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 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2002
Power Train
ON 12/20/01, I TRIED TO GO INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. AUTO 4WD LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON. DRIVING IT RESULTED IN NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE: GROANS, LOUD CLUNKS, SEVERE VIBRATIONS, AND DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE. NEXT BOTH 4WD LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING. ON 12/24/01, I TOOK CAR TO DEALER. ACTUATOR WAS REPLACED, WHICH THEY SAID W…
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ON 12/20/01, I TRIED TO GO INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. AUTO 4WD LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON. DRIVING IT RESULTED IN NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE: GROANS, LOUD CLUNKS, SEVERE VIBRATIONS, AND DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE. NEXT BOTH 4WD LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING. ON 12/24/01, I TOOK CAR TO DEALER. ACTUATOR WAS REPLACED, WHICH THEY SAID WAS A PROBLEM IN THESE CARS. CHARGE WAS $441.77. I NOTICED SAME PROBLEM. BACK TO SHOP ON 12/26/01. AFTER 2 DAYS WORK PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AS WATER GETTING INTO THE TRANSFER CASE, CONTAMINATING CLUTCHES, CAUSING THEM TO STICK AND GRAB. FIX WAS TO DRAIN AND REFILL THE CASE. COST $205.45. HE SAID THERE WAS A VENT BUT THIS WOULD NOT HAVE ALLOWED FOR THIS PROBLEM TO OCCUR. PROBLEM IS LESS BUT STILL PRESENT. LATER, ALL THE WHILE STILL NOTICING THE VIBRATION, I NOTICED THAT BOTH LIGHTS WOULD BEGIN TO FLASH.THE NHTSA SITE PROVIDED SEVERAL TSB'S THAT SEEM TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS: SB# 97314, DATED 02/97; SB# BC0206970201, DATED 01/97; SB# BC1011297020, DATED 01/97. ALL DEAL WITH THE TRANSFER CASE BINDING OR SHUDDERING. ALSO TWO TSB'S RECOMMENDING THE USE OF A REVISED VENT TUBE TO PREVENT WATER GETTING INTO THE TRANSFER CASE: SB# BC0133970201, DATED 01/97; AND SB# BC1012797020, DATED 01/97. DEALER WAS UNAWARE OF THIS PROCEDURE AND DID NOT SUGGEST DOING IT ON MY VEHICLE.I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WITH AUTO 4WD. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED A SPEED SENSOR, ELIMINATING THE FLASHING LIGHTS. BILL IS NOW $700 AND NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM, KNOWN SINCE 1997. NOBODY BOTHERED TO TELL ME TO HAVE MY TRANSFER CASE FLUID CHECKED OR THE VENT TUBE CHANGED. DEALER EVEN TOLD ME THAT THEY NORMALLY WOULD NOT CHECK FOR THIS AND THAT I SHOULD TAKE IT UPON MYSELF. SINCE THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE DUE TO AN INHERENT DESIGN FLAW AND HAS BEEN KNOWN BY FORD SINCE 1997, WITHIN MY WARRANTY PERIOD, I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ASKED FOR PROBLEM BE FIXED WITHOUT COST TO ME. THEY KNEW OF THE PROBLEM AND THE REPAIRS BUT REFUSED TO HELP SINCE ITS OUT OF WARRANTY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #756713
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2002
Unknown Or Other
SINCE 1997, VEHICLE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. RESPONSE FROM FORD WAS THAT DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF SENSORS THAT ACTIVATE THE LIGHT, IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL WHAT WAS SETTING IT OFF. THEN TOLD FORD TO RUN PCM DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO OBTAIN CODES, DIDN;T KNOW WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. FINALLY GOT THEM TO…
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SINCE 1997, VEHICLE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. RESPONSE FROM FORD WAS THAT DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF SENSORS THAT ACTIVATE THE LIGHT, IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL WHAT WAS SETTING IT OFF. THEN TOLD FORD TO RUN PCM DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO OBTAIN CODES, DIDN;T KNOW WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. FINALLY GOT THEM TO DO IT, AND IT CAME UP WITH FAULTY O2 SENSOR. REPLACED SENSOR, AND PROBLEM PERSISTED. WENT BACK, RAN TEST, CAME BACK WITH SAME RESULTS. FORD HAS BEEN NO HELP, CONTACTED FORD, SAID NOT SAFETY RELATED, THEREFORE NOT THEIR PROBLEM. WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #756534
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2002
Power Train
DRIVING FROM SAN DIEGO TO LAX AIRPORT. 1/3 OF WAY THERE, O/D OFF LIGHT STARTS FLASHING, SEE IN MANUAL TO CONTACT DEALERSHIP AND TO HAVE VEHICLE CHECKED. CALL RANCHO FORD IN TEMECULA, CA, THEY SAID VEHICLE FINE TO DRIVE, COME IN FOR APPOINTMENT A FEW DAYS LATER. VEHICLE NOT IN CORRECT GEARS, RPM AWKWARD, TOO HIGH, TOO LOW. TH…
