1997 Ford Explorer Electrical Problems

Your vehicle has an open recall (Ford #09S09, NHTSA #09V399000) for a speed control deactivation switch that may leak and cause a fire, whether the engine is running or not. Ford has refused to repair this issue, citing your vehicle's age and mileage. The fix would involve replacing the defective speed control deactivation switch to prevent potential fire hazard.

Your car's electrical system caught fire while you were driving, starting beneath the center dashboard computer module that displays gas mileage and oil status. The module had been showing a "Check Headlamps" warning shortly before the fire began, but the headlamps themselves were working fine. The fire spread rapidly through the interior despite what should have been a fuse failure to prevent it, destroying most of the car's interior before firefighters arrived.

Your Explorer's message center, which controls the headlights and fog lights, contains a light-out module that overheats due to poor ventilation in its design. When this module fails, your low-beam headlights stop working with no warning, leaving you unable to drive safely at night. This has happened repeatedly even after costly repairs, and you can't fix it without going to an authorized Ford dealer.

Your vehicle caught fire at approximately 2 AM, and the fire department confirmed it was an electrical fire. This is a serious safety hazard that requires immediate investigation of the electrical system and wiring.

I HAVE NO EXPLANATION FOR THE FIRE, THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN ABOUT A BLOCK FROM MY HOME AND THEN IT WAS RETURNED TO THE DRIVEWAY. MY UNCLE SON SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM WHEN THEY HEARD THE CAR ALARM AND LOOKED OUT OF THE WINDOW TO SEE CLOUDS OF BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE TRUCK. MY SON ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BUT IT WAS TO INTENSE, MY SON CALLED 911. THIS WOULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE IF THEY HAD BEEN IN THE CAR. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE. FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT SAY WHAT CAUSED THIS FIRE. THE TIRES EVEN MELTED. ALL SEVERE DAMAGE WAS TO THE FRONT END. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN IN ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT, THERE IS NO EXPLANATION FOR THIS FIRE. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR PHOTOS. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO BUT I NEED TO MAKE SURE NO FAMILIES. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPORT THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD DROP TO ZERO AND I WOULD NOT KNOW HOW FAST I AM ACTUALLY DRIVING. THE TACHOMETER IS ALSO AFFECTED AND, PROBABLY, THE ODOMETER. MY MECHANIC HAS CHANGED THE SPEED SENSOR BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINS. AN INTERNET SEARCH HAS TURNED UP NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE RESULT BEING A FAULTY PROGRAMMABLE SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER MODULE (PSOM), WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE DASH. THIS IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. SOME INDIVIDUALS ARE JUST PURCHASING GPS UNITS TO DETERMINE HOW FAST THEY ARE DRIVING. IT IS MY OPINION THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE PSOM. ASIDE FROM THE OBVIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM OF NOT KNOWING HOW FAST I AM DRIVING, THIS PROBLEM ALSO CAUSES THE ODOMETER TO READ INCORRECTLY. *TR

TODAY IS THE FIRST TIME SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE TRUCK AS I WAS DRIVING IT AND STARTED RIGHT BACK UP, AND ABOUT 6 HOURS LATER MY NEIGHBOR NOTICED MY TRUCK ON FIRE. FLAMES WERE COMING FROM BEHIND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WELL. MY MECHANIC SAID LOOKS LIKE E-BRAKE CABLE STARTED TO WELD IT SELF AND CAUGHT THE BODY MOUNT ON FIRE. E-BRAKE CABLE MELTED PLASTIC HOUSING INSIDE THE TRUCK. *TR

VEHICLE STARTED OUT FINE. AFTER A MONTH OF DRIVING, FAR LEFT DASH LIGHTS DIED OUT. THOSE ARE THE ONES ILLUMINATING THE OIL PRESSURE AND BATTERY. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATING THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER DIED OUT AS WELL. THIS IS NOT NORMAL. PERSONALLY, I THINK IT MIGHT BE A SHORT TO GROUND, BUT I STILL HAVE YET TO FIND OUT. *TR

