IllustrationI AM CONCERNED THAT MY TIRES SHOULD BE DEFECTIVE DUE TO THE TYPE AND SIZE. AT THIS TIME THEY ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFIED AS DEFECTIVE BUT THEY ARE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS HT TIRES BUILT IN DECATUR ILLINOIS. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VDHL AWR TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)
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 reportsFIRESTONE IS REPLACING TIRES WITH CENTENIAL CANYON CLIMBERS. *AK
RIGHT REAR TIRE SHOWS DEFINITE SIGNS OF TREAD SEPARATION. SMALL HAIRLINE CRACK RUNNING AROUND OUTSIDE OF TIRE ABOUT AN INCH DOWN FROM TOP OF TREAD. LEFT REAR TIRE NOT AS NOTICEABLE BUT ON CLOSE EXAMINATION SHOWS SIGNS OF BEGINNING TO SEPARATE. ALTHOUGH TIRE SIZE IS NOT ON RECALL LIST WHEN INSPECTED BY FIRESTONE DEALER THEY AGREE…
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RIGHT REAR TIRE SHOWS DEFINITE SIGNS OF TREAD SEPARATION. SMALL HAIRLINE CRACK RUNNING AROUND OUTSIDE OF TIRE ABOUT AN INCH DOWN FROM TOP OF TREAD. LEFT REAR TIRE NOT AS NOTICEABLE BUT ON CLOSE EXAMINATION SHOWS SIGNS OF BEGINNING TO SEPARATE. ALTHOUGH TIRE SIZE IS NOT ON RECALL LIST WHEN INSPECTED BY FIRESTONE DEALER THEY AGREED TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES.( DOT NUMBER: W2HL TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
BOTH THE FRONT LEFT AND FRONT RIGHT SWAY BAR LINKS HAVE FAILED ON THIS VEHICLE. THE LINKS HAVE SIMPLY FALLEN OFF OF THE VEHICLE. I SAW AN ARTICLE IN THE NEWSPAPER THAT NHTSA WAS INVESTIGATING THIS COMPONENT ON THE 1995 EXPLORER AND WISHED TO PROVIDE MY INFORMATION AS WELL. *AK
GOING 70 THUD THUD THUD AND FLAT. STEEL BELT SPLIT. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY SINCE APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES. NO CAUSE COULD BE DETERMINED BY SEVERAL FORD DEALERSHIPS. AT 109,000 MILES O/D LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. DEALER DIAGNOSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT ($2558). 5,000 MILES LATER SAME SYMPTOMS APPEARED (O/D LIGHT FLASHING). DEALER DI…
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY SINCE APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES. NO CAUSE COULD BE DETERMINED BY SEVERAL FORD DEALERSHIPS. AT 109,000 MILES O/D LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. DEALER DIAGNOSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT ($2558). 5,000 MILES LATER SAME SYMPTOMS APPEARED (O/D LIGHT FLASHING). DEALER DIAGNOSED TRANSMISSION AND PCM FAILURE - REPLACED TRANSMISSION UNDER WARRANTY AND REPLACED PCM ($264). 5,000 MILES AFTER THAT SAME SYMPTOMS PRESENTED THEMSELVES (O/D LIGHT FLASHING). DEALER DIAGNOSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND PCM FAILURE - BOTH REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO PRESENT ITSELF INTERMITTENTLY (TYPICALLY ON LONG DRIVES). SUMMARY: 3 TRANSMISSIONS AND 2 PCMS FAILED WITHIN 12,000 MILES. *AK
INITIAL FAILURE DUE TO VERY MINOR DIP IN I-80 FROM BRIDGE TO ASPAULT TRANSITION. FAILURE RESULTED IN UNCONTROLLABLE VEHICLE OSCILLATION AND SUBSEQUENT SPIN-OUT INCLUDING TIRE, BUMPER AND MINOR INJURIES FROM SPIN. VEHICLE WAS UNSTABLE AND WOULD START OSCILLATIONS ABOVE 30 MPH. A SECOND SPIN-OUT OCCURRED WHEN TAKING VEHICLE IN …
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INITIAL FAILURE DUE TO VERY MINOR DIP IN I-80 FROM BRIDGE TO ASPAULT TRANSITION. FAILURE RESULTED IN UNCONTROLLABLE VEHICLE OSCILLATION AND SUBSEQUENT SPIN-OUT INCLUDING TIRE, BUMPER AND MINOR INJURIES FROM SPIN. VEHICLE WAS UNSTABLE AND WOULD START OSCILLATIONS ABOVE 30 MPH. A SECOND SPIN-OUT OCCURRED WHEN TAKING VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION AT AROUND 35 MPH - NO DAMAGE FROM ACCIDENT. REPLACEMENT OF FRONT STABILIZER LINK RESOLVED STABILITY PROBLEMS.*AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 16 )
