THIS REPORT RELATES TO THE CURRENT TIRE PROBLEMS WITH FORD EXPLORER VEHICLES. MY PREVIOUS LETTER TO NHTSA IS DATED 13 MAY 1997. YOU NEED TO GO BACK AND REREAD THIS LETTER. FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS DELIBERATELY AND FLAGRANTLY PUTTING INCORRECT TIRE PRESSURE LABELS INTO ALL FORD EXPLORER TRUCKS. THE REASON IS THAT THE TRUCK "RIDES B…
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THIS REPORT RELATES TO THE CURRENT TIRE PROBLEMS WITH FORD EXPLORER VEHICLES. MY PREVIOUS LETTER TO NHTSA IS DATED 13 MAY 1997. YOU NEED TO GO BACK AND REREAD THIS LETTER. FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS DELIBERATELY AND FLAGRANTLY PUTTING INCORRECT TIRE PRESSURE LABELS INTO ALL FORD EXPLORER TRUCKS. THE REASON IS THAT THE TRUCK "RIDES BETTER" WITH LOWER TIRE PRESSURE (26 POUNDS). FORDS OWN MECHANICS WILL TELL YOU THAT YOU NEED AT LEAST 35 POUNDS OF AIR PRESSURE TO AVOID PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. THEN WHEN YOU GO BACK TO FORD AND TRY TO GET THEM TO REPLACE YOUR DAMAGED TIRES (IF THEY DON'T FAIL FIRST), THEY "STONEWALL" ALL YOUR LETTERS AND PHONE CALLS. TRUST ME, BECAUSE I WENT THRU THE WHOLE PROCESS AND GOT NO WHERE WITH FORD. THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT PREMATURE TIRE WEAR OR DAMAGED/UNSAFE TIRES, THEY JUST WANT A NICE SOFT RIDE IN ORDER TO KEEP SELLING FORD EXPLORER TRUCKS. IF YOU PUT THE PROPER AIR PRESSURE INTO THE TIRES (35 POUNDS), THE TRUCK RIDES HARD AND ROUGH DUE TO THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. YOU FOLKS NEED TO CHECK THIS OUT, FORD IS LITERALLY GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER HERE. ARJ
NHTSA ODI #727193
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2000
Tires
WHILE RETURNING FROM VACATION, I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON HWY. 75 IN HOWE, TX, AT 70MPH WHEN I HEARD THE TIRE BEGIN MAKING NOISE AND THEN IT BLEW OUT. THE BLOWOUT CAUSED ME TO SWERVE UNCONTROLLABLY (90 DEGREES TO THE ROAD 3 TIMES, ACROSS BOTH LANES) BEFORE REGAINING CONTROL AND ALLOWING ME TO GET SAFELY OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. THERE W…
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WHILE RETURNING FROM VACATION, I WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON HWY. 75 IN HOWE, TX, AT 70MPH WHEN I HEARD THE TIRE BEGIN MAKING NOISE AND THEN IT BLEW OUT. THE BLOWOUT CAUSED ME TO SWERVE UNCONTROLLABLY (90 DEGREES TO THE ROAD 3 TIMES, ACROSS BOTH LANES) BEFORE REGAINING CONTROL AND ALLOWING ME TO GET SAFELY OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. THERE WERE LUCKILY NO OTHER CARS IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA AT THIS INSTANT. THE TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE CASING AND SHREDDED. ALSO IN THE CAR WERE MY WIFE, 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, AND MY DAUGHTERS FRIEND. THE TIRE CAUSED DAMAGE IN THE WHEEL WELL/REAR QUARTER PANEL AND ROCKER PANEL AREA OF THE CAR AS WELL AS CRACKING THE REAR TAILLIGHT LENS AND DAMAGING THE ALUMINUM WHEEL.( DOT NUMBER: VDUUJBA227 TIRE SIZE: P225-70R15 )
NHTSA ODI #727187
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2000
Tires
PE02000, TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, TREAD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE CAME OFF AND WRAPPED AROUND THE AXLE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE, AND WAS NOT HURT. NO OTHER PASSENGERS WERE IN THE TRUCK. TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS, NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. TIRE MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 20,000. TIRE WAS SEN…
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PE02000, TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, TREAD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE CAME OFF AND WRAPPED AROUND THE AXLE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE, AND WAS NOT HURT. NO OTHER PASSENGERS WERE IN THE TRUCK. TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS, NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. TIRE MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 20,000. TIRE WAS SENT TO FIRESTONE. OWNER WAS SENT A CHECK FOR A NEW TIRE AND TO COVER DAMAGES TO TRUCK. PLEASE LIST DOT # . *AK THE FIRESTONE DEALER PAID FOR ONE NEW TIRE AND DAMAGE TO THE VEHCILE. THE REST OF THE TIRES WERE REPLACED BY THE CUSTOMER. *YH
NHTSA ODI #867142
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2000
Tires
PE02000 TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50- 60 MPH, THE TIRE ON THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WENT FLAT. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL EXPLORER. ONE OTHER PERSON WAS IN THE EXPLORER. NO ONE WAS HURT. TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS, HT. ORIGINAL TIRE EQUIPMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #867107
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2000
Tires
IS THERE A POSS. RECALL , WHAT DO I DO THANK YOU. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 215 75 15 )
NHTSA ODI #727107
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2000
Tires
TREAD CAME OFF OF TIRE WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. WE LOOKED INTO PURCHASING TWO OF THE SAME TIRES BUT INSTEAD GOT FOUR NEW TIRES FROM A DIFFERENT COMPANY. WE ARE CERTAINLY HAPPY THAT WE MADE THAT DECISION IN THE LIGHT OF WHAT IS BEING BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION NOW. BE ADVISED WE WOULD LIKE REPAYMENT FOR OUR EXPENSE OF THE NE…
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TREAD CAME OFF OF TIRE WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. WE LOOKED INTO PURCHASING TWO OF THE SAME TIRES BUT INSTEAD GOT FOUR NEW TIRES FROM A DIFFERENT COMPANY. WE ARE CERTAINLY HAPPY THAT WE MADE THAT DECISION IN THE LIGHT OF WHAT IS BEING BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION NOW. BE ADVISED WE WOULD LIKE REPAYMENT FOR OUR EXPENSE OF THE NEW TIRES. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
NHTSA ODI #727077
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2000
TiresCrashInjury
ROLLOVER ACCIDENT OCCURRING ON CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH DUE TO THE DISINTEGRATION OF THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
NHTSA ODI #727050
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2000
TiresCrashInjury
PEOO 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH ON FREEWAYAND THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE. HE LOST CONTROL, VEHICLE ROLLED TWICE ACROSS THE HIGHWAY. RIGHT TIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE WHEELS. THERE WERE SIX INJURIES, AND EVERYONE INSIDE OF VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL…
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PEOO 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH ON FREEWAYAND THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE. HE LOST CONTROL, VEHICLE ROLLED TWICE ACROSS THE HIGHWAY. RIGHT TIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE WHEELS. THERE WERE SIX INJURIES, AND EVERYONE INSIDE OF VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. TIRE SIZE #P235/75R15/105FM+S, AND #DOT W2HL 1PM 105. FIRESTONE COMPANY IN OHIO HAS EVALUATED THIS TIRE LAST YEAR, AND THEY WERE AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #867065
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2000
Tires
WHILE TRAVELING ON I-90 AT ELLENSBURG, WA, IN LIGHT RAIN AND A TEMPERATURE IN THE 30'S, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SUDDENLY FAILED WITH COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION, LITERALLY IT WAS JUST A BALL OF WIRE AND RUBBER. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A TIRE FAIL SO COMPLETELY. THE TIRE EASILY HAD ANOTHER 10,000 MILES OF TREAD LEFT. HAD A TIRE ON THE FRO…
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WHILE TRAVELING ON I-90 AT ELLENSBURG, WA, IN LIGHT RAIN AND A TEMPERATURE IN THE 30'S, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SUDDENLY FAILED WITH COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION, LITERALLY IT WAS JUST A BALL OF WIRE AND RUBBER. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A TIRE FAIL SO COMPLETELY. THE TIRE EASILY HAD ANOTHER 10,000 MILES OF TREAD LEFT. HAD A TIRE ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE FAILED IN SUCH A FASHION, I WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. AS IT WAS, WE WERE SWERVING OVER BOTH LANES BEFORE WE COULD GET THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AND STOPPED. I WAS SO SHOOK UP BY THE INCIDENT I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO A TIRE DEAL AND PURCHASED A SET OF NEW TIRES AND THEY WERE NOT FIRESTONES! *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P325/75R-1 )
NHTSA ODI #726937
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2000
Tires
TIRE BLOW-OUT ON 2 YR OLD CAR WITH 32,000 MILES WITH NO APPARENT REASON. IMMEDIATELY REPLACED TIRES, WITH MICHELINS AT COST OF $500. STILL HAVE PAPERWORK. WITH ALL THE ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THESE TIRES, HAS THERE BEEN A CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED AGAINST FORD AND FIRESTONE? IF NOT, WHAT IS MY RECOURSE FOR RECO…
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TIRE BLOW-OUT ON 2 YR OLD CAR WITH 32,000 MILES WITH NO APPARENT REASON. IMMEDIATELY REPLACED TIRES, WITH MICHELINS AT COST OF $500. STILL HAVE PAPERWORK. WITH ALL THE ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THESE TIRES, HAS THERE BEEN A CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED AGAINST FORD AND FIRESTONE? IF NOT, WHAT IS MY RECOURSE FOR RECOVERY OF MONEY SPENT NOW THAT PROBLEM WITH THESE TIRES HAVE BEEN SURFACED BY OTHER MOTORISTS. THANKS, R. VAUGHAN.....P.S. PLEASE GIVE MY REGARDS TO GENERAL WYKLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: UNK TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
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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