Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | ||||||||||||||||
| 96V071000 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | from 08/01/1987 to 09/30/1992 | V (Vehicle) | 7900000 | 06/07/1996 | ODI | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 04/25/1996 | 05/01/1996 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | The ignition switch could experience an internal short circuit. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | This condition could cause overheating, smoke, and possibly fire in the steering column area of the vehicle. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will replace the ignition switch. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | System: 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. | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||||
| 98246 | 12/07/1998 | 604059 | Ford motor company has released a new electrical grease ( f8az - 19g208-aa ) to reduce the possibility of moisture corrosion at the terminals. *yc | 03/16/1999 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||||
| 99222 | 10/18/1999 | 6089681 | Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses. *tt | 02/11/2000 | |
| 96246 | 11/18/1996 | 50905 | Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements. *tw | 06/17/1997 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 07/24/2000 | 1 | ||
| Possible electrical failure resulted in vehicle fire, prior to fire that same afternoon the consumer had a friend replace the ignition switch. (ohio traffic crash report) *mjs | |||
| 01/20/1998 | 2 | 05/24/1989 | |
| Consumer reporting an ongoing problem with engine acceleration intermittently approximately six months. problem still occurring. dealer was notified and repairs/inspection was made continually, but the problem was never resolved. *ak consumer states vehicle is experiencing electrical problems and can smell something like wires burning, consumer states that the radio, fan blower, and dash lights go on and off, at times the radio will not work at all, battery failed and was replaced, low oil sensor failed and was replaced. vehicle has experienced several brake problems, brakes pulsate, master cylinder leak, proportioning valve leak, brakes grab, and were not stopping the vehicle. several engine related problems, consumer states the engine was noisy, oil was leaking from both sides of engine, the thermostat, gasket seal, main seal, rear main seal, pan gasket, belts, and other engine components have been replaced. the left door corroded and rusted. fuel filter was replaced, exhaust system was replaced, iac and throttle body were replaced, consumer states she would have to constantly keep foot on brake due to high rpms and loud whining, consumer states vehicle would accelerate suddenly if foot were off the brake, there were times when the brakes were not stopping vehicle. right front tire separated, causing steering wheel to wobble, front bearing needed packed, right rear axle was loose. differential carrier assembly was out, causing a loud ticking and thud noise. air conditioner was blowing hot air, the heater mode selector is slow to return from the vent when changed. outer tie rod ends needed replaced. *slc | |||
| 08/08/1996 | 1 | ||
| An electrical short caused the dash to catch fire while vehicle was parked.*ak*jb | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | |||
| 11/05/2001 | 2 | 01/01/1995 | |
| The alternator failed short circuit. massive amounts of current passed from the battery through the alternator, which burst into flames. the fault caused the engine to stall due to lack of ignition and it was extremely difficult to steer and stop the vehicle as a result of loss of power steering and power brakes. smoke was pouring from the front of the vehicle. when i managed to stop and open the hood, the alternator, which was glowing red inside, burst into flames and set fire to cables and rubber hoses around it. i received burns to my hands trying to put the fire out. lucky for me another motorist stopped and he had an extinguisher. i have now had two fires of this type, one on each of my vehicles. yesterday i went to an alternator remanufacturing company here in monterrey, and the manger told me that he has had five engine bay fires in aerostar minivans in recent months. in the 'good old days' understand there was a fusible link between the alternator charging line and the battery + terminal. there should be a fuse in this circuit because it is connected directly to the battery!! not only is the fire a very serious problem, but there is a serious risk in the event of this fault, that the overload on the battery will cause it to burst, showering everything and everyone around it with hot sulfuric acid. please note although the vehicle was purchased in the usa i am currently living in monterrey, mexico. my phone is 01152-8-349-7152 and email is oldvinyl@hotmail.com. *ak | |||
