1996 Ford Explorer Buyer's Guide

Owner Reviews
3.5
2 Reviews
Overall
3.5
Value
4.5
Performance
4.0
Style
3.5
Comfort
4.5
Fuel Economy
2.5
Reliability
4.0

1996 Ford Explorer Owner Ratings & Reviews

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3.5
Overall
2 Reviews

1996 Ford Explorer - Have you Driven a Ford lately? You Should!

CBH
Shadeland, Indiana
Overall
4.0
Value
4.0
Performance
4.0
Style
3.0
Comfort
4.0
Fuel Economy
2.0
Reliability
4.0
I have owned my Ford Explorer for over ten years. By far it is the best vehicle I have owned. I love that it has four wheel drive, which is very important in the snowy area I live in. I really like the way that it handles, the steering wheel is fairly tight, so if you have the urge to jerk it to avoid hitting something it doesn't spin you in a 360. What I don't like about this vehicle is the manual lights. I have to turn my lights on and off, and there is no sound that alerts me to them being on as I exit the vehicle. As you can imagine this has led to multiple times of my battery being dead from leaving the lights on by accident!
Story
One year I was leaving town for a holiday weekend, and as I was taking the trash out at my apt complex I saw that someone had put out a full bedroom set. I called one of my friends to come over and help me, and we managed to load in a HUGE full sized wood dresser AND a nightstand into my explorer!
Pros
I love that it has a fairly tight steering wheel. My Parents own a newer explorer and their steering wheel is so loose I feel like I'm going to go into oncoming traffic! My explorer has tons of space. The middle seats lay down, forward, which is different than I'm used to. But the forward laying down seats really help you to haul large items in the back of your SUV. To date I have hauled Christmas trees, a dresser and nightstand, a sofa table, to name a few. If you want a vehicle that has the space requirements of a truck but is still a car or SUV like, you will definitely love the Ford ... (more)
Cons
The one thing I really can't stand about this SUV is that it has manual lights. So I have to turn them on and off. Additionally, there is no sound that alerts me to my lights being on when I exit the vehicle. This has led to multiple occasions of my battery dying from my lights being left on. Super annoying and inconvenient.

1996 Ford Explorer - 1996 Ford Explorer Still Running

MKM
Arlington, Texas
Overall
3.0
Value
5.0
Performance
4.0
Style
4.0
Comfort
5.0
Fuel Economy
3.0
Reliability
4.0
I own a black, four door, automatic transmission, all-powered 1996 Ford Explorer. The interior is gray with fabric upholstery. My mother owned the car originally. I inherited it when she upgraded. This Explorer has less than 100,000 miles on it as it was and still is used primarily as an "around the town" car.
Story
This car has reliably gotten my dogs to the vet when they were sick or when there was any type of pet emergency, thus saving their lives. That is the best endorsement and best memory I can have.
Pros
One of the best attributes of an SUV is size. I love that I can put a large kennel in the back area. My large dogs are able to use the second row of seats to lay down and travel comfortably. I can also use the Explorer as I would a truck. If you fold the back seat forward, you can fit almost anything a pick-up could carry. And in an SUV, your items are protected from the elements, unlike in a truck. Another positive aspect of the Ford Explorer is design. I prefer a "boxier" looking vehicle as opposed to the current aerodynamic style. The body style isn't outdated. Overall the biggest pr... (more)
Cons
After almost 20 years, the paint is starting to peel and dull in sheen. The air conditioner has stopped working, which is very unpleasant in Texas summers. Stains are difficult to remove from the fabric upholstery. Also, there is only a cassette (!) Player and AM/FM radio.

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