Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION
96V071000FORD MOTOR COMPANYfrom 08/01/1987 to 09/30/1992V (Vehicle)790000006/07/1996ODIFORD MOTOR COMPANY04/25/199605/01/1996
Defect SummaryThe ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit.
Consequence SummaryThis condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle.
Corrective SummaryDealers will replace the ignition switch.
NotesSystem: electrical; ignition switch. vehicle description: passenger and multi-purpose vehicles and light duty trucks. note: owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
88V091000FORD MOTOR COMPANYfrom 05/01/1985 to 03/01/1988V (Vehicle)6000007/01/1988ODIFORD MOTOR COMPANY06/06/198806/09/1988
Defect SummaryVehicles equipped with trailer tow package have a trailer taillight relay assembly that contains wires of smaller gauge than the fuse link which protects the circuit.
Consequence SummaryShould a short circuit occur in the wiring within therelay or if water intrusion occurs the smaller gauge wire in the relay willfunction as a fuse link and overheat. the possibility exists for a fire if thewires are exposed to combustible materials.
Corrective SummaryInstallation of a relay with wires of gauge adequate to protect the circuit.
NotesSystem: electrical.vehicle description: multi purpose vehicle van, equipped with optional trailertow package.

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
9824612/07/1998604059Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( f8az - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals. *yc03/16/1999
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
9922210/18/19996089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses. *tt02/11/2000
9624611/18/199650905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements. *tw06/17/1997

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
02/24/19964
 Electrical component shorted, causing engine fire. *dsh
02/20/19960
 Electrical fire. *sd
02/11/19961
 Electrical short.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
09/16/2000203/01/1997
 2 fires at alternator last one totalled vehicle fire department called. *ak
11/17/1996
 Electrical short in the alternator cable, causing the vehicle to catch on fire around the alternator. *ak
0
 Alternator caught on fire where wiring harness connects while driving the car. *ak
07/28/1995105/01/1988
 Alternator failed, causing vehicle fire.
07/01/1995110/01/1988
 Alternator caught fire. *sd
05/01/19901
 Alternator failed, causing engine fire. *dsh
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY
03/23/19953
 Battery failed two times.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION
03/31/2000106/01/1989
 No summary
12/23/1996104/01/1993
 Distributor failed on freeway at high speed , at night, going uphill in heavy traffic 100 miles from nearest repair facility. it was necessary to roll vehicle backwards, downhill in traffic to get it off the highway. we were very fortunate not to have been hit and injured from the traffic. i thought it was just normal wear and tear that caused failure but recently i heard about the lawsuit against ford for knowing about the potential problem and not recalling or notifying owners of the possibility of the failure due to placement of the electrical components due to engine heat. we could have been killed by this failure and the circumstances yet ford did not feel it necessary to warn it's customers. i have four ford vehicles at this time. three of them are less than three years old. i may not buy any more ford vehicles if this is their attitude that they won't recall or at the minimum at least warn owners of these potential problems so that we can make repairs to correct the problems. ford will lose a lot more money by not selling myself , my wife and my four adult children any more ford vehicles , much more than the $449.85 repairs, towing and hotel costs i lost while my vehicle was being repaired. *ak
11/19/1998
 While driving at any speed the engine check light keeps coming on and off. vehicle will shut down while driving, and the ignition is experiencing some internal short circuit problems. *ak
08/01/19962
 Intermittent stalling due to ignition wiring overheating. *ak
02/26/1996
 While parked 20 minutes, truck caught fire w/fire dept not able to stable. entire front destroyed in fire. please describe details. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE
1
 Vehicle would not start due to failure of the ignition module. *mjs
04/17/1996107/01/1994
 I would be driving the van down the road at a speed of 30-40mph and the engine would go dead without warning. the dealer ran the computer codes and found nothing, but the problem was still there. after three fuel pumps, ....ect, the only thing that was not replaced was the onboard computer. i got a second hand computer for the van and went to install it. when i unplugged the old computer i found the problem, the heat of the engine compartment and age cause d the plastic coating on the wiring harness to shrink. when the van hit a bump in the road the computer would short out, leaving no codes and a dead engine. i emailed ford, they left no commeton this. thank you. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH
08/09/20033861182
 The electrical system failed and caused the ignition switch to be inoperative. the dealer was notified. *ak *scc *nlm
08/01/2000
 Vehicle caught on fire 6 hours after being parked. state fire marshall determined that ignition switch caused fire. home and vehicle were totaly lost. 3 children had to jump through window to escape the fire, one sliced tendons on wrist. ignition switch was replaced under recall 96v071000 on 30 sep 1997. information provided by sherrie hansen, attorney.*ak
 Defective ignition switch caused fire.
