Overview & Reviews
For the 1996 Ford Explorer, the long-awaited V8 AWD versions are available in XLT, Eddie Bauer or Limited Edition flavors. An integrated child safety seat is optional, and the Expedition model has been replaced by a Premium trim package for the Sport.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 134.00-
1996 1 owner Ford Explorer 4wd 4 dr - 1996 Ford Explorer
By drbobe - November 20 - 4:58 pmWhen I purchased the 96 Explorer it was my 2nd one. I had a 91 2dr 4wd and sold it to my Dad. My 96 was fine till 55,000 miles when the odometer broke. It was already out of warranty and cost $1000 to fix due to it being one of a cluster . I had to repair the a/c twice costing $1000 each time. I replaced the radiator at $800. Ive replaced the transfer case at $3500 and the Transmission at $2000. This vehicle is only used to go to and from work and school 5-10 miles away. Recently, my daughter was driving it on I-95 coing home from college and the engine failed costing me $400 to tow it home 71 miles. It appears it is only worth $2000 when running.
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A disappointment - 1996 Ford Explorer
By EdC - June 4 - 10:19 pmThis SUV was the first vehicle I got to drive as soon as I received my license. Once I did receive it, I got to see all the problems that accompanied it. In 8 years, we had to replace the transmission 3 times. There was an incredible amount of body roll at speeds above 55 mph (that made it feel dangerous on the highway), and the suspension had a horrendous squeak whenever the wheels drove over anything. Gas mileage was terrible with the weak V6. However, regardless of all its faults, I got very close to this car and was sad to finally see it go when we discarded it through the Cash for Clunkers program.
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SUV Self-Cannibalism - 1996 Ford Explorer
By Angelos - October 9 - 3:59 pmIn 12 years and 115K miles of not-so-hard driving, our $36,000 Exploder has eaten its transmission, eaten its torque converter, has blown out its manifold gaskets and has cracked a cylinder head. I expect to replace items such as starters, alternators, shocks, even Air Mass Meters and O2 sensors. But I cannot abide a vehicle that self-destructs major systems years and tens of thousands of miles before the end of their standard service lives under relatively easy use. If I could sell our Exploder to the Marines to use for target practice, Id do it in a New York minute.
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Exploder.. I mean explorer - 1996 Ford Explorer
By Olivia Alyse - December 9 - 2:54 pmPersonally, I dont care much for the car. Ive spent nearly 2000$ in repairs for it! To begin with, Im a very very cautious driver- Ive never caused any wrecks, but Ive been rear ended. And the car held up well in the collison- but a few times, when turning slowly even or taking a curve, the car nearly flips over and tilts. Other times, it stalls out and the car speedometer is wrong. When compared to other drivers going 40 the explorer seems slower. It also takes forever to accelerate. And its a gas guzzler. It also has a very very very bumpy ride. I swear I could feel a pebble in grass! Not the best car in the world- especially for someone on a budget!
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My ford sucks - 1996 Ford Explorer
By Fordsucks - May 19 - 10:00 amI have had nothing but trouble with my "exploder". Thats its new nickname. I have it in the shop again for a new transmission. Second time in 2 years. Not only have I been fixing transmissions I think every other mechanical part has been replaced as well.
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My ford sucks - 1996 Ford Explorer
By fordsucks - May 19 - 10:00 amI have had nothing but trouble with my "exploder". Thats its new nickname. I have it in the shop again for a new transmission. Second time in 2 years. Not only have I been fixing transmissions I think every other mechanical part has been replaced as well.
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Disappointed - 1996 Ford Explorer
By Pete B. - July 22 - 2:00 amWhen Ford came out with the new (2nd. generation) 1996 Explorer I thought it was the sweetest looking truck out there. In 2000 I came across the same truck in the Eddie Bauer trim which made it even sweeter. To my disappointment for the past year and a half even with the extended warranty I have done nothing but dump more money into this truck than Ive ever had in any other vehicles Ive owned. In addition to the reliability issues Ive had with this truck is the lack of and no support I got from the area Ford Dealerships. Even with items they shouldve repaired at inceptions they did there best to ignore me.
