IllustrationTHE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE TWO SWAY BARS THAT WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 00V-402. NLM
1995 Ford Explorer
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1995 Ford Explorer do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 609.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Explorer years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 97 of 843 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Tires. Review the 205 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 119 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
84 crash reports32 fire reports69 injury reports
Power Train complaints
119 reportsHAD TO TOTALLY REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION, SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE TO BE DONE ON SUCH A LOW MILEAGE CAR.*AK
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE VEHCILE WAS PURCHASED. THIS WAS SECOND TRANSMISSION, AND IT WAS A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
ON TUESDAY JANUARY 16, 2001, THE O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED FLASHING WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK. I CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL FOR THIS STATUS AND IT STATED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH COLUMBIANA FORD FOR THURSDAY JANUARY 18, 2001. I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF ANYTHING FELT WRONG AND ALL …
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ON TUESDAY JANUARY 16, 2001, THE O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED FLASHING WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK. I CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL FOR THIS STATUS AND IT STATED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH COLUMBIANA FORD FOR THURSDAY JANUARY 18, 2001. I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF ANYTHING FELT WRONG AND ALL I COULD DETERMINE WAS THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTING INTO OVERDRIVE WAS NOT WORKING. ON THURSDAY JANUARY 18, 2001, I WAS SHOCKED BY THE PHONE CALL FROM THE FORD DEALER. THEY INFORMED ME THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OVERDRIVE A PART HAD BROKEN. DURING THIS BREAKAGE, THEY STATED THAT 3RD GEAR WAS DAMAGED. THE FINAL SHOCK OCCURRED WHEN THEY STATED THE REPAIR ESTIMATE WAS $2313.00 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE FINAL BILL WAS FOR $2484.00. WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT REPAIRING OR REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION THEY STATED THAT IT WOULD COST THE SAME AS THE NEW ONE. I CALLED OTHER TRANSMISSION SERVICE COMPANIES AND THEY VERIFIED THE SAME CONCLUSION AS THE FORD DEALER. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 67,000 MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACED.*AK
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT FREEDOM FORD IS THE DEALERSHIP THAT PROVIDED A $2,772.85 ESTIMATE TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM COLORADO SPRINGS JEEP/EAGLE INC. THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME AT 55706 MILES, REBUILT AT A COST OF $2,628.92. NOW IT HAS FAILED A SECOND TIME WITH AN …
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IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT FREEDOM FORD IS THE DEALERSHIP THAT PROVIDED A $2,772.85 ESTIMATE TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM COLORADO SPRINGS JEEP/EAGLE INC. THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME AT 55706 MILES, REBUILT AT A COST OF $2,628.92. NOW IT HAS FAILED A SECOND TIME WITH AN ADDITIONAL 51644 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN USED MOSTLY FOR HIGHWAY DRIVING, AS I COMMUTE A 101 MILES EACH DAY. IT HAS NOT BEEN USED TO TOW AND HAS ONLY BEEN USED IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE DURING SNOW STORMS. THE UPKEEP AND MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN NEGLECTED AND THERE IS NO REASON THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD HAVE FAILED UNLESS THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. I DID BRIEF RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM EXPERIENCED BY MANY FORD EXPLORER OWNERS. THERE IS INFORMATION THAT INDICATES THAT FORD IS AWARE THAT THE TRANSMISSIONS USED IN THESE VEHICLES HAVE DESIGN DEFECTS, ARE POOR QUALITY AND THAT THEY HAVE A HIGH FAILURE RATE. HOWEVER, FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO COMPENSATE THEIR CUSTOMERS. I INTEND TO PURSUE THIS SITUATION AND I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION, ASSISTANCE OR INVESTIGATIVE RESEARCH YOUR ORGANIZATION CAN PROVIDE. THANK YOU FOR PROTECTING US. *AK
REPLACED 2ND TRANSMISSION IN OCTOBER 1998, AND 3RD IN FEBRUARY 2001. CONSUMER FELT TRANSMISSIONS WERE DEFECTIVE. *AK
FORD SUPPOSELY REPLACED OUR TRANSMISSION IN JAN. 1999 DUE TO A DEFECT THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN, I PAID $550.00, THE DEALER SUPPOSELY PAID $550.00 AND FORD WAS WARRANTYING THE REMAINDER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE VEHICLE 18 DEC, 2000 . I TOLD THEM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SHIFTING OUT CORRECTLY. SO NOT TO DAMAGE THE VEH…