12/12/1997
 When putting the key into the ignition switch, key keeps getting stuck when trying to cut off vehicle and taking key out, vehicle won't turn off. cosnumer has to play with the igintion switch in order to turn the vehicle off. *ak
02/15/19961
 Ignition switch fire.
01/29/1996108/01/1988
 Ignition switch shorted, causing fire.
03/21/1996
 Transmission went out, at shop, owners called/reported vehicle caught fire early in morning, fire dept put out flames, fire started at/near steering column.*ak
07/17/1995
 Was driving vehicle home from vacation, saw smoke coming from under the driver's seat, vehicle started to burning. *ak
05/22/1996
 Wife took kids to dentist, felt the vehicle was overheating, she popped hood on vehicle, flames inside near ignition area, fire dept put out fire. *ak
01/16/1995
 Vehicle was driven home, parked vehicle, went inside home, was notified by neighbors vehicle was engulfed in flames, fire dept arrived and put out fire. *ak
05/01/1995
 Smoke coming from ignition area/steering column. *ak
06/01/1995
 Smoke emitting from the steering column around the ignition switch. *ak
03/28/1996
 Vehicle was parked, engine compartment fire , under dash and steering column, vehicle complete burned only the front, electrical short. *ak
12/16/1995
 Electrical short or shock in the ignition switch causing the vehicle to catch fire. *ak
 Parked in driveway and noticed truck smoking, resulting in fire and melted engine components. please describe details. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
 Owner states that after driving the vehicle and parking it vehicle caught fire, owner notes that the hood blew off vehicle when it exploded. fire department states that it was an electrical problem which caused the fire. *ak
03/30/1996
 Experienced electrical fire while vehicle was parked. *ak
04/04/1995
 Electrical fire in passenger compartment under driver seat. tt
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD
365201
 Truck experienced electrical system failure. as a result the truck caught on fire within two hours after being parked. the fire originated under the hood. all the under hood electrical components were melted. the heat also cracked the windshield.*ak
05/01/19962
 First time it happened was when vehicle had been parked. noticed smoke from under hood & ash tray. checked under hood & vehicle was on fire. put flames out. vehicle towed home. fire had originated around the alternator. vehicle not taken to dealer. the second time was 3/21/99. *ak
09/17/1998107/03/1990
 Wiring harness wires shorted because wiring insulation shrunk resulting in it burning out the fuel pump in the fuel tank.
04/17/1996107/01/1994
 I would be driving the van down the road at a speed of 30-40mph and the engine would go dead without warning. the dealer ran the computer codes and found nothing, but the problem was still there. after three fuel pumps, ....ect, the only thing that was not replaced was the onboard computer. i got a second hand computer for the van and went to install it. when i unplugged the old computer i found the problem, the heat of the engine compartment and age cause d the plastic coating on the wiring harness to shrink. when the van hit a bump in the road the computer would short out, leaving no codes and a dead engine. i emailed ford, they left no commeton this. thank you. *ak
04/19/1998
 While driving consumer began to see and smell smoke. pulled over to the side, proceeded to lift the hood and saw high flames. dealer has been notified.
11/01/19970
 While driving approx 40 mph smelled something smothering. stopped and lifted hood and fire had come out, and wires were melted together. *ak
06/22/1997
 Electrical: driving home approximately 20mph when noticed the smell of smoke. pullled into the driveway and smoke was coming from underneath the hood. by the time got out the vehicle was on fire. *ak
05/19/1996
 An electrical short caused the vehicle to catch on fire under the hood, while driving the vehicle. please describe. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
07/27/19971
 While parked in driveway vehicle suddenly caught fire underdash in lower area of steering column, no warning, no foul play, vehicle totaled. *ak
06/21/19970
 While vihicle was parked in the consumer 's garage, according to the consumer, the vehicle caught on fire from the dashboard to under the hood; melting wires and cables. *ak
05/26/1996
 Parked vehicle in driveway, walked into house, vehicle seemed fine, after 5 minutes, heard loud sound, opened door, entire vehicle engulfed in flames. *ak
01/15/1996
 Vehicle was parked, experienced dash fire. *ak