1996 Ford Explorer: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Dec 6, 2010 · Engine · OH · fire

1996 ford explorer vehicle caught on fire while traveling. (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0629-91)8jb updated 04/22/11

Filed Feb 3, 2010 · Electrical · 180,000 miles · WV · fire

1996 ford explorer caught fire while driving. Total loss of vehicle within minutes.

Filed Dec 23, 2008 · Electrical · 85,000 miles · MI · fire

On monday dec 22 I drove my eddie bauer explorer to work parked it and went on with my duties at work within 5 min a resident pulls up telling me that my vehicle is on fire .the fire started under the hood and completely burned the whole vehicle I am looking for a any information that would explain this thank you.

Filed May 20, 2008 · Acceleration, Brakes · 127,000 miles · FL · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford explorer. While placing fuel in the vehicle, the contact noticed smoke underneath the hood. He opened the hood and noticed that the vehicle was on fire. The fire was doused with a fire extinguisher. The contact examined the damage and noticed that the wiring harness for the cruise control had melted, as well as the master cylinder. There were no warning signs prior to the failure. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 127,000.

Filed May 14, 2008 · Electrical · 143,000 miles · GA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford explorer. The contact started the vehicle and turned on the heater. He walked to his mailbox and returned to find smoke coming from the center console of the vehicle. All of a sudden, flames appeared from the console. He retrieved a fire extinguisher to douse the fire. The entire dashboard and underneath caught fire and he believed that the wiring harness under the dashboard may have been the cause of the fire. He did not contact the fire department or the manufacturer to report the fire, but he did contact his insurance company. The failure and current mileages were 143,000. Updated 07/29/08 *bf updated 07/29/08.

Filed Oct 24, 2007 · Suspension, Wheels · OH · fire

1996 ford explorer was beginning to have mechanical issues. Consumer pulled over and the right front wheel fell off and it caught fire. The vehicle was removed from the scene. *kb the police report stated the wheel bearing area was dry and rusty, which under noraml circumstances would be lubricated with oil. (ohio traffic crash report)

Filed Feb 4, 2007 · Acceleration · NJ · fire

My 1996 ford explorer unexpectedly went up in flames between the hours of 3 am - 4 am on 12/27/2006. I was later informed by my insurance company that a defective cruise control switch might have caused this to occur.

Filed Feb 21, 2006 · Acceleration · 99,000 miles · TX · fire

Dt*: the contact owns a 1996 ford explorer. It caught fire while parked, destroying the vehicle, the house, and another vehicle that was parked in the driveway. There is a the federal safety agency recall, # 05v388000, regarding the vehicle speed control. The vehicle had the same problems as indicated in the recall, however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.

Filed Sep 6, 2005 · Acceleration · CA · fire

Dt: contact's son owns a 1996 ford explorer. The contact stated there were no prior problems with the vehicle. Her son drove the vehicle for approximately 1-2 hours. After the vehicle was parked for about 20 minutes someone knocked on the door and said the vehicle was on fire. The vehicle was not inspected to determine the cause of the fire. The consumer has not contacted the manufacturer yet, but was going to do so.

Filed Feb 4, 2005 · Electrical · 174,056 miles · MD · fire

The truck was parked inside the parking lot and it caught on fire. No injuries reported. Driver called the fire department to extinguish the fire. Vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company.

Filed Jun 24, 2004 · Seats · 120,000 miles · NM · fire · 1 injury

My family drove to a store (6/21/04) and left our 1996 ford explorer in the parking lot for approximately one hour. When we returned the front of the cab was filled with smoke. We started trying to find what smelled so bad, and what was smoking. My husband realized the smoke was coming from under the drivers seat. He was able to move the seat up (electronic) and after burning his finger he was able to unplug the six way seat adjustment motor. When we called ford they would not do anything, but did say they would charge us $72 to diagnose what was wrong. It is evident the electronic motor had caught fire and has a hole burned through the side of it. If we had not returned to our SUV we would now have ashes, as the electric power is a constant feed. I contacted ford, in michigan, with this matter. I was told on 6/24/04 that I would need to pay for the diagnostic in order for ford to even look into the matter. They stated I could call my insurance and go that route. I explained I was worried about the safety of others and they said it was up to me what I did. They would not do anything unless I paid for the diagnostic. I stated that it was not my responsibility but ford's and she responded yes. In frustration I hung up and began this complaint. If someone were to leave his or her child in the car and this happens the child will be severely injured. If I had been alone when this happened I would not have known to unplug the seat motor. This is very dangerous. My husband stated that the heat was so intense he was surprised the seat had not caught on fire. He has since taken the motor out and will replace it when the part comes in. We still have the original motor. Please do something before someone is killed.

Filed Jan 25, 2003 · Electrical · 86,568 miles · WV · fire

Center console with computer info display caught fire while driving.