COMPONENT SPOTLIGHT

Ford Explorer electrical problems

2,242 distinct owner reports with an electrical-system component in this snapshot.

Includes the electrical-system component and its detailed subcategories. Related recalls and investigations must also name this component; they are not linked by narrative keyword alone.

44 crash reports312 fire reports36 injury reports

Reports by model year

Recall and investigation columns show each year’s full history. A report naming several years can appear in more than one row.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

246

0–25K

179

25–50K

194

50–75K

154

75–100K

198

100–150K

123

150K+

1,094 reports with mileage · 1,148 unknown

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 owners actually said

2,242 reports

2013 model year · Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2016

Electrical SystemStructure

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SENSOR FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY, AND THE INTERNAL LIGHTING REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND DRAINED THE BATTERY. THE CHIME SOUNDED EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE DOOR MAY BE OPEN WHEN IT WAS CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE ONE DEALER TWICE AND THE SENSORS WERE CLEANED. WITHIN A YEAR OF THE FIRST REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE DEALER CLEANED OR REPLACED THE SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE FIRST DEALER AGAIN AND THEN A SECOND DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10915617

2009 model year · Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2016

Electrical SystemStructureSuspension

Read full complaint

PLEASE KEEP ANONYMOUS AND REFERENCED UNDER J9EL1, MC32SZ, KYH2U AS THE PERSON OR PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE WITH REAR LICENSE PLATE TAG# OBX90432 MAY BE AN ISIS/ISIL MEMBER LEADER AND OR BOTH AND HAS SEXUALLY ASSAYED AND ABUSED ME SINCE 1993. HER CAR HAS NO VIN NUMBER ON IT BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN SAWED OFF. I CHECKED MYSELF. SHE WORKS AT DIAMOND SHOALS RESTAURANT IN BUXTON, NC 27920 AND SHE BREAKS INTO MY HOME AT NIGHT WHEN I'M SLEEPING. SHE IS ASSOCIATED WITH DEVIL WORSHIPING, DRINKING BLOOD, AND SHE'S A WELL KNOWN IV DRUG USER IN DARE COUNTY AND HAS BEEN SINCE 1977. SHE VIOLATES MY PRIVACY AND CIVIL RIGHTS EVERY DAY AND CONSTANTLY HARASSES ME AND MY FAMILY. SHE DRIVES A GREENISH BLUE FORD EXPLORER THAT'S PROBABLY BEEN WRECKED NUMEROUS TIMES AND PUT BACK TOGETHER AND TAKEN APART TO SELL ITS PARTS FOR DRUG MONEY SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE WRITTEN COMPLAINTS TO THE DEPT OF EDUCATION, THE DEPT OF JUSTICE, THE DEPT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, THE DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND THE DEPT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND SHERRI THOMAS BREAKS BOUNDARIES WITH HER VEHICLE IN THE ROAD EVERY DAY UNDER THE PRIVACY ACT OF 1974 5U.S.C. 552A, THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 5U.S.C. 552, AND 34 C.F.R 5B.9(B)

NHTSA ODI #10910631

2016 model year · 9,859 miles · Sep 29, 2016

Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

Read full complaint

2016 FORD EXPLORER [XXX] LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT MOVE IN MIDDLE OF BUSY HIGHWAY. VEHICLE WAS NOTED TO HAVE A SPUTTERING SOUND AND APPEARED TO BE FIRING ON ONLY A FEW CYLINDERS. TURNED VEHICLE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED NO HELP VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN FULL OPEN (FLOORED) POSITION. AFTER OPENING HOOD AND DISCONNECTING NEG TERMINAL OF BATTERY VEHICLE OPERATED FINE FOR APPROX 10 MILES AND THEN SAME OCCURENCE. AGAIN FAULT CLEARED AND RAN FINE TO NEAREST FORD DEALER. INITIAL DIAGNOSIS BY DEALER WAS CODES P2111 AND P2112. DEALER STATED FOUND RECALL 16B32 FOLLOWED INSTRUCTIONS AND REPROGRAMMED PCM AND CLEAR CODES. CUSTOMER DEPARTED DEALERSHIP SERVICE BAY AND REPEAT ABOVE MENTIONED MALFUNCTION BEFORE OFF THE DEALER LOT. RETURNED TO SERVICE BAY AND DEALER STATED THAT THROTTLE BODY WAS CHANGED. VEHICLE APPEARS TO BE OPERATING NORMAL AT THIS TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS FIRST OCCURRED IN BUSY MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY HERE IN SOUTHERN WV AND WAS NEARLY HIT BY NUMEROUS VEHICLES BEFORE VEHICLE COULD BE DRIFTED BACKWARDS DOWN THE MOUNTAIN WHERE IN ORDER TO GET VEHICLE OFF OF HIGHWAY. SERVICE ADVISER INDICATED THAT HE HAD SEEN SEVERAL SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE 3.5 LITER ENGINE IN FORD EXPLORERS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10910652