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FORD SUPPOSELY REPLACED OUR TRANSMISSION IN JAN. 1999 DUE TO A DEFECT THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN, I PAID $550.00, THE DEALER SUPPOSELY PAID $550.00 AND FORD WAS WARRANTYING THE REMAINDER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE VEHICLE 18 DEC, 2000 . I TOLD THEM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SHIFTING OUT CORRECTLY. SO NOT TO DAMAGE THE VEHICLE I HAD IT TOWED TO OUR FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT. FORD INSTALLED AN AIT SENSOR AT A COST OF $293.78. THE VEHICLE WAS READY TO PICK UP ON THE 19 DEC, 2000. DUE TO THE WEATHER WE DID NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL DAYS, THEN AFTER ABOUT 15 MILES THE O/D OFF INDICATOR STARTED FLASHING. I AGAIN CALLED FORD. I WAS TOLD THAT WE COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. I TALKED WITH FRED SIZEMORE, SERVICE MANAGER SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE VEHICLE. HE TOLD ME THAT FORD WAS BRINGING IN A SPECIAL COMPUTER TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIND THE PROBLEM. FINALLY ON DEC. 29 FRED TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN WAS OUT AND THAT HE WAS TALKING WITH FORD ABOUT THE PROBLEM. ON TUESDAY, 2 JANUARY FRED CALLED TO TELL ME THAT FORD WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND THE NEW TRANSMISSION. THE PERSON THAT FRED SPOKE WITH SAID "THERE COMES A TIME WHEN THE CONSUMER HAS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VEHICLE". I SPOKE WITH LOVIA AT FORD COSTOMER ASSISTANCE THIS MORNING. SHE ADVISED ME THAT FORD HAD A 1 YEAR/12,000 MILE WARRANTY ON PARTS AND WE HAD EXCEEDED THAT. I TOLD HER THAT THIS WAS "SUPPOSELY" A NEW TRANSMISSION AND THAT IT SHOULD HAVE THE SAME WARRANTY AS A NEW TRANSMISSION. ALL SERVICE ON THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN DONE AT THE DEALER AND WE HAD THE RECORDS TO SHOW THAT WE HAD PAID FOR THE SERVICING. WE CAN SHOW THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE HAVE SPENT ON THIS VEHICLE IN MAINTENANCE. FORD KNEW WHEN THEY SUPPOSELY PUT IN THIS NEW TRANSMISSION THAT WE WOULD AGAIN HAVE PROBLEMS AND WILL NOT STAND BEHIND DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT.*AK
O/D OFF LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF FOR MONTHS. FORD WOULD NOT ADMIT A PROBLEM TILL IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. RPM'S WOULD GO UP DRAMATICALLY FOR A FEW SECONDS WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. ABS SENSOR WENT BAD CAUSING UNEXPECTED AND LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES AT LESS THAN 20 MPH. THJE ABS BRAKES WOULD KICK INON DRY PAVEMENT AT SLOW S…
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O/D OFF LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF FOR MONTHS. FORD WOULD NOT ADMIT A PROBLEM TILL IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. RPM'S WOULD GO UP DRAMATICALLY FOR A FEW SECONDS WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. ABS SENSOR WENT BAD CAUSING UNEXPECTED AND LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES AT LESS THAN 20 MPH. THJE ABS BRAKES WOULD KICK INON DRY PAVEMENT AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN TURNING AND BRAKING AT THE SAME TIME. ALMOST CAUSED A COUPLE CRASHES.
O/D LIGHT FLASHING / TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD INTO FIRST GEAR WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP. TRANSMISSION ALWAYS SERVICED ACCORDING TO OWNERS MANUAL.
Official recalls
509V399000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Oct 13, 2009
FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.
00V402000 · Suspension
Nov 28, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A FRONT SWAY BAR LINK CAN FRACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS.
99V310001 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut
Nov 3, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET WELDS COULD FRACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WITH A BROKEN BRACKET WELD, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE LIFTGATE BRACKET TO GRADUALLY BEND INWARD ALLOWING THE LIFT CYLINDER BALL STUD TO DISENGAGE, UNEXPECTEDLY ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL FROM AN OPEN POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL LIFTGATE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS. DEPENDING UPON THE CONDITION OF THE LIFTGATE SHEET METAL IN THE AREA OF THE BRACKET, DEALERS MAY ALSO INSTALL A LARGER REINFORCEMENT.
95V052000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Mar 15, 1995
IN SOME OF THE VEHICLES, BRAKE TUBES WERE MISROUTED BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT AND RESULTS IN EXCEEDING THE ALLOWABLE STOPPING DISTANCES AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." IN ADDITION, SEALS WITHIN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD BE ABRADED BY THIS CONDITION OVER TIME RESULTING IN AN INTERNAL LEAK AND A FURTHER REDUCTION IN BRAKE PERFORMANCE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: STOPPING DISTANCES COULD BE LONGER THAN INTENDED RESULTING IN INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE BRAKE TUBES.