MY 1997 FORD EXPLORER STARTED FIRE IN THE ENGINE AREA AFTER PRACTICING FOOTBALL FOR 45 MIN IN THE SCHOOL. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS BY THE TIME FIRE MEN ARRIVED. THEY SAID IT WAS EITHER FUEL OR ELECTRICAL RELATED. *CN

ON MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2008, I PARKED MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. I OPENED UP THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES SHOOTING OUT OF THE ALTERNATOR. BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM THE NEARBY HOUSE, MY SUV WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE CAME TO THE SCENE. FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE SUV IS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

THE CARS HEAT/AC WOULD SWITCH BETWEEN HIGH HEAT TO MAX COOL. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BLEND DOOR AND WOULD COST ABOUT $1100.00 TO REPAIR. THE REPAIR WOULD INCLUDE A UPDATED BLEND DOOR MOTOR AND A NEW AIR PLENUM THE SERVICE PERSON ALSO STATED THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON IN EXPLORERS AND IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THEY ALL FAIL. *NM

BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR ON 97 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALERSHIP IS QUOTING $1000 TO FIX IT BECAUSE DASH BOARD HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO FIX IT. I THINK THERE SHOULD BE SOME SORT ON RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE WHEN ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH REPLACEMENT, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HAD MELTED IN THE INTERIOR DASH PANEL AREA. NO FIRE WAS SEEN. AFTER NEW WIRING WAS INSTALLED, THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V388000, REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 9/22/2006 - *NM

OUR 1997 FORD EXPLORER WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WHILE WE WERE ASLEEP. IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNT COMPLETELY UP DESTROYING A 6000.00 STEREO SYSTEM, 2 SETS OF GOLF CLUBS, PART OF A DECK, AND PARTS OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. *NM

I OWNED A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. ON JULY 29, 2005 MY TRUCK WAS IN MY YARD AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. I WAS NOT HOME AT THE TIME. MY INSURANCE PAID A PORTION OF THE LOAN I STILL HAD ON THE VEHICLE. FORD MOTOR HAS NOT RECALLED 1997 EXPLORERS BUT HAVE 1998. THE FIRE REPORT ISSUED CLAIMS IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. MY VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACTED STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE THE FUSES FOR THE HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND COMPASS BURNED OUT. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH. WITH OUT REPLACING THE FUSE, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS INSPECTED, BRAKE FLUID WAS OBSERVED TO BE LEAKING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO SERVICE DEALER HOWEVER THE MANUFACTURER CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT, THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECENT FORD RECALL EXPANSION, WHICH THE CONTACT HEARD ABOUT ON THE NEWS, DUE TO THE VIN.*AK

SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS AUTO, IT SEEMS TO BE FALLING APART. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT NO LONGER LATCHES. WE HAVE TO LOOP THE DRIVER SIDE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT APPEARS THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH SEVERAL OF THESE MODELS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND SEAT BELTS ARE MANDATORY BY LAW. IS THERE ANYTHING BEING DONE? THE LEFT TURN INDICATOR HAS HAD ELECTRICAL ISSUES FOR YEARS. IT MAKES A ZZZZ SOUND AND NO LONGER WORKS. I AM ALSO DOWN TO ONLY ONE DOOR THAT THE KEY WORKS ON. THAT IS THE BACK LIFT. THE DOOR KEY HAD NOT WORKED ON THE DRIVER SIDE FOR YEARS, THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE WENT. I HAVE THE SAME HEAT PROBLEM THE OTHERS ARE HAVING. YOU EITHER GET FULL ON HEAT AND HAVE TO TURN IT ON AND OFF WHEN IT GETS TOO HOT OR YOU GET PARTIAL AC, ALWAYS A LITTLE WARM. BOTH THE AC AND HEAT HAS BEEN SERVICED, THE PROBLEM IS IN THE SWITCH SOMEWHERE. AND NOW THE REASON I'M WRITING IS I HAVE MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. FUSES AND SOLINOIDS HAVE BEEN LOOKED AT, THERE ARE NO LONGER LIGHTS IN THE DASH AREA. THE LIGHTS ON ALARM (DING DING DING DING) REMAINS ON WHEN THE CAR IS OFF, THE KEYS OUT AND THE DOOR SHUT WHICH HAS DRAINED MY BATTERY COMPLETLY. I HAVE JUMPED STARTED IT TWICE AND NOW IT SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE IT WILL COST A FORTUNE TO HAVE THE ELECTRICAL LOOKED AT. IF THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH ANYONE ELSE IT SHOULD BE REPORTED TO FORD. NOT ONLY CAN I NO LONGER DRIVE THIS CAR, IT WOULD BE TOTALLY UNSAFE TO USE IT. I NEED 4WHEEL DRIVE JUST TO GET OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY IN WINTER AND HAVE NO IDEA HOW I'M GOING TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY FOR ALL THESE REPAIRS. PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS THAT ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. THE INCIDENT DATE I LISTED BELOW IS FOR THE TIME THE SEATBELT STARTED TO FAIL COMPLETLY. WE WERE ON A VACATION TRIP!

DT: THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ,WHO SAID THEY COULD NOT GET IT IN UNTIL SATURDAY FOR REPAIRS. TUESDAY THE VEHICLE CAUGHTON FIRE WITH THE ENGINE NOT RUNNING. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED WITH ENGINE TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES , AND WHEN CONSUMER RETURNED THE VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES. THE FIRE WAS MOST PROMINENT IN THE FRONT. THE FIRE DEPT CAME, AND THEY SAID THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE FROM THE DASH AND HEAD AREA AND IT WAS ELECTRICAL IN NATURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE ARE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS AS WELL AS PHOTOGRAPHS. NO OTHER INDICATION AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON ITS OWN. PULLED OVER, AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK

(1) CRUISE CONTROL, NORMAL USEAGE (2) WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ON FOR MORE THAN FIVE MINUTES, THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH CONTROLLING ACCEL, COAST, RESUME, ON THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES HOT. FURTHERMORE, APPROXIMATELY 30% OF THE TIME, THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATE WHEN THE COAST BUTTON IS DEPRESSED, RESULTING IN TWO NEAR MISSES, WITH TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. (3) THE FAILURE STILL EXISTS, HOWEVER I HAVE NOT USED THE CRUISE CONTROL FOR TWO MONTHS. I HAD CONTACTED A FORD DEALERSHIP FULLY EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL; I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN AND PAY FOR IT.

FEW MONTHS AGO I HAVE PURCHASED A SET OF BOSCH SPARK PLUGS (PLATINUM 2 PART # 4305). ABOUT 3 WEEKS AFTER I INSTALLED THEM WILE DRIVEN ON THE EXPRESSWAY ONE OF THEM EXPLODED RUINING THE WIRE AND CAUSING TO FLIP FLOP ALL OVER SPARKING LUCKY I STOP RIGHT AWAY. THE CERAMIC PORTION OF THE SPARK HAS COME OUT OF IT CLEAN CAN NOT EVEN FIND A TRACE OF CERAMIC ON THE PLUG BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE ELECTRODE OR PORTION OF IT FELL IN TO THE CYLINDER ,CAUSING AN IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE, I HAVE REPORTED THE DAMAGE AND DETAILS TO THE MANUFACTURER AND EVEN SEND THEM THE PLUG FOR INSPECTION AND EXPLAIN EVERY THING, BUT THEY HAVE RETURN THE PLUG AND A LETTER SATING THAT THE REASON THE PLUG EXPLODED WAS BECAUSE IMPROPER TORQUE. I HAVE BEEN INSTALLING THE PLUGS ON MY VEHICLES FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS AND PEOPLE I TALKED TO SAID THE PLUG SHOULD NOT EXPLODE FOR THAT REASON. I THAT IS THE CASE I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ON THIS PARTICULAR PLUGS AND THERE IS NOTHING ON THE PACKAGE INDICATING TO THE CONSUMER OF THIS DANGER. *AK

I WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK ON MY WAY HOME. I HAD DRIVEN 12 MILES WHEN I NOTICE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE DASH BOARD BY THE STEERING COLUMN. I PULLED OVER AND BY THE TIME I GRABBED MY LAPTOP AND WALKED APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET FROM THE VEHICLE TO CALL FOR HELP THE TRUCK WAS FILLED WITH BLACK SMOKE AND WAS ON FIRE. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE BURNDT TRUCK, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM. I ALSO STILL HAVE THE BURNDT TRUCK. I HAVE ALWAYS FELT THERE WAS A FAULT SOMEWHERE IN THE DASH ON THIS FIRE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE PICTURES OR THE VEHICLE THAT CAN BE ARRANGED. *AK

1997 EXPEDITION SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE IN THE DRIVEWAY 45 MINUTES AFTER IT HAD BEEN DRIVEN. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE CAME AND PUT OUT WHAT WAS ALMOST A CATASTROPHIC HOUSE FIRE. THE TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS. TO REPLACE IT WITH SOMETHING COMPARABLE WE BOUGHT A 99 EXPEDITION. WE WERE OUT $8000 IN THE TRADE. THE OLDER EXPEDITION HAD ONE CAR PAYMENT LEFT ON IT BEFORE THE FIRE. NOW I AM HORRIFIED THAT WE HAVE ANOTHER ON IN THE DRIVEWAY.*AK

THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY POPPED INTO 4X4 MODE WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THAT HAPPENED THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. *NLM THE VEHICLES WIPERS ALSO BECAME INOPERABLE. THE WINDOWS COULD NOT BE OPENED. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FAILED. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT ALL THESE FAILURES WERE AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY GEM MODULE. THE MODULE HAS BEEN RECALLED IN CANADA. *TS *NLM

CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE KEYS CAN BE REMOVED AND VEHICLE WILL STILL OPERATE AS THOUGH KEYS ARE STILL IN IT. ALSO, VEHICLE WILL START UP ON ITS OWN BEFORE THE KEY IS INSERTED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE DASH. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE RELATED TO THIS FAILURE BECAUSE SHE MOVED BUT THE MAIL WAS LATER ROUTED TO HER. THE CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT ACTION CAN BE TAKEN SINCE THE RECALL HAS EXPIRED. *NLM

VEHICLE SEEMS TO GO THROUGH HEADLIGHT AND FOG LAMP BULBS RATHER QUICKLY. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH HEADLAMPS ONCE, AND THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP A SECOND TIME. I ALSO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FOG LAMPS TWICE. DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT ALSO HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND IS OUT AGAIN. DT

CONSUMER STATES OF HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. PLEASE ADD MORE INFORMATION. MR

WHEN STARTING CAR A FIRE BROKE OUT UNDER THE HOOD.*AK

WHEN STARTING THE CAR A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ON FLAT SURFACE AND NO WARNING VEHICLE STARTS SMOKING UNDER HOOD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

WHEN IT'S COLD OUTSIDE VEHICLE HESITATES TO START.*AK CONSUMER ADDS THAT THE SEAT BELT LOCKED IN PLACE ON PASSENGER SIDE, CONSUMER'S CHILD WAS LOCKED IN AND COULD NOT GET OUT, SEAT BELT HAD TO BE CUT IN ORDER TO RELEASE CHILD; IGNITION LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT CRANK FOR 2 HOURS. *TT

WHILE DRIVING IGINITION LOCKS UP. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING AND WHEN DEPRESSING HORN IT DID NOT SOUND OFF . DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