2015 model year · 58,813 miles · Sep 27, 2016

Electrical SystemSteering

Read full complaint

MY TIE ROD AND ROD AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM WHICH ARE ELECTRIC BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO FORWARNING OF THE EVENT. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY, DRIVING AT TRAFFIC SPEED, FAST MOVING CARS EVERYWHERE, LEFT, RIGHT AND CENTRE, FRONT AND BACK ALL GOING ABOVE SPEED LIMITS, NO STEERING CONTROL, NO SAFETY RAMP VISIBLE FOR A FEW KILOMETRES. SUDDENLY I FOUND MYSELF UNABLE TO STEER MY WHEELS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LISTED "LOSS OF NAVIGATION SYSTEMS" AND IN RED 'LOSS STEERING CONTROL STOP SAFELY'. THE CAR HAS HAD A SINGLE OWNER, NEVER INVOLVED IN ANY HIGH IMPACT COLLISION, WAS DRIVEN MAINLY IN URBAN AREAS, ONLY 58,813 MILES, PURCHASED DIRECTLY FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD ONLY 6 MILES ON THE SPEEDOMETER WHEN I TOOK OWNERSHIP OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10910006

2010 model year · 100,000 miles · Sep 26, 2016

Electrical System

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER ONE ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAP SENSOR, PVC SENSOR AND TRANSMISSION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10909606

2016 model year · Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2016

Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

THE VEHICLE KEEPS LOSING FUEL AND FUEL HAS TO BE REPLACED EVERY OTHER DAY. TOOK VEHICLE INTO FORD DEALERSHIP TO BE CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. GAS CAN BE SMELT AND VISIBLY GUSHES AFTER FUELING IN STATIONARY POSITION. WHEN VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE MOTION, GAS LEAKS SLOWLY. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE JERKS …

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10908880

2006 model year · 107,522 miles · Sep 22, 2016

Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT IT WAS DEACTIVATED EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10908718

2016 model year · 8,000 miles · Sep 21, 2016

Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. IN ADDITION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10908504

2011 model year · Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2016

Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other

Read full complaint

THE STEERING HAS NEVER WORKED CORRECTLY, SOMETHING JUST DOES NOT FEEL RIGHT WITH THIS VEHICLE. ALSO - THE SYNC SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY AND THE SCREEN RANDOMLY REBOOTS AND IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. LASTLY THE CAR SYSTEM DOES NOT RECOGNIZE WHEN KEYS ARE IN THE CAR, SO EVERY TIME YOU GO TO START THE CAR DOES NOT WORK. HOW THIS IS UNSAFE - IS IN COLD WEATHER YOU HAVE YOUR KEYS IN HAND AND THE CAR WILL NOT START, WHICH MEANS YOU COULD BE LEFT IN THE COLD AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. THIS IS NOT SAFE.

NHTSA ODI #10907633

2016 model year · 10,900 miles · Sep 14, 2016

Electrical SystemSteering

Read full complaint

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED TO ME WHILE DRIVING MY 2016 EXPLORER LIMITED. MY CAR HAS EVERY OPTION AVAILABLE. A FEW MONTHS AGO AS I WAS TURNING ONTO THE HIGHWAY A "LANE KEEPING SYS MALFUNCTION" ALERT CAME ACROSS MY DISPLAY AND MY STEERING LOCKED IN PLACE. I COULD NOT TURN MY STEERING WHEEL AT ALL. I HAD A SKETCHY VEHICLE FOR MY FIRST VEHICLE AND KNEW THAT I NEEDED TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURN IT OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS AND RESTART THE CAR. DOING THIS FREED MY STEERING WHEEL AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE SENSITIVITY WAS SET TOO HIGH. FFW MONTHS LATER. 9/13/16 I AM DRIVING BACK AT ABOUT 65 MPH, FROM A DR. APT ON A BUSY ROAD AND THE CAR TELLS ME MY STEERING IS MALFUNCTIONING TO SERVICE MY VEHICLE. MY GAME PLAN WAS TO PULL OVER SAFELY AND RUN A VEHICLE HEALTH REPORT AND CALL THE DEALER. SECONDS LATER I GET THE SAME MESSAGE ALONG WITH LANE KEEPING MALFUNCTION & MY STEERING LOCKED. I HAD TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HWY WITH A CAR COMING AT MY REAR AND THROW IT IN PARK AND KILL MY ENGINE AND RESTART MY CAR FOR THE STEERING TO UNLOCK. I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE DEPT. AFTER THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND MY VEHICLE IS "SPITTING OUT CODES LIKE CRAZY" AND WAS TOLD IT MAY BE A MODULE IN MY COMPUTER THAT CONTROLS STEERING & LANE KEEPING SYSTEMS OR MY KEY FOB IS NOT BEING DETECTED BY MY COMPUTER AND IS NOT SENDING AN ALERT AND MY CAR THINKS IT IS BEING STOLEN. CRAZY. DEFINITELY NOT SAFE. THIS IS MY DAILY DRIVER. I HAVE 4 SMALL CHILDREN. I LIVE IN MY CAR. PLEASE RESEARCH THIS AND ISSUE A RECALL. THIS IS NOT SAFE AT ALL. THANKFULLY I WAS NOT ON AN INTERSTATE GOING 70+ MPH. ALSO MY CAR WAS PURCHASED DEC 2015 AND WAS A DEALER TRADE FROM A TX DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #10906364

