Six problems related to carrier/rack have been reported for the 1996 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
When ever I go over a bump or a dip in the road. Something (sway bar) seems as if it something is cracked and the tire axes is about to fall off in the middle of the road.
Cable holding spare up against vehicle was about to break. Wiring was wearing out. Contact dealer, and dealer stated it was wear and tear of vehicle.
Aaa came to replace the spare tire. Turned the cable for the spare tire to come down. Tire was lowered from storage area, reached up, and the cable broke. Movement or the position of the cable could be rubbing up against the rim of the spare tire. Contacted dealer and manufacturer.
One end of back luggage rack came undone, causing rack to blow over and dangle off the side of the vehicle.
Luggage rack attachments vibrate under normal driving conditions and partialy separated.
While driving vehicle under normal conditions luggage rack attachments vibrated, causing it to loosen and separate from vehicle.