NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
843 reportsMileage unknown · Sep 12, 2007
Power TrainInjury
1995 FORD EXPLORER XLT ROLLED BACKWARDS AFTER PUT IN PARK. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE PINNED HER AGAINST THE GARAGE DOOR. CUSTOMER STATES THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS ON AN INCLINE AND PINNED HER AGAINST THE DOOR. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. THE MUSCLE TISSUE AND NERVES TO HER RIGHT PELVIS AND UPPER THIGH WERE SEVERELY…
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1995 FORD EXPLORER XLT ROLLED BACKWARDS AFTER PUT IN PARK. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE PINNED HER AGAINST THE GARAGE DOOR. CUSTOMER STATES THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS ON AN INCLINE AND PINNED HER AGAINST THE DOOR. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. THE MUSCLE TISSUE AND NERVES TO HER RIGHT PELVIS AND UPPER THIGH WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10203729
136,500 miles · Aug 30, 2007
Electrical SystemSteeringSuspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE EXTREMELY LOUD NOISES AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY, ODOMETER, AND STABILIZER BAR ALL FAILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,500. UPDATED 10/23/07 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10201258
160,523 miles · May 12, 2007
Structure
OUR 1995 FORD EXPLORER WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF OUR GARAGE, WELL OFF A QUIET STREET. WHEN WE CAME OUT IN THE MORNING TO GO TO WORK WE DISCOVERED THAT THE BACK LIFTGATE WINDOW EXPLODED. THANKFULLY, THIS HAPPENED WHEN IT WAS PARKED. IT WOULD HAVE POTENTIALLY CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT IF WE HAD BEEN DRIVING ALONE OR WITH OUR CHILDRE…
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OUR 1995 FORD EXPLORER WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF OUR GARAGE, WELL OFF A QUIET STREET. WHEN WE CAME OUT IN THE MORNING TO GO TO WORK WE DISCOVERED THAT THE BACK LIFTGATE WINDOW EXPLODED. THANKFULLY, THIS HAPPENED WHEN IT WAS PARKED. IT WOULD HAVE POTENTIALLY CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT IF WE HAD BEEN DRIVING ALONE OR WITH OUR CHILDREN OR FRIENDS. AS WE HAD TALKED WITH NEIGHBORS AND CALLED TO GET ESTIMATES WE HEARD ABOUT THIS HAPPENING FOUR TIMES TO OTHER PEOPLE. THIS WAS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. AS I FILLED OUT THE QUESTIONS BELOW I AM ALSO SO THANKFUL THAT I DID NOT HAVE TO TYPE IN A NUMBER OTHER THAN 0 FOR NUMBER OF DEATHS OR INJURIES. PLEASE NOTIFY US IMMEDIATELY IF/WHEN YOU DECIDE THAT THIS WAS A SERIOUS DANGER TO YOUR BUYERS AND WILL HELP CORRECT AND REPLACE THIS DEFAULT. THANK YOU. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10190583
90,000 miles · Jan 30, 2007
Exterior Lighting
I HAVE A 1995 FORD EXPLORER WHICH THE HEADLIGHT SENSOR CONTINUOUSLY GOES BAD WHICH WOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE IF THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK WITHOUT IT. WHEN THIS SENSOR, WHICH HAS GONE BAD TWICE SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE, FAILS I SHOULD NOT BE MADE AWARE OF THIS UNTIL THE HEADLIGHT GOES BAD AND THE SENSOR DOES NOT ALER…
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I HAVE A 1995 FORD EXPLORER WHICH THE HEADLIGHT SENSOR CONTINUOUSLY GOES BAD WHICH WOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE IF THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK WITHOUT IT. WHEN THIS SENSOR, WHICH HAS GONE BAD TWICE SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE, FAILS I SHOULD NOT BE MADE AWARE OF THIS UNTIL THE HEADLIGHT GOES BAD AND THE SENSOR DOES NOT ALERT ME. WHEN THE SENSOR GOES BAD I GET AN INDICATION THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ARE OUT AND WHEN REPLACED THEY ARE STILL OUT BECAUSE THE TRUE PROBLEM IS THE SENSOR HAS GONE BAD. HOW A SENSOR GOES BAD WHEN IT STILL SENSES THE LAMP NOT FUNCTIONING IS BEYOND ME. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFICIENCY IN MY OPINION AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RECALLING THIS ITEM DUE TO THE OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE SENSORS SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER AND REPLACED WITH A SENSOR THAT IF IT WERE TO FAIL WOULD NOT AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10181148
Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2006
Tires
CONSUMER FIRESTONE 500 TIRE EXPLODED. *TS THE TIRE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE SEPTEMBER 2006. WHEN THE CONSUMER ORIGINALLY NOTICE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TIRE HE CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO CONTACT AN AUTHORIZED FIRESTONE DEALER. THE FIRESTONE …
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CONSUMER FIRESTONE 500 TIRE EXPLODED. *TS THE TIRE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE SEPTEMBER 2006. WHEN THE CONSUMER ORIGINALLY NOTICE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TIRE HE CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO CONTACT AN AUTHORIZED FIRESTONE DEALER. THE FIRESTONE DEALER SAID THERE NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A GOODYEAR DEALER WHO SAID THAT THE TIRE WAS OBVIOUSLY SEPARATING. THE CONSUMER HAD THE TIRES REPLACED WITH ANOTHER BRAND. FIRESTONE REQUESTED THAT THE DEFECTIVE TIRE BE RETURNED TO THE BUT THE TIRE DEALER HAD ALREADY DISPOSED OF THEM. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10174309
200,000 miles · Nov 6, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlFire
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE IDLING IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR FIVE MINUTES, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE MASTER CYLINDER SWITCH ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE STARTED THE FIRE. THE DEALER WAS NOT ALERTED.
NHTSA ODI #10172746
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2006
Tires
I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM BRIDGESTONE FIRESTONE IN SEPTEMBER 2006 AND REPLIED THAT I HAD PAID DOWNTOWN FIRESTONE IN MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN ROUGHLY $300 IN 2003 TO REPLACE FOUR OF MY TIRES BUT THE SPARE WAS NOT CHANGED. I HAVE SINCE E-MAILED TWICE DURING THE PAST TWO MONTHS AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10171561
197,000 miles · Oct 18, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET SUDDENLY FRACTURED AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN, THE ENGINE WAS STILL IDLING BUT THE THROTTLE DID NOT HAVE IMPACT ON THE RPM. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. UPDATE…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BRACKET SUDDENLY FRACTURED AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN, THE ENGINE WAS STILL IDLING BUT THE THROTTLE DID NOT HAVE IMPACT ON THE RPM. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. UPDATED 11/3/2006 - THE BRACKETS SPOT WELDS (3) BROKE CAUSING THE BRACKET, WITH THE PEDAL STILL ATTACHED, TO JUST DANGLE BY THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE CONSUMER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BY DRILLING 2 HOLES IN THE BRACKET AND ATTACHING THE BRACKET TO THE FIREWALL WITH BOLTS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10171285
155,000 miles · Oct 12, 2006
Tires
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE P23575R15 COOPER DISCOVERY ATR TIRES WERE LOSING AIR. THIS OCCURRED IN ALL FOUR TIRES. THE TIRES HAD BEEN CHECKED FOR HOLES AND CRACKS AND NONE WERE FOUND. THE TIRES MUST BE FILLED 3 TO 4 TIMES PER WEEK. THE TIRES WERE KEPT AT 35 POUNDS.
NHTSA ODI #10170693
110,000 miles · Aug 3, 2006
Steering
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. THE STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIED AT LOW SPEEDS. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 95V053000, REGARDING THE STEERING: LINKAGES: TIE ROD ASSEMBLY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
NHTSA ODI #10164373
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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