The 1996 Ford Explorer has 70 body & structure complaints filed with NHTSA — 4% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
70
Body & Structure complaints
4%
Share of year
5
Crash-involved
1
Related recalls
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LIFTGATE ASSIST GAS CYLINDER BRACKET ON THE RIGHT HAND BODYSIDE OUTER PANEL WAS INCORRECTLY WELDED.
Consequence
THE GAS CYLINDER BRACKET MAY NOT PROPERLY SUPPORT THE LIFTGATE INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REINFORCE THE BRACKET ATTACHMENT WITH TWO POP RIVETS.
NHTSA has 70 complaints about the 1996 Ford Explorer body & structure — 4% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the body & structure: 97V137000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.