I IDENTIFIED THE DEFECTIVE TIRES BEFORE THEY FAILED. 95% OF EACH TIRE WAS LIKE NEW, BUT THE INSIDE TREAD WAS WARN DOWN TO THE STEEL BELTS. I CONTACTED FORD, BUT THEY SAID THE ONLY THING THEY WOULD DO WAS LOOK AT IT. I ALREADY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND DECLINED THEIR OFFER TO "LOOK AT IT!" AFTER GOING THROUGH THREE SETS OF FRO…
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I IDENTIFIED THE DEFECTIVE TIRES BEFORE THEY FAILED. 95% OF EACH TIRE WAS LIKE NEW, BUT THE INSIDE TREAD WAS WARN DOWN TO THE STEEL BELTS. I CONTACTED FORD, BUT THEY SAID THE ONLY THING THEY WOULD DO WAS LOOK AT IT. I ALREADY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND DECLINED THEIR OFFER TO "LOOK AT IT!" AFTER GOING THROUGH THREE SETS OF FRONT TIRES IN 75,000 MILES, I CONVINCED MY FRONT END ALIGHMENT MECHANIC TO SET THE ANGLE OF THE ALIGNMENT SO THAT THE TOPS OF THE TIRES WERE OUT 1/4 INCH. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE STOPPED THE PROBLEM. I BELEIVE THAT THIS WAS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT WAS COMPOUNDED BY A FLAWED ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATION. I'M SURE THAT I WOULD HAVE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT, IF I HAD NOT PERFORMED MY OWN OIL CHANGES AND KEPT SUCH A CLOSE EYE ON THE TIRE WEAR.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P22570R15 )
NHTSA ODI #729986
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2000
Tires
I REPLACED MY TIRES TODAY BECAUSE OF NOTICEABLE CRACKING/TREAD SEPARATION. 2 TIRES WERE VERY BAD. I DID NOT WANT TO PUT MY 2 YEAR OLD CHILD IN JEOPARDY ANY LONGER BY WAITING FOR THE RECALL ON THESE TIRES. WHAT DOCUMENTATION DO I NEED TO KEEP? DO I NEED TO GET THE DEALER TO NOTE ON MY RECEIPT THAT THE OLD TIRES ARE CRACKED? …
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I REPLACED MY TIRES TODAY BECAUSE OF NOTICEABLE CRACKING/TREAD SEPARATION. 2 TIRES WERE VERY BAD. I DID NOT WANT TO PUT MY 2 YEAR OLD CHILD IN JEOPARDY ANY LONGER BY WAITING FOR THE RECALL ON THESE TIRES. WHAT DOCUMENTATION DO I NEED TO KEEP? DO I NEED TO GET THE DEALER TO NOTE ON MY RECEIPT THAT THE OLD TIRES ARE CRACKED? I DID NOT KEEP THE OLD TIRES. THE NEW TIRES WERE PURCHASED AT SAN BENITO TIRE, INC., 246 TRES PINOS RD., HOLLISTER, CA (831) 637-5804( DOT NUMBER: )
NHTSA ODI #729891
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2000
Tires
I REPLACED MY TIRES TODAY BECAUSE OF NOTICEABLE CRACKING/TREAD SEPARATION. 2 TIRES WERE VERY BAD. I DID NOT WANT TO PUT MY 2 YEAR OLD CHILD IN JEOPARDY ANY LONGER BY WAITING FOR THE RECALL ON THESE TIRES. WHAT DOCUMENTATION DO I NEED TO KEEP? DO I NEED TO GET THE DEALER TO NOTE ON MY RECEIPT THAT THE OLD TIRES ARE CRACKED? …
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I REPLACED MY TIRES TODAY BECAUSE OF NOTICEABLE CRACKING/TREAD SEPARATION. 2 TIRES WERE VERY BAD. I DID NOT WANT TO PUT MY 2 YEAR OLD CHILD IN JEOPARDY ANY LONGER BY WAITING FOR THE RECALL ON THESE TIRES. WHAT DOCUMENTATION DO I NEED TO KEEP? DO I NEED TO GET THE DEALER TO NOTE ON MY RECEIPT THAT THE OLD TIRES ARE CRACKED? I DID NOT KEEP THE OLD TIRES. THE NEW TIRES WERE PURCHASED AT SAN BENITO TIRE, INC., 246 TRES PINOS RD., HOLLISTER, CA (831) 637-5804( DOT NUMBER: )
NHTSA ODI #729889
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2000
Tires
1 TIRE HAD PEELING TREAD, OTHER3 HAVE CRACKS IN TREADS WHY NOT RECALLED?( DOT NUMBER: W2HL TIRE SIZE: 23575R15 )
NHTSA ODI #729817
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2000
TiresCrashInjury
LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPERATION, CAUSING VEHICLE TO IMMEDIATLY AND VERY RADICALLY FLY, BOUNCE AND ROLL NUMEROUS TIMES OFF THE HIGHWAY.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 16 )
NHTSA ODI #729796
Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2000
Tires
TWO WEEKS AGO WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO A FIRESTONE DEALER FOR THE RECALL. THEY PUT US ON A WAITING LIST AND SAID NOT TO WORRY, THEY LOOKED AT THE TIRES AND THEY WERE FINE. YESTERDAY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE TIRE CAME APART. SHE NARROWLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT AS SHE WAS SLOWING DOWN TO EXIT THE FREEWAY. UPON INSP…
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TWO WEEKS AGO WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO A FIRESTONE DEALER FOR THE RECALL. THEY PUT US ON A WAITING LIST AND SAID NOT TO WORRY, THEY LOOKED AT THE TIRES AND THEY WERE FINE. YESTERDAY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE TIRE CAME APART. SHE NARROWLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT AS SHE WAS SLOWING DOWN TO EXIT THE FREEWAY. UPON INSPECTION, THE TIRE HAD A MAJOR HOLE FROM SEPARATION, NOT FROM ANY FOREIGN OBJECT. TODAY WE BOUGHT NEW TIRES BECAUSE THE FIRESTONE DEALER STILL DID NOT HAVE ANY REPLACEMENT TIRES.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235R15 )
NHTSA ODI #729746
Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2000
Tires
IN MY OPINION, THE FORD EXPLORER AND FORD F SERIES PICKUPS HAVE UNUSUAL FRONT END HARMONICS PROBLEMS, WHICH CAUSES PREMATURE AND UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR SYMTOMS. FORD RECOMMENDS TO ROTATE TIRES AT 6000 MILES, ON FORD EXPLORER, IF YOU WAIT TILL 6,000 MILES THE TIRES WILL HAVE UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR TO THE POINT THAT ROTATING THE FRONT TO T…
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IN MY OPINION, THE FORD EXPLORER AND FORD F SERIES PICKUPS HAVE UNUSUAL FRONT END HARMONICS PROBLEMS, WHICH CAUSES PREMATURE AND UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR SYMTOMS. FORD RECOMMENDS TO ROTATE TIRES AT 6000 MILES, ON FORD EXPLORER, IF YOU WAIT TILL 6,000 MILES THE TIRES WILL HAVE UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR TO THE POINT THAT ROTATING THE FRONT TO THE REAR, AND HOPE THE REAR TIRES WILL CORRECT THEMSELVES WITHIN NEXT 6000 ROTATION WILL NOT OCCUR. IN OTHER WORDS, THE FORD EXPLORER WILL WEAR TIRES TO UNUSUAL LIMITS WITHIN 6,000 MILES TO WHERE ROTATION WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM WITHIN THE NEXT 6000MILES. I BOUGHT 4 BRAND NEW GOODYEAR WRANGLER RT'S AT 28,000 MILES, THEY NEEDED ROTATED FAR BEFORE 34,000 MILES, GOODYEAR SAID WAIT UNTIL THE 34,000 MILES WHICH I DID. I ROTATED THE TIRES AGAIN AT 40,000 MILES AND TRADED VEHICLE OFF AT 41,000 MILES. THE TIRES WERE OF GOOD TREAD BUT WORN IN A CRAZY FASHION IN AN IRREGULAR MANNER. 4 NEW SHOCKS DID NOT HELP, THE FORD GARAGE CHECKED THE ALIGNMENT AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS WITHIN SPECS. I BOUGHT A FORD F-250 WITH GOODYEAR AT'S, AND IT TO SEEMS TO BE WEARING THE TIRES FUNNY. I DO NOT DRIVE ERRATIC AND DO KEEP THE TIRE PRESSURE TO THE RECOMMENDED PSI. FOR YEARS, WHEN FORD HAD THE TWIN I-BEAM FRONT SUSPENSION ON ITS P/U'S, THE TIRES WORE FUNNY AND ALSO WOULD NOT LAST TILL THE 6000 MILE ROTATION POINT. FORD HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH VERY UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR FOR YEARS, AND IT MUST BE WITH FORD'S SUSPENSION SYSTEM, WEIGHT TO GROUND PRESSURES OR HARMONICS, BUT THEY HAVE A VERY SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW WHICH EFFECTS ITS TIRES TO WEAR UNUSALLY ON THE FORD EXPLORER SERIES AND THE FORD F SERIES, THIS IS A CERTAINTY. THE PROBLEM DOES NOT JUST EFFECT FIRESTONE TIRES!!!!!!!( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235R75-15 )