Related Official recalls

26V165000 · Back Over Prevention:software; Electrical System:adas

Mar 18, 2026

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The Image Processing Module A (IPMA) may experience multiple unexpected resets, resulting in loss of the rearview camera image and advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features, including pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Loss of the rearview camera image and certain driver assistance features, can reduce the driver’s ability to detect hazards, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: The Image Processing Module A software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. This is a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2025 Aviator, 2025 Explorer, 2025 Nautilus notified owners on 4/13/2026. Phase 2 will include 2025 Navigator will notify owners on or about 4/20/2026. Phase 3 will include 2022-2024 Navigator will notify owners on or about 6/8/2026. Phase 4 will include 2024 Nautilus will notify owners on or about 6/22/2026. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S21. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 25, 2026.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Back Over Prevention:software

Consequence: Loss of the rearview camera image and certain driver assistance features, can reduce the driver’s ability to detect hazards, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: The Image Processing Module A software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. This is a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2025 Aviator, 2025 Explorer, 2025 Nautilus notified owners on 4/13/2026. Phase 2 will include 2025 Navigator will notify owners on or about 4/20/2026. Phase 3 will include 2022-2024 Navigator will notify owners on or about 6/8/2026. Phase 4 will include 2024 Nautilus will notify owners on or about 6/22/2026. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S21. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 25, 2026.

Electrical System:adas

Consequence: Loss of the rearview camera image and certain driver assistance features, can reduce the driver’s ability to detect hazards, increasing the risk of a crash.

24V685000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables; Hybrid Propulsion System

Sep 13, 2024

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.3L Hybrid engines. The 12-Volt battery cable may chafe against the Belt-integrated Starter Generat (BiSG) and short circuit.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will install a tie strap between the battery cable and high voltage cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S61.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Hybrid Propulsion System

Consequence: A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will install a tie strap between the battery cable and high voltage cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S61.

Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Consequence: A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

23V686000 · Back Over Prevention:display Function; Electrical System:wiring

Oct 13, 2023

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Explorer vehicles equipped with a standard rearview camera. Due to a manufacturing error in the wire harness, the rearview camera may display a blue image on the SYNC screen when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera wire harness and repair any loose splices, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C31.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Back Over Prevention:display Function

Consequence: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera wire harness and repair any loose splices, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C31.

Electrical System:wiring

Consequence: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

23V626000 · Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery

Sep 8, 2023

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.0L PHEV engines. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will perform a Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) diagnostic test and replace the high voltage battery pack, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford Motor Company's number for this recall is 23S53.

19V687000 · Electrical System:wiring

Sep 30, 2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.3L or 3.3L engines. The wiring harness may not have been properly secured and may contact the air conditioner compressor (A/C) pulley, potentially damaging the harness or the A/C belt.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The A/C pulley may rub through the wiring harness insulation and contact the unfused battery positive wire, resulting in a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a tie strap to the wiring harness at the hand shock tower clip, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S32.

19V575000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel; Parking Brake; Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Aug 5, 2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The Manual Park Release (MPR) cover may not be installed. In addition, the vehicles may be in Factory Mode, which disables warning alerts and does not display the transmission gear selected. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 114, "Theft Prevention" and 102, "Trans Shift Lever Seq/Starter Interlock/Trans Braking Effect."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Without the cover, the MPR lever may be unintentionally moved, allowing the vehicle to roll away. Being in Factory Mode, the vehicle will not display warnings and/or gear selection on the instrument cluster. Both conditions increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, install a MPR cover. Dealers will verify the instrument cluster is not in Factory Mode and clear any fault codes, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C06.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Parking Brake

Consequence: Without the cover, the MPR lever may be unintentionally moved, allowing the vehicle to roll away. Being in Factory Mode, the vehicle will not display warnings and/or gear selection on the instrument cluster. Both conditions increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, install a MPR cover. Dealers will verify the instrument cluster is not in Factory Mode and clear any fault codes, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C06.

