NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
119 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 8, 2002
Power Train
CONSUMER STATED THE OVERDRIVE OFF INDICATOR LIGHT LOCATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FLASHED STEADILY, THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN BRAKING ROUGHLY INCLUDING A SLIGHT GRINDING SOUND DURING BRAKING, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION, STATING THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION DEFECT…
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CONSUMER STATED THE OVERDRIVE OFF INDICATOR LIGHT LOCATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FLASHED STEADILY, THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN BRAKING ROUGHLY INCLUDING A SLIGHT GRINDING SOUND DURING BRAKING, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION, STATING THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION DEFECTS.*JB
NHTSA ODI #566936
Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2002
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
1ST INCIDENT: DEC.12TH 1998. CONCERN: SPEED JUMPS ON HIGHWAY AND SURGES ONLY WHEN SPEED CONTROL IS ON. CAUSE: SPEEDOMETER ASSEMBLY BINDING. CORRECTION: REPLACE SPEEDOMETER ASSEMBLY. COST TO ME $309.25 2ND INCIDENT: JAN.5TH 1999. CONCERN: SAME AS 1ST INCIDENT. SPEED JUMPS ON HIGHWAY AND SURGES ONLY WHEN SPEED CONTROL ON.…
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1ST INCIDENT: DEC.12TH 1998. CONCERN: SPEED JUMPS ON HIGHWAY AND SURGES ONLY WHEN SPEED CONTROL IS ON. CAUSE: SPEEDOMETER ASSEMBLY BINDING. CORRECTION: REPLACE SPEEDOMETER ASSEMBLY. COST TO ME $309.25 2ND INCIDENT: JAN.5TH 1999. CONCERN: SAME AS 1ST INCIDENT. SPEED JUMPS ON HIGHWAY AND SURGES ONLY WHEN SPEED CONTROL ON. CAUSE: 14401 LOOM, SENSOR & ASSEMBLY SHORTED. CORRECTION: REPAIR LOOM 14401 SPEED CONTROL DIAG. R&R SENSOR & ASSEMBLY. COST TO ME: $308.87. 3RD INCIDENT: TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY WITH SPEED CONTROL SET AT 70MPH. EXPLORER SPEED SLOWLY INCREASES TO 80 ON ITS OWN. I LOOK AT THE SPEEDOMETER, REALIZE THIS AND TAP THE BRAKE. THE EXPLORER IS STILL GOING 80MPH OR HIGHER. I PRESS THE OFF BUTTON TO THE SPEED CONTROL BUT IT WILL NOT DISENGAGE. I CANNOT STOP THE SUV. I DO NOT PANICK BUT I'M SCARED AS I PUT ON THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS, PRESS WITH ALL MY MIGHT ON THE BRAKES AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, GET THE EXPLORER OFF THE ROAD TO THE SHOULDER. I PUT THE SUV IN PARK, JUMP OUT OF THE CAR, LOOK BOTH WAYS, CROSS THE HIGHWAY, WAVE MY ARMS FOR HELP AND WATCH AS MY SUV IS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE STUCK AND RUNNING AT 80MPH OR MORE. SOME GOOD SAMARITANS STOP AND I EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED. ONE OF THEM APPROACHES THE EXPLORER WITH CAUTION AND TURNS THE IGNITION OFF AND BRINGS ME MY KEYS. THEY LOOK AT MY MANUAL AND UNHOOK THE SPEED CONTROL BOX UNDER THE HOOD. I DROVE HOME WITH THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON (ABOUT 8 MILES) GOING ABOUT 50MPH WITH NO PROBLEMS THEN PARKED IT. IF ANOTHER CAR HAD BEEN NEAR ME WHEN THE EXPLORER WENT OUT OF MY CONTROL, I COULD HAVE HIT THEM AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURIES OR POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE AT 80MPH. THANK YOU.*AK
NHTSA ODI #764571
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
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 · Aug 6, 2001
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 40 MPH,OVERDRIVE LIGHT CAME ON. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER WHO REPLACED TRANSMISSION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #893516
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2001
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH TRANSMISSION QUIT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #893279
Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2001
Power Train
O/D LIGHT STARTS FLASHING. VERY COMMEN ON 94-96 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSIONS. MUST REPLACE TRANSMISSION. SHOULD BE RECALLED. MINE HAPPED AT 55,000. HAD A NEW ONE INSTALLED BY FORD, HAPPENED AGAIN 20,000 MILES LATER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #749290
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2001
Interior LightingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
THE DRIVE GEAR IN THE TRANSFER CASE FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, 27K MILES LATER THE PROBLEM REOCCURED, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT AN INCORRECT COMPONENT WAS INSTALLED, THEREFORE CAUSING IT TO FAIL AGAIN, WHILE THIS WAS BEING REPAIRED THE DEALER TORE THE DOOR MOLDING AND THE DASH LIGHTS BECAME INOPERATIVE. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #561982
Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2001
Power TrainSuspension
I BELIEVE THIS TRUCK WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT BEFORE I PURCHASED IT. I THINK THIS BECAUSE OF THE BAD FIBERGLASS WORK ON THE ROOF AND BAD PAINT JOB. I ALSO BELIEVE THIS BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE FRONT END PROBLEMS I HAVE ENCOUNTERED. I BELIEVE ONCE THIS TRUCK IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THERE IS NO REPAIR TO MAKE IT SAFE AG…
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I BELIEVE THIS TRUCK WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT BEFORE I PURCHASED IT. I THINK THIS BECAUSE OF THE BAD FIBERGLASS WORK ON THE ROOF AND BAD PAINT JOB. I ALSO BELIEVE THIS BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE FRONT END PROBLEMS I HAVE ENCOUNTERED. I BELIEVE ONCE THIS TRUCK IS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THERE IS NO REPAIR TO MAKE IT SAFE AGAIN. I ALSO WONDER IF THE ACCIDENT THE TRUCK WAS INVOLVED IN IS RELATED TO THE TIRE AND ROLLOVER RECALL FROM FORD AND FIRESTONE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #746431
Official recalls
5Oct 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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