While driving in "D" in first to second it has had a problem shifting between the 1st and 2nd gears when accelerating and will rev high rpms and sometimes do absolutley nothing when drying to move forward unless I de accelerate and then try to accelerate agine then finally it will catch and go in to 2nd and proceed to 3rd and then 4th and then 5th,4th and 5th when accelerating sounds very rough when accelerating like it's trying to hard to drive, lately it just the other day I had trouble getting it to go in to D to 1st 2nd 3rd automatic transmission shifting was not wanting to catch had T ok try 3-6 times de accelerating and accelerating to try to get it to go finalt it caught and I was able to drive it so I stopped at the parts store had them do a scan and the only code that came up was P1701 they looked it up and it said something to do with trouble in reverse witch in reverse has no problem at all so I'm a little confused about it and also a little scared to drive it when this is my only transportation and if it won't engage in to gear when accelerating when in D that could be potentially dangerous also the odometer and speedometer do not work was told it was vehicle speed sensor so I replaced it still had issue so I replaced the odometer spiral gear hopefully it will fix the problem also the back seat double side would not go down fixed it after pulling it apart and drilling another hole into the spring loaded circle that has a tenchener on it fixed that....and the driver and passenger automatic seats just stopped moving about half way so it's very hard for me to reach the pedal and the automatic side mirrors don't work eather one and the all fuses are good theas are all safety issues that have me concerned since it's all I have so anything or anywhere I can take it or do to it please contact me so it can get fixed asap for the shifting issue.

- Brush Prairie, WA, USA

All four windows intermittently stop working. Cannot go up or down. Doesnt have a preference as to when, happens when the car is off or on.

- Glendora, CA, USA

When I attempted to start my Ford Explorer by turning the key it wouldn't start it would make a slight buzz but that was it, so I got one of the mechanic to assist me at my job. He told me the battery was good, because the lights and radio was working. So he started the SUV by putting the key in the start position and placing a screwdriver across this one part mounted under the hood on the driver side I was then able to drive home. When my husband returned from out town I told him about the situation and he attempted to start the Explorer and the same thing occurred, so he started it the same way that the mechanic did. However; this time he wasn't able to turn the ignition off. The key just turns a full 360 degree in the chamber and makes no connection with anything. He end up disconnecting the battery to turn off the Explorer. This is an 1996 eddie bauer edition. Has anyone else had this problem. If so how did you fix it and the cost? please report the situation to NHTSA.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

15 minutes after parking the vehicle and getting off the vehicle caught onfire under the hood in the drivers side. The fire expanded quickly caught drivers side front tire and moved on to the entire motor before the firefighters came and stopped the fire.

- Brownsville, TX, USA

Driver-side front seat belt will not stay connected. Door locks broken (will not lock), and lock key works in the door locks sporadically. In addition, driver-side exterior door handle recently (1/15/2114) will not open door.

- Concord, CA, USA

Approximately one day after truck was purchased, it was noticed passengers sitting in the back seats of the car could not open their doors. Child safety locks were looked at and reset, but doors still would not open. This is a safety hazard as passengers in the back would not be able to get our safely in the case of an accident.

- Appleton, WI, USA

Approximately one day after truck was purchased from dealer, it was noted that, with the exception of the driver's window, none of the windows in the truck would open. This is a safety hazard as in the event of an accident, passengers in the back seat would not be able to open windows if needed for escape (doors in passenger section of truck did not work either. See previous complaint).

- Appleton, WI, USA

1996 Ford Explorer caught fire while driving. Total loss of vehicle within minutes.

- Clarksburg, WV, USA

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 would have been fire within seconds. This has now happened twice in the same vehicle. The switch was replaced the first time, in 2006. That switch also failed, but I was told the part was only under warranty for 12/12, so I cannot have it replaced for free. Since it is faulty, (not caused by the driver) and is a major safety hazard that could lead to injury or death, I believe it is important to raise awareness and get this handled immediately.

