Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
0318109/15/200310004027Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips. *tt11/14/2003
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 - IGNITION
BC010095010301/01/199537897Vehicle may exhibit an inoperable system after the ignition is cycled. *tw02/08/1995
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE
BC10560970505/01/199752851Vehicles may exhibit shudder/bind in turns while in 4x4 auto mode. *tw09/18/1997
BC238397050105/01/199752823Service fix for vehicles which exhibit shudder/bind in turns while in 4x4 mode.09/12/1997
BC231397050105/01/199752808May 1997 gem software has errors - june software is correct. *tw09/12/1997
BC328297020602/06/199751878Gem concern - check for more than one gem controlled component that is inoperative or for a string of false gem dtc's received in memory. *tw07/17/1997
BC102279723001/23/199751590The ngs displays incorrect data for the ign gem pid on the vehicles. *jd06/27/1997
BC336397230101/23/199751449The ngs displays incorrect date for the ing gem pid on the vehicles. *jd06/27/1997
SFA/94L0503/01/19953057700Unknown11/01/1995
9572004/01/199541020Some vehicles may have a knock noise from the engine on heavy acceleration. *tw11/01/1995
BC282095040104/01/199539835Automatic ride control compressor relay may be mounted upside down or not attached to its mounting. this could allow water to enter the relay. *tw11/01/1995
95B6002/01/199539269Vehicles have been built and shipped with powertrain control modules which may not function properly. *tw03/30/1995
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
9922210/18/19996089681Subject on a wire harness terminal repair kit available for repairing electrical wiring harnesses. *tt02/11/2000
9812401/19/1998605603Subject regarding an overheating condition occurring to the lamp outage module (lom-2) with the installation of certain aftermarket trailer kits that improperly connect to the tail and brake lamps circuits. *tt07/13/1999
9812601/19/1998605608Subject regarding lamp outage module housing and surrounding plastic components melted - eddie bauer and limited edition models equipped with message centers and improperly connected tow wiring kits (vehicles being towed). *tt07/13/1999
BC005097230101/23/199751402When servicing the lamp outage module (lom) on a vehicle please verify if the vehicle has 1) an aftermarket kit for trailer towing or 2) aftermarket kit allowing the vehicle to be towed. *jd06/27/1997
BC001297020101/02/199751010Customers report inoperable remote entry or keyless entry feature. the cause has been identified as a static build-up on the seat that damages the rap module. *jd06/27/1997
9624611/18/199650905Wiring - electrical diode identification and service replacements. *tw06/17/1997
BC034296112711/27/199650739When a rear hego (cms) concern is noted, please check the rear cms hego for wire chafing/damage and loose hego wire. *tw06/17/1997
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
BC074096101810/18/199650383Vehicles experience chaffing on the 14401 wire harness causing the accessory fuses to become open (primarily the cigar fuse. *tt04/24/1997

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PE97010FORD MOTOR COMPANY03/13/199709/04/1997ELECTRICAL FIRE IN CENTER CONSOLE
 Allegedly, electrical fires originating in the center console while the vehicles were parked or being driven.

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
09/03/20122200001
 I was driving my car when it began to down shift around 35mph. eventually, after adding more gas, it kicked into gear. my vehicle is an automatic. once it down shifts, the od light begins flashing on and off. it has now been doing this consistently. the drive is not a smooth drive and when i am going approximately 50-60mph or more, the car begins to shake. *tr
09/03/2012220000
 I was driving my car when it began to down shift around 35mph. eventually, after adding more gas, it kicked into gear. my vehicle is an automatic. once it down shifts, the od light begins flashing on and off. it has now been doing this consistantly. the drive is not a smooth drive and when i am going approximately 50-60mph or more, the car begins to shake.
07/26/20121430001
 Vehicle was parked on a residential street and engine had been off for 30 minutes. driver was sitting in vehicle making phone calls when he smelled smoke and saw flaming wire under driver's seat. driver escaped unharmed and was able to remove some contents but vehicle was fully engulfed in flame within a few minutes, destroying vehicle entirely, melting pavement, burning nearby grass and trees, and melting bumper and paint on a nearby parked vehicle. fire department arrived to extinguish vehicle. *tr
07/26/2012143000
 Vehicle was parked on a residential street and engine had been off for 30 minutes. driver was sitting in vehicle making phone calls when he smelled smoke and saw flaming wire under driver's seat. driver escaped unharmed and was able to remove some contents but vehicle was fully engulfed in flame within a few minutes, destroying vehicle entirely, melting pavement, burning nearby grass and trees, and melting bumper and paint on a nearby parked vehicle. fire department arrived to extinguish vehicle.
12/27/2011
 My vehicle 3rd brake light is out all of a sudden don't drive it often and sorely surprise that it would just be completely out. it is expensive to replace and should be operable to the life of the vehicle. as it stands won't pass inspection and should be a recall on it. thanks
08/01/2010200000
 1995 ford explorer eddie bauer. headlights went out, found out through research that it is the lamp outage module located in the console of the car. almost started a fire, completely melted module and affected other areas of the electrical system, very dangerous and no recall that i can find. part is dealer only and 90.00.