NHTSA ODI #729690
Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2000
Tires
IN MY OPINION, THE FORD EXPLORER AND FORD F SERIES PICKUPS HAVE UNUSUAL FRONT END HARMONICS PROBLEMS, WHICH CAUSES PREMATURE AND UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR SYMTOMS. FORD RECOMMENDS TO ROTATE TIRES AT 6000 MILES, ON FORD EXPLORER, IF YOU WAIT TILL 6,000 MILES THE TIRES WILL HAVE UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR TO THE POINT THAT ROTATING THE FRONT TO T…
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IN MY OPINION, THE FORD EXPLORER AND FORD F SERIES PICKUPS HAVE UNUSUAL FRONT END HARMONICS PROBLEMS, WHICH CAUSES PREMATURE AND UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR SYMTOMS. FORD RECOMMENDS TO ROTATE TIRES AT 6000 MILES, ON FORD EXPLORER, IF YOU WAIT TILL 6,000 MILES THE TIRES WILL HAVE UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR TO THE POINT THAT ROTATING THE FRONT TO THE REAR, AND HOPE THE REAR TIRES WILL CORRECT THEMSELVES WITHIN NEXT 6000 ROTATION WILL NOT OCCUR. IN OTHER WORDS, THE FORD EXPLORER WILL WEAR TIRES TO UNUSUAL LIMITS WITHIN 6,000 MILES TO WHERE ROTATION WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM WITHIN THE NEXT 6000MILES. I BOUGHT 4 BRAND NEW GOODYEAR WRANGLER RT'S AT 28,000 MILES, THEY NEEDED ROTATED FAR BEFORE 34,000 MILES, GOODYEAR SAID WAIT UNTIL THE 34,000 MILES WHICH I DID. I ROTATED THE TIRES AGAIN AT 40,000 MILES AND TRADED VEHICLE OFF AT 41,000 MILES. THE TIRES WERE OF GOOD TREAD BUT WORN IN A CRAZY FASHION IN AN IRREGULAR MANNER. 4 NEW SHOCKS DID NOT HELP, THE FORD GARAGE CHECKED THE ALIGNMENT AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS WITHIN SPECS. I BOUGHT A FORD F-250 WITH GOODYEAR AT'S, AND IT TO SEEMS TO BE WEARING THE TIRES FUNNY. I DO NOT DRIVE ERRATIC AND DO KEEP THE TIRE PRESSURE TO THE RECOMMENDED PSI. FOR YEARS, WHEN FORD HAD THE TWIN I-BEAM FRONT SUSPENSION ON ITS P/U'S, THE TIRES WORE FUNNY AND ALSO WOULD NOT LAST TILL THE 6000 MILE ROTATION POINT. FORD HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH VERY UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR FOR YEARS, AND IT MUST BE WITH FORD'S SUSPENSION SYSTEM, WEIGHT TO GROUND PRESSURES OR HARMONICS, BUT THEY HAVE A VERY SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW WHICH EFFECTS ITS TIRES TO WEAR UNUSALLY ON THE FORD EXPLORER SERIES AND THE FORD F SERIES, THIS IS A CERTAINTY. THE PROBLEM DOES NOT JUST EFFECT FIRESTONE TIRES!!!!!!!( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235R75-15 )
NHTSA ODI #729689
Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2000
Tires
FIRESTONE AT TIRE (P23575R15) TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE AND CAUSED $1700 DAMAGE TO THE REAR QUARTER PANEL. NLM
NHTSA ODI #554211
Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2000
TiresInjury
RIGHT FRONT FIRESTONE TIRE FAILED CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, HIT THE LEFT SHOULDER AND ROLLED OVER 3 TIMES. NLM
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.
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.
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.
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
6
EA02011 · 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.
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