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DRIVING FROM SAN DIEGO TO LAX AIRPORT. 1/3 OF WAY THERE, O/D OFF LIGHT STARTS FLASHING, SEE IN MANUAL TO CONTACT DEALERSHIP AND TO HAVE VEHICLE CHECKED. CALL RANCHO FORD IN TEMECULA, CA, THEY SAID VEHICLE FINE TO DRIVE, COME IN FOR APPOINTMENT A FEW DAYS LATER. VEHICLE NOT IN CORRECT GEARS, RPM AWKWARD, TOO HIGH, TOO LOW. THEN 1/2 BACK AND HEAR POP SOUND, LIKE GUNFIRE, AND SEE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER VEHICLE. PAST EXPERIENCE WITH FORD TELLS ME NOT TO TRUST THEM, SO I PULL OVER AND CALL MY MECHANIC. TRANSMISSION BLEW CAP OFF AND COVER UNDERCARRIAGE OF CAR WITH TRANS FLUID. MECHANIC SAID THAT AS LONG AS I DID NOT REV ABOVE 2700, I WOULD BE OKAY. MADE IT ALL THE WAY HOME. HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT AND REINSTALLED, TWO WEEKS LATER, SAME SYMPTOMS. THIS TIME NEW TRANSMISSION. THEN 4 WEEKS LATER, PROBLEMS OCCUR AGAIN. TAKE TO AAMCO, AND THEY SAY NEEDS NEW TORQUE CONVERTER, TAKE TO REGUALR MECHANIC, SAYS NEEDS NEW TRANSFER CASE, TAKE TO RANCHO FORD, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, AND TAKE TO LAKE ELSINORE FORD, WHERE THEY RUN DIAGNOSTIC, AND FIND NOTHING IS WRONG.*AK
NHTSA ODI #756533
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2002
Power Train
SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, RESULTING IN INCORRECT MILES. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK *SLC
NHTSA ODI #8001358
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2001
Steering
STEERING WHEEL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LOCK UP DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED. STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP WHILE TRAVELING FIVE MPH, AND TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY OR WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT HIGH SPEEDS. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT A "BOOT" AROUND A JOINT IN THE STEERING C…
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STEERING WHEEL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LOCK UP DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED. STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP WHILE TRAVELING FIVE MPH, AND TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY OR WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT HIGH SPEEDS. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT A "BOOT" AROUND A JOINT IN THE STEERING COLUMN HAD DETERIORATED FROM EXPOSURE TO SAND. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8001197
Mileage unknown · Dec 25, 2001
Seat Belts
THE SPRING IN THE SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTON DOES NOT WORK. THERE IS NO TENSION OR RESISTANCE ON THE BUTTON. THE BUTTON FLOPS UP AND DOWN IN THE BUCKLE. THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY FASTENED IN THE BUCKLE. THE SEAT BELT TONGUE DOES NOT CATCH AND REMAIN FASTENED IN THE BUCKLE.
NHTSA ODI #756008
Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2001
Electrical System
EVERYNOW AND THEN THE 4X4 LIGHTS FLASH, WHILE IN 2 WHEEL DRIVE, WINDOWS WON'T ROLL UPOR DOWN. GOES AWAY AFTER A FEW MINUTES. FORD REPLACED IGNITION, BUT IT STILL DOES IT. DEALER WAS A BAD DEALER AND DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS CAUSING PROBLEM BUT REPLACED IGNITION ANYWAYS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #755676
Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2001
Seat Belts
NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO RELEASE THE BELT BUCKLE FROM THE LOCKING HOUSING MECHANISM FAILED AND THE FABRIC PORTION OF THE SEATBELT HAD TO BE CUT OFF, LEAVING THE BUCKLE IN THE LOCKING MECHANISM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #754811
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2001
Tires
SPARE TIRE IS SMALLER IN WIDTH AND IN DIAMETER THAN REGULAR VEHICLE TIRE. SPARE TIRE SIZE IS P22570R15 WHILE REGULAR TIRE SIZE IS P25570R16. CONSUMER CALLED AND ASKED A FIRESTONE DEALER WAS THIS SAFE AND DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH DIFFERENT SIZE TIRES ON VEHICLE, CONSUMER WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT DOING SO…
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SPARE TIRE IS SMALLER IN WIDTH AND IN DIAMETER THAN REGULAR VEHICLE TIRE. SPARE TIRE SIZE IS P22570R15 WHILE REGULAR TIRE SIZE IS P25570R16. CONSUMER CALLED AND ASKED A FIRESTONE DEALER WAS THIS SAFE AND DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH DIFFERENT SIZE TIRES ON VEHICLE, CONSUMER WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT DOING SO COULD RUIN THE DIFFERENTIAL. CONSUMER STATED THAT ACCORDING TO FORD, THIS IS STANDARD EQUIPMENT.*AK *TT
NHTSA ODI #899056
Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2001
Tires
FORD WON'T REIMBURSE ME FOR HAVING MY TIRES REPLACED BECAUSE I HAD IT DONE 29 DAYS BEFORE THEY STARTED THEIR START DATE. EVEN THOUGH I FELT OUR LIVES WERE IN DANGER DRIVING ON THOSE TIRES.*AK (TIRESIZE: 255/16)
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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