02/17/2006125000111/10/2004
 Smell of burning plastic filled cabin of vehicle and floor under drivers feet got hot. disconnected battery and sent to garage. *jb
01/21/2005104/04/2001
 After operating the heater a fire occurred under the hood. it burned the plastic case around the heater core area. i was able to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher. i contacted the local ford dealership and was told that no recalls had been issued on my vehicle (1995 ford explorer vin# 1fmdu34x9szb09730). the service tech at the dealership said that the heater core could not have caused the fire and that perhaps a mouse had built a nest inside and that could have been the cause. he did not mention any service bulletins regarding electrical problems in the dash,a/c/,heater area that i later found on the internet. he suggested i bring the car in for repair. needless to say i am not taking it to the dealership. i do have an appointment for monday (1/24/05) at a repair shop. i will know more about costs to repair and the extent of the damage then. i fear driving the car knowing it could catch fire again and am using a loaner car from a friend at work.*jb
02/06/200430000201/21/1997
 I have a 1995 ford explorer the windows work sometimes you mit drive a block than thay don'tand the 4/4 will the same thing . my son has 1995 explorer it will do the same thing is there a recall if not ther shough be thank you . *ak
04/10/20031000001
 The electrical module failed. *jb
05/05/2001
 Consumer states the third brake light on the rear does not work, he states when the service technician drove vehicle into bay to be serviced, the brake light flashed on for the first time in several months, which possibily meant there was a short in the light, also the head lights flicker badly, especially on rough pavement. *jb
09/19/1998205/26/1995
 Electrical problems inlude doors unlocking spontaneously, windows rolling up and down without pressing buttons, gas light comes on when gas tank was just filled, oil light coming on when oil is full and check engine light comes on for no reason.
09/23/1996207/13/1995
 Electrical system problems.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
01/11/2000408/01/1998
 Firestone 7515 garners ferry rd, cola sc 29209 did following repairs:05/22/00 alternator, 05/01/00 both rear calipers & drums, 02/15/00 eet/eec sensors, including temp sending unit, egr valve, coolant temp sensor08/07/99 front driver side lower control arm, ball jt, alternator and horn . i purchased new tires 09/15/00. i removed goodyear tires pulliam put on my truck 08/27/98.
08/15/19991007/01/1996
 As i drive the explorer on the highway or at any speeds for longer periods of time(200+ miles), engine check light comes on, and the horsepower is affected. gas mileage decreases to about 8 mpg, and this lasts for as long as the vehicle is driven. i have had the transmission replaced, and i have changed the spark plugs, the spark plug wires, the mass air-flow sensor, the fuel filters and the alternator. the problem is still occurring though. i would like to get the problem fixed so as to feel safe in this vehicle. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY
06/14/1995
 Battery leaked acid and caused damage to the engine compartment components. tt
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION
05/26/2006156914103/01/1995
 Dt*: the contact stated while driving at various speeds the vehicle stalled without warning. the vehicle was taken to the dealership multiple times. although, an undetermined number of parts were replaced the stalling continued. after conducting research on the internet the contact determined the problem is with the ignition module. upon inspection the dealer determined there is no problem with the ignition module.
1002/01/1995
 Everynow and then the 4x4 lights flash, while in 2 wheel drive, windows won't roll upor down. goes away after a few minutes. ford replaced ignition, but it still does it. dealer was a bad dealer and did not know what was causing problem but replaced ignition anyways.*ak
10/01/1998
 My car stalls continuously on a steady basis - may be going ok and then just stalls and may take up to 30 times to get it to start again - will only go if it is in neutral and i slam the gas pedal - also anti lock brakes skid all the time and i am told there is no problem. *ak
04/08/2001607/01/1995
 On sereral occasions the engine has either stopped running or run verty rough, such that it can only be kept running by stepping on the accelerator. it usually occurs after stopping for a short period of time and then restarting. the dealers service departments have been unable to identify the cause.
01/01/199910006/01/1995
 The engine has been stalling for the past year for no reason. *ak
07/07/2000307/01/1998
 Vehicle may stall while driving and not restart. *ak
09/01/19996005/01/1995
 Last year my car would shut down. go from regular rpm to zero and die. this would lock my steering column. i observed that this happened when the outdoor temperature exceeded about 90 degrees f and the car was exposed to sun (more likely to shut down that if i was coming out of a covered garage where the temp was lower, until exposed to the higher outside temp read. the steering column would lock as the ignition shut off whether i was idling in a drive thru lane or existing a freeway ramp where i would expect to go from 55 to 35 to zero at the stop, i would go to zero and bypass 34-1 mph. just complete system shut down and column lock. i took the care in and they said it was the fuel injectors and paid $500 for who knows what because the problem persisted. it's hot. the problem persists. it's dangerous. am i placing my family at risk? i already had the aerostar catch fire in the steering column while i was at full freeway speed . i am afraid that a similar defect is at work here. the aero was a manual so i could always rev to keep the rpm up, the explore is auto trans and goes from drive to lock. please help me. *ak
1003/01/1995
 Vehicle stalls for no apparent reason - i think this was the tfi problem.
