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 · Mar 2, 2001
Power Train
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
NHTSA ODI #741789
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2001
TiresInjury
WHILE DRIVNG ON A GRAVEL ROAD THE TIRES SHREDDED AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER 3 TIMES, THE INFANT IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ONLY SUSTAINED A CUT ON THE LEG THE DRIVER SUSTAIN INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK AND ARMS (FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15"). NLM
NHTSA ODI #560010
Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2001
StructureInjury
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WANDERS TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (NO SHOULDER), WHEN STEERING BACK INTO THE LANE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL AND SKID, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER, NO SERIOUS INJURIES ONLY ACHES AND BRUISES. NLM
NHTSA ODI #560007
Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2001
Power Train
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
NHTSA ODI #741690
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2001
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
AS CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, ENGINE REVVED AND VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARD AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. $ AMOUNT OF DAMAGE UNKNOWN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #881438
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2001
Suspension
THE VEHICLE BEGAN EXPERIENCING HANDLING PROBLEMS DUE TO BROKEN SWAY BARS WHICH FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 00V-402 AND CAUSED THE TIRES TO WEAR, THE CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
NHTSA ODI #559961
Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2001
Tires
THREE OF FOUR WILDERNESS AT TIRES WERE ORIGINALS. ALL ORIGINAL TIRES FOUND TO HAVE A VISIBLE SEPARATION BETWEEN THE TREAD AND BELT AROUND THE ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE TIRE. TIRES HAD NORMAL WEAR WITH PLENTY OF GOOD TREAD LEFT; ALTHOUGH, THE TIRES ARE FIVE YEARS OLD AND HAVE 67,000 MILES ON THEM. (DOT NUMBER: VNCU1PL165 TI…
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THREE OF FOUR WILDERNESS AT TIRES WERE ORIGINALS. ALL ORIGINAL TIRES FOUND TO HAVE A VISIBLE SEPARATION BETWEEN THE TREAD AND BELT AROUND THE ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE TIRE. TIRES HAD NORMAL WEAR WITH PLENTY OF GOOD TREAD LEFT; ALTHOUGH, THE TIRES ARE FIVE YEARS OLD AND HAVE 67,000 MILES ON THEM. (DOT NUMBER: VNCU1PL165 TIRESIZE: P255/70R16)
NHTSA ODI #741493
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2001
Seat BeltsSuspension
THE FOUR SEAT BELTS IN THE VEHICLE ARE BROKEN AND CANNOT BE USED PROPERLY, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES TH MANUFACTURER SHOULD PAY FOR REPAIR SINCE ITS SAFETY RELATED . NLM
NHTSA ODI #559872
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2001
Tires
HAD STOPPED VEHICLE TO CHECK TIRES AND NOTICED TREAD SEPARATING ON LEFT REAR FIRESTONE TIRE WITH 32,000 MILES ON IT. DROVE TO TIRE RETAILER AND HAD 2 TIRES IN REAR REPLACED. P225/70R15 ON 1995. *AK DOT# W2UU1MX. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #881009
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2001
Tires
ON FEBRUARY 19, 2000, ED CARNEY FORD REFUSED TO EXCHANGE MY RECALLED FIRESTONE TIRES BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT CURRENTLY MOUNTED ON MY VEHICLE AND I HAD OTHER TIRES ON THE CAR ... THIS DESPITE PRESENTING THE RECALLED TIRES AT THEIR DEALERSHIP THAT DAY. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS SINCE CONFIRMED TO ME THAT THE DEALERSHIP ACTED IMPRO…
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ON FEBRUARY 19, 2000, ED CARNEY FORD REFUSED TO EXCHANGE MY RECALLED FIRESTONE TIRES BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT CURRENTLY MOUNTED ON MY VEHICLE AND I HAD OTHER TIRES ON THE CAR ... THIS DESPITE PRESENTING THE RECALLED TIRES AT THEIR DEALERSHIP THAT DAY. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS SINCE CONFIRMED TO ME THAT THE DEALERSHIP ACTED IMPROPERLY, AND THAT TIRES AFFECTED BY THE RECALL ARE TO BE EXCHANGED WHETHER THEY ARE CURRENTLY MOUNTED OR NOT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS BREECH OF ED CARNEY'S RESPONSIBLITIES IN THIS RECALL, WARRANTING THIS COMPLAINT, AND I HOPE THAT THE NHTSA WILL TAKE ACTIVE STEPS TO ENSURE THAT THEY DO NOT TRY TO SCAM OTHER CUSTOMERS THIS WAY IN THE FUTURE. *AK
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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