2002 Ford Expedition: windshield wiper failure

Filed Jan 21, 2013 · Electrical, Transmission · 160,000 miles · IL · fire

On december 21st 2012 I left to drop my daughter at daycare... We got into the vehicle and I found I was unable to get my vehicle out of "park" and had to put it in neutral and start it (also found that the windows and wipers weren't operating at all either) ... My daughter stated "mommy, I smell something burning" and my assumption was the fuse had blown... I drove a few blocks and dropped her off and then stopped a block away at the local convenient store and upon exiting the store came out and found flames pouring out of my driver side wheel/ hood area. The 7-11 employee had a fire extinguisher and was able to put out the fire and I was informed and shown by the cary fire department where the fire had started and that there was a recall for that part in which I'm the fourth owner of. It took three weeks to get a reply from their general counsel department and in my eyes this needs to be expedited as I'm paying for a rental car that I can't afford... I'm not impressed by lack of urgency as I have no vehicle to get to and from work which is how I provide for me and my child.

Filed Feb 21, 2007 · Acceleration, Electrical · 63,000 miles · GA · fire

2 - electrical problems the first problem resulted in about $800 worth of repairs - a wire underneath the dash grounded itself on the frame of the automobile. This showed itself by blowing several fuses as well a shutting down the ability to put the car in gear once started. It took several weeks to realize the exact problem. Replacing fuses helped, but blow several days later. Many options such as the power windows, radio, rear wipers, running board lights, interior lights, etc. Would not work. The second instance is even more alarming - the speed control deactivation switch caught fire while in the garage. My wife was at home at the time. She needed something out of the car. When she opened the door to the garage she noticed that the garage was full of smoke. She called 911. The fire department got the car out and extinguished the fire.... We were lucky.

Filed Feb 9, 2006 · Body, Electrical · 97,400 miles · GA · fire

My 2002 ford expedition's windshield wipers and audio system would not function in any position except park. I took the vehicle in on jan. 24 and was told that since the vehicle audio and wiper system functioned properly. I got a call later in the day saying that the vehicle's wipers and audio system displayed the malfucntion that I had described. I was also told that there was severe corrsion around some of the eletrical parts. The service tech suspected a leak but could not tell where the leak was coming from. The dealership replaced the corroded part for the amount of $1065.70 and released the car to me. On jan. 31, my husband noticed at 5:00 a.m as he was preparing for work that the audio system was blasing and the dash board was lit. He attempeted to start the car, but it wouldn't. He called the dealership at 8:00 a.m to report the problem. A towing company was contacted at this time. At approximately 12 noon, my husband attemted to start the car again. This time it started and my husband drove the vehicle to the dealership. The "service engine" light remained on, and the vehicle drove "rough". On arrival at the dealership, a small fire started under the hood of the vehicle. The starter had burned (according to the service tech). The starter was replaced on feb. 6. The service manager then reported that a leak was detected, and he suspected that it was coming from the top of the windshield (we told them that we replaced the windshield in july because of a small whole from a rock in the road). We paid an additional $335 for the replacement of the starter. We carried the vehicle back to the glass delearship and had them run a "wet" test with my husband as a witness. Water did not enter the vehicle through the windshield. As an extra precaution we had extra sealant placed around the windshield. Upon further investigation, I learned that the wipers may have a malfunction that causes water to enter the dash after rain or snow. Both occurances started after rain.

Filed Feb 8, 2006 · 97,000 miles · GA · fire

My 2002 ford expedition experienced an electrical malfunction due to a liquid build up in its system. The dealership said they could not determine how the moisture was entering the vehicle. The audio system and windshield wipers would not operate in the reverse or drive positions. The vehicle was returned to the dealership twice, on the last occasion, a small fire started, resulting in the starter being burned up. No injuries occurred, but the dealership charged me $1065.70 on the first repair bill, and 335.00 on the second repair bill. An explanation or sensible solution was not given for correcting the problem.

Filed Oct 25, 2005 · Electrical, Lights · CT · fire

2002 ford expedition had an under hood fire that ignited in the wire bank near wiper motor. *** no answer required*** *ts the consumer was told the fire had nothing to do with the recall notice that he received. The consumer was told the problem appeared to be in the wiring and not the bulbs or fuses. The complained that the directional light was not working. The consumer was then told the multi-function switch needed to be replaced.

Filed Aug 9, 2005 · Electrical · 500 miles · TX

Dt: the vehicle will take off by itself without pressure being put on the accelerator pedal. The steering was pulling to the left. Also, the door locks will lock by themselves. The vehicle ran out of fuel several times while the fuel gauge showed there was still fuel. When turning on either of the turn signals the windshield wipers come on. The red battery cable was hot. The remote controlled rearview mirrors acted as if there was a crossing of the wires. When pressing the button for one direction vehicle went the other way. Consumer believed that the problem was the computer /electrical system. The dealership could not find the cause of the problem. The consumer contacted the manufacturer, and they told him to take vehicle to a dealer.

Filed Mar 20, 2005 · Electrical, Visibility · 57,535 miles · TX

Every time it rains hard my vehicle won't start and if it does the wipers and radio will not operate when I put in reverse or drive. I took it to the dealership and they told me that it was the right side windshield seal. I asked them if this was a manufacture defect and they said no that it was the shifting of the glass when I run over bumps. The same thing was happening to a f-250 p/u when I took my vehicle in. They told me that they would have to replace the fuse box, gear module, rear wiper motor. I don't believe bumps would cause this to happen and from the sound of it, it appears to have been happening for a good while because they told me at the service department that there was mold in the gear module. I am afraid that if it rains and I am on the road that my truck might just turn off or my wipers might short out. The estimated cost for all repairs is about $1000.00.