DRIVING ON COOL DAY ON MASS. PIKE EAST OF STURBRIDGE EXIT. TIRE SEPARATION. HEARD THUMPING PRIOR TO SUDDEN FLAT. SIDEWALL BLEW OUT. TREAD CAME OFF IN STREAMS. TIRES WERE NEW WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/75 )
WE PURCHASED NEW FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES (P235/75R15) FROM OUR LOCAL COSTCO TIRE CENTER ON 06-27-99. OUR TIRES DO NOT HAVE THE RECALLED DOT SERIAL NUMBER, BUT WE HAD THEM INSPECTED AT THE COSTCO TIRE CENTER JUST TO BE SAFE. THE TIRE INSTALLER AT COSTCO POINTED OUT THAT BOTH FRONT TIRES HAD STARTED TO CRACK AND SEPARATE W…
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WE PURCHASED NEW FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES (P235/75R15) FROM OUR LOCAL COSTCO TIRE CENTER ON 06-27-99. OUR TIRES DO NOT HAVE THE RECALLED DOT SERIAL NUMBER, BUT WE HAD THEM INSPECTED AT THE COSTCO TIRE CENTER JUST TO BE SAFE. THE TIRE INSTALLER AT COSTCO POINTED OUT THAT BOTH FRONT TIRES HAD STARTED TO CRACK AND SEPARATE WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE SIDEWALL. WE WERE TOLD TO REPLACE THE TIRES IMMEDIATELY. COSTCO WILL REPLACE THE TIRES, BUT HAS TO PUT ON ANOTHER PAIR OF FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES. I REPEAT, OUR TIRES ARE NOT CURRENTLY SUBJECT TO RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE ALSO DEFECTIVE. AT THE TIME OF THIS E-MAIL, THE TIRES ONLY HAVE 22,329 MILES ON THEM AND THE TREAD IS IN DANGER OF SEPARATING. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY! IF FIRESTONE KNEW BEFOREHAND ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH THEIR TIRES, THEY SHOULD BE HELD CRIMINALLY LIABLE FOR ANY DEATHS AND INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR TIRES. PLEASE ADD MY NAME TO THE LIST OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES.( DOT NUMBER: 8XHLIPY TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
WHILE DRIVING ON 93 SOUTH, A MAJOR MASSACHUSETTS HIGHWAY, AT 55 MILES AN HOUR ON 11-1998, I SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING A CAR THAT WAS GOING TO COME INTO MY LANE.MY SUV FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO TIP OVER ON ITS SIDE.IT FELT LIKE I WAS RIDING ON TWO WHEELS.HAD I NOT BEEN CALM AND STEERED CORRECTLY, THE SUV WOULD HAVE TIPPED OVER ON…
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WHILE DRIVING ON 93 SOUTH, A MAJOR MASSACHUSETTS HIGHWAY, AT 55 MILES AN HOUR ON 11-1998, I SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING A CAR THAT WAS GOING TO COME INTO MY LANE.MY SUV FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO TIP OVER ON ITS SIDE.IT FELT LIKE I WAS RIDING ON TWO WHEELS.HAD I NOT BEEN CALM AND STEERED CORRECTLY, THE SUV WOULD HAVE TIPPED OVER ON ITS SIDE.THE SECOND TIME, 8-2000 WAS ON 95 SOUTH, IN MASSACHUSETTS.UPON GETTING OFF THE EXIT RAMP, MY SUV AGAIN FELT LIKE IT WOULD TIP OVER. I WAS GOING ABOUT 25 MILES AN HOUR.BOTH TIMES THE SWAY BAR LINKS HAD TO BE REPLACED.I WAS CHARGED FOR THE FIRST REPAIR.I HAVE REPLACED THE FIVE ORIGINAL TIRES WHICH WERE PART OF THE RECENT RECALL, WITH THE SAME TYPE OF TIRE ABOUT A YEAR AGO.THE CID SENSOR IS A PART THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE SUV, ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC THAT WORKED ON IT.IT HAD TO BE REPLACED ON MY SUV.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75/15 )
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.