FORD FORD · model year

1996 FORD FORD

22 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1996FORDFORD carries 22 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 1 fire, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1996 FORD is suspension:rear with 2 filings, followed by steering:hydraulic power assist:pump (2) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 74 investigation files overlapping the 1996 FORD, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

22
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

22 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SUSPENSION:REAR2
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER1
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
TIRES1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM1

Recent Complaints

20081010ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

FIRST MY ENGINE SEEMED TO OVERHEAT A BIT THEN EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE IT WOULD SOUND LIKE THE ENGINE WAS GRINDING ON SOMETHING AND WOULDN'T STOP.. SOUNDED LIKE A BUNCH OF CHAINS IN MY HOOD. BUT THEN ON OCCASIONS THE STUPID THING WOULDN'T SHUT OFF WHEN IT WAS MAKING THE CHAIN SOUND, EVEN WITH MY KEY OUT. IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN AND NOW THE THING SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING AND I HAVE NO POWER WHAT SO EVER IN MY VEHICLE. BEFORE WHEN IT FINALLY SHUT OFF IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO SPARK. THEN IT WAS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE THAT WASN'T COOL. *TR

20080118AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

1996 FORD EXPLORER, 4X4. DRIVING IN DESERT WENT OVER A BUMP A LITTLE FAST, WHICH SET OFF MY AIRBAGS. MY RIDER IS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR BROKEN NOSE, CHEEK AND SOME KIND OF SMOKE INHALATION. MY WINDSHIELD IS BROKEN BECAUSE THE BAG HIT THE MIRROR WHICH THEN HIT THE WINDSHIELD. MY STEERING WHEEL IS DESTROYED, CRUISE CONTROL AND HORNS ARE OUT OF SERVICE. BEFORE I COULD DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN I HAD TO CUT THE AIRBAGS OUT. WHAT THE HELL IS THIS! NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR EXCEPT WHAT THE AIRBAGS DID. I WANT THIS ALL FIXED AT FORD'S EXPENSE. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR 10 YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS EXCEPT; RECALLED TIRES, STEERING BARS AND BRAKES (ALL RECALL). *TR

Mileage: 95,000

20071207FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

MY 1996 MERCURY VILLAGER DEVELOPED A FAILURE IN THE AIR FLOW SENSOR (PART $330) THAT RESULTED IN VEHICLE STALLS, INCLUDING STOPS ON THE HIGHWAY, THAT NEARLY RESULTED IN CRASHES. THE REQUIRED REPAIRS EXCEEDED $500. I KNOW FORD HAS A SIMILAR RECALL OUT NOW FOR THE 1997-2003 (/) MODELS). *TR

Mileage: 129,231

20070703CrashTIRES:TREAD/BELT

TIRE ON 2 CASES BLEW THE TREAD AND BELT, THE LATER OF THE TWO INCIDENCES WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH THAT TOTALED THE VEHICLE, AND RESULTED IN TWO INJURIES TO BOTH THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER. BOTH NEEDED TO BE HOSPITALIZED.*AK

20060622VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS LEAKING FLUID. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL ON OTHER FORD VEHICLES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, THE REPAIR WERE MADE FOR A FEE. ALSO EVERY 25000 MILES, THE OIL PAN GASKET NEEDED TO BE CHANGED DUE A SMALL LEAK. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THIRD, THE EXHAUST AND INTAKE MANIFOLDS WERE LEAKING CAUSING A NOXIOUS SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE SAME SERVICE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH MANIFOLDS, AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK DRIPPING ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

Mileage: 68,000

20060622ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS LEAKING FLUID. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL ON OTHER FORD VEHICLES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, THE REPAIR WERE MADE FOR A FEE. ALSO EVERY 25000 MILES, THE OIL PAN GASKET NEEDED TO BE CHANGED DUE A SMALL LEAK. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THIRD, THE EXHAUST AND INTAKE MANIFOLDS WERE LEAKING CAUSING A NOXIOUS SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE SAME SERVICE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH MANIFOLDS, AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK DRIPPING ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

Mileage: 68,000

20060622ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS LEAKING FLUID. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL ON OTHER FORD VEHICLES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, THE REPAIR WERE MADE FOR A FEE. ALSO EVERY 25000 MILES, THE OIL PAN GASKET NEEDED TO BE CHANGED DUE A SMALL LEAK. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THIRD, THE EXHAUST AND INTAKE MANIFOLDS WERE LEAKING CAUSING A NOXIOUS SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE SAME SERVICE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH MANIFOLDS, AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK DRIPPING ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.

