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 · 50,000 miles · Jul 11, 2019

Electrical System

THE "DOOR AJAR" WARNING CONTINUES TO APPEAR AFTER DRIVER DOOR IS SHUT. ONCE THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND COMES TO A STOP, THE WARNING WILL AUDIBLY BEEP AND DISPLAY A MESSAGE TO SHIFT TO PARK, THUS DISTRACTING THE DRIVER. THE WARNING PREVENTS THE DOME LIGHTS WAS SHUTTING OFF UNTIL THE CAR IS IN MOTION. ALL OF WHICH IS A DRAIN ON THE …

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NHTSA ODI #11231004

2016 model year · 42,000 miles · Jul 9, 2019

Electrical SystemSteering

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THE STEERING FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO AND I BROUGHT TO DEALER. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT THE STEERING BUT THE BATTERY PUTTING OUT THE WRONG VOLTAGE AND CAUSED THE SENSOR TO COME ON. TODAY I ACTUALLY LOST STEERING ON THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MILES ON A LOCAL STREET. THE STREET CURVED AND I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL. THE STEERING FAULT LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR SAID THAT THE TERRAIN ASSIST AND HILL ASSIST WAS DISABLED (WAS NOT USING). I WAS ABLE TO PUT MY HAZARDS ON, AND STRUGGLE WITH THE STEERING TO PULL OVER. I ONLY HAVE 42000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, INCLUDING REPLACING THE APIM. I HAVE A 16 YEAR OLD, THAT JUST STARTED DRIVING WITH ME IN THIS CAR, AND I DO NOT THINK IT IS SAFE. I TRULY BELIEVE THERE IS SOME WIRING PROBLEM OR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT FORD IS IGNORING. I SEE MANY PEOPLE POSTING THIS SAME DANGEROUS STEERING FAULT ISSUE, AND IT NOT GETTING FIXED.

NHTSA ODI #11230441

2016 model year · 53,000 miles · Jul 8, 2019

Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REARVIEW CAMERA WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DUBLIN HYUNDAI (LOCATED AT 6015 SCARLETT CT, DUBLIN, CA 94568, (925) 803-7700), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED…

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NHTSA ODI #11230065

2017 model year · 40,210 miles · Jul 7, 2019

Electrical SystemService BrakesCrash

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WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, I HEARD A LOUD POP SOUND, ENGINE BEGAN TO SMOKE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED IN TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHICH INDICATED BAD CELL IN MANUFACTURERS BATTERY CAUSING IT TO BLOW AND SPRAY BATTERY ACID ALL OVER ENGINE COMPONENTS AT 26,127 MILES. DEALERSHIP DID NOT FOLLOW PROPER PROCEDURE WHEN REPLACING BATTERY AND LEFT ACID ON ENGINE AND COMPONENTS. BATTERY ACID HAD EATEN THROUGH BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS, WIRING AND CAUSED SEVERE CORROSION UNDER HOOD. BY NOT ADDRESSING THE SAFETY CONCERN WHEN CONFRONTED AND DURING MULTIPLE VISITS AND PHONE E CALLS, BRAKE SYSTEM ABS FAILED CAUSING A FRONT END COLLISION BY SLAMMING INTO ANOTHER CAR IN THE INTERSTATE RESULTING FROM BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #11229919

2012 model year · 118,875 miles · Jul 2, 2019

Electrical System

THE CONTROL PANEL THAT SHOWS THE REAR BACKING AND THEN SWITCHES TO CONTROLLING TEMPERATURE, RADIO, SEATS, ETC HAS FAILED. THERE IS NO BACKING ASSIST OR ANY CONTROLS FOR INTERIOR FUNCTIONS. THE FEATURE STOPPED WHEN IN MOTION AND HASN'T COME BACK ON SINCE.

