IllustrationNO SUMMARY( DOT NUMBER: )
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
Tires complaints
205 reportsCONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON TIRES THAT HAD REPLACED BEFORE DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. REPLACED THEM WITH NEW TIRES. FIRESTONE P235/ 75 R15. *AK
TREAD SEPERATED FROM TIRE CAUSING BLOW OUT. GOOD YEAR DEALERSHIP WERE TIRES WERE REPLACED SAID ALL 4 TIRES SHOWED SIGNS OF CRACKING( DOT NUMBER: VNCU1PL035 TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )
ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1995, EXLORER, P235/75R15 SIZE. SIDEWALL CRACKED ON TWO OF THE FIVE TIRES.*AK SIDEWALL FAILED BY CRACKING AND GOING FLAT. *YH
NOT THE ORIGINAL TIRES ON FORD EXPLORER 1995. FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRES HAVE SLOW LEAKS, CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THEY MAY BECOME FLAT OR BLOWOUT.*AK TWO TIRES HAVE SLOW LEAKS AND THE TIRES ARE ON RECALL BUT CUSTOMER HAS BEEN WAITING FOR 2 1/2 MONTHS TO GET IT FIXED. *YH
WE DON'T HAVE THE RECALL TIRES OR A PROBLEM ON OUR VEHICLE. BUT, RATHER SUSPECT TREAD SEPARATION BEING CAUSED BY ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM AND DISK BREAKS ON ALL 4 WHEELS. THIS CAN CAUSE MORE BREAKING/SHEAR STRESS ON THE TREAD OVER TIME. RUNNING AT HIGH-SPEED DOESN'T SIMULATE BREAKING, PARTICULARLY IN HEAVY STOP-GO COMMUTING WHIC…
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WE DON'T HAVE THE RECALL TIRES OR A PROBLEM ON OUR VEHICLE. BUT, RATHER SUSPECT TREAD SEPARATION BEING CAUSED BY ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM AND DISK BREAKS ON ALL 4 WHEELS. THIS CAN CAUSE MORE BREAKING/SHEAR STRESS ON THE TREAD OVER TIME. RUNNING AT HIGH-SPEED DOESN'T SIMULATE BREAKING, PARTICULARLY IN HEAVY STOP-GO COMMUTING WHICH MANY VEHICLES ARE NOW BEING USED FOR. THEN WHEN THEY ARE TAKEN ON LONG HIGH-SPEED DRIVES, THE WEAKENED TREAD IS SUBJECT TO FAILURE. TESTING SHOULD INCLUDE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SURGING TESTS AND RADIAL BREAK-LOAD SIMULATION.( DOT NUMBER: )
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE WHICH CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGED TO VEHICLE. THE TIRE IS A FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT. TIRE SIZE P235/75R15. TIRES WERE PURCHASED AS REPLACEMENTS. APPROXIMATE 20000-25000 MILEAGE. *AK THE TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *SLC
WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY 59 SOUTH IN TEXAS, HEADING TOWARDS HOUSTON WHEN I WAS EXISTING OFF A RAMP INTO A 360 DEGREE CURVE WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND BLEW OUT. MY FORD EXPLORER VEHICLE THEN SPUNNED SEVERAL TIMES IN A COMPLETE CIRCLES, HOWEVER, DUE TO A RAINY CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A SL…
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WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY 59 SOUTH IN TEXAS, HEADING TOWARDS HOUSTON WHEN I WAS EXISTING OFF A RAMP INTO A 360 DEGREE CURVE WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND BLEW OUT. MY FORD EXPLORER VEHICLE THEN SPUNNED SEVERAL TIMES IN A COMPLETE CIRCLES, HOWEVER, DUE TO A RAINY CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A SLIDING CIRCULAR MOITION RATHER THAN FLIPPING THE VEHICLE DUE TO LOSS OF TRACTION. MY WIFE, DAUGHTER, SON, AND MOTHER WERE THE OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS INCIDENT HAPPEND. MY MOTHER WAS JARRED AND SUSTAIN A LACERATION TO HER LOWER LIP AND BRUSING OF HER FACE DUE TO THE SUDDEN IMPACT WITH THE SHOULDER OF ROADWAY AND A DRAINAGE DITCH. ON THE SECOND BLOWOUT OF THE SAME BRAND OF TIRE, I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON INTERSTATE 55 IN MISSISSIPPI WHEN I INCURRED ANOTHER TREAD SEPARATION AND BLOW OUT OF THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WHICH WAS ALSO MADE BY FIRESTONE.. BOTH TIRE WERE PURCHASED IN JULY OF 1998, CURRENT MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE AT TIME OF PURCHASE WAS 72,635 MILES. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THESE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE AND I REPLACED ALL OF THE FIRESTONE TIRES WITH THE BRIDGESTONE DUELLER APT II TIRES. STILL HAVE RESERVATION REGARDING THESE TIRES ALSO BEING THAT THEY WERE MANUFACTURED BY THE PARENT COMPANY OF FIRESTONE.( DOT NUMBER: VNCULPX208 TIRE SIZE: 255/70/S16 )
I PURCHASED THESE TIRES AT VEHICLE MILEAGE 111655, AND THE TIRES HAVE A 50,000-MILE WARRANTY. I HAD TO REPLACE THEM AT 150984 MILES BECAUSE OF TREAD SEPARATION ON THE BACK TWO TIRES. MECHANIC'S NOTES ARE "TWO REAR TIRES SEPARATED. TREAD DEPTH 2 AT 12 & 2 AT 10." DESCRIPTION OF TIRES -- WILDERNESS AT P255 70R 16 109S M/S (279…
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I PURCHASED THESE TIRES AT VEHICLE MILEAGE 111655, AND THE TIRES HAVE A 50,000-MILE WARRANTY. I HAD TO REPLACE THEM AT 150984 MILES BECAUSE OF TREAD SEPARATION ON THE BACK TWO TIRES. MECHANIC'S NOTES ARE "TWO REAR TIRES SEPARATED. TREAD DEPTH 2 AT 12 & 2 AT 10." DESCRIPTION OF TIRES -- WILDERNESS AT P255 70R 16 109S M/S (27951URBMO61755) MADE IN CANADA. I WAS HOPING THAT THESE TIRES WOULD MAKE IT TO THE RECALL, SO I HAVE NOT SUBMITTED THEM FOR WARRANTY REPLACEMENT YET. I HAVE THE TIRES. I HOPE REGISTRATION OF THIS COMPLAINT IS HELPFUL TO THE MISSION OF YOUR ORGANIZATION.( DOT NUMBER: VNCU1P7079 TIRE SIZE: P25570R16 )
IN JUNE I REPLACED TWO TIRES. APPEARED BELT SEPARATED - RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE WEAR IN SPOTS. CURRENT TIRES HAVE FINE CRACKS ALL AROUND TIRES NEAR RIM.( DOT NUMBER: VNHL TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )
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.