| 10/01/2001 | |||
| Alternator connectors caught on fire. dealer has yet to be contacted. please provide further details.*ak | |||
| 09/21/1998 | 3 | 06/03/1993 | |
| Defective plug which clasps onto alternator caused a fire. dealer has replaced alternator 3 times, but defect is still occurring. *ak *ml | |||
| 11/01/1998 | 2 | 10/01/1996 | |
| While riding in vehicle smoke was smelled coming from under the dash. stopped the van and smoke poured from under the hood. the altenator was on fire. this altenator was replaced approx. 6 months ago. the connector assembly was replaced to the manufaturer's instructions. | |||
| 06/10/1997 | 3 | 09/01/1992 | |
| 3 alternator fires. (qcaw) | |||
| 12/08/1997 | 0 | ||
| Smelled something burning, like electrical wiring. vehicle started to smoke on way home. after parking vehicle, lifted hood & noticed sparks & then flames. extinguisher didn't put flames out. unhooked battery cables at private mechanic & informed was alternator & wrong wires used. alternator & wires were replaced. *ak | |||
| 07/15/1996 | |||
| After starting the vehicle, smoke was noticed coming from underneath the hood, resulting in the alternator having burnt down.*ak | |||
| While driving the owner started smelling smoke so he pulled over lifted the hood and the alternator was on fire. tt | |||
| 07/08/1995 | 8 | ||
| Faulty wiring harness included with alternator caused fire. *skd | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY | |||
| 08/04/1996 | 1 | ||
| Truck was off went to start it and battery exploded. *ak consumer states vehicle was parked for about 30 minutes before starting it and battery exploding. *slc | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||
| 05/04/2002 | 01/01/2089 | ||
| The vehicle was parked for approximately 30 minutes. it had been running perfectly well. i noticed a minor triple click noise when i turned off the ignition but didn't think much of anything of it. after sitting off for 30-45 minutes, the vehicle was in flames having started from somewhere in the front of the vehicle. this appears to be consistent with reports of the ignition switch issue. we were not aware of the recall prior to looking for it after our vehicle was destroyed. firemen indicate that the fire started in the front part of the vehicle, but they could not determine why due to the extent of the damage. best way to contact me is via cellphone at 706-399-7825.*ak | |||
| 11/05/2001 | 2 | 01/01/1995 | |
| The alternator failed short circuit. massive amounts of current passed from the battery through the alternator, which burst into flames. the fault caused the engine to stall due to lack of ignition and it was extremely difficult to steer and stop the vehicle as a result of loss of power steering and power brakes. smoke was pouring from the front of the vehicle. when i managed to stop and open the hood, the alternator, which was glowing red inside, burst into flames and set fire to cables and rubber hoses around it. i received burns to my hands trying to put the fire out. lucky for me another motorist stopped and he had an extinguisher. i have now had two fires of this type, one on each of my vehicles. yesterday i went to an alternator remanufacturing company here in monterrey, and the manger told me that he has had five engine bay fires in aerostar minivans in recent months. in the 'good old days' understand there was a fusible link between the alternator charging line and the battery + terminal. there should be a fuse in this circuit because it is connected directly to the battery!! not only is the fire a very serious problem, but there is a serious risk in the event of this fault, that the overload on the battery will cause it to burst, showering everything and everyone around it with hot sulfuric acid. please note although the vehicle was purchased in the usa i am currently living in monterrey, mexico. my phone is 01152-8-349-7152 and email is oldvinyl@hotmail.com. *ak | |||
