1991 Ford Explorer: fire, smoke or burning smell

44 of the 608 complaints about the 1991 Ford Explorer describe fire, smoke or burning smell.

owner complaints: 44
of this car's complaints: 7%
typical mileage: 133,302
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 4 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year

2024
1
2023
2
2022
2
2021
9
2020
14
2019
2
2018
9
2017
23
2016
37
2015
9
2014
10
2013
19
2012
8
2011
7
2008
3
2007
4
2006
5
2005
4
2004
10
2003
13
2002
38
2001
22
2000
53
1999
42
1998
85
1997
42
1996
21
1995
24
1994
64
1993
37
1992
43
1991
44

What owners say

Filed Jul 5, 2013 · Fuel system · 15,000 miles · CA · fire

On june 4th my daughter and I were driving east bound on 62nd and over-hill in los angeles ca. Shortly after 12:00pm. When suddenly the ford explorer was engulfed in flames. My daughter and I were ordered to exit the vehicle. I was never notified of a recall. Due to investigation on my own I have received a recall number. It is 96s35. I have attempted to resolve this matter with ford however I just received a letter from them refusing to assist me. My daughter and I could have been burned alive. I would like to know if you could assist me. The vehicle has since been destroyed. I only have in my possession the picture, and a fire report.

Filed Apr 30, 2009 · Engine · KY · fire · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 1991 ford explorer. While driving 5 MPH on a driveway incline, the engine idled excessively high and the vehicle stalled unexpectedly. The engine restarted and resumed normal operation. The contact detected smoke inside and outside of the vehicle and immediately turned off the engine. The vehicle was inspected underneath the hood and massive flames erupted from the engine compartment. The fire department was called to the scene. The vehicle was completely destroyed and has not been towed away from the scene. The contact sustained minor injuries to her hands. The insurance company was notified of the failure. The failure and current mileages were unavailable.

Filed Sep 8, 2008 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · GA · fire

Tl*the contact owned a 1991 ford explorer. While driving 40 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the instrument panel. The vehicle failed to restart. She managed to maneuver the vehicle to the shoulder and left to call for help. Upon returning to the vehicle, it was consumed in flames. The vehicle was destroyed and a police report was filed. The failure and current mileages were over 100,000.

Filed Aug 30, 2005 · Electrical · 138,000 miles · AK · fire

Dt: the consumer smell smoke, and then some smoke started coming out of the left side of the hood. All of the gauges looked okay and the consumer thought it was overheating. Then the car caught on fire fast with smoke on the left and fire on the right of the hood and burned all the way to the back of my car, and the two cars on either side. This happened in a denny's parking lot in fairbanks on 6/30/05. Fire department case number: 051947. Towed vehicle to the mechanic. *nm

Filed Jul 19, 2005 · Electrical · 43,000 miles · TN · fire

Vehicle caught fire and was a total loss

Filed Mar 23, 2005 · Acceleration · 208,000 miles · TX · fire

On dec 23, 2004, my 1991 ford explorer caught fire while I was driving it. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle had 208,000 miles on it. It had been professionaly serviced a week prior to the fire. While I was driving, I noticed a burning smell. I looked in the rear-view mirror & saw some white smoke behind me. Within seconds the engine died. By the time I got it pulled onto the shoulder, smoke was streaming out from under the hood. The fire burned through the firewall and caught the interior on fire very quickly.

Filed Feb 1, 2005 · Transmission · PA · fire

I was driving and all of a sudden the trasmission slipped and I woudnt go forward ten smoked poured out and people in the streets started yelling saying "there's fire coming out the hood!!" I pulled over and jumped out and the whole engine was engulfed in flames!!! Vehicle totalled.

Filed Nov 7, 2003 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · AR · fire

After filling the fuel tank vehicle caught on fire from under the hood while driving 40 MPH.

Filed Oct 29, 2003 · Electrical · 141,000 miles · CT · fire

Electrical wiring harness inside the dashboard ignited, and vehicle caught on fire. This occurred while vehicle was parked in the driveway.

Filed Sep 23, 2003 · Electrical · TX · fire

While driving at 35 MPH, vehicle caught on fire, black smoke and flames came under the hood. The dealer notified.

Filed Apr 29, 2003 · Electrical · 133,302 miles · LA · fire

Air conditioner caught fire under the hood. Fire started inside the air conditioner probably the fan speed resistors. Melted the left side of the housing where the resistors and fan are housed letting smoke and fumes in the car. In feeling around inside the blower hole you can reach up and feel the sheet metal where the wiper arms are and I think probably leaves got in and were blown on to the resistors when they were hot starting the fire. Damage included air conditioner housing, blower and motor, blower resistors, evaporator, sheet metal above the air conditioner housing and also melted the inner fender well. Not to mention the smoke and fumes that were blown into the car. To me this appears to be a design fault and it surprising that no one else has reported it. Luckily I was sitting still when it happened or it would have caused a crash due to the smoke and fumes.

Filed Jul 30, 2002 · Engine · MI · fire

While consumer was paying a toll at the toll booth, vehicle caught on fire in the engine compartment, there was damage to the toll booth and the vehicle was completely consumed by the fire, ohio traffic crash report.