IllustrationWHILE DRIVING 55 MPH REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. AS A RESULT, MATERIAL OF THE TIRE WENT UNDER THE VEHICLE AND DAMAGED PART OF THE REAR WHEEL. *AK
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
What owners actually said
843 reportsON SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2004 I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO APPLY MY BRAKES. THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH VERY LITTLE RESISTANCE. I CONTINUED DRIVING ABOUT 100 FT AND NOTICED THE BRAKE LIGHT HAD COME ON. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. IT WASN'T. WITHIN 10 SECONDS OF NOTICING THE BRAKE LIGHT I …
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ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2004 I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO APPLY MY BRAKES. THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH VERY LITTLE RESISTANCE. I CONTINUED DRIVING ABOUT 100 FT AND NOTICED THE BRAKE LIGHT HAD COME ON. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. IT WASN'T. WITHIN 10 SECONDS OF NOTICING THE BRAKE LIGHT I ATTEMTED TO STOP. AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE OF APPLYING THE BRAKES, I STOPPED. I APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND DECIDED TO OPEN THE HOOD TO SEE IF THE BRAKE RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. IT WAS 3/4 LOW. I WENT BACK TO THE HOUSE AND BROUGHT BACK A CAN OF DOT 3-4 BRAKE FLUID. I FILLED THE RESERVOIR TO THE PROPER LEVEL. I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. I AGAIN PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND AGAIN THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I USED THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN THE TIRES TO THE FAR RIGHT AND THEN TO THE FAR LEFT. I LOOKED BEHIND BOTH FRONT WHEELS TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY VISIBLE SIGNS OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKING. THERE WAS NONE. I DECIDED TO CHOCK THE BACK TIRES BUY PLACING A LARGE TREE LOG BEHIND EACH REAR TIRE. I THEN CRAWLED UNDER THE REAR AREA OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED DRIPPING BRAKE FLUID COMING FROM ABOVE THE TRANSAXLE (REAREND). I PLACED MY HAND ABOVE AND FELT THE HYDRAULIC LINE AND FELT A LARGE AMOUNT OF CORROSION ON THE BRAKE LINE. I AM SENDING THE VEHICLE TO PARKWAY AUTO REPAIR ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2004. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE PICTURES OR THE ACTUAL BRAKE LINE AFTER IT IS REMOVED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. NO CRASH OR INJURIES OCCURRED FROM THIS EQUIPMENT FAILURE. *AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND DIDN'T GO BACK UP UNTIL THE TRUCK WAS STOPPED AND TURNED OFF. CRUISE CONTROL WASN'T ENGAGED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND SERVICE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED TO STOP OR SL…
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VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND DIDN'T GO BACK UP UNTIL THE TRUCK WAS STOPPED AND TURNED OFF. CRUISE CONTROL WASN'T ENGAGED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND SERVICE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP PERFORMED SEVERAL TESTS, INCLUDING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP.*AK
IN APRIL 2003, THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 95 FORD EXPLORER WENT BAD. THE PROBLEM PRESENTED ITSELF BY THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT COMING ON AND BLINKING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FASTER THAN 35-40 MILES PER HOUR. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WAS REPLACED BY COTTMAN TRANSMISSION. SINCE THAT TIME…
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IN APRIL 2003, THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 95 FORD EXPLORER WENT BAD. THE PROBLEM PRESENTED ITSELF BY THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT COMING ON AND BLINKING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FASTER THAN 35-40 MILES PER HOUR. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WAS REPLACED BY COTTMAN TRANSMISSION. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE IN THE SHOP ON AT LEAST 5 OCCASIONS FOR REPLACEMENT OF A "MODULE" IN THE TRANSMISSION. AS OF JULY 17, 2004, THIS "MODULE" IS CONTINUING TO FAIL CAUSING THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT TO COME ON AND CONTINUOUSLY BLINK. WHEN DISCUSSED WITH COTTMAN, I WAS TOLD THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF THE DEFECT OF THIS ITEM BUT WOULD ONLY CONTINUE TO REPLACE IT AND NOT REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. SINCE I AM A HEAVY INTERSTATE USER, I AM CONCERNED THAT MY TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL WHILE SPEEDING ALONG THE INTERSTATE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *JB
REAR HATCHBACK HINGES ARE BUCKLED, PREVENTING THE HATCHBACK FROM CLOSING. WATER GETS INSIDE BECAUSE OF THE 1 1/2 INCH GAP IN THE REAR HATCHBACK. ALSO, EXHAUST FUMES ARE COMING FROM THE REAR HATCHBACK. *AK
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELTS WILL NOT STAY LOCKED IN THE BELT BUCKLE, AND WILL RELEASE WITHOUT WARNING. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED FOR A TRIP CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES HAD BUBBLES ON THE TREAD ON BOTH FRONT TIRES. *AK
I HAVE HAD 3 TRANSMISSION FAILURES ON MY 1995 FORD EXPLORER. I BOUGHT IT NEW. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURED JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. IT WAS REBUILT. THE NEXT FAILURE OCCURRED JUST OUT OF THE WARRANTY FOR THE FIRST REBUILD. I HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN. THE THIRD FAILURE IS JUST BEGINNING WITH THE OD LIGHT FLASHING AND A HARD CL…
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I HAVE HAD 3 TRANSMISSION FAILURES ON MY 1995 FORD EXPLORER. I BOUGHT IT NEW. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURED JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. IT WAS REBUILT. THE NEXT FAILURE OCCURRED JUST OUT OF THE WARRANTY FOR THE FIRST REBUILD. I HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN. THE THIRD FAILURE IS JUST BEGINNING WITH THE OD LIGHT FLASHING AND A HARD CLUNK WHEN THE AUTO TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS INTO FIRST GEAR.*AK
1995 FORD EXPLORER DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE RETURN SPRING APPEARS TO HAVE SUDDENLY BROKEN, SAME AS DESCRIBED IN PRIOR ODI ACTION NO. EA02011. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE CREATED: APPEARS TO LATCH, THEN UNLATCHES SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING. PROBLEM OCCURS FREQUENTLY, SO BUCKLE/BELT WILL BE REPLACED ASAP. *AK
HOOD LATCH FAILURE AT APPROX.40MPH CAUSING HOOD TO RELEASE AND COMPLETELY COVER WINDSHEILD... TOTALLY BLOCKING FORWARD VISION.RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO HOOD AND LOWER WINSHIELD AREA.($1000.00 +)IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE CHANCE FOR SERIOUS INJURY WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT!!!!!FORTUNATELY TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AT TIME O…
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HOOD LATCH FAILURE AT APPROX.40MPH CAUSING HOOD TO RELEASE AND COMPLETELY COVER WINDSHEILD... TOTALLY BLOCKING FORWARD VISION.RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO HOOD AND LOWER WINSHIELD AREA.($1000.00 +)IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE CHANCE FOR SERIOUS INJURY WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT!!!!!FORTUNATELY TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AT TIME OF INCIDENT(APPROX 6PM ON SUNDAY EVENING) . *AK
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.