| 06/20/2001 | 20 | 11/01/1998 | |
| When you turnthe key on. the ignition is stuck on. the only way to get it to go off, is to get under the hood and dis ingage the battery terminal. this car is a 5 speed transmission. have contacted other owner and they have stated that theirs have too. have incouraged them to contact you too. and the dealer.*ak | |||
| Whenever vehicle has been driven for a while it would stall without warning. when vehicle has been off for a while it could be restarted, but would not move. had taken vehicle to mechanic who indicated it was possible that ignition had overheated, causing stalling problem. *ak | |||
| 10/31/2000 | 4 | 10/01/1999 | |
| Due to placement of ignition module on distributor, after long period of travel, vehicle shuts itself off, no matter how fast your going, until vehicle has cooled down. cost me several tow charges.*ak | |||
| 10/07/2000 | 1 | 01/02/1996 | |
| After driving and then stopping vehicle will not restart until consumer changed the ignition module. it just happened as stated in recall from ford.*ak | |||
| When driving at any speed vehicle will cut off without prior warning, causing loss of all power. consumer replaced ignition module,. problem did not occur for a brief period, however, the problem has reoccurred. please provide any further details.*ak | |||
| 11/02/1996 | 0 | ||
| Had driven vehicle, it started to smoke, parked vehicle, it caught fire, fire dept arrived, notified dealership that problem still had existed after repaires, have invoices and other documents. *ak | |||
| 10/04/1995 | |||
| While parked, owner noticed a burning smell and was told due to a short in ignition. please describe details. | |||
| 02/16/1996 | |||
| Upon returning to parked vehicle interior full of smoke and fire generated from the ignition. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE | |||
| 6 | |||
| When driving long distances the engine cuts off completely due to faulty ignition module. nlm | |||
| Computer system failed. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH | |||
| 08/30/2005 | 208000 | 1 | 06/01/1990 |
| Dt: the contact received nhtsa recall 96v071000 concerning the ignition switch. when he contacted ford, they could not find the vin. this started a couple of months ago. the switch started to come apart, causing the vehicle not to start. he repaired it himself, and it is currently working.*ak updated 12/27/2005. *nm | |||
| 1 | |||
| Recal 96 v 071 000/ electrical ignition system: after starting vehicle, engine races and vehicle overheats and smokes. however, this vehicle was not included in recall. *ak the motor continue to run after the ignition was turned off and the key was removed. *yh | |||
| 1 | 08/10/1999 | ||
| The front of the hood was on fire and inside of the dashboard was on fire too. | |||
| 12/27/1997 | 1 | ||
| Vehicle fire due to faulty ignition switch, notice of recall received after fire. (attorney for consumer). | |||
| 02/01/1998 | |||
| Ignition switch; is able to remove key in any gear, even if the vehicle is started and still running. dealer notified and informed consumer that was normal. *ak | |||
| 07/23/1995 | 1 | ||
| Ignition switch failed resulting in fire, prior to recall notice. | |||
| 09/14/1998 | |||
| Ignition swich would turn on or not turn on intermittently due to an electrical short in switch; nhtsa recall # 96v-071, under which vehicle does not fall. dealer notified and refused to repair unless cost goes to consumer. *ak | |||
| 02/10/1997 | 1 | ||
| Ignition switch fire prior to recall. | |||
| 01/23/1997 | 1 | 05/01/1996 | |
| Ignition switch fire. | |||
| 12/26/1996 | |||
| Owner states that the alarm went off on vehicle for no reason, drove vehicle to work, after vehicle was parked it caught on fire for no reason. *ak | |||
| 11/17/1996 | |||
| Voodie birton 96v071. after eight months, dlr claims he has too many recalls to honor and he would still have to wait. *ak | |||
| 12/07/1996 | |||
| Recall related, vehicle was parked, ignition switch failure, overheated and vehicle burned, will provide more information. *ak | |||
| 11/05/1996 | |||
| Vehicle caught on fire in the steering column while it was warming up. *ak | |||
| 08/16/1996 | 1 | 03/01/1989 | |
| Recall on ignition switch. | |||
