2000 Ford Excursion: windshield wiper failure

Filed Sep 7, 2010 · Electrical, Visibility · 153,453 miles · FL

Windshield wipers running in intermittent mode. Started to smell an electrical burning smell in the interior cabin. Windshield wipers started to move very slowly. I tried to turn wipers to on-slow and on-fast mode and they worked erratically. I pulled off road and stopped vehicle and smoke was pouring out of drivers side on outside of windshield where wiper motor is located. I ran for my fire extinguisher but did not have to use it. Wipers are not functioning at this time. I have not replaced any parts at this time and I am filling a complaint. I see there is a the federal safety agency campaign id# 01v258000 that I believe involves my vehicle. I called ford motor company and they noted my concerns and said there was no recall on my vehicle at this time.

Filed Jan 9, 2010 · Engine · 127,000 miles · WA · crash

Having just made it over the mountain pass with no previous trouble, we stopped at gas station for more wiper fluid. When starting up our 2000 ford excursion a loud boom came from the truck. This startled us and others outside of vehicle including a sheriff that heard it and came next to us to see what is was. We immediately turned off vehicle - sheriff and passer bys thought maybe exhaust?? We made it home but truck now sounds like a loud putt putt truck. We smelled fuel all the way home. As it turns out #10 sparkplug blew out hitting firewall. From two repair shops it is in a very difficult spot and is not likely will hold. So, we took it to ford dealership to see what they can do. We have been told by ford dealership that a "bandage fix" will probably not hold and other plugs could also blow or may not - apparently this is not new news to ford or the other repair shops we spoke with. So to replace just one side of head we are looking at $3680 or $5900 + for new engine. Vehicle is not worth that in trade in per ford dealership - even before blowout . Needles to say, we could have been on freeway and been forced off road (it was snowing badly and a bang that loud could have spooked many.) so that is why I stated there was a crash as there could have been if we had been driving. Also, not sure if the fumes were cause of illness we had that evening and next day. We smelled fuel and smoke/exhaust all the way home. Also, plug was not found and may have damaged or injured someone or something else. It is very dangerous and irresponsible of ford to not recall this problem. Only to wait until someone tragically is injured or dies. It will happen. There is no control over where plug blows and what it will take out in its path. It seems this is and has been a problem with various model fords from 1999 to 2004. Waiting for recall... Or ford to step up and repair this problem at their cost. This is not my design flaw! Thank you for your help.

Filed Jun 4, 2009 · Electrical · 142,000 miles · VA

2000 ford excursion 7.3l diesel 4x4 we've experienced intermittent failure of the generic electronic module that affects electrical safety components of the vehicle while raining heavily. The safety components affected are windshield wipers and lights on our vehicle- water leaking through the windshield was blamed by the dealer and a faulty gem was replaced to the tune of about $755.

Filed Aug 20, 2008 · Electrical, Visibility · 80,000 miles · OK · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford excursion. While driving at an unknown speed, the rear windshield wiper malfunctioned and overheated. Smoke appeared from the wiper as well as the instrument panel. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 01v258000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor) and would not repair it for free, although the failures were identical. The repair would cost $1,000. The vehicle is currently in the shop with extensive damage to the instrument panel and rear windshield. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Jan 15, 2008 · Visibility · 120,600 miles · UT · fire

Wife driving children to school, wipers unknowingly frozen to window and wipers unknowingly on intermittent cycle, wipers finally unfrozen and moved, meanwhile smoke filled the cabin, smelling like soldering fumes. Turned off wipers and smoke stopped. Later, tested wipers, and they would not stop. Took vehicle into dealer, and had a pending recall repaired, at the same time we had to have the multifunction switch replaced, and wiper motor replaced. Dealer service technician advised that gem module was functioning correctly, but smelled like it was burnt, and might need to be replaced in the future. 7 days later the wipers did not work again. This time there was no indication of problem, mother and children drove into a blizzard, and found that wipers would not function. Luckily it occurred in a place that was not busy, and they were able to safely get off the roadway into a relatives driveway. It could have been very bad had it been on the freeway, in driving rain/snow/slush. Now I'm sure the dealership will be telling us the gem module will need to be replaced, completing the entire wiper system being faulty within 1 week's time for the second failure ( on 1/15/2008). Question: how would the technician know that it smelled like the gem module was burnt, unless it is a known problem? How does the entire wiper system, from control switch, to control module, to wiper motor go bad all at once?

Filed Feb 27, 2007 · Visibility · 150,000 miles · MN · fire

Tl* - the contact called regarding the 2000 ford excursion. The contact turned the the windshield wipers on duringn snowy conditions. The contact was not sure if he turned of the wipers when he exited the vehicle. Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes later he returned to the vehicle and started to smell something burning. Black smoke came through the defroster. There were no flames. The contact called the fire department. They could not find the source of the smoke. The vehicle was driven to the fire department. The smoke ceased, the contact took the windshield washer motor out and noticed the wiring harness melted. The failure mileage was 150,000. A police and fire department reports were filed.

Filed Apr 29, 2006 · Visibility · NJ

I have a 2000 ford excursion. Reference the federal safety agency campaign id number 01v258000:motor. I have called my ford dealer about this problem/recall and was told that the wiper motor was replaced in my truck, but I told them that this is the problem I am having. The wiper just stops on intermittent mode and does not go back to park mode. I was told there is nothing they can do and I would have to pay to have the motor replaced. Why should I have to pay to get it replaced it is there recall problem I have been dealing with this for more then 2 1/2 years now. Can someone give me an answer. Thank you for you time, jim fennelli

Filed Feb 22, 2005 · Brakes, Visibility · CO

The rear windshield wiper does not operate due to the spring. Also, the brakes do not function properly due to the brake rotors. The vehicle will not stop accordingly.

Filed Dec 29, 2004 · Visibility · CT

The consumer received recall notice in 2001. Nhtas's recall # 01v258000. Recently the wiper cover started to burn, which caused the motor and switch not to work.

Filed Oct 20, 2004 · Lights, Visibility · AL

While driving, the consumer was informed by a police officer that the tail lights and brake lights were inoperative. The consumer also stated the windshield wiper motor was inoperative and there was a recall on both problems.

Filed Feb 20, 2003 · Visibility · CA

I own a 2000 ford excursion that recently experienced the exact symptoms described in a recall issued by ford on 8/3/2001 (ref: the federal safety agency campaign id 01v258000). Namely, the intermittent windshield wiper funtion stopped working, followed later by complete failure of the wipers following snow and ice obstruction. The wipers are currently completely inoperable and pose a significant safety risk. I brought the vehical to the ford dealer that it was purchased from (capistrano ford in san juan capistrano, california) and was told that our particular vehicle was not covered by the recall and that it would cost nearly $500 to fix and $88 to diagnose. I find it very disturbing that I own a vehicle with the same year, make and model addressed in the recall with a know safety risk, and yet somehow it is not covered. Obvioulsy the problem I experienced is the exact problem that the recall was meant to address. The only two conclusions that I can draw from this are: (1) ford's computer system is somehow not pulling up our VIN number under this recall, or (2) the recall was not broad enough and needs to be expanded.