1992 Ford Explorer: fire, smoke or burning smell

43 of the 633 complaints about the 1992 Ford Explorer describe fire, smoke or burning smell.

owner complaints: 43
of this car's complaints: 7%
typical mileage: 125,000
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 Mar 27, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 444,980 miles · AZ · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1992 ford explorer. While reversing, the vehicle lost power. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle caught fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 444,980. Updated 5/18/15*cn the repair shop replaced the fuel vapor canister. Also, the vehicle would not go in reverse. Updated 06/02/15

Filed Oct 22, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · AZ · fire

My car caught fire at parking lot when I tried starting it up after my girls and I got back in car after being at mall for about 2 hours flames coming out from bottom and top of engine and front dash. Thank god we got out in time. My cars electrical wires for everything is melted and im unsure how much more is damaged since im not a mechanic.

Filed Apr 23, 2007 · Acceleration · 111,130 miles · NC · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1992 ford explorer. While at a stop sign smoke ascended from underneath the hood, and contact could smell something burning. After all passengers exited the vehicle flames ignited from the hood. There were no injuries. The fire department punctured the hood due to the flames. However, they opened the hood and extinguished the fire. There were no warning indicator lights present prior to the failure. On april 16, 2007 the oil was changed and the fluids were at normal levels. The fire department diagnosed the failure as the cruise control, and stated that this was a known occurrence for ford vehicles. The current and failure mileages were 111,130.

Filed Apr 6, 2006 · Electrical · 980,002 miles · LA · fire · 1 injury

1992 ford explorer(eddie bauer ed) caught fire in the electrical system under dashboard and ccaught fire and destroyed vehicle before firemen could save it. Ford motor co has denied liability, even though this model was under recall. Fire statred in the circuitry system.

Filed Feb 28, 2006 · Electrical · TX · fire

At 5:30 a.m. On february 22, 2006, I awoke to a loud explosion. I went to look out my kitchen window and under the carport our ford explorer had flames coming out of the hood. As I was talking to 911 to report the fire I heard another explosion. Hung up quickly to go and get all of our 4 children out of the house and as we were going out heard another explosion. Thank god we all got out and the fire dept. Got the fire out before the house went with the fire. We could see after the fire was out that the drivers side front tire was blown off and the battery was blown up as well as the front windshield. We want ford to be notified so that no one has to endure a similar experience and god forbid loose any family members!

Filed Nov 4, 2005 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · FL · fire

Dt:the contacts stated while driving approximately 10 MPH then parked in a parking lot for 20 minutes and the vehicle caught on fire. There were no indicator lights on prior to the fire. The fire department was called and the fire was extinguished. The cause of the fire was unknown at this time; however the fire department said the fire could possibly have started from the engine or faulty wiring. The dashboard area and under the hood was completely destroyed. Contacted the manufacturer, and due to their computer system being down, they could not tell he if this vehicle was included in any recalls that could have caused this fire. *ak updated 1/4/2006 -

Filed Oct 28, 2005 · Fuel system · 162,000 miles · OK · fire

Hello, my wife has a 1992 ford explorer that lost power going up a hill to our drive then she made the turn then she noticed flames coming out from around the hood the car is a total lose is there anything that can be done to help us out? Thanks rick.

Filed Jun 28, 2005 · Electrical · 62,000 miles · CA · fire

I bought a 1992 ford explorer on 2-16-2005 from a privite party thru the newpaper. On 04-16-05 I was driving to softball pracvice on a busy road when a gentleman next to me in his own vehicle yelled get out of your car it is on fire. He let me turn in front of him and I pulled in to a parking space and got out of my car. Within 3 to 4 minutes the front end of my car was compeletly in flames. All the widows broke and the tires popped. The seat I was sitting in only minutes before was completely in flames. The firemen came and put the fire out. By then my ford explorer was totled. I was very lucky I did not have my stepchildren with me that day and I was told to get out of my car in time for myself not to have been hurt. I only had liabiltiy insurance on the vehicle and my personal belongings were burnt. There is a recall on the vehicle that can cause smoke and fire.I called the ford company and told them what happened they said they will get back to me about the situation. I recieved a generic letter from them saying there is nothing they can do to help me. I feel very lucky in a sence that I did not lose my life that day, but also very violated that I now have to buy a new car and replace belongings that were destroyed.

Filed May 3, 2005 · Electrical · 88,652 miles · CA · fire

I bought a 1992 ford explorer on 2-16-05 from a privite party thru the newspaper. On 04-16-05 I was driving to softball practice on a busy road when a gentleman next to me in his own vehicle yelled get out of your car it is on fire. He let me turn in front of him and I pulled in to a parking space and got out of my car. Within 3 to 4 minutes the front end of my car was completly in flames. All the windows broke and the tire popped. The seat I was sitting in only minutes before was completely in flames. The firemen came and put the fire out. By then my ford explorer was totled. I was very lucky I did not have my stepchildren with me that day and I was told to get out of my car in time for myself not to have been hurt. I only had liability insurance on the vehicle and my belongings were burnt. There is a recall on the vehicle that can cause smoke and fire. I called the ford company and told them what happend they said they will get back to me about the situation. I received a generic letter from them yesterday saying there is nothing they can do to help me. I feel very lucky in a sence that I did not lose my life that day, but also very violated that I now have to buy a new car and replace belongings that were destroyed.

Filed May 2, 2005 · Electrical · 178,000 miles · FL · fire

My son was driving home from the next street over when my 1992 ford explorer started smoking in the cab and then caught on fire. The dashboard, glove compartment burned, and the windshield cracked from the heat . The hood got scorched, and the head liner melted, dropping the melted liner onto my seats. Truck has not been repaired due to cost at this time.

Filed Dec 6, 2004 · Electrical · PA · fire

While driving vehicle automatically shut down. Consumer put the gear in park. She was then told that vehicle was on fire. There was no warning. Consumer stated she heard a pop. Consumer contacted dealer and manufacturer. Found that it was a computer problem.

Filed Aug 26, 2004 · Visibility · 125,000 miles · MS · fire

1992, ford, explorer caught on fire at control panel on drivers side door while vehicle was parked in the yard. Damage to control panel, and interior door panel (melted) possible recall issue. Ford showing all recall work performed on vehicle. Cannot get resolution with local dealer or ford.