| Truck was parked and off the truck caused a fire . please describe . | |||
| 06/08/1996 | 1 | 06/01/1989 | |
| While parked in garage the auto just burst into flames and burned completely up. *ak *jb | |||
| 06/08/1996 | |||
| Car parked in garage, wife turned on air conditioner, smelled smoke, checked garage, van engulfed in flames, fire dept. & indep insco checked van, was switch.*k | |||
| 06/06/1996 | |||
| Driving the vehicle noticed under the dash compartment fire, smell of wiring burning, saw smoke come from the hood, electrical short. *ak | |||
| 03/07/1995 | 1 | 03/01/1990 | |
| Electrical short in the ignition switch, causing the vehicle to catch fire in the steering column. *ak when consumer started the vehicle smoke poured from the ignition, consumer turned off the ignition and got out, the smoke stopped, consumer drove home and parked vehicle, forty-five minutes later the horn began to blare, the vehicle was in flameson the driver's side, the steering column was completely melted and the guages were destroyed, the windshield was cracked, ford is claiming no responsibility because consumer sold the van for $900.00.*jb | |||
| 04/18/1994 | |||
| An electrical short in the ignition switch, caused the vehicle to catch on fire while parked. please describe. | |||
| 03/12/1996 | |||
| Vehicle was parked in daughter's garage, smoke noticed by mail person, daughter returned home saw fire dept. putting out fire started by vehicle. *ak | |||
| 06/17/1991 | |||
| Vehicle was in garage, around midnight a neighbor ran over and informed that occupants garage was on fire, vehicle's inside totally engulfed in flames *ak | |||
| 08/12/1995 | |||
| Electrical short or shock in the ignition switch, causing the vehicle to catch on fire. *ak | |||
| On route, vehicle starting smoking from steering column. owner immediately pulled terminals from battery. please describe details. *ak | |||
| While parked an hour, later vehicle fire w/engine totally consumed. please describe details. *ak | |||
| 01/01/1995 | |||
| Vehicle was parked, under the dash compartment fire, electrical short. *ak | |||
| Upon cold start, owner noticed smoke coming from steering column. please describe details. *ak | |||
| 04/11/1996 | |||
| Vehicle parked around 11:00 p m burst into flames. fire started around the engine compartment. *ak | |||
| 04/17/1996 | |||
| Interior vehicle fire caused by electrical system failure around the ignition switch. *ak | |||
| 04/09/1995 | |||
| The vehicle caught on fire from the igniton switch after it sat in the driveway . please describe. *ak | |||
| 12/20/1995 | |||
| Started engine to warm up, went inside house, came back 2 minutes later, smoke coming out of steering column; flames broke out; vehicle totaled. *ak | |||
| 02/15/1993 | |||
| Ignition swith key gets hot while driving any length of time; whole steering column gets hot; happens even with air-conditioner on. *ak | |||
| 12/20/1995 | |||
| Started engine to warm up, went inside house, came back 2 minutes later, smoke coming out of steering column; flames broke out; vehicle totaled. *ak | |||
| 04/09/1995 | |||
| The vehicle caught on fire from the igniton switch after it sat in the driveway . please describe. *ak | |||
| 02/15/1993 | |||
| Ignition swith key gets hot while driving any length of time; whole steering column gets hot; happens even with air-conditioner on. *ak | |||
| 02/08/1996 | |||
| Vehicle caught on fire while parked for twevle hours believed fire in ignition swtich melted the dash. please describe details. tt | |||
| 12/15/1995 | |||
| Electrical wiring caught fire around the ignition switch. tt | |||
| 06/20/1995 | 1 | ||
| Plastic half of ignition switch melted, causing short/spark, resulting in a fire. *ak | |||
| 07/07/1995 | |||
| Ignition key can be taken out when the transmission is in gear. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||
| Electrical wiring harness for the lights and the windshield wipers overheats and melts and short circuits, cause unknown. dealers states that there is a $200.00 charge to replace the wiring harness. please give any further details. *ak | |||
| 09/23/1996 | 0 | ||
| While driving the auto smelled smoke, brought auto back home shut it off, pushed auto out of garage then the auto ignited.*ak | |||
| 06/20/1996 | |||
| Vehicle caught on fire while driving due to short or overheating of the wiring harness. *ak | |||
