Complaints over time
Complaints about the 1986 Ford Explorer peaked in 1996, with 1 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model year
1986 Ford Explorer
Sedan, gasoline, 4x2, built in Japan. Owner complaints on file from Apr 9, 1996 to Apr 14, 1998.
Recall campaigns covering this model year0No recall campaign lists this model year
Owner complaints3Below the median 1986 sedan
Severity index0.0Crash, fire, injury or death per 100
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Components
33% of complaints about the 1986 Ford Explorer name lighting
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
No recall campaign lists the 1986 Ford Explorer
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 1986 Ford Explorer
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
3 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Apr 14, 1998Failure Mar 18, 1998Middletown, DEHigh/low beam dimmer switch
HEADLIGHT SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED DASH.
NHTSA complaint 534071 - Filed Oct 27, 1997Failure Feb 1, 1996SAN Clemente, CASteering wheel/handle bar
STEERING COLUMN GRINDING.
NHTSA complaint 605339 - Filed Apr 9, 1996Failure Apr 8, 1996Stanford, CAService brakes, Rotor
VEHICLE'S FRONT DISC ROTORS WARP WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE. *AK
NHTSA complaint 982535
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
1 NHTSA investigation on file
- PE92029 Preliminary evaluation, Suspension
WHL SEPARATION/TORQUE LOSS
Opened Mar 16, 1992, closed Aug 31, 1992
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
1 manufacturer communication cover this model year
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.
- BC5225961001 Oct 1, 1996 ยท Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A VIBRATION DURING WIDE OPEN THROTTLE ACCELERATION OR WHILE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. REVISED FRONT DRIVESHAFT. *TT
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.