107/01/1995
 Ignition module failed.
06/11/19964006/01/1995
 The vehicle stalls in traffic when driving at slow speeds or coming to a stop, it cuts off completely. *ak
 While drivng, the vehicle engine shuts down and has to be restarted again. please describe. *ak
 While driving highway speed, truck will shut down dead. two area ford dealers can't reconstruct or determine failure. please describe details. *ak
10/03/1995
 While driving, gas pedal completely collapsed; factory weld came off; lost all vehicle power; managed to drift to side of road; speed 45 mph. tt
 When turcks in motion feels like its lossing power, overdrive light comes on. tt
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE
06/01/200007/01/1998
 Computer controlling engine fails when outside temperature is warm-normal when cool. *ak
08/15/19991007/01/1996
 As i drive the explorer on the highway or at any speeds for longer periods of time(200+ miles), engine check light comes on, and the horsepower is affected. gas mileage decreases to about 8 mpg, and this lasts for as long as the vehicle is driven. i have had the transmission replaced, and i have changed the spark plugs, the spark plug wires, the mass air-flow sensor, the fuel filters and the alternator. the problem is still occurring though. i would like to get the problem fixed so as to feel safe in this vehicle. *ak
04/09/1999
 Due to the defective computer system, for which there is a service bulletin, transmission malfunctioned, causing vehicle to stall while driving. may result in an accident. *ak
03/12/1997101/11/1995
 Main computer (ecm) failed.
06/06/1996104/12/1996
 Circuit board overheated, causing fire.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH
08/08/199907/01/1998
 Ignition locks up, key won't turn. key may also be removed when not in full off position, both on multiple occasions. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
08/21/2002
 While applying jumper cables to the battery of another vehicle cable started smoking, and plastic melted from the wires. dealership was aware of the problem.*ak
05/27/19983
 Wiring harness shorted out, causing the windshield wipers/radio and power door locks to fail. *ak
01/10/1997
 Electrical: drove vehicle from georgia to florida, pulled into driveway, noticed smoke coming up around the windshield, turned the ignition off and was getting out of vehicle when he noticed smoke coming from the floorboard.there was no warning lights or any type of warning to let know that the vehicle was about to catch fire. vehicle was totaled. *ak
07/09/1996107/29/1995
 Wiring assembly main loom failed. *dh
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD
03/23/20051700001
 My 1995 explorer was sitting and at 12:30am, when it caught on fire and burned. the fire started under the hood, and the vehicle was a total loss. the incident occurred on the evening march 23. this was the same evening that ford recalled the expedition for this very same type of problem, a cold vehicle catches fire under the hood. this was what our explorer did as well. however when we called ford they said that the explorer was not on the recall.*ak
02/05/1999106/01/1995
 Rear left door lock - cannot be opened from inside vehicle; 2nd failure; fixed 1st time by dealer at approx 30000 miles;;; transmission failed; o/d blinking; 3 planetary gears busted up;;; bad ground - rt headlight, rt turn signal, and high fan not working properly
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
08/23/20031
 While driving at 30 mph vehicle caught on fire in the steering column. *ak
06/15/20031360001
 While driving, the vehicle caught on fire, which started underneath the dashboard. the dealer was notified. *ak the consumer supplied a fire report. *scc *jb
03/10/2000111/01/1996
 On 3/10/00 notice a burning smell, got worse through the week, had the heater core checked was fine($375). on 3/18/00 wife was driving home and the smell was sssooooo bad, checked smoke was coming from behind glove compartment, headlights blew out but all fuses are fine, also the smell was always worse with the heat on, now the smoke seems to have stopped, but the truck smells sooo bad, can not get it in to the mechanic until monday 3/20/00, i saw there was an fire earlier from under dash in complaints section and thought this should be reported!! *ak
11/01/1999102/01/1995
 O/d and indicator light not operative. 4wd indicator lights blink or do not operate. dealer says short in wiring components in shift selector assembly is causing problems. replacing entire assembly.
09/16/1999
 While driving vehicle caught on fire due to a faulty wirning harness. vehicle was tataled. dealer and manufacturer have been notified. *ak
03/31/1998
 Vehicle caught fire while driving. fire started in dash area of vehicle. fire appears to be electrical. vehicle was totally lost. *ak
 Computer malfunction causes vehicle to shift into lower gear.
03/25/19965
 Wiring under dash shorted, causing fire. *dh
05/22/1996
 While parked, wires began to spark in the dash board and smelled of smoke then caught on fire. more information please. *ak
06/21/1995
 Electrical fire started in computer console, entire truck blew up. tt