1995 Ford Explorer: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Aug 1, 2011 · Electrical, Lights · 200,000 miles · CO

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.

Filed Feb 28, 2010 · Lights · 122,000 miles · OH

Driver's side low-beam headlight failed. The vehicle has a bulb sensing system, and issued a warning to check the headlamps. I replaced bulb, but it still did not work. A day later the passenger side low-beam headlight also failed, leaving the vehicle without any low-beam headlights. After looking for a fuse or wiring problem, I found through research that this is a rather common problem in this and similar vehicle models, and has been indirectly acknowledged by the manufacturer in a tsb, but no recall has been issued. To me this seems to be a serious safety concern, and should be addressed more proactively.

Filed Jan 30, 2007 · Lights · 90,000 miles · OH

I have a 1995 ford explorer which the headlight sensor continuously goes bad which would not be an issue if the headlights would continue to work without it. When this sensor, which has gone bad twice since I have had the vehicle, fails I should not be made aware of this until the headlight goes bad and the sensor does not alert me. When the sensor goes bad I get an indication that the headlights are out and when replaced they are still out because the true problem is the sensor has gone bad. How a sensor goes bad when it still senses the lamp not functioning is beyond me. This is a design deficiency in my opinion and the manufacturer should be recalling this item due to the obvious safety issue. The sensors should be replaced by the manufacturer at no cost to the customer and replaced with a sensor that if it were to fail would not affect the operation of the headlights.

Filed Oct 27, 2004 · Lights, Transmission · 171,214 miles · NC

Clear coat is pealing on hood and over back hatch, transmission problems and headlight problems the headlight will not work on dim I have taken it to the shop and they can not find anything wrong with it. The sensor keeps going out on the transmission.

Filed Feb 16, 2003 · Lights · SC

I have 2 ford vehicles from mid 1990's. The headlights on each have long since become thoroughly opacified. My guess is that this opacity occurred within the first 2 to 4 years. According my mechanic (who is a "ford man"), "this is a very characteristic and longstanding flaw with the ford brand, you would think ford would have dealt with this safety issue long ago, but ford has not and continues not to deal with it." this safeti issue/problem not inexpensive to remedy.

Filed Mar 4, 2002 · Lights · NJ

Headlamp assemblies were originally clear plastic but have aged not very well to the point where they are opaque (cloudy) and I feel the light output has diminished considerably below original lumen levels. I have noticed majority of ford products that are over 3-4 years of age have clouded plastic headlamps. Close examination reveals slight crazing of the plastic outer surface as well as general dullness of the plastic.

Filed May 18, 2001 · Electrical · NC

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.

Filed Mar 9, 2001 · Lights · FL

Lenses on headlights have become discolored. Dealer said yes it was a safety issue. But since vehicle was out of warranty they would do nothing . Consumer went, and had police look at headlights,.they stated yes he would be pulled over and cited due to headlights not being bright enough. *ak the consumer believes it is the dealer's responsibility to replace the head lights.

Filed Mar 18, 2000 · Electrical · IL · fire

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!!

Filed Feb 11, 1999 · Body, Electrical · PA

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

Filed Jun 9, 1998 · Lights · TN · fire

Vehicle had been parked and locked for 30 hours prior to fire. Fire appears to have spontaneously ignited in the left side of the dash area of the headlight switch and dimmer control for the interior lights.