COMPONENT SPOTLIGHT

Ford Explorer electrical problems

2,242 distinct owner reports with an electrical-system component in this snapshot.

Includes the electrical-system component and its detailed subcategories. Related recalls and investigations must also name this component; they are not linked by narrative keyword alone.

44 crash reports312 fire reports36 injury reports

Reports by model year

Recall and investigation columns show each year’s full history. A report naming several years can appear in more than one row.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

246

0–25K

179

25–50K

194

50–75K

154

75–100K

198

100–150K

123

150K+

1,094 reports with mileage · 1,148 unknown

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 owners actually said

2,242 reports

2014 model year · 127,300 miles · Aug 6, 2020

Electrical SystemSteering

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING ASSIST FAILURE AND SERVICE ADVANCE TRACK WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER RANDY WISE FORD INC. LOCATED AT 968 S. ORTONVILLE RD, ORTONVILLE, MI 48462, (248) 627-3730, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V286000 (STEERING), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,300.

NHTSA ODI #11343677

2020 model year · 8,000 miles · Aug 5, 2020

Electrical SystemStructure

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL AND ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE MIRROR FAILED TO OPEN. THE CLIMATE CONTROL FAILED TO OPERATE CORRECTLY, WHICH CREATED A VISIBILITY HAZARD FOR THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLIND SPOT DETECTION, CROSS TRACK, SIDE OBSTACLE DETECTION, PRE-COLLISION ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EMPIRE FORD OF HUNTINGTON LOCATED AT 333 W JERICHO TURNPIKE, HUNTINGTON, NY 11743, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING TO UPDATE AN UNKNOWN SOFTWARE AND TO REPLACE AN UNKNOWN MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE WHICH WAS RECENTLY CLOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,000.

NHTSA ODI #11343540

2020 model year · 5,234 miles · Jul 26, 2020

Electrical System

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THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES VARIOUS FAULT CODES: BLIND SPOT SYSTEM FAULT; CROSS TRAFFIC SYSTEM FAIL; AND REVERSE BRAKE ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, AIR CONDITIONING DOES NOT WORK, INCLUDING RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW AND RIGHT SIDE MIRRORS. FAULTS MAINLY OCCUR AFTER STARING VEHICLE, BUT THEY HAVE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. THE AC FAILURE OCCURS WHEN STARTING VEHICLE AND HAVE OCCURRED AFTER FIRST START IN MORNING AND AT THE END OF THE DAY AFTER MULTIPLE STARTS. THERE IS NO IDENTIFIABLE PATTERN TO FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN JANUARY AND HAS 3254 MILES. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE ISSUE HAS OCCURRED AND FORD CAN NOT IDENTIFY THE ISSUE. THE SYSTEM PROVIDES DAILY CODES AND THE DEALERSHIP AND FOCUSED ON THE SENSORS, INCLUDING REPLACING ON, BUT THE ISSUE IS NOT RESOLVED. INCIDENTS OCCURRED ON MARCH 16, 2020, MARCH 26, 2020, APRIL 14, 2020, JULY 4, 2020, JULY 14 AND JULY 17 2020.

NHTSA ODI #11341496

2018 model year · 43,000 miles · Jul 24, 2020

Electrical System

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

NHTSA ODI #11341329

2020 model year · 15,000 miles · Jul 23, 2020

Electrical System

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VEHICLE WAS PARKED. VEHICLE LOCKED INTO PARK AND WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK OR START, BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED FULLY. DASHBOARD MESSAGE: DRIVE MODE NOT AVAILABLE PLUS SCROLLED THROUGH EVERY OTHER MODE OR FEATURE AND INDICATED 'NOT AVAILABLE.' BUT LCD SCREEN SHOWED MESSAGE 'TURN OFF IGNITION.' IGNITION WAS OFF. VEHICLE THOUGHT IGNITION STILL ON. WOULD NOT START. I DISCONNECTED NEGATIVE TERMINAL OF BATTERY AND RECONNECTED AND CAR THEN STARTED WITH NO ERROR OR CODE MESSAGES.

NHTSA ODI #11341059

2020 model year · 6,680 miles · Jul 21, 2020

Electrical SystemService Brakes

ON OCCASION WHEN STARTING OUR 2020 EXPLORER ST, THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK... RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE DRIVING AWAY. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE, IS TO THROW IT BACK INTO PARK OR NEUTRAL. THIS HAS OCCURRED 1-2 TIMES A MONTH, AND FORD HAS BEEN RELUCTANT TO FIX THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A LOW-SPEED CRASH, …

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NHTSA ODI #11340565

2015 model year · 98,000 miles · Jul 21, 2020

Air BagsElectrical System

WHEN THE 3RD ROW SEATS ARE MOVED BY THE POWER BUTTON, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASH COMES ON. THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

