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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 →

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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

81 reports
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91,000 miles · Aug 10, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND DIDN'T GO BACK UP UNTIL THE TRUCK WAS STOPPED AND TURNED OFF. CRUISE CONTROL WASN'T ENGAGED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND SERVICE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED TO STOP OR SL…

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VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND DIDN'T GO BACK UP UNTIL THE TRUCK WAS STOPPED AND TURNED OFF. CRUISE CONTROL WASN'T ENGAGED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AND SERVICE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP PERFORMED SEVERAL TESTS, INCLUDING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10087549

30,000 miles · Feb 6, 2004
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

I HAVE A 1995 FORD EXPLORER THE WINDOWS WORK SOMETIMES YOU MIT DRIVE A BLOCK THAN THAY DON'TAND THE 4/4 WILL THE SAME THING . MY SON HAS 1995 EXPLORER IT WILL DO THE SAME THING IS THERE A RECALL IF NOT THER SHOUGH BE THANK YOU . *AK

NHTSA ODI #10056704

137,000 miles · Sep 4, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control

MY 1995 FORD EXPLORER HAS THE ACCELERATOR PEDEL STICKING AT HIGH RPM WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LOCK WIDE OPEN THROTTLE RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE SPEEDING OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE STOPPED EVEN BY STANDING ON THE BRAKE PEDEL WITH BOTH FEET. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THROTTLE CAN BE UNSTUCK ONLY BY STOMPING …

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MY 1995 FORD EXPLORER HAS THE ACCELERATOR PEDEL STICKING AT HIGH RPM WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LOCK WIDE OPEN THROTTLE RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE SPEEDING OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE STOPPED EVEN BY STANDING ON THE BRAKE PEDEL WITH BOTH FEET. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THROTTLE CAN BE UNSTUCK ONLY BY STOMPING ON THROTTLE SEVERAL TIMES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10037195

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN PROCEEDING THROUGH A LIGHT WHILE TURNING, THE TRUCK ACCELERATED. AS THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE TRUCK SLOWLY ROTATED BLOCKING THE SECOND LANE. INADVERTENTLY, THE DRIVER SHIFT GEARS INTO REVERSE THEN NEUTRAL WHICH BROUGHT TRUCK BACK TO NATURAL IDLE. TRUCK DIAGNOSED "AIR IDLE CONTROL VALVE" STUCK IN OPEN POSITION AND…

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WHEN PROCEEDING THROUGH A LIGHT WHILE TURNING, THE TRUCK ACCELERATED. AS THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES THE TRUCK SLOWLY ROTATED BLOCKING THE SECOND LANE. INADVERTENTLY, THE DRIVER SHIFT GEARS INTO REVERSE THEN NEUTRAL WHICH BROUGHT TRUCK BACK TO NATURAL IDLE. TRUCK DIAGNOSED "AIR IDLE CONTROL VALVE" STUCK IN OPEN POSITION AND NOW NEEDS TRANSMISSION REPLACED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *TS SINCE THE AIR IDLE CONTROL VALVE WAS REPLACED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SPEED CONTROL CABLES THAT WERE RECALLED ON THE 1999 EXPLORERS. *SCC

NHTSA ODI #8023282

112,663 miles · Aug 1, 2003
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

CONSUMER STATES WHILE COMING INTO LONG DRIVEWAY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE WITH PEDAL AND EMERGENCY BRAKE. DROVE INTO BRICK WALL.NEITHER ONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEFLACTED. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK *CB

NHTSA ODI #10024815

121,170 miles · Mar 18, 2003
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING A 95 FORD EXPLORER SOUTH BOUND ON US 95 AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN EVEN WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF AND MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I THEN TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT SINCE THE…

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I WAS DRIVING A 95 FORD EXPLORER SOUTH BOUND ON US 95 AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN EVEN WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF AND MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I THEN TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING THE EXPLORER JUST SHOOK. I ALSO DOUBLE CHECKED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND IT WAS IN FACT OFF AND TRIED TO PUMP THE GAS TO SEE IF THE PEDAL WAS STUCK BUT NEITHER WORKED. WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED APPROXIMATELY 85 MPH I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WHEN THE VEHICLE SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL. THE SKID MARK WAS ABOUT 350 FEET LONG AND THEN THE EXPLORER LEFT THE ROAD AND ROLLED A FEW TIMES UNTIL IT CAME TO A STOP ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WITH THE ENGINE STILL ROARING. THE ENGINE ONLY STOPPED WHEN PASSENGER TURNED OFF THE IGNITION KEY SINCE THE DRIVER WAS UNCONSCIOUS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10010703

140,000 miles · Jan 29, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING ON I-95 IN ROUTE FROM NC TO FL THE ACCELERATOR STUCK. VEHICLE WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHILE BRAKING AND TRYING TO GET OVER TO SHOULDER. INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO FORD VIA THEIR WEB SITE ON 1/10/03, CASE ID 681115, NO RESPONSE TO DATE.

NHTSA ODI #10004875

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2002
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

CONSUMER STATES WAS DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. ATTEMPTED TO PASS ANOTHER CAR WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY. CONSUMER PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY. ATTEMPTED TO RESTART VEHICLE AND ENGINE REVVED UP TO 6000 RPMS. ON 10/12/02 WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED CAR ACCELERTED W/O WARNING…

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CONSUMER STATES WAS DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. ATTEMPTED TO PASS ANOTHER CAR WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY. CONSUMER PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY. ATTEMPTED TO RESTART VEHICLE AND ENGINE REVVED UP TO 6000 RPMS. ON 10/12/02 WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED CAR ACCELERTED W/O WARNING AGAIN. THIS TIME CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND CRASHED SUSTAINING INJURIES. TS

NHTSA ODI #8021053

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

THE SPEED CONTROL INCREASES ON ITS OWN WHILE IN MOTION. THE SPEEDOMETER ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE SPEED INCREASES AND CONSUMER CANNOT CONTROL IT, CONSUMER HAS TO PUT ALL HER WEIGHT ON THE BRAKES. IF CONSUMER LETS OFF THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE JUMPS FORWARD. THE ENGINE RACES EVEN WHEN CONSUMER IS ABLE TO PU…

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THE SPEED CONTROL INCREASES ON ITS OWN WHILE IN MOTION. THE SPEEDOMETER ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE SPEED INCREASES AND CONSUMER CANNOT CONTROL IT, CONSUMER HAS TO PUT ALL HER WEIGHT ON THE BRAKES. IF CONSUMER LETS OFF THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE JUMPS FORWARD. THE ENGINE RACES EVEN WHEN CONSUMER IS ABLE TO PUT VEHICLE IN PARK. *JG

NHTSA ODI #567029

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

Official recalls

5

09V399000 · 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

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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