VEHICLE STALLED AT 25 MPH, ALSO , WHEN GOING OVER A SMALL BUMP RPMS WENT UP TO 4000-5000. MECHANIC THOUGHT VEHICLE STALLING WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, NOT TAKEN TO DEALER YET.*AK

DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT WOULD NOT RELEASE. CONSUMER HAD TO USE SCISSORS TO CUT SEATBELT OFF. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK ALSO, THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY UNIT FAILED AND THE BACK SEAT LATCH WAS MISSING. *YH

CONSUMER STATES AFTER VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, THE LOCKS WOULD NOT WORK, LIGHTS WOULD GO ON AND STAY ON, AND THE ALARM WOULD GO OFF AT ALL HOURS, POSSIBLY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *SLC

APPROX 1 MONTH AGO, VEHICLE FAILED JUST AFTER LEAVING THE FREEWAY AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE THE MAIN FUSE CONTROLLING ALL DRIVE-TRAIN COMPONENTS, INCLUDING COMPUTER, FUEL INJECTORS, TRANSMISSION, ETC. THE DEALER ( HARRIS FORD) COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE AFTER TWO DAYS OF INVESTIGATION. I WAS RETURNED THE VEHICLE WITH TWO EXTRA 30 AMP FUSES (AND A $500 BILL) IN CASE THE PROBLEM RECURRED. APPROX. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE VEHICLE AGAIN DIED, THIS TIME IN PORTLAND, OR. FORTUNATELY IT DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE FREEWAY, SINCE ALL POWER WAS LOST WHEN THE ENGINE DIED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT A PORTLAND DEALER FOR THE PAST WEEK, AGAIN WITH NO EXPLANATION OF THE CAUSE. DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RUN, AND I HAVE AN ESP, FORD NOR ITS DEALERS WILL COMMIT TO COVERING REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. HAD THIS HAPPENED AT FREEWAY SPEED OF 60 OR 70 MPH, A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR, POTENTIALLY WITH FATAL INJURIES.*AK

TRUCK WILL NOT START. SOMETIMES DRIVER HAS TO POP THE CLUTCH. SOMETIMES THE TRUCK HAS TO BE PUSH BEFORE IT WILL START.

FAULTY GEM MODULE CAUSED MALFUNCTION OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, 4X4, LIGHTS AND POWER WINDOWS. NLM

FAULTY GEM MODULE CAUSED MALFUNCTION OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, 4X4, LIGHTS AND POWER WINDOWS. NLM

NOV '00 - TRUCK WOULD NOT START, HAD TO GET JUMP START. TOOK INTO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. DIAGNOSIS - IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE REPLACED. DEC '00 - TRUCK WOULD NOT START, HAD TO JUMP START. TOOK TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. DIAGNOSIS - GEM MODULE REPLACED. JAN '01 - TRUCK WOULD NOT START OR JUMP START. TOWED TO DEALER. DIAGNOSIS - CRANK POSITIONING SENSOR REPLACED. TOLD BY DEALER THAT THESE ALL WERE ELECTRONIC PARTS. NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THEY WOULD FAIL WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. CURRENTLY, THE 4WD INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE DASH FLASH PERIODICALLY. LEFT VOICE MESSAGE WITH DEALER SERVICE ON 2/5 TO DISCUSS/FIX. *AK

BATTERY EXPLODED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IDLING. NO FIRE OR INJURIES. *AK

IGNITION WIRES AND PLUGS NEED REPLACED, CONSUMER FEELS DEALER SHOULD MAKE THESE REPAIRS. *SLC

I DIDN'T THINK THERE WAS A PROBLEM INITIALLY BUT THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. UNTIL THE CALIFORNIA COURT CASE AGAINST FORD ABOUT THE IGNITION SYSTEM THERE HAS BEEN MULTIPLE REPAIRS FROM THE FUEL FILTER TO THE INJECTORS. ALL OF THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I PLEADE TO FORD THE NHTSA PLEASE RECALL THIS PROBLEM BEFORE PEOPLE GET HURT OR KILLED IN ACCIDENTS. I AM A PROUD FORD OWNER AND LOVE MY EXPLORER PLEASE HELP YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS.