NHTSA ODI #11340615

2020 model year · 4,500 miles · Jul 18, 2020

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

I HAVE NUMEROUS FAULT MESSAGES, PRE COLLISION ASSIST FAULT, 4WD TEMP DISABLED, 4WD SYSTEM FAULT SERVICE REQUIRED, SERVICE REQUIRED, DRIVE MODE UNAVAILABLE FAULT,AUTO HOLD SYSTEM FAULT,SERVICE ADVANCETRAC, VEHICLE WILL NOT SWTICH INTO PARK OR NEUTRAL. I WAS IN MOTION AT THE STATE SPEED LIMIT OF 70 ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE WHEN OUT OF…

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NHTSA ODI #11340124

2020 model year · Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2020

Electrical SystemService Brakes

SEVERAL TIMES THE REVERSE CAMERA AND SENSOR HAVE NOT WORKED (BLUE SCREEN) ONE OF THE TIMES ALMOST HITTING A CAR BEHIND ME, ONCE THE CENTER SCREEN WENT BLACK WHILE DRIVING WHILE USING THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM, THIS MORNING, PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME REALLY HARD WHEN STEPPING ON IT AND AGAIN ALMOST HI…

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NHTSA ODI #11339573

2011 model year · 150,000 miles · Jul 11, 2020

Electrical SystemSteeringVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE TURNS OFF AUTOMATICALLY WHILE IN MOTION. COMPLETE SHUT OFF

NHTSA ODI #11338739

Related Official recalls

26V165000 · Back Over Prevention:software; Electrical System:adas

Mar 18, 2026

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The Image Processing Module A (IPMA) may experience multiple unexpected resets, resulting in loss of the rearview camera image and advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features, including pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Loss of the rearview camera image and certain driver assistance features, can reduce the driver’s ability to detect hazards, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: The Image Processing Module A software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. This is a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2025 Aviator, 2025 Explorer, 2025 Nautilus notified owners on 4/13/2026. Phase 2 will include 2025 Navigator will notify owners on or about 4/20/2026. Phase 3 will include 2022-2024 Navigator will notify owners on or about 6/8/2026. Phase 4 will include 2024 Nautilus will notify owners on or about 6/22/2026. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S21. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 25, 2026.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Back Over Prevention:software

Consequence: Loss of the rearview camera image and certain driver assistance features, can reduce the driver’s ability to detect hazards, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: The Image Processing Module A software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. This is a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2025 Aviator, 2025 Explorer, 2025 Nautilus notified owners on 4/13/2026. Phase 2 will include 2025 Navigator will notify owners on or about 4/20/2026. Phase 3 will include 2022-2024 Navigator will notify owners on or about 6/8/2026. Phase 4 will include 2024 Nautilus will notify owners on or about 6/22/2026. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S21. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 25, 2026.

Electrical System:adas

Consequence: Loss of the rearview camera image and certain driver assistance features, can reduce the driver’s ability to detect hazards, increasing the risk of a crash.

24V685000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables; Hybrid Propulsion System

Sep 13, 2024

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.3L Hybrid engines. The 12-Volt battery cable may chafe against the Belt-integrated Starter Generat (BiSG) and short circuit.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will install a tie strap between the battery cable and high voltage cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S61.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Hybrid Propulsion System

Consequence: A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will install a tie strap between the battery cable and high voltage cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S61.

Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Consequence: A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

23V686000 · Back Over Prevention:display Function; Electrical System:wiring

Oct 13, 2023

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with a standard rearview camera. Due to a manufacturing error in the wire harness, the rearview camera may display a blue image on the SYNC screen when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera wire harness and repair any loose splices, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C31.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Back Over Prevention:display Function

Consequence: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera wire harness and repair any loose splices, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C31.

Electrical System:wiring

Consequence: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

23V626000 · Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery

Sep 8, 2023

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.0L PHEV engines. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will perform a Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) diagnostic test and replace the high voltage battery pack, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford Motor Company's number for this recall is 23S53.

19V687000 · Electrical System:wiring

Sep 30, 2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.3L or 3.3L engines. The wiring harness may not have been properly secured and may contact the air conditioner compressor (A/C) pulley, potentially damaging the harness or the A/C belt.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The A/C pulley may rub through the wiring harness insulation and contact the unfused battery positive wire, resulting in a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a tie strap to the wiring harness at the hand shock tower clip, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S32.

