The 1996 Ford Explorer is a vehicle that came with a choice of 4.0L 6-cyl and 5.0L 8-cyl engines. At 30 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Special Purpose Vehicles |
|---|---|
| Engines | 4.0L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl |
| Transmissions | Automatic 4-spd, Manual 5-spd |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 12–16 city / 17–21 highway / 14–18 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $3,700–$4,800 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 494–635 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 6 configurations: Explorer 2WD, Explorer 4WD |
| Age | 30 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls covering the 1996 Ford Explorer. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
Ford is recalling model years 1995-2003 windstar, 2000-2003 excursion diesel, 1993-1997 and 1999-2003 f-250 sd through f-550 sd diesel, 1992-2003 e-150 through e-550, 1995-2002 Explorer, 1997 and 2002 mercury mountaineer, 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 ranger, and 1994 f53 vehicles equipped with the texas instruments speed control…
Risk: A vehicle fire could occur with or without the engine running.
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. Under certain conditions, a front sway bar link can fracture.
Risk: Vehicle handling could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles. The liftgate assist gas cylinder bracket on the right hand bodyside outer panel was incorrectly welded.
Risk: The gas cylinder bracket may not properly support the liftgate increasing the risk of personal injury.
Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with 5.0l engines originally sold or currently registered in the states of alaska, idaho, iowa, maine, michigan (upper peninsula only), minnesota, montana, nebraska, new hampshire, new york, north dakota, south dakota, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming. These vehicles, when…
Risk: 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.
The certification labels on the involved vehicles has incorrect rear tire inflation pressure designations. This does not comply with fmvss no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars."
Risk: Incorrect inflation pressures could cause premature wear of the rear tires. .
When in the secondary latched position, the driver door latches may open when subjected to transverse loads less than that specified in fmvss no. 206, "door locks and door retention components."
Risk: The driver's door, when closed only to the secondary latched position, may not sustain a 1,000 pound transverse load.
Owners have filed 1,450 complaints about the 1996 Ford Explorer with NHTSA. 198 reports involved a crash and 37 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 345 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Manufacturers have filed 238 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1996 Ford Explorer. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
Front axle leaks fluid from vent tube - vehicles equipped with 4x4 or awd. *tt
Low line pressure reading at wide open throttle (wot), slipping shifts and / or delayed engagements with possible diagnostic trouble codes p0732, p0733, p1762 set on vehi
Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips. *tt
New transmission cooler flusher - service tips. 2003 escort and super duty f series included. *tt
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA opened 3 defect investigations covering the 1996 Ford Explorer.
Front suspension stabilizer bar link
There is no summary currently available
Accelerator pedal
There is no summary currently available
Electrical fire in center console
This investigation revealed that console fires in the subject vehicles most often occurred while vehicles equipped with the lamp outage module (lom), which is part of the message center, were towing a trailer and which had been modified by adding an aftermarket trailer wiring harness into the vehicle's taillight circui
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 1996 Explorers that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 1996 Ford Explorer; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
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