR MY VEHICLE? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10850829
Incident
Mar 21, 2016
Brakes
Filed Sep 5, 2014

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PRESS THE BRAKES TO STOP THEY OFTEN STICK. I THEN EASY OFF A LITTLE AND PRESS HARD, PUSHING THROUGH THE STICKING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10631105
Incident
Jan 1, 2013
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed May 20, 2008
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PLACING FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. HE OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS DOUSED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE DAMAGE AND NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD MELTED, AS WELL AS THE MASTER CYLINDER. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 127,000.

NHTSA ID
10228293
Incident
Apr 28, 2008
Mileage
127,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 14, 2008

1996 FORD EXPLORER WITH BRAKE PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT BRAKE PEDAL IS LOCATED TO CLOSE TO THE FLOOR BOARD. AND IS TO CLOSE TO THE ACCELERATOR CAUSING YOU TO HIT THE ACCELERATOR AND THE BRAKE PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, HIS FOOT ALSO HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

NHTSA ID
10225094
Incident
Apr 14, 2008
Brakes
Filed Sep 18, 2006
Crash reported1 injury reported

ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING A NONE TO VERY LITTLE BAKING. 2ND TIME WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION. *NM

NHTSA ID
10168494
Incident
Aug 10, 2006
Mileage
106,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 21, 2005

BRAKE FAILURE - REAR BRAKES FAILED, BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT AT REAR BY AXLE. NEW LINE INSTALLED. GARAGE SAID COMMON PROBLEM ON FORDS.

NHTSA ID
10126141
Incident
Jun 16, 2005
Mileage
68,781 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 23, 2005
Crash reported5 injuries reported

WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE, THEY LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE SLID AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THEN ROLLED OVER. *AK

NHTSA ID
10112983
Incident
Nov 25, 2004
Mileage
116,119 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 23, 2004

I WAS PULLING OUT OF A POST OFFICE PARKING LOT WITH MY 1996 FORD EXPLORER AND MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AS I WAS DRIVING HOME I TESTED MY BRAKES AND THEY STILL FELT SPONGY. JUST AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY MY BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON AND I LOST ALL MY BRAKE FLUID ON CLOSER INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT MY REAR BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH. I MADE A APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT FIXED AND IT COST ME 368.69. I HAVE HAD OTHER VEHICLES AND I NEVER HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE LINES. THIS TRUCK IS ONLY 8YEARS OLD AND I DO NOT BELIEVE A BRAKE LINE IS PART OF NORMAL MAINTENANCE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10096282
Incident
Sep 17, 2004
Mileage
66,195 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 5, 2004

ANTI-BRAKE SENSORS REPLACED TWICE SINCE OWNING CAR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10090465
Incident
Nov 19, 2003
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Feb 23, 2004
Crash reported

MY 1996 EXPLORER IS A 5.0 LITRE AWD EDDIE BAUR PURCHSED USED. AFTER DRIVING USING THE CRUISE CONTROL WITHOUT INCIDENT, I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. COASTING SLOWLY INTO A PARKING SLOT APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE ENGINE APPEARED TO INCREASE POWER MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE MORE I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE MORE THE ENGINE POWER INCREASED PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM STOPPING UNTIL COLLIDING WITH A VEHICLE IN FRONT. WITH THE BRAKE STILL APPLIED, THE ENGINE RACED WHEN PUT IN NUETRAL UNTIL SWITCHING THE IGNITION OFF. THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR OPERATED NORMALLY AFTER RESTARTING. DAMAGE RESULTED TO THE EXPLORER BUMPER. I DID NOT OBSERVE THE GAS PEDAL POSITION DURING THE INCIDENT BUT ASSUMED IT COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVEN BY THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE UNDER UNCOMMANDED OPERATION AND SEVERED THE CRUISE CABLE BEFORE PROCEDING. A SIMILAR PROBLEM HAD OCCURED DURING A PRIOR STOP THE SAME TRIP BUT ABRUPTLY RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION POSSIBLY AFTER HAVING PUMPED THE BRAKES TO CHECK THEM. THE SAME TYPE PROBLEM WITH ENGINE POWER SURGE DURING BRAKING TO A STOP OCCURED ON PRIOR DAYS WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD NOT BEEN USED AND MAY HAVE CORRECTED AFTER PUMPING THE BRAKE. REVIEWING NHSTA COMPLAINT ODI ID 736277 AND SUBSEQUENT EXPERIMENT ON MY VEHICLE, IT APPEARS THE PROBLEM COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT FROM INADVERTANT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL DURING BRAKING DUE TO PROXIMITY OF THE PEDALS BUT I CAN'T RULE OUT UNCOMMANDED CRUISE CONTROL OPERATION ACTIVATED BY A BRAKE SIGNAL. PLEASE ADVISE IF INVESTIGATION AND DISCOVERY HAVE RESULTED IN ANY PROBABLE CAUSES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CORRECTIVE MAINTENANCE FOR THIS SAFETY HAZARD. DOES NOT DISPLAY SYMPTOMS CORRECTED BY RECALLS FOR THROTTLE BODY STICKING AND JAMMED CRUISE CONTROL CABLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10058793
Incident
Feb 18, 2004
Mileage
97,400 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 30, 2003

SOMETIMES CAR WILL NOT STOP.