19V575000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel; Parking Brake; Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Aug 5, 2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The Manual Park Release (MPR) cover may not be installed. In addition, the vehicles may be in Factory Mode, which disables warning alerts and does not display the transmission gear selected. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 114, "Theft Prevention" and 102, "Trans Shift Lever Seq/Starter Interlock/Trans Braking Effect."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Without the cover, the MPR lever may be unintentionally moved, allowing the vehicle to roll away. Being in Factory Mode, the vehicle will not display warnings and/or gear selection on the instrument cluster. Both conditions increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, install a MPR cover. Dealers will verify the instrument cluster is not in Factory Mode and clear any fault codes, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C06.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Parking Brake

Consequence: Without the cover, the MPR lever may be unintentionally moved, allowing the vehicle to roll away. Being in Factory Mode, the vehicle will not display warnings and/or gear selection on the instrument cluster. Both conditions increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, install a MPR cover. Dealers will verify the instrument cluster is not in Factory Mode and clear any fault codes, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C06.

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

00V072000 · Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Mar 7, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L ENGINES AND ALL-TIME 4-WHEEL DRIVE (A4WD) POWERTRAINS. THE GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE (GEM) COULD EXPERIENCE A CONDITION REFERRED TO AS "LOCK-UP" IN WHICH THE GEM CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS (E.G., FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, 4X4 SYSTEM, ETC.) COULD NOT BE TURNED ON OR, IN SOME CASES IF THE FUNCTION IS ON, COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM COULD AFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RESISTOR IN THE GEM CIRCUIT.

97V215000 · Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module

Nov 24, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES, EDDIE BAUER AND LIMITED EDITIONS. THE KEY-IN-IGNITION/DOOR OPEN WARNING CHIME MAY NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED. THIS DOES NOT FULLY COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE STANDARD SPECIFIED THAT A WARNING TO THE DRIVER SHALL BE ACTUATED WHENEVER THE KEY HAS BEEN LEFT IN THE LOCKING SYSTEM AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPENED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A JUMPER WIRE TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY GROUND CIRCUIT IN THESE VEHICLES.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

Related NHTSA investigations

EA05005 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Mar 22, 2005 · Closed Aug 2, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

EA05-005 IS CLOSED WITH FORD?S ACTIONS IN RECALLS 05V-017, 05V-388, AND 06V-286, RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 6.7 MILLION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES (SCDS).THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN THESE RECALLED VEHICLES GENERATE A VACUUM THAT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE SCDS TO FAIL AND, IN CERTAIN SWITCH INSTALLATION ORIENTATIONS, CATCH FIRE.FORD IS ALSO INCLUDING THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF 1998 EXPLORERS.FORD HAS INFORMED ODI THAT TESTING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURES IN THE 1998 EXPLORERS WILL CONTINUE AFTER THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE FACTORS CAUSING SCDS FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT CORRELATE WELL WITH THE OBSERVED FAILURE RATES ON THESE VEHICLES BY MODEL AND MODEL YEAR.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE NON-RECALLED VEHICLES MANUFACTURED WITH SCDS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN FORD?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE NON-RECALLED POPULATION FOR INCIDENCE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT FOR DETAILS.

Additional source detail variants (21)

Electrical System

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

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.

PE96066 · Driver Door Electrical Fire

Opened Nov 22, 1996 · Closed May 15, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

THE CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE SWITCH POSITIVE PAD AND CHASSIS GROUND PAD AS A RESULT OF WATER INTRUSION.EXCESS CURRENT FLOW RESULTING FROM THE SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITION MAY OVERHEAT THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH CIRCUIT BOARD AND CAUSE A FIRE IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR.FORD HAS INDICATED THAT CURRENT IN EXCESS OF 15 AMPS CAN OVERHEAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD ENOUGH TO CAUSE A FIRE.CIRCUIT PROTECTION IS PROVIDED BY A 30 AMP FUSE.FORD IS RECALLING ALL 1993-94 4-DOOR EXPLORER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT ELECTRONIC OPTION COMBINATION TO INSTALL AN IN-LINE 10 AMP FUSE IN THE POSITIVE BATTERY FEED TO THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH ASSEMBLY.NO 2-DOOR EXPLORER VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS.ACCORDING TO FORD, VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE RECALL PRODUCTION RANGE WERE EQUIPPED WITH LOWER CAPACITY CIRCUIT BOARDS FOR THE SUBJECT SWITCH ASSEMBLY THAT WOULD FAIL FROM AN OPEN CIRCUIT IF A SIMILAR SHORT OCCURRED.A NEW SWITCH ASSEMBLY WITH 10 AMP FUSE PROTECTION WAS INTRODUCED BEGINNING WITH THE 1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER.MAZDA WILL CONDUCT A PARALLEL COMPAIGN (97V-083.002) TO REMEDY THE SUBJECT CONDITION IN APPROXIMATELY 14,000 NAVAJO VEHICLES.THE NAVAJO VEHICLES WERE AVAILABLE IN ONLY THE 2-DOOR VERSION WHICH, UNLIKE THE EXPLORER VEHICLES, DID USE THE SUBJECT OPTION COMBINATION IN THAT BODY STYLE.