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

00V072000 · Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Mar 7, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L ENGINES AND ALL-TIME 4-WHEEL DRIVE (A4WD) POWERTRAINS. THE GENERIC ELECTRONIC MODULE (GEM) COULD EXPERIENCE A CONDITION REFERRED TO AS "LOCK-UP" IN WHICH THE GEM CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS (E.G., FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, 4X4 SYSTEM, ETC.) COULD NOT BE TURNED ON OR, IN SOME CASES IF THE FUNCTION IS ON, COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN INOPERATIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM COULD AFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RESISTOR IN THE GEM CIRCUIT.

97V215000 · Electrical SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL Module

Nov 24, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES, EDDIE BAUER AND LIMITED EDITIONS. THE KEY-IN-IGNITION/DOOR OPEN WARNING CHIME MAY NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED. THIS DOES NOT FULLY COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE STANDARD SPECIFIED THAT A WARNING TO THE DRIVER SHALL BE ACTUATED WHENEVER THE KEY HAS BEEN LEFT IN THE LOCKING SYSTEM AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPENED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A JUMPER WIRE TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY GROUND CIRCUIT IN THESE VEHICLES.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

Related NHTSA investigations

EA05005 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Mar 22, 2005 · Closed Aug 2, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

EA05-005 IS CLOSED WITH FORD?S ACTIONS IN RECALLS 05V-017, 05V-388, AND 06V-286, RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 6.7 MILLION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCHES (SCDS).THE BRAKE SYSTEMS IN THESE RECALLED VEHICLES GENERATE A VACUUM THAT CAN POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE SCDS TO FAIL AND, IN CERTAIN SWITCH INSTALLATION ORIENTATIONS, CATCH FIRE.FORD IS ALSO INCLUDING THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF 1998 EXPLORERS.FORD HAS INFORMED ODI THAT TESTING TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURES IN THE 1998 EXPLORERS WILL CONTINUE AFTER THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE FACTORS CAUSING SCDS FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT CORRELATE WELL WITH THE OBSERVED FAILURE RATES ON THESE VEHICLES BY MODEL AND MODEL YEAR.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE NON-RECALLED VEHICLES MANUFACTURED WITH SCDS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN FORD?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE NON-RECALLED POPULATION FOR INCIDENCE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT FOR DETAILS.

Additional source detail variants (21)

Electrical System

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

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.

PE96066 · Driver Door Electrical Fire

Opened Nov 22, 1996 · Closed May 15, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

THE CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE SWITCH POSITIVE PAD AND CHASSIS GROUND PAD AS A RESULT OF WATER INTRUSION.EXCESS CURRENT FLOW RESULTING FROM THE SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITION MAY OVERHEAT THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH CIRCUIT BOARD AND CAUSE A FIRE IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR.FORD HAS INDICATED THAT CURRENT IN EXCESS OF 15 AMPS CAN OVERHEAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD ENOUGH TO CAUSE A FIRE.CIRCUIT PROTECTION IS PROVIDED BY A 30 AMP FUSE.FORD IS RECALLING ALL 1993-94 4-DOOR EXPLORER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT ELECTRONIC OPTION COMBINATION TO INSTALL AN IN-LINE 10 AMP FUSE IN THE POSITIVE BATTERY FEED TO THE REMOTE POWER MIRROR CONTROL SWITCH ASSEMBLY.NO 2-DOOR EXPLORER VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS.ACCORDING TO FORD, VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO THE RECALL PRODUCTION RANGE WERE EQUIPPED WITH LOWER CAPACITY CIRCUIT BOARDS FOR THE SUBJECT SWITCH ASSEMBLY THAT WOULD FAIL FROM AN OPEN CIRCUIT IF A SIMILAR SHORT OCCURRED.A NEW SWITCH ASSEMBLY WITH 10 AMP FUSE PROTECTION WAS INTRODUCED BEGINNING WITH THE 1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER.MAZDA WILL CONDUCT A PARALLEL COMPAIGN (97V-083.002) TO REMEDY THE SUBJECT CONDITION IN APPROXIMATELY 14,000 NAVAJO VEHICLES.THE NAVAJO VEHICLES WERE AVAILABLE IN ONLY THE 2-DOOR VERSION WHICH, UNLIKE THE EXPLORER VEHICLES, DID USE THE SUBJECT OPTION COMBINATION IN THAT BODY STYLE.