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
127,000 miles · May 24, 2010
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED FOR RECALL 00V402000. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE STABILIZING…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED FOR RECALL 00V402000. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE STABILIZING LINKAGE PIN WAS BROKEN CAUSING THE BEARINGS IN THE WHEEL TO BECOME DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 127,000.
NHTSA ODI #10331994
122,000 miles · Feb 28, 2010
Exterior Lighting
DRIVER'S SIDE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS A BULB SENSING SYSTEM, AND ISSUED A WARNING TO CHECK THE HEADLAMPS. I REPLACED BULB, BUT IT STILL DID NOT WORK. A DAY LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHT ALSO FAILED, LEAVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS. AFTER LOOKING FOR A FUSE OR WIRING PROBLE…
Read full complaint
DRIVER'S SIDE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS A BULB SENSING SYSTEM, AND ISSUED A WARNING TO CHECK THE HEADLAMPS. I REPLACED BULB, BUT IT STILL DID NOT WORK. A DAY LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHT ALSO FAILED, LEAVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS. AFTER LOOKING FOR A FUSE OR WIRING PROBLEM, I FOUND THROUGH RESEARCH THAT THIS IS A RATHER COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS AND SIMILAR VEHICLE MODELS, AND HAS BEEN INDIRECTLY ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE MANUFACTURER IN A TSB, BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. TO ME THIS SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED MORE PROACTIVELY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10314968
Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2010
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure
1995 FORD EXPLORER REAR HATCH WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE HINGE THE SPOT WELDS BROKE. WENT TO 3 FORD DEALER THEY SAY THIS IS BEEN A PROBLEM READ HATCH TO HEAVY WELDS WEAK . THEY SAID TO CONTACT FORD. CALLED FORD SAID NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. TOLD THEN REAR HATCH IS GOING TO FALL OFF. MADE A COMPLAINT . TO SEE IF A RECALL …
Read full complaint
1995 FORD EXPLORER REAR HATCH WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE HINGE THE SPOT WELDS BROKE. WENT TO 3 FORD DEALER THEY SAY THIS IS BEEN A PROBLEM READ HATCH TO HEAVY WELDS WEAK . THEY SAID TO CONTACT FORD. CALLED FORD SAID NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. TOLD THEN REAR HATCH IS GOING TO FALL OFF. MADE A COMPLAINT . TO SEE IF A RECALL OF FIX PROBLEM. THEY SAID MY PROBLEM. MY FIX.. I TOLD THEM YOUR DEALERS SAID THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM AND FORD WILL NOT FIX IT. I NEED FORD TO FIX MY REAR HATCH BE FORE IT FALLS OFF. NEED YOUR HELP THIS IS BEEN GOING G ON FOR A YEAR. I GIVE UP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10314940
Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC DETAILS: I TOOK MY 95 EXPLORER IN FOR A RECALL (09S09) FOR A SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WHICH MAY POSE A RISK OF FIRE IF IT LEAKED. WHEN I GOT MY VEH. BACK I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD TO CHECK THEIR WORK. (I AM A MECHANIC MY SELF BY OCCUPATION) THEY HAD REPLACED THE PIGTAIL TO THE SWITCH BUT NOT …
Read full complaint
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC DETAILS: I TOOK MY 95 EXPLORER IN FOR A RECALL (09S09) FOR A SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WHICH MAY POSE A RISK OF FIRE IF IT LEAKED. WHEN I GOT MY VEH. BACK I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD TO CHECK THEIR WORK. (I AM A MECHANIC MY SELF BY OCCUPATION) THEY HAD REPLACED THE PIGTAIL TO THE SWITCH BUT NOT THE SWITCH ITSELF. THE LETTER TALKED ABOUT THE SWITCH AND NOT A PIGTAIL LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE SWITCH IS MOUNTED ON THE MASTER CLY.ABOVE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AREA. THE RECALL INTENT WAS TO HAVE FORD REPLACE THE PIGTAIL AND SWITCH OR THE SWITCH BUT ONLY IF THE SWITCH WAS LEAKING. THE SERVICE MANAGER WOULD NOT GIVE ME ANY EXPLANATION. IS FORD CHANGING THE WRONG PART. I AM NOT SURE HOW THE PIG TAIL WILL STOP THE BRAKE FLUID FROM LEAKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10295910
145,286 miles · Dec 1, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