NHTSA ID
10051384
Incident
Dec 29, 1996
BrakesEngine
Filed Sep 24, 2003

WHILE VEHICLE IDLED ENGINE STARTED TO RACE. THEN, VEHICLE WAS TRYING TO MOVE WITH BRAKES APPLIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10040556
Incident
Sep 24, 2003
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Sep 3, 2003
Crash reported

TRUCK WAS IN PARK. PUT MY FOOT ON BRAKE, SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, TRUCK IMMEDIATELY MOVED FORWARD WITH FOOT STILL ON BRAKE, AT APPROX 2- 5 MPH. PUSHED CONTINUALLY HARDER ON BRAKE WITH NO RESPONSE. LIFTED FOOT COMPLETELY OFF BRAKE AND PUSHED AGAIN, THEN TRUCK STOPPED. WENT THROUGH A GARAGE DOOR IN THE PROCESS, COULDN'T STOP UNTIL TRUCK WAS FULLY THROUGH.*AK

NHTSA ID
10037180
Incident
Jul 7, 2003
BrakesTires & wheels
Filed Apr 14, 2003

MULTIPLE FAILURES INCLUDING: DEFECTIVE TIRES, ROTORS AND BRAKES CRYSTALLIZING, "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" ILLUMINATING, CROSS BARS ON THE TRUNK, PAINT PEELING AND DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL. *TS

NHTSA ID
10015302
Brakes
Filed Nov 6, 2002

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT LOW SPEEDS, WHILE BRAKING, THE ABS SENSOR KICKED IN, CAUSING A LOSS OF BRAKES. MR SCC

NHTSA ID
8022248
Incident
Oct 28, 2002
Mileage
48,870 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Sep 30, 2002

CONSUMER STATES, WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES SYSTEM TAKE LONGER TO STOP AND ALWAYS REMAIN THE LIGHT ON. ALSO HAS PROBLEM WITH SUDDEN ACCELARATION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. NLM

NHTSA ID
8019884
Incident
Jul 11, 2002
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)+2 more
Filed May 3, 2002

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD HUMMING SOUND WHICH COMES FROM FRONT END OF VEHICLE. ALSO, TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. CONSUMER CONSTANTLY HAS TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE SPEED SENSOR AND THE O2 SENSOR WERE REPLACED. JG

NHTSA ID
8009112
BrakesSuspension
Filed Apr 2, 2002
Crash reported2 injuries reported

FRONT SWAY BAR BRACKET BROKEN, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, REAR SUSPENSION BAD, REAR BUMPER & FRAME BENT, ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE, FRONT & REAR BRAKES NEEDED, REAR -END SHIFTS. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE I WAS LIED TO BECAUSE I DID INQUIRE ABOUT AND ACCIDENT BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT. ALSO, ALLIGNMENT NEEDED.

NHTSA ID
760152
Incident
Mar 12, 2002
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Feb 20, 2002
1 injury reported

LAWYER PATRICIA KAUFMANN ON BEHALF OF CLIENT STATES, THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY AND FAILED TO BRAKE WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A STEEP GRADE. *JG (ATTORNEY ON BEHALF OF CLIENT)

NHTSA ID
564388
Brakes
Filed Feb 15, 2002

BRAKE PEDAL BROKE, HITTING THE FLOOR, THE BOLT BROKE.

NHTSA ID
9005782
Incident
Nov 12, 2001
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Feb 7, 2002

VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND LOSE POWER STEERING AND ABS SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANY WORK ON VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
8003720
Incident
Feb 1, 2001
Brakes
Filed Jan 25, 2002

WHILE DRIVING 25MPH BRAKES WOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN APPLIED. TOOK TO DEALER TWICE TO BE REPAIRED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
8002878
Incident
Jan 4, 2002
Brakes
Filed Jan 23, 2002

WHILE DRIVING, BRAKE PEDAL BROKE CAUSING CONSUMER TO HAVE NO BRAKES, CONSUMER USED EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE, DEALER REPLACED POWER BRAKE UNIT. *TT

NHTSA ID
564103
Incident
Nov 11, 2001
Brakes
Filed Jan 17, 2002
Fire reported

THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ON THIS VEHICLE SHORTED OUT WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED AND STARTED A FIRE (OPEN FLAME) ON THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
9005560
Incident
Oct 11, 2001
Brakes
Filed Jan 9, 2002

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, NOT A PANIC STOP, ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES, THIS INCREASES THE STOPPING DISTANCE BY SEVERAL FEET. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND IS GETTING MORE FREQUENTLY, DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT FRONT WHEEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
8001838
Incident
Dec 10, 2001

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .