IllustrationPE00040, TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHLE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH TREAD ON ONE OF REAR TIRES CAME OFF. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL, AND WAS NOT INJURED. TIRE SIZE LT23585R16, DOT # VDORTWT. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1998, FORD, F350. FIRESTONE HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS MATTER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Explorer years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsAS A PAST AND PRESENT OWNER OF FORD VEHICLES, I WISH TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE DISSATISFACTION WITH THE RECENT LACK OF SUPPORT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND ITS DEALERSHIPS PROVIDE TO INSURE THE INTEGRITY OF FORD VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS. I AM WRITING WITH RESPECT TO A RECENT REPAIR THAT WAS PERFORMED ON THE AIRBAG SYSTEM OF MY 1995 FOR…
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AS A PAST AND PRESENT OWNER OF FORD VEHICLES, I WISH TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE DISSATISFACTION WITH THE RECENT LACK OF SUPPORT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND ITS DEALERSHIPS PROVIDE TO INSURE THE INTEGRITY OF FORD VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS. I AM WRITING WITH RESPECT TO A RECENT REPAIR THAT WAS PERFORMED ON THE AIRBAG SYSTEM OF MY 1995 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE ODOMETER READ APPROXIMATELY 56,000 MILES, THE DASHBOARD AIRBAG INDICATOR LAMP BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE. AFTER TAKING IT TO DICK RUHL FORD AT 7250 SAWMILL ROAD IN COLUMBUS, OHIO FOR REPAIR, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE COST OF THE REPAIR ($425.45) WOULD NOT BE COVERED DUE TO EXCESSIVE MILEAGE. IN ADDITION, TWO SEPARATE VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP WERE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR SINCE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM WAS NOT PROPERLY DIAGNOSED INITIALLY.*AK
WHEN RECALL FIRST STARTED, I TOOK VEHICLE TO FIRESTONE DEALER, WAS TOLD MY TIRES WERE NOT ON RECALL LIST, WAS ALSO TOLD THE SEPERATING LINES ON MY TIRES WERE CAUSED FROM "HEAT STRESS & ALL TIRES DO THAT!" I DON'T THINK SO, NOT ONE OF THE FOUR VEHICLES SITTING IN OUR DRIVEWAY HAVE THE LINES ON THEM LIKE THESE DO! PLEASE CHECK T…
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WHEN RECALL FIRST STARTED, I TOOK VEHICLE TO FIRESTONE DEALER, WAS TOLD MY TIRES WERE NOT ON RECALL LIST, WAS ALSO TOLD THE SEPERATING LINES ON MY TIRES WERE CAUSED FROM "HEAT STRESS & ALL TIRES DO THAT!" I DON'T THINK SO, NOT ONE OF THE FOUR VEHICLES SITTING IN OUR DRIVEWAY HAVE THE LINES ON THEM LIKE THESE DO! PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT, VERY CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD & HAVING TIRES BLOW OUT ON ME. THANK YOU!!! (TIRESIZE: 255/70R/16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 255/70R/16 )
THE LEFT REAR TIRE CAME LOOSE CAUSING THE TIRE TO BLOWOUT, THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND LOST CONTROL AND VEERED PARTIALLY TO THE CENTER MEDIAN, THE DRIVER OVERCORRECTED TO THE RIGHT WHICH TURNED THE VEHICLE AT A SIDEWAY ANGLE THEN BECAME AIRBORNE AND LANDED ON ITS TOP RIGHT SIDE, THE VEHICLE THEN SLID AND ROLLED ABOUT 5 TIM…
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THE LEFT REAR TIRE CAME LOOSE CAUSING THE TIRE TO BLOWOUT, THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND LOST CONTROL AND VEERED PARTIALLY TO THE CENTER MEDIAN, THE DRIVER OVERCORRECTED TO THE RIGHT WHICH TURNED THE VEHICLE AT A SIDEWAY ANGLE THEN BECAME AIRBORNE AND LANDED ON ITS TOP RIGHT SIDE, THE VEHICLE THEN SLID AND ROLLED ABOUT 5 TIMES ACROSS THE ROAD BEFORE COMING TO REST ON ITS TOP, BOTH REAR PASSENGERS WERE EJECTED, THE TWO LEFT SIDE TIRES WERE DETACHED FROM THE AXLES AT REST(TEXAS PEACE OFFICERS ACCIDENT REPORT, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, P235/75R15, RADIAL ATX M/S, W2HL1PM215, LEFT REAR). NLM
PE 00 038/FRONT SUSPENSION STABILIZER BAR (ANTI-SWAY BAR) LINK FAILURE: VEHICLE BEING REPORTED WITH STABILZING PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH OR MORE. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK
ON APRIL 20, 1999 I HAD MY 45,00 MILE SERVICE PERFORMED AT A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP IN DALLAS, TX ON OUR '95 FORD EXPLORER XLT. DURING THAT SERVICE VISIT THE TECHNICIAN NOTED THE STEEL CORE EXPOSED ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE; AFTER CLOSE EXAMINATION OF THE DEFECTIVE TIRES IT WAS NOTED THAT IT APPEARED THAT THE TIRE HAD BLISTERED AND …
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ON APRIL 20, 1999 I HAD MY 45,00 MILE SERVICE PERFORMED AT A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP IN DALLAS, TX ON OUR '95 FORD EXPLORER XLT. DURING THAT SERVICE VISIT THE TECHNICIAN NOTED THE STEEL CORE EXPOSED ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE; AFTER CLOSE EXAMINATION OF THE DEFECTIVE TIRES IT WAS NOTED THAT IT APPEARED THAT THE TIRE HAD BLISTERED AND BURST THE OUTER CORE. SINCE THIS WAS WELL BEFORE (16 MONTHS AGO) THE FIRESTONE AXT RECALL OUR ONLY RECOURSE WAS TO PLACE THE TIRE(S). IN A EFFORT TO NOT PUT MYSELF OR FAMILY AT RISK WE ELECTED TO "BIT- THE-BULLET" AND PURCHASED A COMPLETE SET OF NEW MICHELIN TIRES AT SAM'S WHOLESALE STORE. I WISH TO BE REIMBURSED ALONG WITH THE OTHER CUSTOMERS WHO ARE OFFERED REPLACEMENT TIRES OR BEING REIMBURSED FOR TIRES PURCHASED AFTER JANUARY 1, 2000. I FEEL THAT I WAS WAS VICTIMIZED BY FIRESTONE'S MISJUDGMENT, BUT UNFORTUNATELY AT THIS TIME DO NOT FALL WITHIN THERE 'SPECIFIED WINDOW' OF REPLACEMENT OR REIMBURSEMENT POLICY GUIDELINES. ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE ME WOULD BE APPRECIATED. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND BRIDGESTONE-FIRESTONE AND HAVE BEEN PASSED ON FROM PHONE NUMBER TO PHONE NUMBER TO NO AVAIL. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH BOTH FORD & FIRESTONE AS TO HOW THEY HAVE HANDLED THIS UNFORTUNATE SITUATION WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC AS WELL AS MYSELF. *AK (TIRESIZE: P235-75R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235-75R15 )
ON APRIL 20, 1999 I HAD MY 45,00 MILE SERVICE PERFORMED AT A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP IN DALLAS, TX ON OUR '95 FORD EXPLORER XLT. DURING THAT SERVICE VISIT THE TECHNICIAN NOTED THE STEEL CORE EXPOSED ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE; AFTER CLOSE EXAMINATION OF THE DEFECTIVE TIRES IT WAS NOTED THAT IT APPEARED THAT THE TIRE HAD BLISTERED AND …
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ON APRIL 20, 1999 I HAD MY 45,00 MILE SERVICE PERFORMED AT A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP IN DALLAS, TX ON OUR '95 FORD EXPLORER XLT. DURING THAT SERVICE VISIT THE TECHNICIAN NOTED THE STEEL CORE EXPOSED ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE; AFTER CLOSE EXAMINATION OF THE DEFECTIVE TIRES IT WAS NOTED THAT IT APPEARED THAT THE TIRE HAD BLISTERED AND BURST THE OUTER CORE. SINCE THIS WAS WELL BEFORE (16 MONTHS AGO) THE FIRESTONE AXT RECALL OUR ONLY RECOURSE WAS TO PLACE THE TIRE(S). IN A EFFORT TO NOT PUT MYSELF OR FAMILY AT RISK WE ELECTED TO "BIT- THE-BULLET" AND PURCHASED A COMPLETE SET OF NEW MICHELIN TIRES AT SAM'S WHOLESALE STORE. I WISH TO BE REIMBURSED ALONG WITH THE OTHER CUSTOMERS WHO ARE OFFERED REPLACEMENT TIRES OR BEING REIMBURSED FOR TIRES PURCHASED AFTER JANUARY 1, 2000. I FEEL THAT I WAS WAS VICTIMIZED BY FIRESTONE'S MISJUDGMENT, BUT UNFORTUNATELY AT THIS TIME DO NOT FALL WITHIN THERE 'SPECIFIED WINDOW' OF REPLACEMENT OR REIMBURSEMENT POLICY GUIDELINES. ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE ME WOULD BE APPRECIATED. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND BRIDGESTONE-FIRESTONE AND HAVE BEEN PASSED ON FROM PHONE NUMBER TO PHONE NUMBER TO NO AVAIL. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH BOTH FORD & FIRESTONE AS TO HOW THEY HAVE HANDLED THIS UNFORTUNATE SITUATION WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC AS WELL AS MYSELF.*AK (TIRESIZE: P235-75R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235-75R15 )
I HAD 2 OF 4 TIRES THAT WERE SEPARATING, I REPLACED THEM WITH THE ADVISE OF A TIRE DEALER (DISCOUNT TIRES INC) I REALIZE THIS WAS BEFORE THE TIRE RECALL, BUT THEY WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF A FAILURE. I HAVE SUBMITTED AN INVOICE TO FIRESTONE FOR REIMBURSEMENT, BUT HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM. I ALSO HAVE A SPARE TIRE THAT FALLS UNDER…
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I HAD 2 OF 4 TIRES THAT WERE SEPARATING, I REPLACED THEM WITH THE ADVISE OF A TIRE DEALER (DISCOUNT TIRES INC) I REALIZE THIS WAS BEFORE THE TIRE RECALL, BUT THEY WERE REPLACED BECAUSE OF A FAILURE. I HAVE SUBMITTED AN INVOICE TO FIRESTONE FOR REIMBURSEMENT, BUT HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM. I ALSO HAVE A SPARE TIRE THAT FALLS UNDER THE RECALL AND I WILL TAKE THIS TO THE FIRESTONE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT.*AK (TIRESIZE: 23575R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 23575R15 )
FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES (P255 70 R16) EXPERIENCED BELT SEPARATION AND A BLOWOUT. *SLC
PE00.020; SHE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. SHE PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDERS, AND REAR LEFT TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED. FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS #AT, P23575R16. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. TOOK VEHICLE TO FIRESTONE, AND THE ATTENDANT TOLD HER THAT THE TIRES WEREN'T ON THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. *…
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PE00.020; SHE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE. SHE PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDERS, AND REAR LEFT TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED. FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS #AT, P23575R16. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. TOOK VEHICLE TO FIRESTONE, AND THE ATTENDANT TOLD HER THAT THE TIRES WEREN'T ON THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. *AK
Official recalls
509V399000 · 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
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.