NHTSA ODI #11228990

2013 model year · 93,906 miles · Jun 27, 2019

Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

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THIS DEALING WITH THE MY SYNC (MYFORD TOUCH) . THE SYSTEM WILL WILL CAUSE THE SCREEN TO GO BLACK,IT ALSO WILL CAUSE THE A/C & HEATER, NAVIGATION, AND RADIO TO STOP WORKING. THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. TO RESTORE THE SYSTEM YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER AND REBOOT THE SYSTEM BY TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE. I JUST RECIEVED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM ALERT FOR FORD ON 5/25/2019. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE THEY CLAM THAT THE PROGRAM HAS EXPIRED. BUT I CAN HAVE THE REPAIR DONE FOR THE COST $1200.00

NHTSA ODI #11222891

2013 model year · 100,000 miles · Jun 25, 2019

Electrical SystemPower Train

WHEN I SHIFT IT TO PARK. IT DOESN'T RECOGNIZE IT AND WHEN YOU TURN OF THE CAR. A SIGN COMES UP ON THE DASH SCREEN SAYING 'SHIFT INTO PARK'. AND IT DRAINS YOUR BATTERY BECAUSE THE SYSTEM IS WAITING FOR YOU TO SHIFT IT. ALSO YOU CAN'T USE THE FACTORY REMOTE START.

NHTSA ODI #11222349

2016 model year · 64,000 miles · Jun 25, 2019

Electrical System

WIRING/BATTERY PROBLEM. POSITIVE POST ON BATTERY CORRODED ALONG WITH WIRING GOING TO POST. REPLACED POSITIVE WIRING AND ACCESSORIES WIRING ALONG WITH A NEW BATTERY. POSITIVE POST STARTED TO CORRODE AGAIN NOW THE BATTERY DIES RANDOMLY AND NEEDS JUMP START

NHTSA ODI #11222580

2011 model year · 117,000 miles · Jun 23, 2019

Electrical System

WHEN YOU SHIFT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, THE PARKING SENSOR DOES NOT ALWAYS RECOGNIZE THE SHIFT THUS LEAVING A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD/SCREEN SAYING 'SHIFT TO PARK.' TO CORRECT THE ISSUE YOU HAVE DEPRESS THE SHIFT LEVER OVER AND OVER TO GET IT TO SHIFT IN PARK. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON THE BLOGS, AMONGST VARIOUS FORD OWNERS.

NHTSA ODI #11221957

2016 model year · 10,000 miles · Jun 15, 2019

Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

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PROBLEM FIRST APPEARED ON JUNE 3, 2016 WITH ABOUT 10,000 MILES. I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 95 PAST PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT ABOUT 9:30 AM AT ABOUT 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN FROM A COLD START FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES. IT WAS RAINING MODERATELY. THE BACKUP CAMERA SUDDENLY APPEARED ON THE SCREEN IN THE CENTER CONSOLE AND THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERED SLIGHTLY. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD DRIVE INDICATOR, WHICH NORMALLY IS LIT RED WHEN IN DRIVE, WAS WHITE, AS WERE ALL THE OTHER INDICATORS (R, N, ETC). I JIGGLED THE SHIFTER WITHOUT PRESSING THE SHIFTER BUTTON BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION APPEARED TO BE STILL IN DRIVE SINCE THE CAR STILL HAD POWER AND WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN. IT LASTED FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS AND THEN THE DISPLAY RETURNED TO NORMAL AND THE D INDICATOR RETURNED TO ITS NORMAL RED MODE. ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER THE PROBLEM RETURNED AND STAYED FOR 10 TO 15 SECONDS AND THEN AGAIN REVERTED BACK TO NORMAL. THIS BEHAVIOR REPEATED ONE OR TWO MORE TIMES IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MINUTES. AFTER THIS SERIES OF EVENTS THE CAR SEEMED TO BE NORMAL FOR THE REST OF MY 1.5 HOUR TRIP AND HAS BEEN FINE UNTIL AUG 13, 2016 WHEN THE SAME BEHAVIOR HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM IF IT GETS WORSE IF FOR NOTHING ELSE THAN IT IS CERTAINLY A DISTRACTION AND MAY RESULT IN TRANSMISSION DAMAGE AND LOSS OF CONTROL. I DID TALK TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY FORD DEALER (SHERIDAN FORD, RT 2 KIRKWOOD HIGHWAY, WILMINGTON DE) ON JULY 21, 2016 WHEN I WAS GETTING AN OIL CHANGE AND I DESCRIBED THE FIRST INCIDENT. HE DID NOT SEEM VERY CONCERNED. HE SAID THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THAT HAPPENING BUT DID NOT HAVE ME WRITE ANYTHING DOWN. I TOLD HIM THAT IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN, I WOULD CONTACT FORD AND THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED 12 MORE TIMES. I HAVE TOLD THE DEALER ABOUT IT EVERY TIME. I HAVE FURTHER TEXT DOCUMENTATION.

NHTSA ODI #11220307

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.