I TOOK MY 95 EXPLORER IN FOR A RECALL (09S09) FOR A SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WHICH MAY POSE A RISK OF FIRE IF IT LEAKED. WHEN I GOT MY VEH. BACK I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD TO CHECK THEIR WORK. (I AM A MECHANIC MY SELF BY OCCUPATION) THEY HAD REPLACED THE PIGTAIL TO THE SWITCH BUT NOT THE SWITCH ITSELF. WHEN I TALKED TO TH…
Read full complaint
I TOOK MY 95 EXPLORER IN FOR A RECALL (09S09) FOR A SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WHICH MAY POSE A RISK OF FIRE IF IT LEAKED. WHEN I GOT MY VEH. BACK I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD TO CHECK THEIR WORK. (I AM A MECHANIC MY SELF BY OCCUPATION) THEY HAD REPLACED THE PIGTAIL TO THE SWITCH BUT NOT THE SWITCH ITSELF. WHEN I TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT IT HE STATED THAT THE PIGTAIL WAS THE FIRE HAZARD AND THEY ONLY RELOCATED THE SWITCH IF IT WAS LEAKING AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL. THE LETTER TALKED ABOUT THE SWITCH AND NOT A PIGTAIL LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE SWITCH IS MOUNTED ON THE MASTER CLY.ABOVE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AREA. WAS YOUR RECALL INTENT TO HAVE FORD REPLACE THE PIGTAIL AND SWITCH OR THE PIGTAIL AND THE SWITCH BUT ONLY IF THE SWITCH WAS LEAKING. I WILL BE WAITING YOUR REPLY THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10294170
55,000 miles · Nov 9, 2009
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING THE OVER-DRIVE WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE BEFORE DECELERATING. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE FOR THIS MODEL TYPE. HE THEN ADDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION C…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING THE OVER-DRIVE WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE BEFORE DECELERATING. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE FOR THIS MODEL TYPE. HE THEN ADDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND THE PCM HAVE FAILED. THE PCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN EXPENSE OF $500.00. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
NHTSA ODI #10291482
123,500 miles · Aug 8, 2009
Vehicle Speed ControlFire
MY FORD EXPLORER CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH IN MY ENGINE STARTED ON FIRE AND LUCKILY I WAS AT THE DEALER WHEN IT HAPPENED IT WAS THERE BEING FIXED BECAUSE IT KEPT BLOWING A FUSE WHEN THE FUSE WAS FIXED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH STARTED ON FIRE. IT LOOKS TO ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON FORDS. I HAVE A 1995 FORD EXPLORER. I WOULD LI…
Read full complaint
MY FORD EXPLORER CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH IN MY ENGINE STARTED ON FIRE AND LUCKILY I WAS AT THE DEALER WHEN IT HAPPENED IT WAS THERE BEING FIXED BECAUSE IT KEPT BLOWING A FUSE WHEN THE FUSE WAS FIXED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH STARTED ON FIRE. IT LOOKS TO ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON FORDS. I HAVE A 1995 FORD EXPLORER. I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THIS BECAUSE IF I DID NOT HAVE KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG I COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR AND BURNED UP. ALL I WANT OUR THE NEW CRUISE CONTROL WIRE AND SWITCH AND HAVE IT INSTALLED AT THE DEALER FOR FREE. HTTP://WWW.USAUTOINJURYLAW.COM/CASES/FIRES/FORD-EXPLORER.HTM HTTP://WWW.SWITCHFIRES.COM/RECALL.HTM HTTP://WWW.WASHINGTONPOST.COM/WP-DYN/CONTENT/ARTICLE/2007/08/03/AR2007080301845.HTML MY CAR IS NOT IN THE LEAST BUT IT SHOULD BE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10279747
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2009
Tires
TURNED IN FOUR RECALLED TIRES TO FIRESTONE STORE IN SLC UTAH NEVER RECEIVED ANY REIMBURSEMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10264503
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2009
Power Train
ON MY SIXTH TRANSMISSION ON 1995 FORD EXPLORER HAVE A LIFE TIME WARRANTY FROM TANNER TRANSMISSION BUT THEY WILL NO LONGER STAND BEHIND THERE WARRANTY BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION BEING JUNK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10264495
Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2009
Seat Belts
SEAT BELT JUST POPPED OUT TOOK IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP TO REQUIRE ABOUT IT AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS BROKEN AND IT WOULD COST ME 112.00 TO HAVE THE SEAT BELT REPLACE. WHAT IF I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND THE SEAT BELT DIDN'T HOLD UP TO THE REQUIREMENTS IT WOULD BE TO LATE TO COMPLAIN. *TR
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.
Illustration