| 02/17/1996 | |||
| The vehicle caught on fire from the wiring harness and it spread to the alternator. please describ. *ak | |||
| 02/28/1996 | |||
| Wire connecting the fuel pump to the back side of the electric plug inside the tank came loose, causing a possible explosion/hazard. *ak | |||
| 07/05/1995 | 5 | ||
| Vehicle fire caused by an electrical short in dashboard. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD | |||
| 10/02/2006 | 155000 | 1 | 05/15/1996 |
| My ford aerostar caught fire last night for no apparent reason. my daughter had returned from school and parked it in the driveway. approximately 2 hours later, a neighbor rang the door bell and frantically said your van is on fire. we called 911 and the fire department was there within 3 minutes to put it out. *jb | |||
| 02/02/2000 | 1 | 05/22/1999 | |
| While driving vehicle moved in full force on its own. wiring harness under the hood wrapped itself around the accelerator. this defect did not allow consumer to control vehicle which did result in an automobile accident. *ak | |||
| While vehicle was parked without ignition running vehicle caught on fire in the steering column area, cause unknown. please give any further details.*ak | |||
| 03/04/2000 | 08/01/1988 | ||
| The vehicle was driven home from work (aprox 10 min drive) and parked for about 10 minutes when my son noticed the van was on fire, flames were coming out the front thru the radiator opening, by the time the fire dept arrived, the entire front of the van was engulfed in flames. the front of the van is now unrecognizable and a total loss. in additon, we lost several hundred dollars in personal effects. *ak | |||
| 11/24/1998 | |||
| Vehicle caught on fire while parked and engine off, reason unknown. mfr./dealer were not contacted at this time. *ak | |||
| 05/18/1999 | 1 | 09/01/1998 | |
| Driving approximately 30 mph vehicle stalled in roadway. opened hood and observed fire in top center rear of engine compartment. was unable to extinquish fire, resulting in total destruction of vehicle. *ak | |||
| 07/08/1995 | 1 | ||
| Engine compartment fire, while driving the vehicle, unknown reason. tt | |||
| 07/02/1995 | 1 | ||
| While idling, van began smoking from under the hood until fire started. converse fire dept., unable to detect cause.. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | |||
| 10/22/1999 | |||
| Vehicle caught on fire from electrical short under the dashboard, and whole vehicle burned. fire departement had to come out and put out the fire. *ak | |||
| 09/23/1996 | 1 | 07/10/1996 | |
| Vehicle fire starting under dash wiring harness. | |||
| 1 | |||
| While parked the vehicle caught fire in the dash area of the vehicle. *ak *jb | |||
| 08/08/1996 | 1 | ||
| An electrical short caused the dash to catch fire while vehicle was parked.*ak*jb | |||
| 10/12/1994 | |||
| After driving vehicle for a period of 10 min. parked for a period 30 min. electrical short under the dash, vehicle caught fire and wa stotally destroyed. *ak | |||
| 06/27/1996 | 1 | ||
| In the middle of the night while parked, vehicle caught on fire caused by a short in the under dash. . *ak | |||
| 04/01/1996 | |||
| Experienced electrical fire in steering column area. please give more details. *ak | |||
| 04/12/1996 | |||
| Vehicle was parked in driveway, under the dash fire erupted due to an electrical short. *ak | |||
| 04/02/1996 | |||
| Vehicle was driven and parked and about 1/2 later fire under the dash, electrical short. *ak | |||
| 02/23/1996 | |||
| There was a fire that started from under the dash and caused extensive damage to the cars interior. please describe. *ak | |||
| 09/29/1995 | |||
| Smoke emitting from steering column, and there was a passenger compartment fire. tt | |||
| 07/29/1995 | |||
| Experienced a fire that started under the steering column. tt | |||
| 07/05/1995 | 1 | ||
| Passenger compartment fire, electrical wiring inside the dash board caused fire. tt | |||
| 02/16/1995 | 1 | ||
| Smoke started coming out of steering column. resulting in vehicle fire. tt | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK | |||
| 10/01/1998 | 1 | 01/01/1996 | |
| I am looking for any recall history on this vehicle, just for background info and to make sure the vehicle is up to date. thank you for any information. no defect mentioned. *ak | |||