- Seattle, WA, USA

On Monday Dec 22 I drove my eddie bauer Explorer to work parked it and went on with my duties at work within 5 min a resident pulls up telling me that my vehicle is on fire.the fire started under the hood and completely burned the whole vehicle I am looking for a any information that would explain this thank you.

- Carleton, MI, USA

1996 eddie bauer, Ford Explorer..the vehicle has operated fine for the past year, but in June the wipers, windows, interior lights, and some interior systems shut down, then come back on, then lock up again. After talking to my dealer, they tell me it likely the GEM going out. They informed me that a recall had been made on 1999 models, but that it didn't cover 1996's. I've spoken to a number of other 1996 owners and have visited a number of Explorer sites online and evidently this isn't an isolated incident. The NHTSA recall for the 1999's is identical to the problems I'm having...is there anything that can be done to correct this problem. The GEM is an expensive replacement part and my mechanic says it shouldn't have went out in such a short period of time. The vehicle is mechanically perfect and is kept immaculate, but this problem is making me seriously question purchasing a new vehicle given all the electronic garbage that is placed on them nowadays. Ford doesn't seem to respond to this complaint, just telling me that it isn't a recalled item and therefore isn't their responsibility.

- Pekin, IN, USA

Contact stated in 02-05 the car started smoking while driving. The consumer pulled over and there was a fire under the hood. The car was destroyed. The fire department was called. The consumer reported of having no problems with the cruise control prior to this happening. The consumer was unable to determine what may have caused the fire. He was not sure if it was electrical or caused by the vehicle speed control:cruise control.

- Fort Valley, GA, USA

1996 Ford Explorer had spontaneous engine fire while parked and unattended. Car had not been driven for 8 hours prior to fire.

- Loyalton, CA, USA

96 Ford Explorer: Check engine light came on two weeks ago, one week later, battery stalled and required a jump, the power levels read normal. I checked the power distribution box and the fuses did not match owner's manual. Two parts shops advised this could trigger fire, or a device to malfunction. Per Ford owner's manual, airbag & atbs impacted. I replaced the fuses to match the owner's manual. Today, I took the car to a private shop, that worked on the electrical system earlier. The owner pulled an all data schema, which is quite different. How do I know which electrical schema is correct - the owner's manual, the other shops referred to, or all data" it makes a difference, 60A vs 30A fuses, different blank relays, etc. If the Ford manual is correct, and I follow the all data schema, it could trigger fire or malfunction. Vice versa, would be bad also. Either way, consumers should be alerted? either to incorrect electrics in the Ford manual, or to an incorrect all data schema used by mechanics" (I have asked Ford, also, for a reply.) also - this is the second time in 6 months I have had issues with the check engine light, but no other symptoms. The first time, the mechanic replaced the cam sensor, and it eventually went off. He stated this warning light was insignificant, and referred only to emissions standards. (no visible emissions). I note that - per the owners manual again - this warning light can also be triggered by a monitoring, gps, or alarm device being installed in the vehicle. If I can find no other cause, how would I check for this, and do you have other records of this being the cause" the check engine light was also an issue, last spring. In April 02, the Ford dealer in orlando replaced the idle air control, and the valve assembly-thro. Check engine light was also an issue shortly after purchase; dealer replaced sensor assembly-egr, thermostat assembly. Is there an associated recall, or does this fit other pattern" thanks!

- Bellevue, NE, USA

While driving interior lights comes on and off without manual operation. Problem occurs within electrial system which causes door locks to malfunction.

- Glendale, WI, USA

I have a major short somewhere. I have to leave the drivers door open in order to get the car started. If the door is shut it will not idle. This has also happened going down the road and it will just die. (leaving you in a dangerous situation) cannot find anyone to tell us what the problem is. I am wondering if I bought a lemmon.

- Valliant, OK, USA

Electrical fire from the interior systems console.

- Midlothian, IL, USA