I WAS JUST WONDERING WHY DREAGER FORD DID NOT TELL ME OF THE RECALLS (I SAW FROM YOUR WEBSITE) WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO BE WORKED ON THREE DEFERENT TIMES FOR A CHARGING PROBLEM. ALSO IS THERE A WAY TO TRACE THIS VEHICLE HISTORY USING THE VIN NUMBER? NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY VARIOUS COMPONENTS WILL BECOME INOPERABLE DUE TO A DEFFECT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. *AK

DEALER CLAIMED COULDN'T DUPLICATE.2ND TIME-REPLACED MULTIFUNCITON SWITCH AND FLASHER. NOW OK.

TWO-TONE HORN FAILURE.

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE UP, AND ABOUT TWO MINUTES AFTERWARDS THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WHICH CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. *AK

JUMPER HARNESS FAILED. NLM

THE CRANK SENSOR WIRING, FOR THE STARTER (IGNITION), WILL NOT START THE VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED WHAT PROBLEM WAS. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY & DEALER REFUSED REPAIRS UNLESS PAID UP FRONT FIRST. VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY IN BEGINNING.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH COMPUTER SHUT DOWN, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE NO POWER/NO STEERING AND NO BRAKES. CONSUMER HAD NO PRIOR WARNING. *AK

IN FEBRUARY 1998 THE NUMBER 40 AND 50 BEGAN TO DIM IN THE SPEEDOMETER. THE DIMMING HAS SPREAD TROUGHOUT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. AFTER SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPLACED IN OCTOBER 1998. THE NEW ONE IS WORSE THAN THE ORIGINAL. THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO SPREAD. AT THE PRESENT TIME ALL NUMBERS IN THE SPEEDOMETER ARE EITHER DIM OR DO NOT LIGHT UP. THE PROBLEM HAS SPREAD TO CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL, CONTROLS ON THE DOOR, AND THE RADIO. CONTROLS THT DO NOT LIGHT UP AT ALL ARE POWER WINDOW ADJUSTER ON DOOR, KNOB TO TURN ON LIGHTS, GAUGES FOR CONTROLLING THE LIGHT FOR OFF, LOW, OR HIGH, AND THE KNOB TO ADJUST DIMNESS OF INSTRUMNET CLUSTER. FORD HAD AN ENGINEER TO LOOK AT MARCH 31, 1999. HE CONCLUDED NO REAPIRS WERE NEEDED. THE PROBLEM WORSENS DAILY. I AM NOW GOING THROUGH A CASE WITH A DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD. IF THAT FAILS I WILL HAVE TO CONTACT AN ATTORNEY. FORD REFUSES TO MAKE REPAIRS. RENTAL VEHICLES I HAVE RECEIVED FROM THEM HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD MOTOR COMPNAY CONTINUES TO STATE THEY HAVE SEEN NO OTHER VEHICLE PRODUCED BYTHEM WITH THIS PROBLEM. YOUR DATABASE SUGGESTS OTHERWISE. I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED DUE TO THIS VEHICLE FAILURE. *AK