Mileage: 68,000

20051214ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

ON SUNDAY DECEMBER 11, 2005 WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY I EXPIRED A SUDDEN SPIKE IN TEMPERATURE ON MY 1996 FORD CROWN VICTORIA. AFTER TAKING MY CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP I WAS INFORMED THAT MY "PLASTIC" INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION AND HAD NEVER RECEIVED ANY SORT OF CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION FROM FORD. I HEARD ABOUT THE MANIFOLD ISSUE FROM A FELLOW EMPLOYEE. THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS FOR THIS FAULTY MANIFOLD WAS $978.00. I FEEL IF THEY KNEW THEY NEEDED TO UPDATE IT WITH AN ALUMINUM MANIFOLD THAN THEY KNEW THE PLASTIC ONES WERE FAULTY.*JB

Mileage: 73,000

20050627FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

ON 06/03/2005, A GOVERNMENT OWNED, 1996 FORD BRONCO, WAS OBSERVED ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING GARAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TURNED OFF AND PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY EIGHT HOURS WHEN THE FIRE OCCURRED. THE FIRE WAS OBSERVED AT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, AND BURNED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE IT COULD BE EXTINGUISHED. THE FIRE WAS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH.

Mileage: 83,500

20050525ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED ON 1996 THUNDERBIRD IN 2000. IT IS NOW CRACKED, AND AFTER SPENDING 550.00 TO FIND THAT OUT, THERE IS NOTHING FORD WILL DO EVEN THOUGH IT IS ON CAMPAIGN (97M91). NOW I CAN NOT DRIVE MY CAR.

Mileage: 71,660

20050525ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED ON 1996 THUNDERBIRD IN 2000. IT IS NOW CRACKED, AND AFTER SPENDING 550.00 TO FIND THAT OUT, THERE IS NOTHING FORD WILL DO EVEN THOUGH IT IS ON CAMPAIGN (97M91). NOW I CAN NOT DRIVE MY CAR.

Mileage: 71,660

20010405SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 1999, I HAVE REPORTED TO FORD MOTOR AND BUDGET CAR SALES THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM, BRAKES JAM, VEHICLE GOES BACKWARD AND JERKS FORWARD WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC. FORD MOTOR CO. REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILTY FOR THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND BUDGET AUTO SALES SAYS THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND I NEED TO WAIT UNTIL "SOMETHING HAPPENS" THIS VEHICLE IS A DEATH TRAP AND I IMPLORE SOMEONE TO ASSIST ME IN GETTING THESE DEFECTS CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED.*AK

20010405SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE (1996 FORD SABLE) I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS..THE CAR SHUTS OFF AT SPEEDS OF 10MPH, WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC, OR ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBEM TO NHTSA, THE DEALER, FORD MOTOR CO. AND THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER, THE DEALER SAYS HE CAN NOT FIX IT UNTIL IT DUPLICATES WHILE HE HAS IT...AGAIN HE SAYS "WAIT UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS" , I ASKED IF HE WERE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BE INJURED OR KILLED HE SAID UNFORTUNATELY THAT'S WHAT WILL HAVE TO HAPPEN IN ORDER TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. I FIND THIS TO BE A LUDICRUOUS ANSWER, FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBLITY FOR MANUFACTURER DEFECTS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSES TO CORRECT THESE DEFECTS.*AK

20001030ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THIS M/V HAS BEEN WORKED ON AT LEAST 15-20 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE BEGINING CAR WAS TAKEN TO SULLIVAN BROS WHILE UNDER WARRENTIE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. SINCE 7-2000 THIS CAR WAS AT TWO DEALERS AND THE COST CLOSE TO $800,00 CAR STILL HAS SAME PROBLEMS. STALLS THE PAST WEEK THIS CAR HAS ALMOST BEEN IN TWO ACCIDENTS AS THE CAR HAS STALLED WHILE MAKING LEFT TURN INTO ON COMING LANES. CAR STALLS AND EVERY THING GOES DEAD. SINCE AUGUST THE CAR HAS BEEN WORKED ON AT SHIRETOWN FORD INC 147 SAMOSET ST PLYMOUTH MA #02360 STILL WAITING FOR PHONECALL TO BRING CAR BACK AGAIN WHAT CAN I DO. *AK

20000312TIRES

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

19981203POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

19981119STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED RESULTING IN NOISE.

19981119STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED RESULTING IN NOISE.

19981119STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

STEERING COLUMN FAILED.

19981020SUSPENSION:REAR

REAR END NOISE PRESENT, REPLACED REAR SUSPENSION AND NOISE CONTINUED.

Compare 1996FORDFORD to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1996 FORD FORD have?
The 1996 FORD FORD has 22 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 FORD FORD?
The most-complained component for the 1996 FORD FORD is SUSPENSION:REAR with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Is the 1996 FORD FORD safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.