95V053000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly
Mar 15, 1995
THE INNER TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND CAN FRACTURE CAUSING SHAKING OR SHIMMY AT LOW SPEEDS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE WHEEL ON THE SIDE WITH THE BROKEN TIE ROD TO TUCK INWARD OR OUTWARD AND SLIDE RESULTING IN AN INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INNER TIE RODS AND REPLACE THE SUSPECT TIE RODS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
6EA02011 · Safety Belt Assembly Failure
Opened Jul 2, 2002 · Closed May 21, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
ODI RECEIVED 18 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND FORD IDENTIFIED ANOTHER FOUR REPORTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS INDICATE INABILITY TO LATCH THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAUSED BY A BROKEN LATCH RELEASE SPRING.NONE OF THESE 22 REPORTS RESULTED IN ANY INJURIES OR CRASHES.NO COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS.FORD CONDUCTED LIFE-CYCLE TESTING ON 6 FIELD SAMPLE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.THE RESULTS OF THAT TESTING DEMONSTRATED THAT THE TESTED BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES COULD BE EXPECTED TO OPERATE PROPERLY BEYOND THE EXPECTED LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.BASED ON THE LIMITED NUMBER OF REPORTS AND COMPLAINTS RECEIVED, AND A DECLINING COMPLAINT TREND, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXIST DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PE02007 · Safety Belt Assembly
Opened Jan 23, 2002 · Closed Jul 2, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
No summary supplied.
PE00039 · Front Suspension Stabilizer Bar Link
Opened Sep 20, 2000 · Closed Nov 30, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
There is no summary currently available
PE99068 · Accelerator Pedal
Opened Nov 1, 1999 · Closed Mar 9, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
RQ99016 · Liftgate Support Bracket Failure
Opened Jul 29, 1999 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Structure
SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER 1995, FOR 1991-1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THOSE BRACKET THAT WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE OR DETACHED.THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN OCTOBER 1996. SINCE NOVEMBER 1996, ODI HAS RECEIVED 51 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LIFTGATE FAILURES CAUSED BY THE BRACKET SEPARATION, OF WHICH 19 REPORTED THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE OCCUPANT CAUSING 12 INJURIES.ONE COMPLAINT WAS ON 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, THREE COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1993 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, AND 47 COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 95V-164.FORD AND MAZDA ARE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER RECALL NUMBER 99V-310.001/.002.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Structure
SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER 1995, FOR 1991-1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THOSE BRACKET THAT WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE OR DETACHED.THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN OCTOBER 1996. SINCE NOVEMBER 1996, ODI HAS RECEIVED 51 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LIFTGATE FAILURES CAUSED BY THE BRACKET SEPARATION, OF WHICH 19 REPORTED THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE OCCUPANT CAUSING 12 INJURIES.ONE COMPLAINT WAS ON 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, THREE COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1993 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, AND 47 COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 95V-164.FORD AND MAZDA ARE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER RECALL NUMBER 99V-310.001/.002.
Structure
SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER 1995, FOR 1991-1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THOSE BRACKET THAT WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE OR DETACHED.THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN OCTOBER 1996. SINCE NOVEMBER 1996, ODI HAS RECEIVED 51 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LIFTGATE FAILURES CAUSED BY THE BRACKET SEPARATION, OF WHICH 19 REPORTED THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE OCCUPANT CAUSING 12 INJURIES.ONE COMPLAINT WAS ON 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, THREE COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1993 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, AND 47 COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 95V-164.FORD AND MAZDA ARE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER RECALL NUMBER 99V-310.001/.002.
PE97010 · Electrical Fire In Center Console
Opened Mar 13, 1997 · Closed Sep 4, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
THIS INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT CONSOLE FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MOST OFTEN OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE LAMP OUTAGE MODULE (LOM), WHICH IS PART OF THE MESSAGE CENTER, WERE TOWING A TRAILER AND WHICH HAD BEEN MODIFIED BY ADDING AN AFTERMARKET TRAILER WIRING HARNESS INTO THE VEHICLE'S TAILLIGHT CIRCUITS.THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES NEVER AND MORE THAN OTHER TRAILER LIGHT BULB TO ONE CIRCUIT HOWEVER TRAILERS FREQUENTLY CONTAIN SEVERAL BULBS.THE RESULTING EXCESS CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE LOM COULD CAUSE IT TO OVERHEAT RESULTING IN A FIRE.PROPER AFTERMARKET INSTALLATION OF TRAILER WIRING REQUIRES THE USE OF A BYPASS MODULE, WHICH OBTAINS POWER FOR THE TRAILER LIGHTS DIRECTLY FROM THE BATTERY RATHER THAN FROM THE VEHICLE'S TAIL LIGHT AND STOP LAMP CIRCUITS, OR THE USE OF THE MANUFACTURER'S WIRING HARNESS.IN A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 2, 1997, FORD NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT INTENDS TO TAKE ACTION TO PRECLUDE FURTHER INCIDENTS INCLUDING ISSUING A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO ITS DEALERS, NOTIFYING TRAILER RENTAL ASSOCIATIONS AND AGENCIES WHERE KNOWN, AND ADVISING OWNERS BY LETTER OF THE PROPER METHOD FOR CONNECTION OF TRAILER TOW WIRING ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE WAS NO DEFECT TREND IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IDENTIFIED AS A RESULT OF THIS INVESTIGATION, AND FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT WARRANTED TO CONTINUE THE INVESTIGATION.