IN FEBRUARY 1998 THE NUMBER 40 AND 50 BEGAN TO DIM IN THE SPEEDOMETER. THE DIMMING HAS SPREAD TROUGHOUT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. AFTER SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPLCED IN OCTOBER 1998. THE NEW ONE IS WORSE THAN THE ORIGINAL. THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO SPREAD. AT THE PRESENT TIME ALL NUMBERS IN THE SPEEDOMETER ARE EITHER DIM OR DO NOT LIGHT UP. THE PROBLEM HAS SPREAD TO CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL, CONTROLS ON THE DOOR, AND THE RADIO. CONTROLS THT DO NOT LIGHT UP AT ALL ARE POWER WINDOW ADJUSTER ON DOOR, KNOB TO TURN ON LIGHTS, GAUGES FOR CONTROLLING THE LIGHT FOR OFF, LOW, OR HIGH, AND THE KNOB TO ADJUST DIMNESS OF INSTRUMNET CLUSTER. FORD HAD AN ENGINEER TO LOOK AT MARCH 31, 1999. HE CONCLUDED NO REAPIRS WERE NEEDED. THE PROBLEM WORSENS DAILY. I AM NOW GOING THROUGH A CASE WITH A DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD. IF THAT FAILS I WILL HAVE TO CONTACT AN ATTORNEY. FORD REFUSES TO MAKE REPAIRS. RENTAL VEHICLES I HAVE RECEIVED FROM THEM HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD MOTOR COMPNAY CONTINUES TO STATE THEY HAVE SEEN NO OTHER VEHICLE PRODUCED BYTHEM WITH THIS PROBLEM. YOUR DATABASE SUGGESTS OTHERWISE. I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED DUE TO THIS VEHICLE FAILURE.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD . VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

THE BACK UP LIGHTS GO OUT. THE FUSE HAD BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. HAVE TAKEN TO 4 DIFFERENT DEALERS FOR SAME PROBLEM. SEEMS THE BACK UP LIGHTS & REAR DEFROSTER ARE CONNECTED TOGETHER. *AK

BATTERY CABLE MISALIGNED,DEALER MADE LOCATION CORRECTION.MGM

SPARK PLUG FAILED. *YC

ELECTRICAL FAILURES CONTINUALLY REPLACEMENT OF THE FAULTY PCM MODULE AND SPARK PLUGS DID NOT RECTIFY FAILURES.

ELECTRONIC MODULE FAILURE NOT AN ADD ON COMPONENT. PLEASE CONTAC JOHN AT SUPERIOR INVESTIGATIONS AT THE ABOVE WORK NUMBER FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

WHEN PULLING OFF THE VEHICLE CHOKES OFF. DEALER CONTACTED AND STATES A COMPUTER PROBLEM, BUT CANNOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK

BATTERY FAILED.

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#98V06000), ALTERNATOR. TOOK VEHICLE IN AS REQUESTED. MECHANIC TIGHTENED BOLTS. DOES NOT HAVE THE NEW, REVISED BOLTS. WOULD NEED TO ORDER THE REVISED BOLTS FOR VEHICLE. *AK

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE COMPUTER FAILED.

HEAD LIGHT AND FOG LIGHT WIRE EXPOSED AND LOOSE IN THE FRONT WHEEL WELLS, WHEN DRIVING THROUGH SNOW AND ICE BUILDUP OF ICE OCCURS ON THE WIRES, THEN THE WIRES BREAK, CAUSING SUDDEN OUTAGE, WIRE NEED TO BE REROUTED.

PCM SENSOR FAILED.

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH DOOR CONTROL PANEL CONTINUALLY.

IGNITION FUEL BUTTERFLY VALVE FAILED CAUSING THE GAS PEDAL TO STICK.

DASH PANEL WILL GO OUT. HEADLIGHTS WILL STAY ON , BUT TAIL LIGHTS WILL NOT. DEALER HAS TRIED 4 TIMES TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. SOMETIMES IT WILL WORK PROPERLY FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS, BUT THEN DEFECT WILL REOCCUR. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. *AK *SLC

ELECTRICAL FIRE ORIGINATING BEHIND RADIO SECTION OF DASH.

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST POWER COMPLETELY AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED, WITHOUT WARNING, IN FOR REPAIRS. *AK

POSSIBLE UNDER DASH HARNESS MAY HAVE CAUSED FIRE TO FORM AROUND THE ASHTRAY RESULTING IN BURN FINGER TO DRIVER AND PASSENGER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT FLAMES OUT. NLM