1996 Ford Explorer exterior lighting problems
15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the exterior lighting on the 1996 Ford Explorer — 1% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“My wife and I are scared to drive our 96 explorer once we learned of all the recalls ( rear side glass, bad suspension, exterior lighting, headlights.) just to name a few I know of. *tr”
filed Nov 24, 2010
“The multi-function switch operating the windshield wipers and turn signals fails, resulting in turn signal staying in the on position and results in wire shortage inside the steering column, causing electrical smoke to come out of the steering column. Had I not manually pushed the switch off, there…”
filed Jan 26, 2010
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Exterior Lighting problems in other Explorer years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Explorer | 3 | 3% |
| 2023 Explorer | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 Explorer | 4 | 2% |
| 2021 Explorer | 8 | 2% |
| 2020 Explorer | 51 | 4% |
| 2018 Explorer | 4 | 1% |
| 2017 Explorer | 11 | 1% |
| 2016 Explorer | 6 | 0% |
| 2015 Explorer | 17 | 1% |
| 2014 Explorer | 25 | 1% |
| 2013 Explorer | 25 | 1% |
| 2012 Explorer | 6 | 1% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1996 Ford Explorer
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.