1996 Ford Explorer TSBs

238 manufacturer communications for the 1996 Ford Explorer sit in NHTSA's public file. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free. The 1996 Explorer problem report covers complaints, recalls, and investigations.

238Communications

What the bulletins cover

Transmission & drivetrain58 bulletins
Engine42 bulletins
Electrical31 bulletins
Suspension21 bulletins
Brakes & stability15 bulletins
Body & structure13 bulletins

Most recent service bulletins

The 20 most recent of 238 communications on file. The complete set is searchable on NHTSA's page for this vehicle.

Transmission & drivetrain 030508 April 1, 2005

FRONT AXLE LEAKS FLUID FROM VENT TUBE - VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4X4 OR AWD.

Transmission & drivetrain 02138 November 10, 2003

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 VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 12/1/2001.

Electrical 03181 September 15, 2003

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS.

Transmission & drivetrain 03148 July 21, 2003

NEW TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHER - SERVICE TIPS. 2003 ESCORT AND SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED.

Suspension 16735 April 1, 2003

VARIOUS NOISE ISSUES FROM THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS WHILE DRIVING.

Transmission & drivetrain 0358 March 17, 2003

FLUID MAY LEAK OUT OF THE FRONT AXLE VENT TUBE. *TT

Transmission & drivetrain 03261 January 5, 2003

NEW SERVICE PART - NUMBER 5 NEEDLE BEARING AND RACE KIT - 4R70W TRANSMISSION - SERVICE TIP.

Engine 02221 November 11, 2002

ENGINE-GEAR DRIVEN SYNCHRONIZERS-INCORRECT INSTALLATION-CAMSHAFT POSITION SYNCHRONIZER (CMP) INSTALLATION TOOL CORRECT APPLICATION.

Suspension 16385 November 1, 2002

AIR RIDE CONTROL LAMP ON AFTER SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT / CONTACT REQUEST.

Engine 870197 October 22, 2002

INCORRECTLY INSTALLED GEAR DRIVEN CAMSHAFT POSITION (CMP) SENSOR SYNCHRONIZER ASSEMBLIES CAUSING SURGE, LOST OF POWER, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P1336, P1309 AND P0340.

Electrical 02176 September 2, 2002

LAMP-BRAKE-INVADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK.

Engine 02142 July 22, 2002

SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND A 4.0L OHV ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A NOISE / VIBRATION, NO DRIVE, UNUSUAL NOISE DURING CRANKING OR A NO CRANK CONDITION.

Steering 16040 July 1, 2002

EXPERIENCING A CLICKING / POPPING NOISE FROM THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN AREA WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL.

Transmission & drivetrain 15887 May 1, 2002

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NO 1-2 UPSHIFT, NO 2-3 UPSHIFT, A NO ENGINE BRAKING CONDITION IN MANUAL 1 OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0732 (GEAR 2 INCORRECT RATIO) OR P0733 (GEAR 3 INCORRECT RATIO).

Transmission & drivetrain 0282 April 29, 2002

SOME VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 9/15/2001 MAY EXHIBIT LOW LINE PRESSURE READINGS WHILE IN DRIVE, NO 2ND GEAR, NO 3RD GEAR, NO ENGINE BRAKING IN MANUAL 1ST AND SLIPPING SHIFTS AND / OR DELAYED ENGAGEMENTS.

Transmission & drivetrain 0242 March 4, 2002

CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH 4X4 OR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MAY HAVE A FLUID LEAK FROM THE FRONT AXLE VENT TUBE.

Suspension 15692 March 1, 2002

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SQUEAK, SNAP, RATTLE, OR CLUNK IN THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER BUMPS.

Engine 01246 December 10, 2001

ENGINE OIL SYSTEM PRIMING PROCEDURES, SERVICE TIPS FOR REPORTS OF PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE.

Engine 01197 October 1, 2001

SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 4.0L OHV ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE NOISE WHICH MAY BE PERCEIVED BY THE CUSTOMER AS A PISTON / ONNECTING ROD BEARING KNOCK.

Wheels & tires 01B77 October 1, 2001

OWNER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM SUPPLEMENT 7 REVISED INFORMATION - REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF WILDERNESS AT TIRES.

← 1996 Explorer problems All Explorer TSB years
Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.