How do I know if my 1996 Ford Explorer has a recall?

To know if your 1996 Ford Explorer has an open recall, start by entering your vehicle's VIN or license plate in our Safety Recall Checker. We will find recalls that affect your vehicle and need to be repaired.

How do I check my VIN for recalls for free?

Check your 1996 Ford Explorer VIN for free by entering it into our Safety Recall Checker.

What happens if my 1996 Ford Explorer has an open recall?

If your 1996 Ford Explorer is affected by a recall, it means that NHTSA and the manufacturer have identified an issue with your vehicle. After you check your vehicle, you can contact a dealership to schedule a repair.

How long does a recall take to fix?

How long it takes to fix a recall depends on the exact repairs needed. Something simple like a software update can be done in minutes, but complex mechanical repairs may take days or weeks. Ask the dealership when you schedule your appointment.

Do you need a warranty for a recall?

Your 1996 Ford Explorer does not need to be under warranty to get recalls fixed. Recalls for safety-related items on your 1996 Ford Explorer are taken care of by Ford at no cost to you even if your vehicle warranty has expired or if you are not the original owner of the vehicle.

How long does a recall last on a car?

A recall does not expire as long as the vehicle manufacturer remains in business or continues to make the replacement parts. Generally, recalls can be fixed for free up to 15 years after your car's date of manufacture.

1996 Ford Explorer Recalls

Recall FAQs

If your 1996 Ford Explorer is affected by a new safety recall, Ford will attempt to contact you by sending you a notice in the mail. This notice will detail the defect, when parts for repair will be ready, how to get your car fixed, and whether your unrepaired car is currently safe to drive or not.

If you aren't the original owner, have changed addresses, or have never visited your local dealership for service or maintenance, then you most likely will not receive a recall notice in the mail.

Another way to know whether your 1996 Ford Explorer has an open recall is to enter your VIN or license plate into the RepairPal Safety Recall Checker above. The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a 17-digit alphanumeric code that can be found on the bottom edge of your car's windshield, on the driver's side. It can also be found on your vehicle's registration card.

You can check your 1996 Ford Explorer for recalls by entering your VIN or license plate into the RepairPal Safety Recall Checker found above. The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique 17-digit alphanumeric identification code on the bottom edge of your car’s windshield, on the driver’s side. It can also be found on your vehicle’s registration card.

Checking your VIN is the best way to find out if your car is affected by any recalls. Identical vehicles of the same make, model, year, and trim may not be affected by the same recall. A VIN is unique to a specific vehicle.

Your 1996 Ford Explorer is affected by a recall if the manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has decided that a problem with your car makes it a safety risk or fails to meet safety standards. When this happens, the vehicle manufacturer is obligated to fix your vehicle.

Normally, you will receive a letter in the mail that explains the recall and how to get the defect fixed promptly and at no charge to you. The letter will explain what the exact defect is, when the parts will be ready, how to get your car fixed, and whether your car is safe to drive or not.

But in many cases, the manufacturer won't know you own an affected vehicle, which is why you should check your 1996 Ford Explorer for safety recalls frequently.

Use our Safety Recall Checker to check your 1996 Ford Explorer for open recalls.

How long it takes to fix a recall depends on many different factors:

How many vehicles are affected by the recall? How complex is the problem to fix? How many different parts are involved in the repair? Are the repair parts available? Has the dealership received the parts for the repair yet? Do dealership technicians have training to conduct the specific repair? How many recalled cars can the dealer repair each day (while also doing their daily service business)?

Recalls are unrelated to your warranty coverage. Any recalls that are issued for safety-related items on your 1996 Ford Explorer will be repaired by the vehicle manufacturer at no cost to you. Even if your vehicle's warranty has expired and you are not the original owner of the vehicle, you are still eligible to have any open safety recalls on your vehicle repaired.

You can check for any open recalls on your 1996 Ford Explorer by entering its VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) or license plate number into the RepairPal Safety Recall Checker above. If there are any open recalls on your vehicle, contact a dealer as soon as possible to have repairs done.

Safety recalls that address a defective part or system on your 1996 Ford Explorer that came from the factory do not expire and can generally be fixed up to 15 years after the date of manufacture. Even if you are not the original owner, you can have repairs done to resolve any open recalls. This is important, especially if the recalls are safety-related. The only exceptions are if the carmaker is no longer in business or if the dealership can no longer get the needed parts. Recall repairs are generally free up to 15 years after the date of manufacture.

To check whether there are any open recalls on your 1996 Ford Explorer, enter its VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) or license plate number into the RepairPal Safety Recall Checker here. Your 1996 Ford Explorer VIN can be found at the base of the windshield or on your registration card. If there are any open recalls on your vehicle, contact a dealer as soon as possible to have repairs done.

NHTSA 97V-074 · OEM 97S67

Ford Recalls 1996-1997 Explorers and Mercury Mountaineers with 5.0L Engine for Throttle Icing

23,000 Potential Units Affected

ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE CAN BE CONTROLLED BY EITHER APPLYING THE SERVICE BRAKES OR SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORTS OR SOME INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE CAN RESULT.

Vehicles Affected: 1997 Ford Explorer, 1996 Ford Explorer and 1 other

NHTSA 09V-399 · OEM 09S09

Speed Control Deactivation Switch Leaks Fluid Causing Fire Hazard

4,500,000 Potential Units Affected

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Vehicles Affected: 1992 Ford E-150 Econoline, 2002 Ford E-150 Econoline and 103 others

NHTSA 00V-402 · OEM 00S47

Ford Recalls 1995-1997 Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer Vehicles for Sway Bar Link Issue

810,000 Potential Units Affected

VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Vehicles Affected: 1997 Ford Explorer, 1995 Ford Explorer and 2 others

NHTSA 97V-137

Ford Recalls 1996 Explorer and 1997 Mercury Mountaineer Vehicles for Liftgate Bracket Weld Issue

2,200 Potential Units Affected

THE GAS CYLINDER BRACKET MAY NOT PROPERLY SUPPORT THE LIFTGATE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Vehicles Affected: 1996 Ford Explorer, 1997 Mercury Mountaineer

NHTSA 97V-074 · OEM 97S67

Ford Recalls 1996-1997 Explorers and Mercury Mountaineers with 5.0L Engine for Throttle Icing

23,000 Potential Units Affected

ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE CAN BE CONTROLLED BY EITHER APPLYING THE SERVICE BRAKES OR SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORTS OR SOME INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE CAN RESULT.

Vehicles Affected: 1997 Ford Explorer, 1996 Ford Explorer and 1 other

NHTSA 96V-161

1996-1997 Ford Explorer F-250 F-350 Recall 96V161000

134,770 Potential Units Affected

INCORRECT INFLATION PRESSURES COULD CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR TIRES. .

Vehicles Affected: 1996 Ford Explorer, 1996 Ford F-250 and 6 others

NHTSA 96V-070

1996 Ford Thunderbird Lincoln Town Car Mercury Cougar Recall 96V070000

73,500 Potential Units Affected

THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WHEN CLOSED ONLY TO THE SECONDARY LATCHED POSITION, MAY NOT SUSTAIN A 1,000 POUND TRANSVERSE LOAD.

Vehicles Affected: 1996 Ford Explorer, 1996 Ford Aerostar and 5 others

Why should you check for safety recalls?

Road Safety Risks

Mail Delays

Risk of Costly Damage